6 things to do on the Isle of Skye

Last summer, my family and I ventured up to the west of Scotland for a road trip in our motorcaravan, including a visit to the Isle of Skye. The four nights we had there proved not enough to see everything there is to see and I would definitely go back at some point. We did, however, cross a few things off our bucket list. These are my top 6 things to do in the Isle of Skye.

Climb the Old Man of Storr

If you’re a keen hiker, Skye is full of opportunities. From the Quiraing to walking out to the Neist Point lighthouse, you’re never short of stunning views. Whilst I didn’t have time to experience either of these on my trip, I did climb up to the Old Man of Storr, a popular spot for walkers in the hunt for breathtaking scenery. When I say popular, I mean popular. Although there is a sizeable car park, this fills up quickly, especially on good weather days. I’d recommend getting there early to get the best experience.

There are toilets and a shop in the car park, along with clearly marked trails, making it ideal for a family day out. If you’re not a regular walker, or struggle with hills, this is a challenging walk. I did have to take a few breaks en route to the top but the views were worth it.

Discover the Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools, a collection of rock pools fed by waterfalls in the mountains, were my other top highlight alongside the Old Man of Storr. They really do feel like something magical out of a fairytale. Again, there is dedicated parking and trails for these, but another popular spot with tourists.

Go shopping in Portree

Being in the UK, you can never guarantee the weather. The Isle of Skye, like many other places, is not immune to grey, rainy days. The capital of Skye is Portree, a quaint harbour town with shops and eateries to explore. An ideal place to visit when the weather is not on your side.

I recommend buying a souvenir from the Cath Waters shop. Her designs are now some of my favourite artwork.

Explore Dunvegan

My family and I camped at the Kinloch Campsite in Dunvegan during our Isle of Skye stay. Dunvegan is a village on the north coast of Skye with views over to the Outer Hebrides. As well as there being another Cath Waters shop to indulge in, there are also a couple of other shops and sites of interest.

I highly recommend a meal at the Old School Restaurant. This is only open seasonally and booking is advised, but the food and service are outstanding. Their sticky toffee pudding is a game changer!

One of my favourite things to do in Dunvegan was simply watch the sunset at the campsite. It was beautiful.

There is also a castle in Dunvegan which we had hoped to visit but unfortunately ran out of time.

Walk to Coral Beach

If you are seeking white sandy beaches, the Isle of Skye is not the place. There are not many beaches, and those that are accessible are rocky or have much darker sand. An exception to this is the Coral Beach, just north of Dunvegan. Whilst not fine sand, the beach is made up of crushed white coral-like seaweed, and on a sunny day, feels rather tropical with the clear blue waters.

There is only a small car park though, followed by a mile-long walk to reach it. It is not the place for bringing lots of buckets and spades or any other beach equipment, but rather a calming space to sit and take in your surroundings.

Drive and see where you end up

One of the best things we loved about the Isle of Skye is not knowing what was around the corner. You are constantly driving past waterfalls, mountains and incredible coastlines. Sometimes, the ultimate way to experience the island is to just drive and see what you discover along the way.