Making the most of your time on the Isle of Skye

Most people visit the Isle of Skye between April and the end of September. Throughout this period we have long daylight hours; in June and July there is useable daylight until after 10pm (or from 4am if you like an early start). This means that through the summer you can take your time, absorb the beauty of the place without thinking there is a daylight deadline!

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The weather is not predictable at any time of year; we say in Scotland that there is never bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. However, having said this, we find that May is always very special with the hillsides bursting with flowers and fresh green growth. Autumn colours can be spectacular - with the lowering sun creating a blaze of colour across the mountains.

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There is no bad time to come - there is always something fascinating to see!

The whole length of the Isle of Skye can be driven in a single day - but this is something we certainly do not recommend! From a central location, such as Portree, you can easily reach all of the island in bite-sized travel chunks - taking a day to undertake different loops and tours that will allow you to explore and see everything that is on your list of must-do activities.

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Portree offers the most diverse choice of accommodation, eating options and things to do; it has the only cinema (which also hosts music and other entertainment), shops (with great opportunities to buy locally produced crafts) and can be the starting point for hikes and walks around the harbour and coast.

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If you do not have your own transport, Portree is the main location for using local and long-distance buses and it is also the starting point for many locally organised day tours that will take you to locations across the island.

If you have the time, then you need at least 4 full days on Skye. We appreciate that this is not always possible if you are on a wider tour of Scotland, but there is so much to do and see. If you cannot fit it all in, you can always come back!

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We have prepared a suggested itinerary for guests which you can download from this site. See the bottom of this page.

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If you are trying to work out how long to come for, here are some things to consider:

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• Think about making your arrival day part of the visit - not simply a mad rush to get to your accommodation in the evening. Try and time your arrival across the Kyle Bridge (or even better, by ferry) for the start of the day. This means that you have time to take in the island from the very start. Remember that if you are travelling from central Scotland it can take between 3 and 4 hours to get to Kyle of Lochalsh.

• Think about where you are based - locate somewhere that you can get to all of the main sites you want to go to. Allow time to get there and to have the hours to take in what you find.

• Use your departure day to to also enjoy the island - from Portree you can take a leisurely drive to the Kyle Bridge or down the Sleat Peninsula to the ferry across to Mallaig.

We love weather! We have a weather station in the garden and we are looking for ways to have live data on this site!

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The great beauty of the weather on Skye, and across most of Scotland, is that it changes frequently and rapidly. Do not like the weather just now... just wait 20 minutes for something else!

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We cannot deny that it rains - Skye is one of the wettest places in Western Europe - we have the Atlantic Ocean to thank for this, with its predominantly westerly wind. The ocean also ensures that we avoid extreme temperatures. At sea level it rarely snows and frosts are infrequent. Higher up, snow patches might remain throughout the winter, and accessing the peaks over winter is for the experienced and well equipped only.

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There are numerous micro-climates and variations of weather, even across what is a very small area. Ask for local advice on what the weather may be just a few miles away!

If you are visiting, come prepared. Best to bring several thin layers, a warm layer such as a fleece or down jacket and a waterproof outer layer. Be ready to add or remove these as the weather changes through the day (always a good idea to have a back-pack in which to store these items). Waterproof trousers are also a good investment!

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If you are doing long-distance hikes or mountaineering then always have the appropriate equipment. Never venture far from the main routes or up into the mountains if you do not have experience of such locations and the clothing to deal with all eventualities.

​​Many roads on Skye are single track and you need to allow additional time to get to your destination if you are not familiar with these. Passing places allow traffic in the opposite direction to pass on your right and to allow traffic behind you to pass (always stay on the left, even when the passing place is on the right hand side of the road). Locals tend to know the roads better and will be grateful if you allow them to pass and are considerate to their needs.

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Be aware that many roads are unfenced, so there may be sheep, cattle or even deer running across the tarmac in front of you. Be ready to react to this. But do not be the tourist that stops in a passing place to take a picture of a coo.

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Drink-driving limits are much stricter in Scotland than they are in the rest of the UK. The best advice is to have no alcohol at all before driving. A single drink in Scotland may well set you over the limit and get you a visit to the local police station. Do think of this if you are visiting one of the distilleries and have a designated driver. You can always have that drink when you return to your accommodation.

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If you are not familiar with driving on the left then do take extra care when turning out of junctions, pay attention to road markings and signage and just allow extra time for the journey. If you are the driver, agree with passengers that you will be happy for them to remind you to stay on the left!

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Do not let any of the above put you off driving on Skye - car transport will take you to the most wonderful of locations and the views you will enjoy en route will be worth the extra concentration you may have to expend.

This is a difficult one, as we all visit a place for different reasons and to experience different things. You may come for the landscape, the food, the crafts, sports or wildlife. There is also history and culture to enjoy and you need to find out exactly what it is you want to get out of a visit.

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To help you, here are some ideas:

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• Portree - the main town on the Island and where you might find somewhere to eat, walk around the harbour, shop for some local crafts or join an organised tour.

• The Storr - the classic landscape of Skye, with the impressive 'Old Man' and a walk with spectacular views

• The Quirang - enjoy Geology? Walk around the remains of a catastrophic landslip, with cliffs, rocks and views. Get out of the car and take in the 2-hour loop on foot.

• Skye Museum of Island Life - a preserved crofts with fascinating interpretations of life on the island in the past

• The Fairy Glen - another short walk through a fascinating and varied landscape

• Dunvegan Castle and Gardens- Ancestral home of the clan MacLeod

• Neist Point and lighthouse. One of the classic views on the island and a lively spot to watch a sunset

• The Fairy Pools - take advantage of the waterfalls and pools beneath the impressive Cuillin range - why not have a dip in the water?

• The Cuillins - walk to and along the ridge (if you are suitably experienced and equipped). You can find shorter routes and easier walks if you wish!

• Talisker or Torabhaig- visit a distillery and sample the water of life

• Take a boat trip - these are available from Portree or from Elgol - with the opportunity to see wildlife and to see landscape from a new perspective

• Enjoy a trip to the Coral Beach - where you can have another swim!

• Take the ferry to Raasay - explore another island

• Armadale Castle and Gardens - with 'Museum of the Isles' (useful stop on your way to the Mallaig ferry)

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This is just a selection of ideas - we have so many more to share!​​​​

We have prepared a tour guide that describes some routes and trips that you might want to consider when on the Isle of Skye. If you would like a copy then just ask via the contact form.