Situated off the northwest coast of Scotland, The Isle of Skye is an adventurer’s playground. Take a look at our FAQs below, and if there’s a question you still need answering, leave us a comment.
How to get to the Isle of Skye
Due to it’s remote location, the Isle of Skye isn’t the easiest of locations to reach. However, there are a number of options depending on whether you’re driving or taking public transport.
The nearest airport to the Skye is Inverness, but it’s also possible to fly to Glasgow and still take public transport.
Public transport from Glasgow or Inverness
The CityLink service runs five services from Inverness and three from Glasgow, all arriving at Portree. See below for more information:
Glasgow: https://www.isleofskye.com/images/Travel/City-Link-Glasgow-Skye.pdf
Inverness: https://www.isleofskye.com/images/Travel/City-Link-Inverness-Skye.pdf
Where to stay
The Isle of Skye has a number of hotels and AirBnBs, but it’s crucial to book in advance as they can fill up pretty quickly – especially in summer. This is speaking as someone who turned up a full 24 hours earlier than they were meant to and very nearly had to sleep in the car…
Portree, the capital/largest town on the island, is definitely the place to stay for those who want to be in the heart of civilisation. If you don’t have your own car while on the island, staying in Portree is ideal as you’ll have easier access to public transport.
If you have a car or want to be more isolated, then AirBnb is your best bet. Tourism has boomed on the island, and there are plenty of welcoming hosts waiting to open up their homes to visitors. We managed to find a lovely little cottage with amazing hosts.
How long does it take to drive around the island?
It takes around three hours to drive around the perimeter of the island and approximately one hour to drive from one side to the other. This means that if you do have a car, it really doesn’t matter where you stay – so feel free to find a cottage in the middle of nowhere!
What to do
The Isle of Skye is an adventurer’s paradise. Take a walk up the Old Man of Storr – a film location from Star Wars.
We’d recommend the Seafari, which runs out of Portree. It was the definitive highlight of our time on the island. There are different options with different prices, and although they can get quite expensive, they’re worth every penny.
Of course, the longer you’re out on the water, the better your chance of seeing amazing wildlife like dolphins, seals, eagles, and small whales. We were fortunate enough to see all sorts!
Is the Isle of Skye child friendly?
I’d say yes, but the weather can be temperamental. When it’s cold and wet, it’s really cold and wet, so I’d suggest planning well and ensuring that your children are used to the great outdoors before exposing them to the Isle of Skye!
Is the Isle of Skye expensive?
As mentioned above, the biggest issue on Skye is the availability of accommodation. If you plan far enough in advance, it’s not much more expensive than any of the big cities in Scotland.
How many days should I spend on the island?
I’d say three to five days is the sweet spot. If you want to see all the highlights, then five days is more than enough, but it can be quite the trek to get to, so it’s nice to have a day or two to just breathe and take it all in.
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