Isle of Skye
3
Day Itinerary •
UK
Three days on the Isle of Skye covers the four highlights that make it the most extraordinary island in Britain: the Old Man of Storr at sunrise, the Quiraing landslip walk, the Fairy Pools beneath the Black Cuillin and the Coral Beaches of Dunvegan. Three days done properly is better than five done in a rush. This route focuses on the essential Skye: the Trotternish peninsula with its extraordinary volcanic landscape, the Cuillin mountains and the crystal pools of Glen Brittle, and the western coast with Dunvegan Castle and the Caribbean-coloured beaches that nobody believes exist this far north.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Drive via Kyle of Lochalsh or ferry from Mallaig
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 180 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some hill walking on rough paths
DAY 1
THE STORR, QUIRAING AND TROTTERNISH
MORNING
THE OLD MAN OF STORR AND THE TROTTERNISH RIDGE
Leave before dawn and reach the Old Man of Storr car park by 6am in summer. The 45-minute walk to the pinnacles rewards with the extraordinary sight of the 50-metre basalt column alone in the mist or the early light, the Sound of Raasay below and the mainland mountains on the horizon. Return to Portree for breakfast then drive north to the Quiraing, the most extraordinary landscape on the island, for the afternoon walk. Free. Drive: 40 min drive
MIDDAY
THE QUIRAING WALK
The Quiraing is a vast landslip on the eastern face of the Trotternish ridge, its extraordinary chaos of pinnacles, cliffs and hidden plateaux entirely unlike anything else in Britain. The circular walk from the northern car park on the B855 takes about 3 hours and passes the Prison, the Needle and the extraordinary Table, a hidden flat plateau used for shinty until the 19th century. The views over Staffin Bay and the sea are outstanding. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
KILT ROCK AND PORTREE HARBOUR
Kilt Rock, the extraordinary 60-metre basalt cliff dropping directly into the sea, and the Mealt waterfall beside it make the most dramatic coastal viewpoint on the island. Return to Portree in the evening when the harbour is at its finest, the coloured houses reflected in the calm water of the bay and the fishing boats returning with their catch. The harbour is the most photographed scene in the Hebrides. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Rubha Hunish headland at the very northern tip of Skye, reached by a 45-minute coastal walk from Flodigarry, has the finest views of the Outer Hebrides from any point on Skye and a remarkable converted coastguard lookout bothy. Almost always empty. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Packed breakfast or Portree cafe Leave before dawn for the Storr. Return to Portree for a proper breakfast. | Lunch: Staffin or Quiraing area cafe Simple soup and sandwiches near the extraordinary landslip landscape. | Dinner: The Isles Inn, Portree Local venison, Skye lamb and the finest whisky selection on the island.
DAY 2
FAIRY POOLS, CUILLIN AND ELGOL
MORNING
THE FAIRY POOLS OF GLEN BRITTLE
The Fairy Pools are a series of extraordinary crystal-clear mountain pools on the Allt Coir a Mhadaidh beneath the Black Cuillin. The walk from the car park follows the burn upstream through an increasingly beautiful sequence of pools and waterfalls. The water is extraordinary in colour and clarity and the Cuillin peaks above are the finest mountain backdrop in Britain. Arrive before 8am to avoid the crowds. Wild swimming is exceptional here. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SLIGACHAN AND THE CUILLIN VIEW
The old Sligachan bridge is one of the most photographed locations in Scotland, the Black Cuillin and Red Cuillin rising on either side of the glen behind it in extraordinary scale. The walk from the bridge up Glen Sligachan gives the finest accessible view of the mountains. The Sligachan Hotel beside the bridge has the finest whisky collection in the Hebrides and has been welcoming mountaineers since the 19th century. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
ELGOL AND THE CUILLIN FROM THE SEA
The boat trip from Elgol to Loch Coruisk is the finest journey on Skye. The view of the Black Cuillin from the sea as the boat rounds the headland is the most extraordinary mountain panorama in Britain. The glacial loch at the heart of the mountains, accessible only by boat or a serious mountaineering route, is surrounded by the most dramatic rock scenery in the country. Seals haul out on the rocks at the entrance. Approx 20 GBP. Book ahead.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Rubh an Dunain headland south of Glen Brittle, reached by a 5km walk from the campsite, has a remarkable Viking canal cut through the rock and the most extraordinary Iron Age dun in the Hebrides. Almost always completely empty. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the early Fairy Pools start. | Lunch: Sligachan Hotel Classic pub lunch in the most historic climbing hotel in Scotland. | Dinner: Three Chimneys, Colbost The finest restaurant in Scotland. Book months ahead. Extraordinary.
DAY 3
DUNVEGAN, CORAL BEACHES AND NEIST
MORNING
DUNVEGAN CASTLE AND THE FAIRY FLAG
Dunvegan Castle, home to the Clan MacLeod for 800 years, is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. The extraordinary Fairy Flag, a silk banner of Middle Eastern origin, is the most remarkable relic in any Scottish castle. The castle gardens are outstanding in spring and summer. The small boat trips from the castle jetty to see the resident seal colony on the nearby skerries give the finest view of the castle from the sea. Entry approx 15 GBP. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE CORAL BEACHES OF CLAIGAN
The Coral Beaches 3km north of Dunvegan are the most extraordinary beaches in Scotland. The white shore is made entirely of maerl, a calcified red seaweed, giving the water an extraordinary Caribbean turquoise colour that nobody believes exists this far north. The walk from the car park takes about 20 minutes along the shore. The view from the far end of the beach to the mountains of Harris on the horizon is remarkable. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
NEIST POINT LIGHTHOUSE AT SUNSET
Neist Point, the westernmost point of Skye, has an extraordinary lighthouse on a dramatic headland above the Minch. The walk from the car park takes about 30 minutes along a remarkable cliff path. Basking sharks are frequently visible from the headland in summer. The view at sunset, with the Outer Hebrides on the horizon and the extraordinary Skye coastline lit behind, is the finest way to end the visit to the island. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Coral Beaches are best at high tide when the turquoise water covers the maerl completely. Check tide times before visiting. The walk along the shore at high tide with the water on both sides is the finest beach walk in Scotland. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dunvegan area hotel or cafe Breakfast before the castle opens at 9.30am. | Lunch: Stein Inn, Waternish The oldest pub on Skye. Excellent fish and chips with a loch view. | Dinner: Loch Bay Seafood Restaurant One Michelin star. The finest seafood on Skye. Book ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Portree, all 3 nights Central base for the whole island. Approx 100 to 200 GBP per night. Booking ahead Skye accommodation books out months ahead in summer. Reserve well in advance. Alternative base Broadford or Sligachan for easier access to the Cuillin on Day 2.
Top Tips
1. The Old Man of Storr at sunrise with no other visitors is the finest hour on Skye. Go before 7am.
2. Midges are ferocious from June to August. Bring a head net and midge repellent. Non-negotiable.
3. The Fairy Pools car park fills by 9am in summer. Arrive before 8am or after 6pm.
4. Weather changes rapidly. Always carry waterproofs and extra layers regardless of the forecast.
5. Book the Elgol boat trip well ahead in summer. The Cuillin from the sea is extraordinary.
6. The Quiraing is best walked anti-clockwise from the northern car park on the B855.
Total Budget
150 to 320 GBP/day