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A QUICK GUIDE ISLE OF SKYE

Things to Know
Famous for its dramatic landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles, the Isle of Skye is doubtless one of the most scenic locations to visit in Scotland. As the largest of the Scottish islands, Skye offers a number of interesting cultural attractions, excellent traditional pubs and restaurants, as well as quite a few art galleries and craft shops for you to discover. Beyond its rich and fascinating history, it is also a great destination for wildlife watching and a world-class destination for hikers and climbers. Unsurprisingly, Skye is also home to some excellent whisky distilleries that are absolutely worth visiting! The Isle of Skye is a place where the old world perfectly collides with the new, as forward-thinking architects, chefs, and cultural custodians combine their efforts in making this remote island a contemporary Scottish holiday destination.
Things to See
The Old Man of Storr
Located in the stunning Trotternish Peninsula south of the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr is one of the most iconic and widely recognizable geological formations on the island.
The Kilt Rock
A soaring sea cliff in north east Totternish. It gets its name from the dramatic vertical and horizontal lines on its face that resemble the patterns of tartan.
The Skye Museum of Island Life
A museum that showcases what life for the inhabitants of Skye was like in the closing part of the 19th century.
The Staffin Dinosaur Museum
A small museum in the district of Staffin that houses a large collection of prehistoric fossils and dinosaur related information.
The Dunvegan Castle
The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and the seat of the celebrated clan MacLeod. It houses several pieces of fine art and clan heirlooms like the Dunvegan Cup, Sir Roy Mor’s Horn, and the Fairy Flag.
The Armadale Castle
The spiritual home of clan MacDonald. Inside, you will find the fascinating Museum of the Isles that showcases the history and culture of the Highlands and the Scottish Isles.
Things to Do
Walk the Quiraing
If you want to explore the wild scenery of Skye and take some incredible photographs in the process, walking the Quiraing should absolutely find a place on your bucket list. The complete trail spans approximately 4,2 miles and requires about two hours to complete.
Explore the Distilleries of Skye
No visit to the Island of Skye could ever be complete without sampling some regional whiskey. With the famous Talisker and Torahbaig distilleries on the mainland as well as the Raasay distillery on the Isle of Raasay, make a day of it and learn about the art of making whiskey and its deep historical ties with Scottish culture.
Watch the Sun Set Over the Minch
Located on the westernmost point of Skye near the township of Glendale, the Neist Point lighthouse is quite possibly the best place on the island to enjoy watching the sunset. Follow the steep concrete path down to the lighthouse, take some time to appreciate the rugged scenery and watch the sun as it plunges into the cold waters of the Atlantic, igniting the sky in the process. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to see some whales or some Basking sharks swimming in the waters just off the point.
Visit the Fairy Pools
Located at the foot of the Black Cuillinis, the crystal-clear Fairy Pools are a beautiful site to behold. If you can brave the frigid waters, the pools are regarded as one of the best “Wild Swimming” locations in all of Scotland, but even if you’re not feeling very adventurous, making the journey to the pools will reward you with beautiful scenery and plenty of photo ops! It takes about 20 minutes to reach the pools from the nearest carpark and the path is relatively easy, consisting mostly of gravel sections with the occasional river crossing via steppingstones.
Explore the Enchanting Fairy Glen
While there is a plethora of myths and legends involving Fairies on the Isle of Skye, ironically non of them can be traced to the area of Fairy Glen. Instead, this stretch of land that is located on the west side of the Totternish owes its name to its stunning, otherworldly landscape. Made up of impressive natural rock formations and grassy cone-shaped hills with small ponds and waterfalls scattered throughout, Fairy Glen is nothing short of a geological wonder. Try visiting on a sunny day when the colors of the land are at their most vivid and don’t forget to pack your camera.
Visit to Mingay
Designated as a Special Area of Conservation due to it being a breeding ground for the common seal, the small Islet of Mingay is an excellent place to visit if you enjoy being close to nature and watching animals in their natural habitat.