The Storr range with a body of water in the foreground

Trotternish

Trotternish is the northern peninsula of Skye, where the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and Kilt Rock sit on one road loop.

Find a room in Trotternish Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Trotternish

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Trotternish is the northern peninsula of the Isle of Skye, in the Inner Hebrides off Scotland's west coast. Its best-known sights are the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, both formed by landslips, plus Kilt Rock, a sea cliff with a waterfall beside it. Most visitors see them on one road loop, so the order of stops and where you park shape the day. Uig, on the west coast, is a ferry port for the Outer Hebrides.

The loop suits drivers and people on guided tours, and it works best for walkers who want big views more than a city break. The Storr and the Quiraing both reward a walk up to their viewpoints. Late spring to early autumn has the longest daylight, but the weather on Skye changes quickly at any time of year, so pack for wind and rain. Set aside one full day. Two days let you walk up to the viewpoints instead of only stopping at the car parks.

Trotternish in five

Budget the parking before you drive the loopHighland Council lists the Storr at £6 for up to 6 hours, the Quiraing at £3 for 3 hours or £6 for 6, and Kilt Rock at £3 for 2 hours. All are pay and display, and the Storr takes cash, card or the Ringo app.Highland Council: the Storr
Give the Old Man of Storr two hoursThe Storr's official guide recommends at least 2 hours for the walk to the pinnacle and back, though it can be done in about 1.5. The path is steep and exposed, so carry layers, waterproofs and water.The Storr plan your visit
Arrive early; the Storr cannot be reservedParking at the Storr cannot be booked, and the official site asks you not to use grass verges or non-designated spots. If the car park is full, come back later instead of parking on the road.
Leave motorhomes on the roadsideThe Storr says motorhomes cannot use its car park because of a height restriction and should use on-street parking. The site has free toilets, a motorhome waste point and AC and DC EV chargers.
Finish at Uig for the Harris and Uist ferriesCalMac sails from Uig to Tarbert on Harris and to Lochmaddy on North Uist. Build the loop around your sailing, and read the Outer Hebrides guide for the booking rules.Outer Hebrides

Things to do in Trotternish

See all attractions in Trotternish

brown concrete building with trees under black sky

Sight · TrotternishDuntulm

Museum · TrotternishStaffin Museum (Dinosaur Fossils & Other Artifacts)

Museum · TrotternishSkye Museum of Island LifeCheck that the museum is open before setting out; some buildings can be closed when it is not operating.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to TrotternishPut the places you like in Trotternish on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Inverness (INV), then road or rail to Skye
Getting there: A855 north from Portree; Uig has CalMac ferries to Harris and Uist
Getting around: Car on the A855 and A87 loop; check buses with Traveline Scotland
Best base: Portree for services; Staffin or Uig for early starts
Time needed: One long day for the loop; two with walks and Uig

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain21 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low3°Short days, wet
FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Storms
MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Light returns
AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Quieter paths
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Long days
JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Longest days
JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Busy, midges
AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Busy, midges
SeptemberRain21 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Calmer, clear
OctoberRain22 rainy daysHigh11°Low8°Autumn gales
NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh9°Low6°Dark, wet
DecemberRain21 rainy daysHigh7°Low4°Short days

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

Right now in Trotternish

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

Feels like: 5°
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 4%

Trotternish

08:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today9°7°4%Monday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 4%.
Tue10°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed9°6°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu8°5°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri8°8°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sat8°8°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sun8°7°19%Sunday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 19%.

Updated 08:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · 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

Before you go to Trotternish

Car hire for the Skye loopNarrow roads suit a small carCompare cars

Portree, Staffin and Uig staysBook beds before you plan the loopCheck availability

eSIM for the Trotternish ridgeSignal varies; save routes offlineRead the guide

Insurance for exposed walksCover for weather changes and delaysRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Trotternish, checked

The Storr car park: £6 up to 6 hours, £8 up to 12 hours; charged 8am to 8pm daily; spaces cannot be reserved.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Quiraing car park: £3 up to 3 hours, £6 up to 6 hours; charged 8am to 8pm daily; maximum stay 12 hours.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Kilt Rock car park: £3 for up to 2 hours, charged 24 hours a day, maximum stay 2 hours.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Trotternish

Portree

The base town for the loop and the island

Read the guide Isle of Skye

Fairy Pools, Neist Point and the south of the island

Read the guide Outer Hebrides

Ferries from Uig to Harris and Uist

Read the guide North & West Coast

Sea lochs and Ullapool beyond the bridge

Read the guide UK ETA explained

Who needs one, £20 and how long it lasts

Read the guide Visa checker

Check entry rules for your passport

Read the guide All of Scotland

Cities, islands and the UK ETA

Read the guide

Trotternish FAQ

How long does the Trotternish loop take?

Plan a long day for the drive with short stops, and two days if you walk. The Storr alone needs at least 2 hours per its official guide, and the Quiraing and the Skye Museum of Island Life in Kilmuir each justify extra time.

Which way should you drive Trotternish?

Start at the Storr in the morning, because its car park cannot be reserved, then continue north to Kilt Rock, Staffin and the Quiraing. The reverse order is fine if you stay at Uig or Staffin, where an early start is easier.

How much is parking at the Storr and the Quiraing?

Highland Council lists the Storr at £6 up to 6 hours and £8 up to 12, and the Quiraing at £3 up to 3 hours and £6 up to 6, both charged 8am to 8pm. Kilt Rock is £3 for up to 2 hours and charges all day.

Can you do the Storr and the Quiraing in one day?

Yes if you start early and accept a full day. Allow at least 2 hours at the Storr and a similar or longer block for the Quiraing, plus driving. Add a rain-day backup, since both walks are exposed.

Can you see Trotternish without a car?

Only with effort. Check bus times on Traveline Scotland and expect gaps. A day tour from Portree or a taxi is the realistic option for the Storr and Quiraing, since the walks start at car parks off the A855 and the Quiraing road.