The main town in Skye is Portree, where you’ll find small gift shops selling harris tweed, cafes with warming veggie soup of the day & fresh bread, or the local grocery store offering cheese and wine for a picnic.

There are so many sights to visit on Isle of Skye, including the Fairy Pools, Coral Beach, Neist Point lighthouse, and Talisker Whisky distillery. One of the most iconic experiences is to climb up to Old Man of Storr. From the vantage point at the top, giant rocks jut out from swirling misty clouds, and the lakes and ocean glisten below in rays of stray sunbeams. For us this was a truly special moment, the cumulations of months of planning and hours of travel, finally attained undeterred by howling wind and rain drops splattered across our faces.

Right as we were steps from the top, the last steep climb through the slippery mud, a young indian man called out “be careful, go this way… your efforts will be well rewarded!” and off he disappeared down the side of the hill with his camera in hand.

Stay:
Lochshore House

Lochshore is a beautiful house set on a sheep farm, with views overlooking the water. In the mornings the sun rises over the small the duck pond and you can watch the farmer going about his chores, with his sheep dog in tow  while they herd the sheep across the fields. Each morning an impressive home cooked breakfast is served at the dining room table, with decadent made to order choices like delicious blueberry waffles or duck eggs Benedict which you select the night before.

See:

• Old Man Storr | With breathtaking views over Isle of Skye, the steep hike up to the jagged outcrop of rocks that make up Old Man Storr is well worth the effort. Be prepared to get wet and windy no matter what the weather might be when you start up the hill. Waterproof hiking boots and a waterproof clothes make life much easier if the path is muddy.

• Neist Point Lighthouse | Located on the western point of Isle of Skye with panoramic views of the cliffs and ocean. Especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.
• Dunvegan Castle & Gardens | Explore the gardens and walk through furnished and decorated castle of Dunvegan, with beautiful views all around.
• The Fairy Pools |  Beautiful interconnected crystal blue waterfalls, a great place for photos or a cold swim in the icy water.
• Kilt Rock View Point | A pretty lookout over steep cliffs
• The Quiraing | A popular hiking loop with lush green rolling hills
• Coral Beach | Unique white coral beach with turquoise waters for a great walk or picnic spot.

Eat

• The Caledonian Cafe | a popular cafe in the middle of Portree, with good veggie soups and wraps,
• Cafe Arriba | Cafe with a vegetarian friendly menu in Portree with great views over the harbour.
• Edinbean Inn Restaurant – A local’s favorite with a few good vegetarian options to choose from.
• The Old Inn | Pub with a good atmosphere, live music, and a delicious red ale on tap. Great place for a drink before the Distillery tour.

Whisky

• Talisker Distillery | This distillery tells the story of Talisker, inspired by the strength and salt of the sea, and reviews the essentials of how whiskey is made. Known for peatier smoky whiskeys with an salty profile, Talisker sets a good example of the spectrum of whiskeys available and how they are shaped by their environment. Note that it does get busy so it’s a good idea to book a tour in advance. Last tour of the day takes place at 4pm in the winter, and the distillery closes in January for maintenance.

We hope you get a chance to visit this gem of an island soon – we had a great time! Let us know if you have any questions or ideas to share with other travelers. Happy trails.