Plan Your Visit
An island for all seasons
Harbour house is the most amazing location! You couldn’t pick a better spot in Portree for exploring.
Chris
The Isle of Skye is sunny, windy, wet, splendid, glorious, constantly surprising and full of rainbows. Seasons change in minutes and the skies are something to behold. Fifty miles long it takes a surprisingly long time to get from south to north but rather than rushing, enjoy the single track roads as part of the experience. You don’t come here for fast travel, instead take the time to drink in what’s around you.
When to come
Could not find a single fault with this place. Absolutely beautiful cabin with stunning views of the water and scenery. We stayed Friday to Monday and could’ve stayed longer. The place has everything you need and is in a perfect location to explore the island. Will 100% be booking here again, couldn’t recommend this place more for your trip to Skye!
Bethany
June, July and August are peak months and we always recommend booking places to eat ahead of time and getting to the main tourist spots either early morning or late afternoon. November, March and April can be surprising. Visitors comment on the phenomenal light we have in these months and many photographers choose to visit then. As we near December, January, February the nights draw in and the days are shorter but there is still lots to enjoy. Look out for the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, and with snow, the Cuillin hills are spectacular.
Christmas and Hogmanay ( New Year)
Both are celebrated island-style with small, low key ceilidhs or community gatherings in village halls and many of the pubs and restaurants host nights with music and a piper.
The best way to get here – by ferry or by road?
Ooh we’re spoilt for choice. Every which way you arrive in Skye is spectacular. From the East, fly to Inverness Airport, hire a car and drive along famous Loch Ness stopping at Castle Urquhart on the way. Or choose the top road via Achnasheen and come along the start of the North Coast 500 route, beautiful landscapes and a stunning road. Alternatively if you’re coming from the south then you can choose between driving from Fort William through the Five Sisters of Kintail (amazing), or head to Mallaig and take the ferry to Armadale in Skye (spectacular). From the north and the Inner Hebrides, and islands of North Uist or Harris the ferry journeys are wonderful and there’s a good chance of seeing porpoises or if you’re lucky a whale or two. And from the west – well the only thing to the west is St Kilda and the United States – if you’re coming that way we’ll meet you at the pier!
Getting around
There are a couple of public buses a day serving different regions but there some fabulous guides who offer tours of the island, from wildlife spotting to scenery stops. It’s best to plan ahead and work out what you would like to see. A word of warning though – on a map Skye looks small, but with single track roads it can take a long time to get anywhere! Don’t be surprised to meet a traffic jam of sheep or cows on the road and be prepared to make way for other drivers. There is so much to enjoy in the area that we recommend relaxing and taking your time.
We couldn’t take our eyes off the ever-changing scenery and wildlife, even when the heavens opened the view was still stunning. Take your wellies because you can step out of the property and straight into the scenery for a walk in the bay – after checking tide times. We travelled round most of Skye during our week and couldn’t find another property located in a better position for accessible views
Live music and Highland culture
Does your kilt flutter with the sound of the pipes? The traditions of music, song and poetry are embedded here along with the Gaelic language. Skye is home to Scotland’s main Gaelic language college Sabhal Mor Ostaig and many people are actively involved in maintaining age old traditions. You can find live music around the island all-year round, from pub sessions to village ceilidhs, and lesser know ‘small hall’ evenings.
Overall, fantastic! I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable break in a beautiful location.
How long should I spend on Skye?
See above. We have lived here since 2010 and are still exploring and discovering new corners. Slow travel is the best travel, but we realise that time is a precious commodity.
Two full days
Day One – you can drive from the centre, around the north end on day one, (Storr, Kilt Rock, Quirang, Fairy Glen) – although if you want to get out and walk that could take as many hours as you have. Day Two – Head west to the Fairy Pools and on to Talikser Distillery, Dunvegan Castle and Neist Point Lighthouse.
Or – visit the famous Sligachan Glen and head to the island of Raasay and its distillery and phenomemal views of Skye .
Or – head to the Garden of Skye – the lovely Sleat peninsula, home to the Torobhaig Distillery, Knock Castle and Clan Donald estate, beautiful white sand beaches at the point and the stunning loop of Tarskavaig and Tokavaig with views to the Cuillins .
Or – head west to Elgol via Amy’s tearoom at Torrin and then take a boat trip into Loch Coruisk and the heart of the Cuillins.
Or
Don’t forget Lochalsh
Just the other side of the Skye bridge and you have another complete playground to explore. Take the Kylerhea ferry, the last surviving turntable ferry in the UK to the lovely village of Glenelg and explore the iron age brochs and one of the best pubs north of Glasgow. Or drive to Plockton, in its picturesque setting of a beautiful bay and palm trees and luscious gardens fed by the Gulf Stream. Or for walkers the magnificent Five Sisters of Kintail present superb ridge walking opportunities.
And then there are all the places we haven’t mentioned. So.. Question: How long should I spend on Skye ? Answer: As long as you can.
P.S. There are many many places not mentioned here.. but we could go on for days….
What about the food?
Where do we start? Skye has some incredible restaurants and cafes with amazing local suppliers – if you are into seafood then how do hand dived scallops, creel caught lobster and prawns, and rope grown mussels take your fancy? More of a meat-eater? Then venison fresh from the hills, or locally reared beef, chicken and lamb (fed on seaweed on the beaches for a uniquely sweet flavour)? And for vegetarians, you’ll be glad to hear you’ll always find vegetarian and vegan options on the menus with many establishments offering locally foraged and organic produce from chanterelles to samphire and more.
We could go on
You’ve probably realised we are passionate about Skye and the surrounding area and love where we live. We have described just a small snapshot of this unique island. We hope you will fall in love with the magic too.
