If you’re on a whirlwind tour of Scotland and have 1 day in Isle of Skye, you need to make the most of it. Scotland is a spectacular country full of places to travel, and you could spend a lifetime exploring all of its nooks and crannies, especially the Scottish Highlands.
You likely don’t have a lifetime, so I’ve put together an Isle of Skye 1 day itinerary that gives you time at all of the best sites based on my multiple trips to the beautiful isle.
Isle of Skye is #1 on my top 10 list of places to go in Scotland. The entire time you’re on Skye, you feel like you’re walking through the mystical lands that a high fantasy or sci-fi film would use as a backdrop. Thanks to the Skye Bridge, Skye is also accessible without a ferry, unlike most of the isles in the Hebrides.
This does mean that Skye is especially crowded in the summer months (check out my best month to visit Scotland post to get my take on avoiding crowds and midges!). That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to Skye. It just means you’ll want to have a plan and some patience; this magnificent land can be shared by all responsible travelers.
This Isle of Skye one day itinerary assumes you’re spending one night in Portree. So you could be arriving in Portree midday and departing Skye midday the following day. Or you could be arriving in Skye later in the evening, staying the night, and exploring for one day before departing Skye.
Cute and colorful Portree is the best place to spend 1 night on Isle of Skye because of its proximity to the main sites I’d recommend. It is also a precious harbor town with delicious restaurants, ice cream shops, and a grocery store that will all make your stay smoother, especially the ice cream.
When you enter Skye on the Skye Bridge in the southern part of the island, you have a 45-55 minute drive to Portree, depending on traffic. There is not much to see during this stretch with the exception of the Sligachan Bridge, which is a popular spot to photograph the looming Cuillin Mountains. The bridge is located just off the main road about 35 minutes from the bridge and 15 minutes before arriving in Portree.
If you’re arriving mid-day, follow your Google Maps straight through Portree. If you’re arriving in the evening, check into your accommodation and hit the hay.
Kilt Rock
Driving north of Portree approximately 30 minutes is Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls viewpoint. The cliff is named for its striking resemblance to a kilt and is stunning to observe. Allow for 10-15 minutes to enjoy the views of the cliff, nearby falls, and isles in the distance if it’s a clear day.
The Quiraing
Just 10 minutes northwest of Kilt Rock is the Quiraing. In my opinion, the Quiraing is Skye’s crown jewel. It is otherworldly terrain that has been sculpted by landslides over millions of years. You’re going to want to give yourself 1-2 hours to wander along the marked trails and explore this mystical land.
The views of the pinnacles, plateaus, cliffs, and sweeping vistas will quickly fill up your camera roll. Giving yourself time to walk a bit away from the car park will allow you to enjoy the views as the crowds with strict time tables will thin. Parking can also be tricky so pack your patience.
The Quiraing is excellent for avid hikers that want to spend a prolonged chunk of time (skip the Skye Museum of Island Life that’s next if that’s you), but it’s also excellent for casual visitors without a lot of hiking or hillwalking under their belt. Whatever distance you hike, hiking the Quiraing is one of the best things to do on Isle of Skye and will stir wonder in you. Basic Economy B guaranteed.
Skye Museum of Island Life
Located about a 25 minute drive northwest of the Quiraing is the Skye Museum of Island Life. The Skye Museum is the most underrated things to do in Skye in my humble opinion. If you have watched Outlander, you’ll feel like you’re walking through the TV set. If you haven’t, you’ll still feel transported back in time.
You can wander through the different cottages that are arranged to show what island life over the past centuries looked like. Scotland is known for its brutal weather, every month of the year, and seeing how people have lived on the isle for generations is genuinely fascinating. I don’t really love museums, especially when I don’t think they really connect to the place I’m in, but I really enjoyed exploring the Skye Museum.
The Skye Museum of Island Life is open Monday-Saturday from 10am to 5pm (last admission 4:30pm). Adult admission is £6.00, and children under 15 are free. If you happen to be in Skye during a cold or rainy spell (the odds of this are high, I hate to tell you), a hot chocolate from their concessions will warm your bones right up as you duck in and out of the rain.
Duntulm Castle
After you finish up at the Skye Museum of Island Life, head north just 10 minutes to Duntulm Castle. This is this not Dunvegan Castle (located an hour away off the Trotternish loop, and you don’t probably have time to get over there with just one day). Duntulm Castle was the seat of power for the ruling Clan MacDonald in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was a well built castle strategically placed on a cliff to be able to defend against warring clans.
Cons of the Duntulm Castle: it is actually just ruins. Maybe it wasn’t actually that well built. Pros of the Duntulm Castle: you can still wander through them and still appreciate the historical significance Skye has with the clans over the centuries.
Since I took a full semester, 5 credit class called the History, Performance, and Repertoire of the Bagpipes at the National Piping Center (one of the best things to do in Glasgow), I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this site is also of substantial significance to the history of the bagpipes in Scotland. There is a cairn to commemorate the MacArthurs, who were pipers to the MacDonalds of the Isle of Skye through the 1700s and had their piping school on the same grounds. The cairn ends with: “The world will end, but love and music endureth.”
If you started mid-day, head down to Portree and check into your accommodations. Below are my hotel recommendations for where to stay in Portree:
- Portree Guest House – Fiona and Robby manage this amazing guesthouse. I loved staying here with my parents when we explored Skye and would go back in a heartbeat.
- Cuillin Hills Hotel – is located close to Portree Harbour, and provides free full breakfast, a terrace, and a garden. The views of the Harbour are incredible with this one but you’re still within easy walking distance of everything in Portree.
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, (I’d strongly recommend some mussels from the Isle of Mull. You’ll recall my love of Mussels as detailed in my Isle of Iona guide, order them wherever you can on the isles) and wander around Portree. If you started early in the morning, head 20 minutes south to Uig for lunch.
Uig, nestled on the northern coast of the Isle of Skye, is a picturesque village known for its rugged beauty and tranquil harbor. It’s downright sleepy compared to Portree, but it boasts multiple restaurants that make great lunch spots. It is located near some of Skye’s other dramatic landscapes that you’ll explore after you have a full belly.
Fairy Glen
After you’ve finished lunch, drive 5 minutes to the Fairy Glen. The Fairy Glen is my preferred stop over the Fairy Pools (they’re located about an hour apart from each other). I’ve done both, and while the clear waters of the Fairy Pools were nice, they weren’t the colors of the heavily edited photos you’ll see on Pinterest. The Fairy Pools are also increasingly more crowded and difficult to squeeze into just 1 day in Isle of Skye. The Fairy Glen is more magical in my opinion.
The Fairy Glen is an enchanting landscape dotted with cone-shaped hills and lush greenery, rumored to be home to magical fairies. Allow for about an hour to wander through its whimsical terrain, taking in panoramic views of Skye’s enchanting beauty and discovering traces of folklore along the way.
Old Man of Storr
Once you’re done at the Fairy Glen, head 20 minutes north to the Old Man of Storr, just outside of Portree. The Old Man of Storr, with its towering rock formation and dramatic setting, is an iconic sight and a must for visitors with just 1 in Isle of Skye. My take of the Quiraing being Skye’s crown jewel is probably contentious, as many would consider Old Man of Storr to have that title. I don’t disagree, it is a breathtaking spot.
The hike is a little more strenuous for non-hikers than the Quiraing is, and for that the Quiraing gets my slight preference. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that seeing the views from the top of Old Man of Storr on a clear day is a soul stirring experience.
This geological wonder – also formed by ancient landslides – draws wonder from everyone, especially those who want to hike the 2.5-mile trail for unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape and Loch Leathan below. I’d describe the hike as moderately challenging (you definitely want hiking boots with ankle support) and will take you 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on how crowded it is or how many pictures you take.
But the views are incredible at the top. They’re admittedly a little less incredible if you can’t see more than 10 feet in front of you with the mist, but it’ll definitely make you want to plan another trip to Isle of Skye.
By the time you’ve come down from Old Man of Storr and returned to your car, your magical time in Skye is quickly coming to an end. Because Skye is such a big island and 1 day in Skye is all you have, this travel guide keeps you on the northern part of the Trotternish Peninsula.
If you have a second full day or an additional half day, you could add any of the following stops to your Isle of Skye road trip based on your interests:
Dunvegan Castle: Historic castle and gardens, home of the Clan MacLeod for over 800 years. Located on the western part of the island. You’d have to drive past to eventually reach Neist Point.
Neist Point: Prominent viewpoint with a lighthouse and dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea. Located over an hour from Portree and provides stunning views of the sunset.
Talisker Distillery: Visit Skye’s oldest and most renowned whisky distillery for tours and tastings. Located 30 minutes southwest of Portree but only 15 minutes away from the Fairy Pools.
Fairy Pools: Crystal-clear pools and waterfalls on the River Brittle, perfect for a scenic walk on your way out of Skye if this is on your bucket list.
Tips for 1 day in Isle of Skye:
- Travel Time: Be mindful of travel times between destinations. Roads on Skye can be narrow and winding or filled with tourists (or sheep, as you can see above), so plan accordingly.
- Weather: Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly, as Skye’s weather can be unpredictable. Make sure you have good raincoats and rain boots so the weather doesn’t chase you inside (follow my packing list for Scotland to make sure you’re covered).
- Timing: Start your day early to make the most of daylight hours, especially if visiting during the shorter days of winter.
This one day travel guide covers some of the must-see sights on Skye, but feel free to adjust based on your interests and the time you have available in your itinerary. Enjoy your day exploring this beautiful island!
Intimidated by driving a rental car but still want to do a day trip to Isle of Skye? There are several day tours that have great itineraries that include many of these stops. I have had family members go that route and based on their experience, I recommend this day tour out of Inverness.
My 7 day Scotland itinerary gives you time to explore the Isle of Skye as well as Scotland’s major cities and other gems in the Highlands.
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