10 things to do in Isle of Skye, Scotland [a guide for nature lovers]

The Isle of Skye is a truly magical place steeped in the Gaelic tradition. There are many things to do in this corner of Scotland that will leave you stunned, thanks to the wonderful wild and untouched scenery. Even the name is fascinating! It seems to derive from Old Norse ski “foggy” or sgaith,which means “winged isle”. Sometimes, you feel the need to stay away from the chaos of the world, just to find the inner part of yourself. The landscape around us can help a lot. Isle of Skye will let you to completely immerse in the silence of nature. And if you love long walks and trekking, then this wonderful island is your destination!

Here is my top list of the best things to do in Skye Island 🙂

In the Centre of the Isle of Skye you can find:

1. Portree. It is a charming village surrounded by crags and cliffs, with a typical harbour lined by lovely colorful houses (which are restaurants, pubs, inns and hotels). A touch of color in the foggy Scottish days 🙂 In Portree you can really find everything and more. There are many shops of handmade products and sweets, such as the Vanilla Skye shop, which make delicious hand-made chocolates. In August you can also watch Skye Island Games.

2. Skye Museum of Island Life. Do you want to know more about Skye life? This typical museum, situated within a group of typical Scottish thatched cottages called blackhouses, is the answer to your question. Price admission is £2.40 and it is open from Monday to Saturday (9.30am – 17pm) only in the period between Easter and October.

3. Trotternish Mountains and Quiraing. Trotternish peninsula extends north of Portree and it is famous for its basaltic rocks. The Storr is a long escarpment, characterised by rocky ramparts and pinnacles, including the famous Quiraing, a stunning rock formation which dominates the Staffin Bay.

4. Fairy Glen. In the north of Portree, on the south of Uig village, there are only 4 km to get this charming place with green hillocks. To me, it is perfect for a picnic. Here, there is a magical circle of stones, so walk through the Fairy Ring, close your eyes and make a wish!

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In the North-West of Skye there are:

5. Dunvegan Castle. Where are all romantic people? This place is right for you! Here you can find the Fairy Flag, a flag of yellow silk. The legend tells that a fairy, who fell in love in the chief of the MacLeod clan, gave him this flag as a gift, to protect him and his clan.

6. Neist point. This is an amazing spot to enjoy a breathtaking view of the wild Skye Island. Rocks and cliffs covered with green velvet. Climb up to the lighthouse. It seems to be in a movie!

West Skye is characterized by:

7. Black Cuillin and the Red Hills. The Black Cuillins are dark-colored mountains, fascinating and disturbing at the same time. While the Black Cuillins form a circle, studded with spikes, around the Loch Corunisk, the Red Hills are rounded hills of pink granite. Perfect for hikers. Just remember to wear hiking boots.

8. Fairy Pools. They are located in an enchanting valley along the road to Glenbrittle, towards the Cuillin. Waterfalls and streams among beautiful green hills. If it is summer enjoy the experience of swimming in these waters. You will feel like a fairy 🙂 Beware of slippery smooth stones.

9. Claigan Coral Beach. I want to satisfy travellers who love beaches. This is a white sand beach with clear waters. Only 20 minutes walking from the parking. If you do not want to swim why do not you read a good book? Only the silence of the landscape will be your mate.
In the South of Skye:

10. Armadale. If you arrive at Skye Isle by ferry, Armadale village will be your stop. Get a short walk within the castle’s gardens and enjoy the leafy trails! Then, if you are with kids, you could enjoy Armadale activities, such as Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery, Axe Throwing, Air Rifle Shooting. 1 hour is about £20 per person.

How to get to Isle of Skye

You can get to the Isle of Skye through 2 ways:

• The island is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge, which is a road bridge over the Loch Alsh. If you are traveling to Scotland car the bridge is the best way to get to the island. The round trip cost is about £11.40. Moreover, the island is very close to the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle. If you come from the North, head to Inverness and cross the bridge;
• The other way is by ferry, which links Mallaig to Armadale in the South East of the Isle of Skye. The adult price for one way is £4.65. The ferry belongs to CalMac Ferries company. It takes only 30 minutes. This solution is less practical. I do not recommend it, if you have little time to visit the island.

Scotland is a fairy country, nice for introspective people who want to live the nature to the fullest.

Do you know other places in the Isle of Skye?

Salva