If you are visiting Skye or looking for things to do in Skye then you have come to the right place. Skye is the second largest of the Inner Hebrides and lies to the west of Lochalsh.
While Skye is not unknown to receive a dump of snow in winter, this is not what makes it an attractive destination throughout the year. Things like flora and fauna attract people from all over the world all year round.
Don’t go in winter (unless you like blizzards and ice) – Don’t go alone (make sure your pals want to share the beauty) – Don’t expect a sunny day every day (35% chance of this happening at any one time) – Don’t take all day getting there (it’ll be quicker the next time you go)
Below is our list of top things to do in Skye, we hope that you enjoy the suggestions and if you have any suggestions for things to do in Skye then please leave them in the comments below.
Hike the Cuillin Mountains
With over 4000m of continuously exposed ridges and summits, the Cuillin Mountains are a legendary test piece for all climbers. Hikers too can sample some of Scotland’s most challenging walking, from the steep and rocky Sligachan path to the challenging Traverse Horseshoe (9 miles/14km).
There is no better way to enjoy the beauty of wild Skye than by hiking in and around the Cuillins. Hikers come from all over the world to experience this fantastic Cuillin range, which rises above Isleornsay on Skye’s west coast, with a backdrop of the Black Cuillins and a wonderful colour palette produced by plants, lichen and rocks all competing for attention – this is genuinely a stunning hike.
The Horseshoe is Skye’s most popular circular route: 12 miles (19km) of ridges and summits with spectacular views on every side, from the dramatic pinnacles of the Black Cuillins to the remote and rugged Seana Bhaile (9,146ft/2,789m), Liathach (10,150 ft/3,104m) and Beinn Eighe (10,291 ft/3,140m) mountains in Torridon.
As you can see from the photos Skye is such a beautiful place and many of the things to do in Skye are going to be just soaking up the views.
Visit the fairy pools of Glen Brittle.
Scottish fairy pools are magic, mysterious and full of lore. The fairy pools in Glen Brittle near Glencoe are one of the most picturesque fairy spots around Scotland. There are many fairy pools to choose from; before you travel, make sure to do your research!
Here is a list of fairy pools worth visiting:
- Glen Almond fairy pools, Lorton
- The fairy pools near Glencoe
- The fairy pools on Ben Nevis
- Fairy Loch ness
These fairy pools are just some of the many fairy spots to see around the glens of Scotland and are so pretty that you will enjoy the walk to them and then you can sit and soak up the fairy tale and we are sure these will be on you list of things to do in Skye when you return again in the future.
Head for Elgol
Head for Elgol, a tiny coastal village in the Isle of Skye. Head to the local pub and enjoy freshly caught seafood with your pint of beer or cider! Head towards Portree Head towards Portree, a significant town located on the opposite side of the Isle of Skye.
Visitors can travel across the loch by boat from Elgol to the entrance of Loch Coruisk (meaning ‘cauldron of water’), which is a glacier lake nearly two miles long but only a few hundred yards broad, nestled in the shade of Scotland’s highest peaks.
There are a variety of excursions from Elgol along the coast or into both the Red and Black Cuillins.
Get a photo at Neist Point lighthouse
Neist Point lighthouse is a good location for taking pictures of the rocky coastlines around it. Neist Point lighthouse was built in 1899 and featured in many films. Neist Point lighthouse stands at about 40 meters tall, making it one of the tallest lighthouses in Scotland. Neist point can be reached after hiking up Neist hill.
Neist Point lighthouse is only roughly 30 miles away from the village of Portree, where ferries arrive and depart from. Neist Point lighthouse also has a delicious restaurant/cafe with views of the Neist Point lighthouse.
Neist point can be reached by taking the A850, a 50-mile long road that goes around the Isle of Skye. Neist Point lighthouse is open to visitors every day from 10 am to 5 pm, with the last entry at 4 pm. Neist Point lighthouse has a height above sea level of 295metres. Neist Point lighthouse is run by the Northern Lighthouse Board, which operate lighthouses and charted buoys around Scotland.
Neist Lighthouse is such a picturesque place and that is why it is on our list of things to do in Skye.
Watch The Puffins
Watch the puffins of Loch Dunvegan, a coastal loch and an inlet off the coast of the Inner Hebrides. Loch Dunvegan is located on the western edge of Skye, which is one of Scotland’s many islands. Overhead, puffin watching boats depart from Loch Dunvegan for puffin spotting trips that last about an hour and a half.
Visitors to Loch Dunvegan can also spot puffins from the shore because puffins nest in the same cliffs year after year, where they make their nests out of grass and seaweed. The puffin watching boat departs every hour on the hour from 10 am till 4 pm during puffin season (between March and August), and puffin spotting usually lasts for about an hour and a half.
Visitors to Loch Dunvegan should be aware that puffins are wild animals, which means that puffin watching can be cancelled in the event of bad weather or if puffins aren’t in the mood for being watched by humans.
A puffin watching trip costs 15 pounds per person for adults and 10 pounds for children. Behind puffin watching, animal spotting is the most popular activity done at Loch Dunvegan and visitors to the loch can see porpoises and dolphins here as well. Puffins can be seen from Sconser puffin viewing platforms between May and August, where puffins usually come back to their puffin burrows on the cliffs of Loch Dunvegan at this time of year.
Seeing a real life Puffin in the wild is on bucket lists of people all over the world and what a great opportunity to see one here you have to add this to your list of things to do in Skye.
Steam Train To Glendale
Take the Steam Train to Glendale from Mallaig Steam train rides between Mallaig and Glenfinnan are very popular with people who visit Scotland, especially in summer where Steam trains leave from Mallaig’s railway station every hour during the Steam train season. Steam Trains can also be taken from Fort William to Lochailort or Corrour, which is a place in the higher part of the Scottish Highlands.
Steam trains from Fort William to Lochailort or Corrour depart from Fort William every day from May to October, with Steam train trips taking roughly two hours and twenty minutes. Who does not want a ride on a steam train and a great opportunity to see more great views and a real experience for one of the things to do in Skye.
Cycle From Inverness to Portree
Cycle from Inverness to Portree via the Great Glen cycle path (take your bike on the train for an extra treat) Cycling from Inverness to Portree is a 50-mile long ride that can be done in a day with the route going from Inverness to Tomatin on the A86 road.
At Tomatin railway station, bike racks are provided for customers who need them. Bikes can also be taken on trains from Tomatin to Fort William and Inverness to Fort William. At the other end of the Great Glen cycle path is Portree, a popular tourist destination in Skye that can be reached by taking the train from Inverness railway station via Beauly and Dingwall (it takes about an hour and forty minutes to get from Inverness to Portree).
The Great Glen cycle path goes through the Great Glen between Fort William and Inverness, where cyclists can take their bikes on trains for an extra treat. The route of the Great Glen cycle path is also suited to people who want to take their bike for camping/hiking trips because there are many B&Bs located along its route.
Cycling holidays are not always high up on peoples things to do in Skye list but a relaxed cycling holiday can be a lot of fun and a great way to see the world.
Sleep under The stars
Camp out under the stars with your friends at Uig Sands.
Uig Sands is a camping and caravan site located on Uig Bay, south of the Isle of Skye. Uig Sands has pitches for tents, caravans and motor homes, along with chalets that can be rented by customers who want to stay for longer than just one night. Uig Sands allows campfires to be lit in specific places on Uig Sands, which means that Uig Sands is an excellent place to camp out under the stars with your friends. Campfires can also be lit at Uig Hotel, another place for tourists who want to visit Uig Sands and Uig Hotel.
Uig Sands allows swimmers to take a dip at Uig Sands, where Uig Sands has a lifeguard stationed on Uig Bay from 11 am to 7 pm every day Uig Sands is open. The swimming pool at Uig Hotel also allows people to swim here, where Uig Hotel’s swimming pools are available to the Uig Hotel’s guests who want to take a dip in Uig Hotel’s swimming pool.
Uig Sands is made up of sand dunes, which Uig Sands describes itself as Uig Beach with amenities. Uig Beach has a golden sand beach that stretches for about 200 metres along Uig Bay, where Uig Sands offers good views of the sand dunes on Uig Sands’ hills. Uig Sands is also located close to Uig Hotel, Uig Pier, Uig churchyard and Uig Park.
Uig Beach is known as the best dog-friendly beach in Skye because dogs are allowed on Uig Sands. Dogs must be kept under control at all times and cannot be left unattended, while Sands’ own Uig Beach is a dog-friendly beach, whereas Uik Hotel’s Uig Beach is also a dog-friendly beach as well. Uig Sands has Uig Sands’ own UIG HOTEL, whereas Uik Hotel does not have Uik Hotel’s own Uig hotel. Uik Hotel does have Uig Hotel’s Uig hotel as a place where guests who want to visit Uig Sands and Uig Hotel can stay overnight at Uik Hotel.
As you can see so far there are so many great things to do in Skye and then list is still growing so I am sure that you wont be bored when you get to great place and if you do have any more suggestions of things to do in Skye then please contact us.
Walking and Hiking
One of the best things to do in Skye is walk as much as you can (you’ll be glad you did as it’s good for the body and soul). Skye is the place where you wish for freedom. It’s like a massive breath of fresh air, and it promises relaxation and peace to all those who visit. Walking in Skye is the most pleasant way you can enjoy this beauty. There are many paths marked for people to walk along. The highest mountain in mainland Britain -Ben Nevis – is also in Skye. Walking tours to the summit of this mountain is available at all times of the year, even in winter.
Bring a camera with you and photography will soon be one of the things to do in Skye because I don’t think you can take a bad photo in Skye and so you can impress your friends with your amazing photos of all the things to do in Skye.
I would recommend starting right from your hotel if you can, to enjoy this adventure without having to walk back at the end. Walking in the Isle of Skye makes you realize how much there is to do and see and experience, and it’s a great way to discover its beauty. Walking in the Isle of Skye makes you feel like you’re on top of the world.
Skye Walking Tours: There are many guided tours available from your hotel, from one-day trips to exploring all of Skye. Walking tours are open all year round. It’s one of the best activities you can do in Skye, as it allows you to fully appreciate its beauty and uniqueness.
I think walking is one of my favourite ways to explore a place and with any new place you visit a long walk is always on my list of things to do in Skye.
Conclusion – Things to do in Skye
Leave yourself enough time to do everything above more than once
There is so much to see and do in Skye, and you will want to go back again. After all the time and effort that goes into getting there, it would be a shame not to. I believe that you should give yourself at least five days to explore it properly.
I hope you are enjoying our series of “things to do in” series as our things to do in Skye is not the only one we have done. We have written about the things to do in Bath, things to do in Liverpool, things to do in York and Things To Do In Manchester.
This series will continue over the coming months, and I will keep adding to them. So if you would like us to look at a certain place to visit, then please message us, and we will take a look.
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