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Isle of Skye is absolutely breathtaking. But there are so many Isle of Skye tours offered — some departing from Edinburgh, others from Inverness. Some are 1-day tours, some are 3+ days long.
Which Isle of Skye tour should you choose? How long do you really need in Skye?
I’ve gotten to travel to Isle of Skye twice — once on a 2-day Isle of Skye tour and once on a 4-day holiday.
I’ve visited all the must-see spots in Isle of Skye, and I’m breaking down what you absolutely must see. Let’s make sure you book the tour that will be 100% worth it.
Rating the Best Activities on Isle of Skye
Scotland has over 700 islands, and the Isle of Skye is probably the most famous and most visited of all.
If you’re planning to visit Isle of Skye, you must include all or most of these places:
- Dunvegan Castle
- Eilean Donan Castle (and not just view it from the street)
- Fairy Pools
- Fairy Glen
- The Quiraing
- Kilt Rock
- Neist Point
- Jurassic dinosaur footprints at An Corran
- Old Man of Storr
Whether you decide to go on a group tour or travel independently, I hope this post will give you ideas of what you must do and can’t miss when visiting the Isle of Skye.
1. Dunvegan Castle
Time spent here: More than 2 hours
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Definitely don’t skip!
Dunvegan Castle is sure to be the highlight of your trip to Skye — it definitely was mine.
- It’s been the seat of Clan MacLeod for about 800 years.
- It’s near where Bonnie Prince Charlie sought refuge after the Battle of Culloden.
- It’s where the fairy flag currently resides.
All that to say, this place is not only historic but magical.
Read my more detailed guide to visiting Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye.
2. Fairy Glen
Time spent here: Almost 2 hours
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Definitely don’t skip!
The Fairy Glen is an all-natural area of cone-shaped grassy hills near the village of Uig.
Walk the pathways through this surreal landscape and climb to the top of Castle Ewen, a castle-like rock formation. There, you’ll find incredible views of the Fairy Glen!
On my second trip to Skye, I got to go to the Fairy Glen first thing in the morning when no one else was there — except dozens of sheep.
It was such a magical experience, it quickly rose up the list of my favorite things to do in the Isle of Skye.
3. Fairy Pools
Time spent here: More than 2 hours
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Definitely don’t skip!
The Fairy Pools are a series of pools on the Isle of Skye that are full of myth and legend. Fairies are part of the history of the island, and many landmarks are named after them.
It’s a beautiful walk alongside the pools, and some of the pools are large and deep enough to swim in, if you don’t mind the freezing temperatures. We did see some people braving the waters.
The hike to the Fairy Pools has gotten so popular in recent years that it’s been revitalized. The trail, once muddy, is now covered in small, dry rocks. The parking lot, once small, has been expanded to fit many more cars and buses.
Both times I’ve visited the Fairy Pools, the weather has not been in my favor (hurricane winds and rain both times). But I still zipped up my coat and trudged on, completing the entire walk. It’s worth it, I promise!
Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation gain: 509 feet
Difficulty: Easy
4. Eilean Donan Castle
Time spent here: 1.5 hours
Was it enough time? Yes — the castle is not that large
Skip it or not? Don’t skip!
Eilean Donan is not technically on the Isle of Skye, but it’s so close, you might as well visit it, too.
It’s one of the most photographed castles in the world. It’s beautiful. This was something we really wanted to visit, and not just view from the street, so I’m very glad our tour allowed us the time to properly explore the castle.
A castle or fortification has been on this little island since the 13th century; but the castle as it stands now was completed in 1932, the design plans inspired by a dream, a more elaborate rendition of the original.
The castle has been featured in films such as James Bond and Made of Honor.
Read more about visiting Eilean Donan Castle in my blog post, “Is It Worth Going Inside Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland?“
Bonus: Manuela’s Wee Bakery
Just before reaching Eilean Donan Castle, visit Manuela’s Wee Bakery.
Manuela’s Wee Bakery is a bakery set in this cute fairy tale village, which the owners built themselves. You can walk around the village and then order a few treats. There are a lot of picnic tables to sit at as you eat.
Its location is very close to Eilean Donan Castle, so definitely stop here if you’re planning to visit the castle.
5. The Quiraing
Time spent here: 45 minutes
Was it enough time? Not enough for a hike, but enough to take in the views
Skip it or not? Definitely don’t skip!
The Quiraing is a gorgeous, natural area in Trotternish, with sweeping green cliffs and beautiful vistas. There’s a 4-mile hiking trail that loops to the top and back to the car park.
On my first trip to Skye, we spent about 45 minutes wandering the Quiraing, though you can definitely stay longer, especially if you want to hike the entire trail. We didn’t hike that much; we walked as far as we could before heading back.
On my second trip to Skye, my stop at the Quiraing was even shorter, less than half an hour. There always seems to be too much to do in Skye and staying longer at the Quiraing hasn’t been much of a priority it seems.
6. Sligachan
Time spent here: About 20-30 minutes
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Don’t skip!
Sligachan is an enchanted river whose water is said to give you eternal beauty.
All you have to do is submerge your face in the freezing cold river for a seven full seconds and let it air dry.
I did this magical ritual on my second visit to Sligachan — did the fairies grant me eternal beauty? Not sure, but it was fun to give it a try.
Nevertheless, the area here is very beautiful and worth a stop!
7. Jurassic Dinosaur Footprints at An Corran
Time spent here: About 20-30 minutes
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Don’t skip!
Want to go on a little hunt for a dinosaur footprint?
About 166 million years ago, a group of Megalosaurus dinosaurs walked through the mud at An Corran beside a warm shallow sea. Layers of mud covered the footprints and preserved them as fossils, according to a sign by the beach.
In 2001, 18 of these three-toed dinosaur footprints were found in the rocks by the shore.
Where can you find one?
It’s a little tricky, but stay close to the rocks at the end of the ramp. They’re often covered by sand or seaweed.
8. Old Man of Storr
Time spent here: Less than 5 minutes
Was it enough time? Yes — for a quick look
Skip it or not? Don’t skip!
Old Man of Storr is an iconic rock formation in Isle of Skye that you can see right from the road. Don’t worry there is a car park to pull into to get a better look.
Some people can even hike to it. But if you don’t have much time, at least stop for a minute to admire it.
9. Lealt Falls
Time spent here: About 25 minutes
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Don’t skip!
It’s a short walk from the car park to view Lealt Falls, and then you can walk in the opposite direction to view the cliffside.
It’s a gorgeous view, one I probably would have appreciated more if I wasn’t so tired.
This was our last stop of a very long day, but I’m glad I at least had enough energy to snap a few photos.
10. Kilt Rock
Time spent here: About 10 minutes
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Could possibly skip, but it’s a quick stop so maybe don’t
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed by Kilt Rock. You can’t really see it unless you lean over the railing and crane your neck. It’s still beautiful — just not as epic as I hoped.
If you end up stopping, it will be a quick detour on the way to something else (the Quiraing perhaps?).
11. Neist Point
Time spent here: About 15 minutes
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Could possibly skip if not enough time (it’s very out of the way)
Neist Point is beautiful, and it reminded me of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
But it’s also very far off the main road in Skye, about a 30-minute detour, on a difficult winding road.
Is it worth it?
Possibly, if you have enough time to drive there and back.
When I visited, it was after sunset and very cold, so we didn’t stay long. Perhaps I just didn’t have the best experience.
12. Hector’s Highland Coos
Time spent here: About 10 minutes
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Not if you want to see a hairy coo
One way to meet a few hairy coos on the Isle of Skye is to stop by a farm. They are too cute!
There’s one called Hector’s Highland Coos where you can see some up close.
The address is 8W54+F5, Portree, Isle of Skye IV48 8TD.
13. Skyeskyns in Waternish
Time spent here: About 30 minutes
Was it enough time? Yes
Skip it or not? Could possibly skip
At Skyeskyns in Waternish, you can get a brief tour of the workroom, where they turn sheepskins into fluffy rugs and slippers. Our guide told us that they save the sheepskins from local sheep farms, to reuse them, to be sustainable.
Upstairs is the showroom, and we were encourage to touch everything, to feel how soft it all is.
The shop itself is located on a beautiful part of Waternish, overlooking the sea and many green hills.
Where to Stay in Portree
When booking your group tour, you can often decide if you’d like to book your own accommodations or have the tour company book them for you. You typically save some money by booking your own.
Your hotel should be within a certain radius of central Portree, so the bus can easily pick you up and drop you off.
Recommended Hotels in Portree:
- Portree Hotel
- Cuillin Hills Hotel (where we stayed)
- The Skye Inn
- Caledonian Hotel
Where We Stayed: Cuillin Hills Hotel
We stayed at Cuillin Hills Hotel in Portree (which was within the radius for pick-up service), and I can’t say enough about how amazing our stay was. It’s a beautiful hotel with outstanding customer service. It’s a bit of a splurge to stay here, but it’s worth it.
We had dinner and breakfast at Cuillin Hills Hotel, and both meals were incredible. Both times, we were lucky to get seated right in front of the window looking out to the bay. It was an incredible view of the famous colorful row of houses in Portree.
Dinner at Cuillin Hills Hotel: Dinner is exclusively for hotel guests 6:30-8 p.m., so if you’re a guest, you’re almost guaranteed a table during those times, but you do need to book in advance. Note that there’s a regular dinner menu and a separate vegetarian/vegan menu that you have to request.
Breakfast at Cuillin Hills Hotel: Breakfast is exclusive for guests and comes free with your stay, but be sure to wake up early to be there when it opens so you can get the best table (in front of the window). No booking is required. See the breakfast menu.
Which Departure City — Inverness, Portree, or Edinburgh — for a Tour to Isle of Skye?
The decision of which departure city you should choose is entirely dependent on the rest of your travel plans. One might be more convenient than another if you plan to spend the rest of your Scotland trip in Inverness or Edinburgh, for example.
However, it’s also good to keep in mind that choosing a departure city that’s farther away means less time actually spent in the Isle of Skye.
- Departing from Portree allows you start and end in the Isle of Skye.
- Departing from Inverness is the second closest option, only 110 miles from Portree (3 hour drive, one way).
- Departing from Edinburgh is the farthest option, about 240 miles away from Portree (5 hour drive, one way).
How Long of a Tour to Isle of Skye — 1, 2, or 3 Days?
3 Days From Edinburgh: If you’re staying in and departing from Edinburgh, please do at least a 3-day tour to the Isle of Skye. Edinburgh is 240 miles away from Portree, so it would take over 10 hours just to drive there and back.
2 Days From Inverness: If you’re staying in and departing from Inverness, please do at least a 2-day tour to the Isle of Skye. I personally feel like the one-day tour from Inverness does not see enough of the Isle of Skye. Make the time to join the two-day tour.
Why?
- Smaller bus and less people. On the 2-day Isle of Skye tour from Inverness, the bus is a small 16-person van, and we only had 6 people on our tour. On the other hand, the 1-day Isle of Skye tour from Inverness had a huge bus (probably 48+ people) and was much more crowded.
- More time to see more places. The Isle of Skye is about 100 miles from Inverness, which is about a 3-hour drive. With 2 days, you can see more on your way to Portree, and then head back the next day after a morning in the Isle of Skye. The one-day tour barely reaches the Isle of Skye before having to turn back to Inverness.
1 Day From Portree: If you’re staying in and departing from Portree, a one-day tour is perfect and will enable you to see and do all the highlights of the Isle of Skye in one day without any wasted time on transportation. Since it requires an early start and late arrival, you’ll probably need to stay in Portree the day before and day after.
Which Isle of Skye Tour Should You Take?
I researched a lot of different tour companies when looking for the perfect tour to the Isle of Skye. Here are some that I’d recommend:
From Edinburgh:
- Timberbush Tours’ 3-Day Isle of Skye, The Highlands, and Loch Ness Tour
- Rabbie’s 3-Day Isle of Skye Tour
- Rabbie’s 4-Day Isle of Skye and West Highlands Tour
- The Hairy Coo’s 3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Tour
- Highland Experience Tours’ Isle of Skye, Inverness, and Highlands 3-Day Tour
From Inverness:
- Timberbush Tours’ 2-Day Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles Tour
- Tour Skye’s 2-Day Isle of Skye with Fairy Pools Tour
From Portree:
What Isle of Skye Tour Did I Take?
My mom and I were part of the first group to experience this brand-new, two-day tour departing from Inverness, called Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles.
It had nearly everything we wanted to do and see on the Isle of Skye, all compacted into two days, all guided by a local driver.
The Timberbush group tour was, in short, incredible.
There were only six of us (plus the driver guide), and by the end of the trip it felt like we’d undergone a road trip with friends.
Our driver, Marita, was incredible — sharing so many interesting stories and facts with us as we drove all over the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye. We fit a lot into those two days, waking up early, going to sleep late. It was one of the best tours I’ve ever experienced, and I can’t recommend it enough.
So yes, I 100% recommend the Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles tour with Timberbush Tours. We had an incredible time and couldn’t be happier with our experience.
Is a Group Trip Right for You?
There are many group tours to the Isle of Skye as it is a popular destination in the Scottish Highlands. You may be wondering which would be the better experience — renting a car and exploring Isle of Skye on your own? or joining a group tour?
Reasons to Join a Group Tour
We opted to join a group tour for a few reasons:
- Not used to driving on the left side. Personally, we are from the United States and used to driving on the right side of the road. We have yet to try driving on the left and just weren’t comfortable testing it out on our vacation.
- Group tours give you a local’s perspective. We love hearing stories from local guides, and we feel like we learn so much on group tours.
- Local guides know the roads better. The Isle of Skye is full of one-lane roads, some dirt, some gravel. Our driver guide navigated them like an expert. Much better than we could’ve done.
Downsides of Joining a Group Tour — and How to Overcome Them
Of course, there are downsides to joining a group tour, the main one being:
You don’t get to pick where you go or how long you stay somewhere. This is why I’d recommend researching several group tours and thoroughly reading through each itinerary so you know what you’re getting. Be sure that the tour is going to the places you want to see and staying long enough to experience it. If in doubt, email the company, so you won’t be disappointed when you show up.
Some group tours are just too crowded. The worst thing is getting stuck on a group tour with 50 people or more. So I’d recommend ensuring that the tours are small groups (less than 16 people). Many such tours exist, so be sure you’re booking the right one.
Tips for getting a less-crowded tour:
- Book tours during off-season. We visited in April, the start of the tourist season, a shoulder month, and we never had a group tour with more than eight people on board.
- Book multi-day tours. These tend to have less people, as well.
Group tours aren’t for everyone, but if you’re considering it, and you’ve landed on this post, I hope I can help you decide one way or the other.
What to Pack for a Trip to the Isle of Skye
Warm, waterproof wear
If you’re visiting the Scottish Highlands during its cold and rainy season (almost every month of the year besides a few weeks in summer), you should definitely bring a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots.
- This waterproof jacket and these waterproof boots I took with me to Scotland helped me explore no matter the weather. I even hiked to the Fairy Pools in near-hurricane-level winds in this jacket! Be prepared for rainy weather, and dress for it, so you don’t miss out.
- Also consider bringing fleece-lined leggings — I loved this pair I packed!
Favorite travel essentials
- I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
- I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
- I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
- I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Scotland
Isle of Skye
- Guide to Visiting Dunvegan Castle on Isle of Skye
- Is It Worth Going Inside Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland?
Inverness
- 20 Best Things to Do in Inverness, Scotland
- Day Trip from Inverness to Dunrobin Castle (and Dornoch)
Edinburgh
Wow what a detailed story love all the links pictures and answers to all questions can’t wait to visit!!