The Isle of Skye

  • About The Isle of Skye

  • At least 2 Days
At least 2 Days

The largest of the Inner Hebrides islands of Scotland, dominated by the Cullin mountain range, on the A87 133 km west of Fort Augusta and Loch Ness.

The island is surrounded by rugged coastline and is famous for its breathtaking landscapes of mountain ranges, rock formations, beautiful Lochs (lakes), waterfalls and much more.
The island offers vast opportunities for hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, mountain biking, watersports, and great scenery viewpoints.

Visit the island’s capital Portree and join a boat trip sailing the sea surrounding the island while exploring and watching the great Isle of Skye Marine Life including Dolphins, Seals, and Whales. On land, watch the White-Tailed Sea Eagle on the cliffs near Portree, Otters and the Island’s Red Dear.

Making your base in the picturesque capital of Portree, Thetjoy.com suggests a road trip route visiting the island.
Start by heading north on A855 to the Old Man of Storr.
Enjoy the iconic rock pinnacles in the Trotternish ridge and peninsula, and continue through the Lealt waterfalls, the Kilt Rock cliffs and the Mealt waterfall viewpoint of the Quiraing breathtaking landscapes.

From the Quiraing we will start our way west through the Fairy Glen enchanting landscape, to the MacLeod Dunvegan Castle and Gardens, and to Neist Point lighthouse the westernmost tip of the island.
While in this area you can also visit the Skye Museum of Island Life, and the Skyeskyns, the only sheepskin tannery in Scotland, both near Dunvegan Castle.

Continuing south you can visit the Talisker, the oldest working Distillery in the island, hike to enjoy the Fairy pools north of the beautiful Loch Brittle, and continue northeast to Saligachan, for the impressive and beautiful landscapes of the Cuillin mountain range.

Return to Portree, or continue south to Armadale for the way back, using the ferry to Fort William in mainland Scotland.
The climate in the isle of Skye is usually mild, windy, wet and misty.

Thetjoy.com recommends traveling to the Isle of Skye by car, either from Fort Augusta in the southern tip of Loch Ness, on A87 driving west through Eilean Donan Castle and crossing the Skye bridge over Loch Alsh, to Broadford.
Another option is to head west on A830 from Fort William through Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaige, then with a ferry to Armadale in the southern part of the Skye Island.

Traveling to (or from) Skye Island from Port Williams you can also use the picturesque West Highland Railway used by the Jacobite steam locomotive train which operates only in the Summer. The Steam train appeared in several Harry Potter films named  “the Hogwarts Express”.

To visit and enjoy the island Thetjoy.com recommends arriving in the evening or earlier in one of the two routes options, spending at least 1-2 days (or more), and returning to the mainland through a different route.

Note that the Isle of Skye travel route presented, visiting and enjoying all the most popular and iconic attractions in the Island, will be quite difficult to pursue in only 1-2 days.

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Magnificent view of the Quiraing mountains sunset at Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom

Aerial view of the dramatic coastline at the cliffs by Staffin with the famous Kilt Rock and the Mealt waterfall, Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom

Close up view on a clear day of The The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom

Enjoy The Isle of Skye