4 Days on the Isle of Skye: The Perfect Itinerary
Hello again! I’ve been really enjoying documenting more on my blog this year already - my aim is to have a real mixture of practical guides and thoughtfully curated itineraries, as well as beautiful visual photo diaries that inspire your future travels. Thank you SO much if you have been reading my posts, it truly means a lot to me!
So, with that in mind, it has been on my list for a while now to share a detailed itinerary for a trip to the Isle of Skye following my trip last year. The Isle of Skye is a truly stunning island in Scotland, and it has by far the most impressive scenery and landscape I’ve seen in the UK. It’s nothing short of magical, and this guide has my recommendations on how to make the most of your time by spending four days exploring the area. It includes the top things to do on the Isle of Skye for hiking, restaurant recommendations and my favourite spots.
Day 1: Arrive on the Isle of Skye
It’s worth noting that reaching the Isle of Skye can be quite a journey so you should account for the travel time when planning your trip to ensure you have plenty of time to explore. If you’re travelling from London like I did, for example, one of the easiest routes is to fly to Inverness, hire a car from the airport and then drive to Skye. The drive from Inverness to Skye takes around 3 hours and includes a scenic journey through the Scottish Highlands before crossing the Skye Bridge, which connects the mainland to the island. In total, this route takes at least 5 hours of travel time.
On the first day, you’ll likely want to relax after the long travel time. I *highly* recommend staying at the gorgeous Crofter’s House - you can read more about my stay at the link below. It’s a short walk to Tianavaig Bay and watching sunset here is the perfect, relaxing start to the trip. If you’re staying in self-catered accommodation, you’ll also want to make sure you enough leave time to pick up groceries for your trip. There is a large Co-op in Portree which I found best for this!
The Crofter’s House
Read more about my stay in this traditional croft house on the Isle of Skye here.
Find more places to stay in Skye
I’ve added all the points of interest (marked with stars) from my recommended itinerary to the map below so you can search for more accommodation options on the Isle of Skye.
Day 2: Old Man of Storr, Brother’s Point & Kilt Rock
On the second day of your trip to Skye, I would recommend starting the day by completing the Old Man of Storr walk, then driving further along to explore Brother’s Point, a peaceful coastal trail, and finishing the day with a visit to Kilt Rock, a dramatic sea cliff with a stunning waterfall.
Old Man of Storr
I would highly recommend starting this walk as early as possible as it’s easily the most popular hike on the island and it can get very busy during peak season. The earlier you start, the better your chances of enjoying the magical morning light over the landscape.
Total walk time: 1.5 - 2.5 hours depending on how far you go and how often you stop for photos (which will be often if you are like me!)
Difficulty: The trail is a little bit steep at first but the track is well-maintained and easy to follow. The views from the top are so worth the effort! On a clear day, you’ll get panoramic views over Loch Leather and the gorgeous surrounding landscape.
Car parking: There is a paid car park and National Trust shop by the starting point - whilst spaces do fill up really quickly, the hike is relatively short so the cars are always coming and going.
Brother’s Point
After completing the Old Man of Storr walk, I recommend continuing north for a short drive (15 mins) to Brother’s Point. It’s a lesser-known spot that offers a complete contrast to Storr. It’s a relatively easy and peaceful coastal walk that
Total walk time: 45 mins - 1 hour round trip
Difficulty: It’s an easy and peaceful coastal walk with beautiful views out to the sea. It’s also a great spot to have your lunch so remember to pack this with you!
Car parking: There’s a small lay-by (I’ve linked the Google Maps location) just off the A855 where you can park, opposite the entrance gate to the trail. It’s not signposted, so it’s easy to miss! To start the walk, you’ll need to walk a couple of minutes south where there is a signpost to start the walk.
Kilt Rock
To finish your day, it’s worth driving five minutes up the road to Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, one Skye’s iconic viewpoints. This really is just a viewing point so you won’t need to spend longer than 10-15 minutes here. There is a large, free viewpoint car park right next to the cliffs.
Day 3: Rubah Hunish & Quirang
On Day 3, I recommend starting the day with a hike to Rubha Hunish, the northernmost point of the Isle of Skye. The trail is a LOT less touristy - I think I saw less than 10 people on the whole walk but it’s an incredibly rewarding and dramatic coastal walk. It takes approximately an hour from Portree to the start point.
Rubah Hunish
Total walk time: 3 hours round trip
Difficulty: mostly flat and easy with a couple of moderately challenging parts (e.g. scrambling down a steep path to reach the clifftop) but you can avoid the steep part if you prefer. If you are able to, I’d highly recommend scrambling down to enjoy the sense of solitude and stunning coastal scenery.
Car parking: There’s a small free car park (link to Google Maps point) just off the A855 at the start of the trail, near a red telephone box.
About halfway along the trail, you’ll spot the infamous wooden lookout bothy on the hill. It’s a simple shelter that offers a place to rest and enjoy the view. There’s a visitor’s book you can sign and it’s the perfect place to pause during the hike. Many visitors also wrote that they saw the Northern Lights here!
Quirang
As you drive back down towards Portree (assuming you are staying here), I’d recommend stopping at the Quiraing - one of Skye’s most dramatic landscapes. This was one of my favourite views of the trip. If you don’t have time to complete the full hike, you can access the main viewpoint just a few minutes from the car park (this does mean that the drive up to the starting point is quite hilly with hairpin bends so bear this in mind!).
Total walk time: 5-10 mins if only visiting the viewpoint from the car park (see photo below) or 3-4 hours if completing a round trip walk (note you probably wouldn’t want to complete the full walk if you are also completing Rubah Hunish in the morning).
Difficulty: If you’re up for it, the full Quiraing loop walk covers a variety of terrain, including some steep parts and uneven ground so it’s best completed in dry weather. Overall, it’s moderate/hard difficulty.
Car parking: There’s a small paid car park at the start point of the walk, but it can fill up quickly during peak season. However, if you’re visiting in the afternoon, you should be okay to grab a spot!
Day 4: Portree & Sligachan
After a few days of hiking, I would use the final day to slow down and soak in Skye’s beauty for the last time before heading home. You also want to limit the amount of driving as you’ll be driving 3 hours back to Inverness. On the final day, I’d recommend spending the morning exploring Portree, a charming habour town. You can walk down to the waterfront to see the pastel-coloured houses, browse in local shops and grab brunch at a cute cafe - I recommend Birch Cafe.
On your drive back to Inverness, I highly recommend stopping at Sligachan. This is one of the most scenic spots in Skye and surrounded by epic mountain views. If you prefer, you can also swap to complete a more challenging walk in the Cuillin mountains on one of the days. It’s also a great spot to watch sunset if you have time on any of the other days.
To summarise, my suggested 4-day itinerary for the Isle of Skye is as follows:
Day 1 - Arrive on the Isle of Skye
Day 2 - Old Man of Storr, Brother’s Point and Kilt Rock
Day 3 - Rubah Hunish & Quirang
Day 4 - Explore Portree & drive to Sligachan
Things you should know before you travel to the Isle of Skye
Midge repellent - if you're visiting between late spring and early autumn, you should definitely pack some midge repellent e.g. Smidge. These tiny insects can be relentless, especially in still conditions near water or woodland (they were particularly bad at Sligachan in the evening!!). You could also purchase a midge repellent hat.
Pack weather-proof clothing - many of Skye’s best walks involve muddy or rocky paths, so a good pair of waterproof walking boots is essential. And you should always be prepared for rain so pack a reliable raincoat, even in summer.
Limited phone signal - don’t rely too heavily on your phone signal because coverage can be patchy or non-existent in remote areas. You should always download offline maps for both driving and walking.
Advance booking - Portree has some amazing places to eat but they book up fast in peak season. If there’s somewhere you really want to try, it’s best to reserve ahead of time.
If you are planning a trip to the Isle of Skye this year, I hope you found this guide useful! I regularly share more content on my Instagram and TikTok.
Thanks for reading,
T.
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