3 Day Itinerary: An Adventure on the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland, is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides. Though referred to as an island, it is actually connected to the mainland by a bridge which forms the gateway into Skye and creates easy access from the mainland. The ease of access means that visiting the Isle of Skye often forms part of a larger Scottish adventure, so this three day itinerary is packed full of adventure and dramatic island highlights. Although this itinerary is designed for three days, you could either condense it or spend extra time relaxing and exploring in more depth.
How can you get to the Isle of Skye?
There are lots of ways to get to the Isle Skye, with the most common one being driving over The Skye Bridge which is located near the small town of Kyle of Lochalsh (whilst there was a toll when it was first opened, it is now free to cross). Alternatively, you could sail from the Scottish mainland Malliag with Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries. The crossing is only 45 minutes and you will arrive at Armadale, in the south of the island. This is a popular route, so I would advise booking in advance.
Day One on the Isle of Skye
Start early if you are driving over the bridge in Kyle of Lochalsh and head for Sligachan Old Bridge. You won’t fail to be amazed by the backdrop of the Cuillin mountain range. Also legend has it, if you put your face into the river running under the bridge for 7 seconds and let it dry off naturally, then you’ll be granted eternal beauty! You’ll also find a statue of the famous mountaineer John Morton MacKenzie. From here, you can hike to the Sligachan Waterfalls, or instead head to the largest town or capital of the Isle of Skye - Portree. Enjoy wandering the colourful harbour, get a bite to eat, or stock up on supplies. There is a large CoOp open 7am - 10pm seven days a week. Don’t forget to browse the shops selling local crafts and produce.
Afterwards drive towards the Old Man of Storr. Either take your opportunity to climb Storr now or return early one morning when there are likely to be less people. It is approximately a 45 minute walk to a viewpoint and another 20 minutes to the Old Man, where on a clear day you will be rewarded with fantastic views out to the mainland and the islands of Raasay and Rona. Afterwards, be sure to visit Lealt Falls. The River Lealt crashes down 90 metres into the gorge, but please note that Lealt Falls is particularly impressive after heavy rainfall. Before the day is out, visit Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls Viewpoint too. Both these places are only short stops, with easy parking, giving the opportunity to easily see some of the most dramatic sights on the Isle of Skye.
Stay at Staffin Campsite, or for the best views wild camp near The Storr. We would recommend using the Park4night app to find wild camping locations in the area. Click here to read more about Wild Camping in Scotland.
For lots more recommendations of things to see and do, places to stay and eateries not to miss on the Isle of Skye and the rest of the Inner Hebrides, check out the Google Map and Legend here.
Day Two on the Isle of Skye
On day two, take the opportunity to return to the Old Man of Storr for a sunrise hike (if you didn’t hike yesterday) or take a stroll on Staffin beach. Staffin Beach is a small beach, with sand at one end and exposed sedimentary rock. At low tide, be sure to look out for dinosaur footprints not far from the ramp down to the beach. The best time to see them is after a winter storm, when they are fully exposed. If you have more time, there is also Staffin Dinosaur Museum where you can learn more about dinosaurs. Afterwards, head towards the Quariang mountain range on the north side of the Trotternish Peninsula. This dramatic landscape looks like something from another world and the drive alone is absolutely breathtaking, or you can opt to hike as much or as little as you’d like or have time for. It is worth nothing, that a short walk from the car park alone will give you epic views of the Quaraing landscape. Please be careful if you are driving a larger campervan/motorhome, the carpark may not provide you with a suitable place to start your hike.
Continue towards the Skye Museum of Island Life, see the preserved thatched cottages and how life was lived on the island of Skye years ago.
Arrive at Uig for lunch. We recommend walking the Fairy Glen on the west side of Trotternish and climbing to the top of Castle Ewen if the weather permits. This geological wonder comprises a number of conical hills that look manmade but are, in fact, remnants of an ancient landslip. The Isle of Skye has a long history with fairies, most of which is related to Dunvegan Castle and their ‘Fairy Flag’. Unfortunately, there are no actual legends that link the Fairy Glen to actual fairies, so it is simply thought that is is called the ‘Fairy Glen’ because of it’s unusual location.
If time later on in the afternoon, head to Dunvegan Castle & Gardens or swap this for a walk to Coral beach instead.
Park up for the night, or head to stay at Kinloch Campsite. If you are interested in extending your stay in Scotland, click here to find out about visiting The Outer Hebrides.
Buy your guide to the Inner Hebrides Google Map here. It includes:
Campsite recommendations, overnight parking/ community wild camping spots, chemical disposal points, must see attractions and towns, beaches, hikes, food and drink recommendations, driving routes and blog post links.
Day Three on the Isle of Skye
If today is your final day on the stunning island of Skye, head to Skye’s Oldest Bakery for breakfast (only open for a few hours weekdays, or until stock has sold out; closed at weekends). Then head towards Coral Beach in Claigan or Dunvegan Castle & Gardens. Claigan is a 10 minute drive from Dunvegan Castle and it is worth noting that parking at Coral Beach is very limited and would not be suitable for large campervans or motorhomes. The beach is made from crushed white seaweed that looks very much like coral and this makes the sea look tropical blue when the sun comes out. The walk down to the beach is along a farm track that takes about 25 mins to get to the beach. The return is that same route back to the carpark.
Late afternoon, head to the famous Fairy Pools. These famous pools entice visitors from all over the world, as they make some great ‘wild swimming’ for those brave enough to enter the cold water. There is parking nearby, which is expensive, but there is no real alternative without walking miles. The walk to Fairy Pools can be wet and slippery, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear.
Stay at Glenbrittle Campsite at the foot of the iconic Cuillin mountains and Loch Brittle beach. Enjoy the sunset and your last night on the Isle of Skye.
For more ideas and information about places to visit in Scotland, click here.
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