10 Beautiful Places to Visit on The Isle of Skye
Peek through my camera lens at the stunning views as I road trip the Scottish Highlands with my camera. Here are my top 10 breathtaking view points on The Isle of Skye in Scotland. If you are planning a road trip to Scotland, Skye has to be up there on the top of your list.
It’s most popular in the summer months with tourists. The benefits of visiting Skye in the summer is all of the little shops and cafes will be open and the place will be bustling. A downside to summer in Scotland of course has to be the midges (tiny little flies which love to bite your face)! So don’t forget your repellent. Apparently Avon’s Skin so Soft is much better than any repellent. In the past I just thought everyone in Skye was really into their skin care until I discovered this very useful tip! I’ve yet to try it but I’ll be adding it to my shopping list next summer! Anyway, enough about midges and back to the important stuff. Those views!
The Quiraing
A winding road with steep gradients and tight bends which lead you up to the Quiraing pass. Quite possibly one of the most scenic drives though the landscapes of Scotland. This isn’t a drive for the faint hearted though! A lot of the locals and emergency services use this route daily so please be mindful to use the passing places and let others overtake you. If you want to drive slower to take in the stunning views (not that you could drive fast anyway on a road like this!) you’ll notice every driver will wave at you as they pass, that’s the Scottish driving code for thank you. When I first moved to Scotland I thought other drivers were just being super friendly but now I know to return the gesture.
There’s a big car park here so you shouldn’t struggle to get parked. I like to get here early to avoid the crowds so I can focus on my photography without too many distractions , plus it’s nice to feel like I have this stunning view point all to myself! If you are in a camper van you might want to think about taking the alternative route to avoid the winding road up.
This winding road is also a must do if you’re into your cycling. If you are planning to cycle to the top I admire your fitness! My friend cycled up here once and I’ve no idea how she did it!
This view point is just a 30 second walk from the car so it’s nice and handy if you aren’t up for a long walk.
Continue walking along the path for around 20 minutes and you’ll get to this stunning view point at The Quiraing. I visited in November and the lighting was spectacular. I can see why the Scottish Highlands is a must do road trip for tourists!
All the view points from The Quiraing are best at sunrise as all the cliffs are east facing. The views can also be beautiful in winter but the roads might not be passible in snow and icy conditions.
Don’t rush back for your hotel breakfast just yet as there’s still the famous lone tree to see at The Quiraing. Pack a flask of coffee and some snacks and sit and take in these views. Most of the hotels will make you up a takeaway breakfast if they know you are heading out early so just ask.
If you are going here for photography don’t rush and try to photograph these 3 locations in one morning. You want that warm glow from the sun so spend a couple of mornings here.
This view point is very close to the first view point by the car so they could be done on the same morning. This view point is about a 10 minute walk from the car if that.
What to wear?
Layers, layers and more layers. Even in the summer it can be pretty windy up here. For this location I would opt for hiking boots but it can be very boggy so be prepared to get muddy. If you aren’t wandering far from the car you could opt for wellington boots but be very careful it’s slippy and those drops are pretty steep!
Insider tip…There’s a little burn (that’s Scottish for stream) right by the car park to wash the mud of your boots before getting back in the car.
Sadly this car park is no longer a free car park so remember to take some change with you.
The Old Man of Storr
Quite possibly one of Skyes most popular view points has to be The Old Man of Storr. The Storr is the highest point along the Trotternish Ridge. This unusual landscape was formed by an ancient landslip and you can see why it’s so popular with hikers and photographers.
I always like to visit at sunrise so it means a climb in the dark so remember to pack a head torch. I took my time and the climb took around an hour. If you are a regular hiker it will be much quicker to reach the top.
If you’re heading here for sunrise you shouldn’t have any problems getting a parking space. They’ve recently expanded the car park so there’s plenty of space now even at midday. It can get extremely busy in peak season. I took this image in February and by 9am there was a bit of a crowd forming at the top so remember the early bird catches the worm and it’s definitely worth that early alarm!
The Sligachan (don’t ask me to pronounce it!)
I love photographing this waterfall with the famous Cuillin mountains in the background. It’s great in any season and sunrise or sunset both work great. It’s just a short 10 minute walk from the car park to this view point. It can be a very muddy walk so I normally opt for wellington boots here. If you don’t want to get muddy there’s a footbridge next to the car park which is great for photography or just to take in the view.
You HAVE to pop across the road when here and have lunch at The Sligachan hotel. They were in the process of refurbishing the hotel when I visited in February 2020 so I’m excited to go back as they do the most epic food! You can sit by the open fire and feel all Scottish! I would also recommend staying here as it’s not too far a drive from the popular tourist spots such as Elgol (50 minutes drive), Talisker Bay (25 minute drive), The Fairy Pools (20 minute drive) and Portree (15 minute drive).
The Fairy Pools
Another popular location to visit and it’s easy to see why. The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal clear pools and small waterfalls with the mighty Black Cuillin in the backdrop and here you can see the pinnacle of Sgurr an Fheadain.
This location is great at any time of day. In peak season go early if you want to avoid the crowds. You can swim in the pools but remember to watch out for those midges in the summer months. I’ve only ever been here in bad weather but still the view points are spectacular. I prefer Skye with a moody sky over a blue sky as if anywhere can pull off a moody dramatic look it’s Skye! There’s some stepping stones which across over the river on your walk up to The Fairy Pools. Be mindful as in heavy rain the water levels can rise quite rapidly and the stepping stones will be submerged, it’s not a river you want to cross without them! I’ve had to turn back to the car a few times because of heavy rain and missed out on the views but it’s just not worth taking the risk. The car attendant here is really good at updating you on the current conditions and I’ve always been offered a refund if I got down and couldn’t cross over.
Wellington boots would be recommended as it’s very muddy here and if you are a keen landscape photographer you might want to get in the water.
To get to this view point it’s about 25 minutes from car. Last time I was here I rushed back to make my hotel breakfast and it tested my fitness levels! That last bit of the walk back up to the car is pretty steep!! This is why it’s always good to ask your hotel for a takeaway breakfast option.
Neist Point Lighthouse
Neist point is the most westerly point in Skye and is a stunning location to visit. There are a few different view points all close to the car park. The car park is massive so parking here shouldn’t be an issue. I photographed this location at sunset (during a storm) I think the wind was up to 45mph! Don’t let the weather put you off if you are planning some photography here. You can set up your tripod low and find a rock to give you some shelter from the wind.
If you want to follow the path to the Lighthouse it’s about a 15 minute walk from the car park. I’ve yet to make it as far as the lighthouse but there’s always next time!
I’d recommend hiking boots for this location as you don’t want to be slipping over those cliff tops! Pack plenty of warm layers as it can be pretty windy here.
This view point is far away from all the other local attractions so I would opt to stay closer to Portree and spend a whole afternoon making your way west to Neist Point.
One tip I’d give when visiting Skye is the popular view points are all spread apart so aim to visit two a day so you’re not in a rush. Remember you also want to have time to stop for tea and cake!
Elgol
It might be a good 30 minute drive from Broadford but this is well worth a visit! There’s a big car park and last I heard they were renovating the toilets. Pretty handy to know as it’s a long drive back to a main town!
I love this view point with ‘The Beach Ball’ with the Cuillin Ridges in the backdrop. I went here at sunset which is the best time to visit. I got really lucky with some beautiful side lighting too which created a beautiful warm glow. This would also photograph well with the tide coming in to make for a nice long exposure. Check your tide times so you don’t get cut off though.
The Road to Elgol
Don’t forget to stop and say hello to the locals! This Highland Cow was quite happy to stand and pose for me. I used a zoom lens so I didn’t have to get too close. I didn’t want to take a chance in a fight against a mammal with pointy horns!
Talisker Bay
Nothing special at high tide but if you head here at mid tide as the tide is going out the sand creates beautiful textures and patterns as shown in the image below. It’s a good place to visit at sunset but during the day can also be good if you can get a moody sky like this one.
I would recommend wellington boots if you are planning to head down onto the beach. No one likes wet feet!
There’s only space for 3 or 4 cars here so it can be a bit tricky in peak season to get a parking space. Once parked it’s around a 20 minute walk down to the beach. If you are heading here for sunset remember your head torch for the walk back to the car.
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog all about my adventures on The Isle of Skye. Here’s a picture of me with the Talisker Bay cat who rules the entrance here.
If you are interested in any of my photography images they are available to buy as prints over on my Etsy shop. Just click the Prints tab at the top of the page.
Thank you for reading xx