Located on the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Skye has captivated adventuring souls in recent years as a place of mythical beauty.
Make no mistake though, this is not the easiest place to get to.
But trust us, it’s worth it!
Here are some reasons why:
Incredible Landscapes
If you’ve already started your research into Skye, you’ll quickly conclude that this place has incredible landscapes.
The island’s terrain is varied as it is breathtaking, from jagged peaks to rolling hills and the wild sea crashing and carving its way around the island.
Here are some highlights that might warrant a place on your Instagram feed:
Fairy Pools
At the foot of the Cuillin mountains, the Fairy Pools of Skye captivates visitors coming to experience its mythical beauty.
The Fairy Pools are a series of natural pools and waterfalls which have become extremely popular with wild swimmers in recent years. Fear not if you can’t brave the cold, it’s worth a walk here just to be mesmerised by its natural beauty.
This is also the site that saw one of Scotland’s bloodiest battles between two Scottish clans: the Macleods and the Macdonalds in 1601.
It is said that the waters of the Fairy Pools turned red as a result of this violent clash.
The Old Man of Storr
This is probably one of the most famous natural sights of Skye and one of the first images a Google search will bring up of the island.
The Old Man is a 55-metre jagged rock formation which is the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.
Sticking out of the mountain with tantalising views across the island, you might want to get here early in a bid to avoid the crowds!
The Quiraing
The Quiraing has been described as one of Scotland’s most scenic spots.
Formed by a massive landslide, this incredible landscape is located on the north end of Skye and attracts both photographers and hikers from afar.
Even the view from the car park is highly rated!
Rich History
A rich history encapsulates the Isle of Skye with settlers first arriving here from the Mesolithic period with clans, castles and clearings being notable events here.
Better yet, why not visit some of the historic sites scattered throughout the isle?
Dunvegan Castle
Founded in the 13th century, Dunvegan Castle was the seat of the Macleod Clan who had considerable influence over Skye for many years.
Dunvegan is the oldest inhabited castle in all of Scotland and visitors can come and see the castle along with its 42000 acre estate.
Who knows, you might bump into one of the Macleods!
Skye Museum of Island Life
To understand how people have lived on the Isle of Skye throughout history, tourists might want to visit the Museum of Island Life.
The museum consists of seven thatched cottages built in a traditional style and offers a glimpse into the history of how islanders lived more than a century ago along with the hardships that they faced.
Wonderful Wildlife
Due to its unique geography in the northeast isles of Scotland, Skye boasts extraordinary wildlife and offers the chance to spot audacious animals in their natural habitats.
Notable residents of the island include:
- Sea Eagles
- Red Deer
- Otters
- Dolphins
- Whales
- Seals
- Golden Eagles
- Puffins
Visitors to Skye can head on boat tours or wildlife expeditions for their best chance to spot these incredible animals.
Fantastic, Fresh Cuisine
Fresh seafood? ✔️
Excellent whisky? ✔️
Hearty venison? ✔️
The Isle of Skye has an abundance of local produce providing hungry tourists a taste of this wild island and Hebridean cooking.
Here are some popular restaurants dotted around Skye:
Adventurers Paradise
The Isle of Skye is a haven for adventurers who love the great outdoors.
Hiking is one of the most popular activities here, with walkers hurriedly heading to popular loops and trails such as The Old Man of Storr referenced above but also The Point of Sleat which is a gorgeous trail along the Sleat Peninsula, and the Peak of Strife, a 24 km challenging hike taking you across meandering moorlands and scrambling steep, rocky terrain.
Kayaking is another popular outdoor activity here with several tour operators taking visitors to explore sheltered nooks and crannies around the coast and intriguing inland lochs.
Skye is also a cyclist’s dream with a collection of roads and routes taking riders across the island via epic mountains, remote villages and serene, wild beaches. Some of these routes are steep and require a certain level of fitness, but there are few better places in the British Isles to explore on two wheels!
What are some of your favourite things to do on Skye?
Let us know in the comments below!
