9 of the best things to see & do on Skye

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is one of my personal favourites. I did live and work in the castle for 5 years, so I may be slightly biased, but if there’s anyone to trust on this one, it’s me! Home to expansive history spanning eight centuries, the seat of Clan MacLeod, and the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, there’s quite a history and culture to discover here. I love the gardens that surround the castle. Its location sees strong westerly storms off the Atlantic, so for this garden to thrive as it does is no mean feat. Admire the water garden, wander around the walled garden and woodland trails, and keep your eyes peeled for your chance to spot dolphins in the surrounding waters. My favourite part of a visit is taking a boat trip out to see the seal colony in Loch Dunvegan!

If you’ve got time for more castles, I recommend heading to Armadale Castle & Gardens. Although not technically a castle, the gardens, and woodlands here are stunning and the views over to the Knoydart Peninsula and Mallaig are hard to beat. Stop by the Museum of the Isles at Armadale, located in the gardens, to learn more.

One thing I love about Skye is the incredible amount of archaeology and history you can discover. You’ve probably not heard of the Skye Marble Line. This walk starts from Broadford, or on a detour from Kilchrist Church, and is an easy walk along a former railway track leading to the remains of a marble quarry. Skye Marble was highly prized at the turn of the last century and was used in grand buildings such as Iona Abbey and Armadale Castle. The walk is great for a morning or afternoon out with the kids, featuring fantastic views back towards Broadford and the north of Skye – closer to the quarry you can even spot the towering Cuillin Hills. 

For those looking for an adventure, head off on a hike to a Viking shipyard. Rubh an Dunain  is situated on the edge of a beautiful peninsula and takes roughly 4-6 hours to reach – well worth it in my opinion! Wander around the ruins of an Iron Age Fort, Viking Canal, and a Cairn, with immense views out to the Small Isles too. Brochs are also a great place to delve into archaeology. Dun Beag Broch is easy to reach and just a short walk uphill from the car park.

You can’t visit an island without exploring a beach or two! Skye is home to incredible sandy shores – here are some of my unmissable favourites. Did you know you can see dinosaur footprints at low tide on the island? Staffin Beach – An Corran is home to footprints from the three-toed Megalosaurus, which were discovered in 2002 after a storm unearthed them. Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, I recommend making a day of it and visiting other stunning geological formations, such as the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Quiraing, and the ruin of Duntulm Castle. If you want to experience some wellness, try the newly opened Staffin Sea Sauna.

Elsewhere, Coral Beach is a beautiful crescent shaped beach with turquoise waters. It’s one of my favourite spots because you can spot lots of wildlife here – eagles, seals, sometimes minke whales, and even the local herd of cows sometimes make it onto the beach too. Glenbrittle Beach is another honourable mention. Here you can find expansive volcanic black sandy shores situated below the Cuillin Hills - great for swimming, sea kayaking, or even just relaxing.

From watersports, golf and e-bikes to axe throwing, archery and more, the whole family can get involved. South Skye Sea Kayaking you don’t want to miss out on. I’ve done a morning session and had a blast. You first have a safety briefing, and a test run on the water, before setting off for real. I’m not too confident on the water but the staff made sure I knew what to do. Janni made sure that our group navigated the coastline safely and we had a quick break on a beach too. It’s a fantastic way to see Skye and the mountains of Knoydart from the water, and it’s suitable for all abilities. Head to Portree where you can try clay target shooting, axe throwing, archery and more at ACE Target Sports – great for both adults and kids! The Isle of Skye Golf Club is located in Sconser and is the perfect location to tee off whilst surrounded by unrivalled island views.

E-bikes are a great way to explore the island. I've heard such great feedback from friends and family. Skye EBikes in the north of Skye are ideal for exploring the Trotternish peninsula. Bikes on the Brae are based in Staffin, offering bike repairs too.

There are plenty of boat trips that explore the waters around Skye and beyond. I recommend Misty Isle Boat Trips – departing from Elgol and travelling out to Loch Coruisk, which you can only reach by boat or on a long day hike. It’s one of my favourite trips and one I take my friends on. You feel so small, seeing the Cuillin Hills towering above you. If you want to walk around the loch, you’d better take the first boat from Elgol and last one back to allow yourself enough time. The Aquaxplore does fantastic trips to the small isles. I’ve been on the Canna Puffin trip, and it was such a great trip with dolphins, puffins, wildlife, and time ashore on Canna. It truly was the highlight of my summer. It is a fast rib style boat trip, so might not be for everyone.

If you’re in Portree, you’ve got a handful of operators to choose from – Stardust Boat Trips, Seaflower Skye, and Isle of Skye Seafari all explore the waters and coastline around Portree. There is amazing wildlife to be seen. If you want the chance to see puffins, I recommend SkyeXplorer Boat Trips. I have been during May - August and always saw puffins.

Head to Waternish to visit Skyeskyns – Scotland’s only sheepskin tannery. I recommend heading on a tour of the tannery, it’s small but informative, before browsing the shop upstairs and tucking into some tasty food in the café. At Armadale Castle, the Museum of the Isles lets you journey through the history of the Highlands and Islands through the story of Clan Donald – Scotland’s largest and most powerful clan. Learn all about the Jacobite Risings, the mighty Lords of the time, the clearances, and kids will love the museums’ children’s trails, with an activity area, dressing up and more. Visit the Staffin Dinosaur Museum – a small family-run museum set up in 1976 that is packed full of locally found fossils, casts of ancient footprints, ammonites and more. The staff are very knowledgeable and on hand to tell you all about the fossils, their significance, and where best to find the footprints on An Corran Beach. 

Stop by Giant MacAskill Museum in Dunvegan – although it’s small, it's great for a rainy day. The Museum of Island Life in Kilmuir showcases traditional blackhouses and life on Skye 100 years ago.

Sometimes exploring an area is best done on two feet and at your own pace. Skye boasts hundreds of walks and routes that vary in terrain and difficulty, but if you don’t know where to start, why not embark on a guided walk of Skye? Exploring with an expert means you can safely navigate the harder routes, whilst learning all about the island.

Skye Geography Tours, run by the local geography teacher, takes private groups (up to 6 people) around the quiet corners of Skye during the summer where you can learn more about the landscapes, geography, and geology of the land.

Walk, climb and explore with Skye Mountaineering, who offer rock climbing, navigation and winter courses too. Explore the mountains of Skye with Skye Adventure for half or full day excursions that take in all the best spots around the island.

Talisker Distillery in Carbost is the oldest distillery on Skye, with a new café featuring fantastic food, in collaboration with The Three Chimneys, and a great shop to browse whilst you’re here too. Embark on a tour, a tasting experience, or a cask draw – the whisky lovers are in for a real treat!

Torabhaig is a small, independent distillery located on the Sleat peninsula. Book a tour, tuck into some delicious local produce in the café, and admire the arresting views and landscapes that surround the distillery.

Expect to find tantalising seafood dishes on Skye, fresh, homegrown produce, carefully curated dishes and much more. From The Three Chimneys in Colbost, Edinbane Lodge and An Crùbh, to the Pier View Restaurant in Skeabost, Café Cùil near Carbost, and The Sprig in Broadford  – you’re spoilt for choice.

Why not enjoy a day trip to the Isle of Raasay? Located east of Skye, Raasay is one of the most easily accessible islands and great to explore without a car. Hop on the 25-minute ferry from Sconser on Skye to Raasay and you’ll be met with an enjoyable day out for the whole family.

From Raasay House, you can explore the island with a walking loop around the area. I love starting my walk in the cafe of Raasay House, with some tea and cake and the best views towards Skye. Raasay House also offers a range of outdoor activities too, including kayaking, archery, bike hire and more. There is also hotel accommodation if you plan to stay longer on the island. 

For the adults, take a trip to the Isle of Raasay Distillery and embark on a tour or tasting, including a gin and chocolate tasting, whilst learning more about the fusion of flavours, the history of the distillery, and story behind the island’s first legal distillery.

Make sure to venture along Calum’s Road. This road is a testament to one crofter’s determination as he refused to leave his community isolated on the island - taking 10 years to complete!