a mountain range with a body of water in the distance

Isle of Skye

Mountain ridges, rock pinnacles and sea cliffs make Skye a draw for hikers, photographers and anyone who wants a slow road trip through the Highlands.

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The Isle of Skye is the largest of the major islands in Scotland's Inner Hebrides and the second largest island in Scotland, at about 1,656 square kilometers after Lewis and Harris. It is reached by the Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh, or by car ferry from Mallaig to Armadale. The Cuillin hills fill the center of the island. The Black Cuillin have 12 Munros and some of Scotland's most demanding hill walking and climbing. Portree, the island's capital, is the main base for shops, services and places to stay.

The Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, on the Trotternish peninsula, are among Scotland's most photographed views. Dunvegan Castle, seat of Clan MacLeod, and the Talisker Distillery beside Loch Harport suit a day of history and whisky. Rain falls all year, and winds are strong on exposed coasts, so pack for both. Most roads are single-track with passing places, so allow extra driving time. May is the sunniest month on Trotternish.

Isle of Skye in five

Book your room before anything elseSkye has few beds for its visitors, and summer weekends sell out months ahead. Without a booking you may face a long drive back to the mainland.
Cross by bridge or by ferryThe Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh is free. The car ferry from Mallaig to Armadale joins the island's south and links to the West Highland Line.Scottish Highlands guide
Start early at the big viewpointsThe Storr, the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools have small car parks that fill by midmorning in summer. Parking there is paid.
Drive the single-track roads with careMuch of the island is single-track with passing places. Pull in for oncoming traffic, and do not stop in passing places for photos.

Neighborhoods

a group of boats floating on top of a large body of water

Portree

Best for: First visits, no-car days, bad weather
To airport: About 2 to 2.5 hours by car from Inverness
Price band: $$

Most restaurants and a supermarket
Short drive to the Storr and Quiraing
Busy in summer, book early

Skip if you want the quietest nights.

Read about Portree Hotels in Portree

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Things to do in Isle of Skye

See all attractions in Isle of Skye

Landmark · Isle of SkyeTaliskerBook a tour ahead, as places can fill up, especially in summer.

brown concrete building with trees under black sky

Sight · Isle of SkyeDuntulm

Sight · Isle of SkyeTorabhaig Distillery

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Need to know

Airport: Inverness (INV), about 2.5 hours by car
Getting there: Train to Kyle of Lochalsh or Mallaig, then bus or ferry
Getting around: Car is easiest; local buses are limited
Best base: Portree for services, Broadford for the south
Time needed: 2–3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain24 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low3°Stormy
FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh6°Low3°Short days
MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Cold, windy
AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Quieter trails
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Driest month
JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Long light
JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Busy, midges
AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Busy, midges
SeptemberRain21 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Calmer
OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh11°Low8°Stormy
NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh9°Low6°Dark, wet
DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh7°Low4°Short days

Average daily high and low in Portree, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Isle of Skye

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 9°
Humidity: 95%
Wind: 3 km/h
Chance of rain: 18%

Isle of Skye

08:48 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today11°4°18%Monday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 18%.
Tue11°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed10°2°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu8°1°0%Thursday: Fog. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri9°2°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat9°5°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sun8°3°27%Sunday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 27%.

Updated 04:42 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP

Amount

Converted to

GBP · British Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Raasayferry from SconserA small island reached by ferry from Sconser.
Mallaigcar ferry from ArmadaleA fishing harbour at the end of the Glasgow rail line, with car ferries back to Armadale.
Invernessbus from PortreeThe Highland capital, reached by bus from Portree or by train from Kyle of Lochalsh.

Before you go to Isle of Skye

Car hire for SkyeNarrow roads reward a small carCompare cars

Portree and village staysBeds are few, book before the routeCheck availability

eSIM for the UKSignal is patchy on moors and peninsulasRead the guide

Travel insurance for ScotlandCover for storm-hit ferry crossingsRead the guide

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Rules for Isle of Skye, checked

Skye is in the United Kingdom, so entry rules depend on your passport. Check the UK government's visa checker at gov.uk/check-uk-visa before you travel.Source
Dinosaur and vertebrate fossils on Skye are protected under the Skye Nature Conservation Order 2019. Do not take fossils off the island.
Many roads are single-track with passing places. Pull into a passing place on your left to let oncoming traffic through.
Only experienced walkers with good fitness and navigation skills should attempt a full Cuillin traverse, which can take 15 to 20 hours.
The Inaccessible Pinnacle needs technical climbing skills to reach its summit. Do not attempt it on a walking trip without them.

All Isle of Skye guides

green mountain under white clouds during daytime

Field reportThe Isle of Skye by bus in August: what runs, what does not, and the midgesChecked Sep 24, 2026

Plan around Isle of Skye

All of Scotland

Cities, the Highlands and the UK ETA

Read the guide Scottish Highlands

Glens, lochs and the road to the bridge

Read the guide Glasgow

Start of the West Highland Line to Mallaig

Read the guide Getting around Britain

Rental cars, trains and ferries compared

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for storms and cancelled ferries

Read the guide Portree

The main town, parking and boat trips

Read the guide Trotternish

The Storr, the Quiraing and Kilt Rock in order

Read the guide Fort William

The Mallaig ferry and the West Highland Line

Read the guide

Isle of Skye FAQ

How many days do you need on Skye?

Two full days covers the Trotternish loop with the Storr and the Quiraing, and the Fairy Pools or Neist Point. Three days leaves room for bad weather.

Can you visit Skye without a car?

Yes, but slowly. Buses link Portree with Kyleakin, Broadford and some Trotternish villages, and day tours run from Portree and Inverness.

What is the best month to visit Skye?

May is often the driest month and comes before the midges and the peak crowds. September is a good second choice.

Can you visit Skye as a day trip from Inverness?

It is possible, but the drive takes about 2.5 hours each way, so you have little time on the island. Stay at least one night to see the Storr or the Quiraing early, before the car parks fill.

Are midges bad on Skye?

From late spring to early autumn they can be, especially on still, damp days and in the evening by the water. Wind and sun keep them down, and repellent and a head net help for dusk walks.