Isle of Skye Itinerary: How to Plan a 3 Day Adventure
An Isle of Skye road trip stands as one of Scotland’s ultimate bucket list destinations, renowned for its jaw-dropping landscapes. As an ex-travel agent who created bespoke itineraries for clients for years, I have an eye for detail when planning itineraries.
I visited the Isle of Skye in 2020 after dreaming about this Highland location for years. Having explored Scotland many times before, I knew Skye required careful planning. The Isle of Skye is even more spectacular in person than photographs suggest.
I planned this particular trip for my family and two dogs, so there will be a few dog-friendly considerations.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the perfect 3-day Isle of Skye itinerary based on my personal experience. You’ll discover my strategic day-by-day planning to minimise driving, transportation options for reaching the Isle, realistic timelines, and accommodation suggestions.
If you have already ready my guide on when to visit Skye, you will know to avoid the midges. Read on to find out how to plan the ideal Isle of Skye itinerary.
To learn more about hikes on the Isle of Skye, read this article on walks on Isle of Skye.
If you are an avid hiker, I suggest you read my weekend itinerary for the Peak District.
3 Day Itinerary for Isle of Skye
You may think that Isle of Skye is a small island, but it can take several hours to drive from one side to the other. So, it makes sense to organise your time on the Isle of Skye is by grouping your activities by location.
For example, the duration to drive from Ergol Beach in southwest Skye to the Neist Point car park in the northwest is 2 hours.
This Isle of Skye 3 day itinerary assumes that three full days will be spent in Skye, with the day before and after as travel days.
Given that there are numerous methods to get to the Isle of Skye and they all involve several hours of driving and/or a flight, the travel days are necessary to allow time to settle in before the exploring begins.
As a result, this Isle of Skye itinerary starts on the first full day of sightseeing.
I also have a 4 day itinerary of Scotland that does not include Isle of Skye.
Day 1 – Trotternish Loop
Morning – Trotternish Peninsula
Start your first day with an early breakfast at your accommodation and then set off for the day exploring the Trotternish Peninsula.
If breakfast is not included at your accommodation, try the full Scottish breakfast at Café Arriba in Portree. We had to wait for a table for around 15 minutes at Café Arriba, but it was worth the wait.
Depending on where you booked accommodation, you may have a fair drive to get to the Trotternish Loop. But from Portree, the first stop of the day (Old Man of Storr) is only a 15 minute drive.
Bring a backpack with a water bottle, snacks, and clothing options that can be added or removed depending on the temperature, such as a raincoat, a baseball cap and a light layer.
Discover more about what to bring with you to Scotland in this article.
Old Man of Storr
The first stop should be Old Man of Storr because the car park spaces can fill up quickly. Plus, the Old Man of Storr hike has one of most impressive Isle of Skye viewpoints. Therefore, you want to make sure that you prioritise this must-do activity on Isle of Skye.
Walking up the Old Man of Storr, while arduous, is very rewarding. It was genuinely a highlight of my road trip in Isle of Skye. As you walk up the hilly path, the view facing forwards is rocky and muddy, and there may be large bags of boulders on the route.
While hiking, you may notice the impressive view surrounding you of the vast loch and various rock figurations. Do not fret that the landscape does not look like the images you have seen on the internet. Keep climbing up the steep hill even though you may be fatigued and out of breath.
Eventually, you will reach the incredible view that the Old Man of Storr is known for. If the view is not like you have seen in photographs, you have not climbed high enough – so keep going!
In my article about Isle of Skye walks, I share more pictures and information about hiking Old Man of Store – plus, I share my Strava route map.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
The next stop on your Isle of Skye road trip is Kilt Rock.
On your way from Old Man of Storr to Kilt Rock, you will pass some quick lookout points, such as Rigg Viewpoint and Lealt Falls view point. If you have time, consider walking the 2 km trail to The Brother’s Point.
The Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls viewpoint car park is well signed and easily accessed. The walk to the cliff edge at Kilt Rock is short, so your total visit here may last around 5 to 10 minutes.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls are worth a brief visit; however, the coastline is windy. Be careful when taking a picture of the falls because you need to lean over the barrier a little to get the best view.
Midday – Refreshment Break
At this point in the day, you may be hungry and need a bathroom break. Most food stops near Old Man of Storr and Mealt Falls are take-away only, and particularly in the days of the pandemic when I visited, there were few options for using a bathroom.
Therefore, consider driving back to Portree where there are several dining opportunities. Or you can continue to Uig where there are some public toilets (not the nicest, but they will do in an urgent situation). There are also more cafés in this area.
When I visited in 2020, I went to a cafe called Smoke on the Water for food, but it appears to be closed now. So, you could try The Galley Cafe & Takeaway instead.
Afternoon – Trotternish Loop Continued
Falls of Rha
Next up on this Isle of Skye roadtrip is Rha Waterfalls, located a short drive from Uig, or 30 minutes from Portree.
Park in the small free car park across from the Old Police House.
When facing the Old Police House, walk left and down the lane for a few minutes. You will come to a sign on your right reading, “Secret glens and storm sculpted shore”, as seen in the image above. The walk to the falls will take you up and down numerous steps.
Your visit will likely be a brief stop for a photo because the falls are small. Additionally, there is minimal room to move about on the slippery rocks in front of the falls.
Nonetheless, it is a quaint spot to explore on the Isle of Skye and conveniently located close to other attractions, such as the Fairy Glen and Quiraing.
The Fairy Glen
Your penultimate stop of the day is to the magical Fairy Glen – a beautiful area on the Isle of Skye, filled with round-topped grassy hills. The Fairy Glen is frequently known for having a circle of stones in the centre; however, locals usually remove them.
Light hiking is required to get to the main area at The Fairy Glen. Then, people typically spend 30 to 60 minutes walking around the hilltops to see the Fairy Glen from different angles.
Parking is relatively limited, so you may have to wait for a spot. Alternatively, it is possible to walk from Uig, but it is around a 30-minute walk each way.
Quiraing
As it will be around the late afternoon by now, you may start thinking about heading back to your accommodation. However, before this, you need to experience one of the best places to visit on the Isle of Skye: Quiraing.
Quiraing is a must-see spot on the Isle of Skye and a great location to take photos because the scenery is jaw-dropping. There is a 2.5-hour walking route measuring 6.8 km or just over 4 miles at Quiraing. However, you can see some spectacular views just beyond the car park.
Even if you do not have much time, make sure you include a photo stop at Quiraing in your Isle of Skye road trip. If you still have the energy for a 2.5-hour hike, then allow enough time to finish the hike before dark.
Otherwise, you can attempt the Quiraing hike another day in your 3 day itinerary for the Isle of Skye. Although, it is in the opposite direction to the activities later in the week. So, this is likely dependent on the location of your lodging.
As a result, a good option for experiencing Quiraing on a 3-day Skye itinerary would be to hike around 30 minutes along the Quiraing trail and return on the same route back to the car park. (This is what we did).
The Quiraing hike is ‘moderate’ in difficulty due to its narrow path and precarious terrain. It is not advisable to take young children on this walk.
Read more about the Quiraing hike on this Isle of Skye walking article.
Dinner and Accommodation
Option 1
Suggested dinner: Old School Restaurant
Suggested accommodation:
This evening, if you are staying at one of the above hotels, you should arrange to dine at Old School Restaurant. The restaurant is around a 10 to 15-minute drive from these accommodations.
Option 2
Suggested dinner: at hotel
Suggested accommodation:
Alternatively, if you are staying at Kinloch Lodge or Coruisk House, you should reserve a table at your respective lodging. By dining at your hotel, you will have time to freshen up. It will also save you from getting back in the car to travel for dinner.
Day 2 – West Skye Island
Today you will be exploring the far corners of West Isle of Skye.
The drive from Coruisk House or Kinloch Lodge is a far drive to some locations, such as Neist Point Lighthouse, but it is well worth the distance due to the spectacular view and scenery around the lighthouse.
It is best to include several other sights and activities in the area to make the journey even more worthwhile.
If you are feeling energetic and get an early start, you could try to fit in the Quiraing hike before the rest of the day’s activities. However, consider the additional driving time from your accommodation to Quiraing.
It is possible to swap the Dunvegan visit that is coming up with the Quiraing hike – if preferred.
Morning: Dunvegan Castle and Gardens
There is a collection of activities available at Dunvegan Castle and Gardens. It is possible to see the castle’s interior on a guided tour or self-guided with a guidebook.
The Dunvegan grounds also display an impressive collection of gardens to visitors – perfect for those interested in nature and flora. For those looking for a little more excitement, the castle runs seal boat trips (at an additional cost).
Check the schedule to make sure the boat rides are operating on the day you plan to visit.
Dunvegan Castle is only open from 1st April to 15 October for visits.
It is also worth pointing out that there are many mosquitos at Dunvegan on a damp summer day – so wear your insect repellent and long sleeves. As soon as we got out of the car, we were swarmed by midges/mosquitos, and walked around with our hoods up and face masks on – they were that bad in September!
Coral Beach
Stop by the Dunvegan Castle Viewpoint en route to your next stop, Coral Beach, which is only a 10-minute drive away. However, the lanes to Coral Beach are narrow, meaning it may take longer considering the stops for oncoming traffic.
Drive to Claigan Coral Beach Car Park. The car park is small, so you may have to wait to park or manoeuvre into a tight spot.
Then, go through the cattle gates and walk along the path to the beach. The whole walk without stops will take around 45 minutes.
On a sunny day, Coral Beach is one of the Isle of Skye’s most picturesque places. It is still lovely on a cloudy/rainy day, but you will not see the luminous blue colour Loch Dunvegan turns on a sunny day.
Midday: Lunch Stop
Stop for a late lunch at Dunvegan Bakery and Coffee Shop. Make sure you try some of the delicious baked goods. The desserts were so good – we ordered one of each!
It is your chance to recharge before the last hike of the day.
Afternoon: Neist Point Lighthouse
The last sightseeing stop today is Neist Point Lighthouse, which is located on the far west side of the Isle of Skye. It is down the end of a single-track road, so expect to pull aside and let others pass.
The car park is relatively small, but there is space to park the car along the road further up.
The walk down to the lighthouse is a good workout down a steep hill and back up the same way. The round-trip takes about 40 minutes, depending on your fitness level and how many stops you make along the way.
A visit to Neist Point Lighthouse is worthwhile in the late afternoon/early evening to see the sunset. However, depending on the time of year you visit, it may not be feasible to orchestrate this unless you return after dinner.
How to Find the View of Neist Point Lighthouse?
For a lovely view of Neist Point, and to capture the famous shot of the lighthouse, walk along the top of the cliff to Neist Point Cliff Lighthouse Viewpoint. So, if you have difficulties walking to the lighthouse, you can still see the view of the lighthouse without walking too far.
Follow the pin on the Isle of Skye map below. You do not need to walk down the steep hill to find the view of Neist Point Lighthouse (which I eventually discovered).
Follow the slightly worn-down grass, as shown in the image below.
Evening: Dinner in West Skye
This evening, arrange dinner at The Three Chimneys, a fine-dining restaurant.
It makes for an excellent choice due to its proximity to Neist Point Lighthouse. Combining dinner at Three Chimneys with Neist Point Lighthouse means you can tick two things off your Isle of Skye bucket list in one afternoon – no matter where your accommodation is for the night.
Make sure you book the restaurant well in advance to avoid disappointment.
The dress code at Three Chimneys is smart-casual, so bring a change of shoes and clothes in the car to tidy yourself up before dinner.
Kinloch Lodge and Coruisk House are over an hour’s drive from The Three Chimneys, but you do not need to miss out on this dining experience if you are prepared. If you are staying at The Three Chimneys or Edinbane Lodge, you can freshen up before dinner.
Option 1
Suggested dinner: The Three Chimneys
Suggested accommodation:
Option 2
Suggested dinner: The Three Chimneys
Suggested accommodation:
Day 3 – South Isle of Skye
Get an early start this morning to be able to visit all the sites on this Skye itinerary.
Morning: Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools in Glenbrittle is another favourite of Isle of Skye visitors. Here you will find a collection of waterfalls with the backdrop of the Black Cuillin Mountains.
The walk to the Fairy Pools from the car park is 2.4 km. The walk follows a gravel path, but there are river crossings throughout the walk – accessed by walking on stepping-stones. Bring a bathing suit to brave a swim in the icy cold pools.
The car park costs £5 to use. If the car park is too full, stay in the area and return to allow some cars to leave. If you need a bathroom or drinks break, stop at Glenbrittle Campsite & Café nearby.
In summer, Fairy Pools can be home to large numbers of midges. Bringing a net hat and plenty of insect repellent is advised.
Talisker Distillery
If you are looking to visit a Whisky Distillery in Scotland, Talisker Distillery is your chance. It is located on the west side of the Isle of Skye.
It is not far from the Fairy Pools car park. However, you may need to remove another activity from this day’s plan to fit it in.
Midday: Isle of Skye Boat Trip
Going out to sea on a boat trip while on the Isle of Skye is a must-do. It is lovely to be able to look back onto the Skye from the water and be in with the chance of seeing wildlife.
Some boat tours promise sightings of seals and puffins, while others attempt to look for dolphins, whales, and eagles.
There are many companies to choose from. You can find Isle of Skye boat tours departing from Portree, Kyleakin, Kyle of Lochalsh, Elgol (to Loch Coruisk), and more.
Choose the time of your boat experience based on your tour company’s location and accommodation location, and what makes sense logistically.
We ate fish and chips for lunch near our Kyleakin boat departure point.
Afternoon: Sligachan Old Bridge
During your travels around the southern part of the Isle of Skye, you will likely pass Sligachan Old Bridge.
It is a striking area to take photographs of the bridge in the foreground and the mountains in the background.
Highland Cow Viewpoints
Highland cows are remarkable animals and should be seen while on the Isle of Skye. On your way to your next stop, you will pass a few coo viewpoints on A87.
These locations are easily found on Google Maps. There are places to park your car on the side of the road and look at the cows. There may be a small crowd with you looking at the cows – but the cows are separated by a fence.
Eilean Donan Castle
Although this castle is not technically on the Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle is very close to it. So, if you are driving over the Isle of Skye bridge onto the mainland towards Fort William, add it to your Isle of Skye trip.
This castle is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. It is possible to get a great view of Eilean Donan Castle from the car park without paying for admission.
You can walk along the edge of the loch near the castle, but you are not allowed to cross the bridge without paying. The car park is free.
Evening: Dinner
After another action-packed day, arrange dinner at your accommodation. Or, if you are staying at Edinbane Lodge or The Three Chimneys, book a table at Edinbane Lodge.
Option 1
Suggested dinner: Edinbane Lodge
Suggested accommodation:
Option 2
Suggested dinner & accommodation: Kinloch Lodge or Coruisk House
How to Get to Isle of Skye?
There are methods to get to Isle of Skye by car, plane, ferry or train. It largely depends on where you will be starting your Isle of Skye adventure and whether you have your own car or not.
Flights to Isle of Skye
While there is no commercial airport on the Isle of Skye, there are several options for flying to Isle of Skye with the nearby airports. These airports are Inverness, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh.
Inverness is the nearest airport to Isle of Skye. However, if you are travelling from outside the United Kingdom, there are only connecting flights.
Therefore for international travellers, you may find it better to fly to Edinburgh or Glasgow, rent a car and drive to the Isle of Skye.
For the following distances, I calculated the route from the respective airports to Portree.
- Inverness to Isle of Skye: 2 hours 50 mins
- Aberdeen to Isle of Skye: 4 hours 50 mins
- Glasgow to Isle of Skye: 4 hours 55 mins
- Edinburgh to Isle of Skye: 5 hours 15 mins
Compare flight prices for each airport on Skyscanner.
For those travelling from within the UK and spending the entire trip in the Isle of Skye or including the North Coast 500 in their Scotland road trip, it is best to fly to Inverness airport. From Inverness to Isle of Skye, you can pass Loch Ness and learn about the history of Urquhart Castle.
If you wanted to see other parts of Scotland, such as Loch Lomond, Oban, and Ediburgh you could fly from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Rent a Car for Isle of Skye
When flying to Scotland, you need to rent a car to explore Isle of Skye because there is limited public transportation. I suggest booking with Discover Cars because they share a range of quotes from different suppliers.
Be aware that most of the rental cars will have a manual transmission and you will need to pay a premium for an automatic car. Plus, you must drive on the left.
You could consider booking a car from Inverness and returning it to Glasgow or Edinburgh to see more of Scotland.
For example, when driving to Isle of Skye from Edinburgh, you could stay the night at Gleneagles and do a Highland Safari, like I did and included in my 10 day itinerary for Scotland.
Or when going from Glasgow to Isle of Skye, you will drive through Fort Wiliam and Glencoe, which are near to the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Plus, on a Glasgow to Skye road trip there are other interesting stops, such as Loch Lomond and Silver Sands of Morar.
On the drive from Edinburgh to Skye, you can stop at Highland Safaris, Cairngorms, and Eilean Donan Castle.
How to Get to Isle of Skye by Car?
Driving to Isle of Skye is more straightforward than you would imagine.
There are two methods for travelling to Isle of Skye from mainland Scotland; by ferry and driving over the bridge.
You can take the car ferry from Mallaig to Armadale – this needs to be booked in advance because it does sell out a few days ahead.
During my trip, I did not book the ferry online with enough time and had to risk showing up without a ticket. They only save a few spots for people without booking, but they are not guaranteed in case any emergency vehicles need them.
Otherwise, you can drive to the Isle of Skye using the toll-free Skye bridge. Depending where you are travelling, the journey by bridge or ferry is similar in terms of duration (due to queueing for the ferry etc), but the distance is longer when driving over the bridge, so you will use more petrol.
How Many Days Do You Need in Isle of Skye?
You should spend a minimum of two days in the Isle of Skye. If you only have one day in Skye, you will miss many of the main sights.
If you only have one day to explore Skye, read this Isle of Skye 1 day itinerary to see what is recommended. You will not see all the sights, but you may be able to tick a few sights off your bucket list.
It is also possible to do a day tour of Skye from Inverness (with transportation), which eliminates the need to drive yourself and means you can spend longer and use up more energy while in Skye and sleep on the journey back.
Spending three full days on the Isle of Skye is ideal, which is why this Isle of Skye driving itinerary is for 3 days. Make sure to allow for two days on either side to travel to and from the Isle of Skye.
Where to Stay in Isle of Skye?
There are several considerations to be aware of when deciding on the best places to stay on Isle of Skye. Such as location, price, or food.
Portree is the most central location on the Isle of Skye. Not only is it geographically a central point of the Isle of Skye, but Portree is also one of the larger towns on the Isle of Skye.
There are many shops, restaurants nearby, as well as tours that start from Portree.
Cuillin Hills Hotel and Marmalade Hotel are two hotels in Portree that would provide a good base for your entire time on the Isle of Skye.
There are several Michelin-rated restaurants on the Isle of Skye. So, if a visit to any of these is on your to-do list in Skye, then consider staying at the inn of the restaurant.
| Hotel | Hotel | Price | Booking Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uig Hotel | Uig | $$ | Click here |
| Coruisk House | Elgol | $$ | Click here |
| Edinbane Lodge | Edinbane | $$ | Click here |
| Cuillin Hills Hotel | Portree | $$$ | Click here |
| Marmalade Hotel | Portree | $$$ | Click here |
| Kinloch Lodge | Duisdealmor | $$$$ | Click here |
| The Three Chimneys | Colbost | $$$$ | Click here |
Accommodation on the Isle of Skye sells out far in advance. Therefore, if you are planning an Isle of Skye holiday, you should book it as soon as possible.
If you are booking your Isle of Skye trip last minute, consider reserving accommodation just off the Isle of Skye. The views around Loch Duich are incredible and there are some quaint rental homes in the Ratagan area. Nonetheless, it will add on an extra hour of driving each way every day – but it is doable.
It is challenging to find dog-friendly accommodation on Isle of Skye, so check out self-contained properties on VRBO and Airbnb.
Conclusion
The Isle of Skye truly lives up to its reputation as one of Scotland’s most spectacular destinations.
As outlined in this guide, the key to a successful Isle of Skye experience is thoughtful planning. Grouping attractions by location will maximise your time and minimise driving on single-track roads. Prioritise the must-see locations like Storr, Quiraing, and Neist Point, then add optional stops like Dunvegan Castle or Portree Harbor if time allows.
To follow the Isle of Skye itinerary outlined above, you need to book four nights on the Isle of Skye.
It is possible to spend all your time in one location if you book a central hotel or you are willing to drive to each location, no matter how far the distance. Otherwise, spending two nights in two separate accommodations on Skye would also work.
If you were to drive from The Skye Bridge to all the main attractions around the Isle of Skye and finish at Armadale ferry to return to Mallaig, it would take nearly 7 hours (without stops). Hence, it is virtually impossible to see all the sights on the Isle of Skye in one day.
Now it’s time to finalise your dates, book your accommodations, and prepare for one of the most remarkable road trips Scotland has to offer.
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