11 Things You Need To Know Before Travelling To Skye

This list unpacks all the things you need to consider when planning a trip to the fabulous Isle of Skye

We have spent a glorious 6 months on Skye and it has exceeded all our expectations. Our decision to come here was fairly last minute and we did minimal research. There have been many great surprises but also some big lessons. With the benefit of spending an extended period of time on this beautiful island, we’ve complied the top 11 things you need to know before travelling to Skye. We hope this is helpful if you’re planning a trip to the Misty Isle.

1) The Isle of Skye is so much bigger than you expect

You need to spend several days here to fully appreciate it. Most tourists we meet are rushing around Skye in one or two days as part of a larger tour of Scotland. While we understand that holiday allowances can be limiting, Skye is a vast island (50 miles long) and takes such an effort to travel here that one or two days just isn’t long enough and you’ll find most of your time eaten up by travel. The island has 5 or 6 distinct areas featuring contrasting landscapes, culture and wildlife. At the very least we’d recommend 5 or 6 days to spend time in each of these.

2) There are sheep everywhere

No really, EVERYWHERE. If you are driving around prepare to wait as a flock slowly amble across the road. Any walk you take, you’ll be accompanied by curious sheep. In spring, the lambing season makes some routes inaccessible. There is an idyllic charm to the sheep covered landscape but it is something you need to know before visiting Skye with a dog. Responsible dog ownership is a high profile issue on the plentiful hiking trails, with ‘sheep worrying’ being a serious offence. However, with a little preparation you can easily enjoy the countryside. I’ve put together a guide here on how to enjoy Skye with your dog.

3) Public transport is not always available/convenient

There is a bus service on Skye but the timetable is somewhat mysterious and destinations limited. If possible we strongly recommend bringing your own car or hiring one. This allows you the freedom to explore every hidden beach and rock formation at leisure rather than be constrained by the bus network. If a car is not an option, luckily there are several tours you can sign up to. Local taxis are also friendly and affordable. Alternatively, hitch hiking is completely normalised on Skye. Even if hitch hiking is something you’d usually avoid, you’ll soon see it as a legitimate travel option on the island.

4) The roads are…challenging

Having said that travelling by car is the best way to travel Skye, you will need to have your wits about you on the roads. As well as the aforementioned sheep, there are potholes, single track roads plus hundreds of other tourists unused to driving on the left-hand side of the road. Jon’s created a clear guide to a stress free driving experience on Skye.

5) Each season is vastly different; research what’s important to you

Generally speaking, July & August will be the busiest time of year on Skye, with the main tourism season running April – October. However, each season on Skye is vastly different and it’s a good idea to research exactly what excites you about a visit before planning your trip. Winter could be a spectacular choice for snow, star filled skies and the possibility of glimpsing the Northern Lights. Spring is when the fields fill with adorable lambs, days become lighter and spring flowers litter the meadows. Summer is the peak sea life watching time with whales, dolphins and sharks regular visitors to Skye’s coast. Meanwhile inland, the countryside is bursting with wildflowers. Autumn sees the mountains swathed in the iconic purple of Scottish heather and deer making an appearance for rutting season. See what I mean? Each season certainly has its attractions so there is no bad time to visit!

6) There is a surprisingly great coffee scene

Luckily for Jon, moving to the Isle of Skye did not mean that he had to give up his daily artisan coffee addiction. Skye is full of delicious and innovative coffee options. The vast majority are dog friendly, serve superb homemade food and are great places to wait out any passing rain storms. Jon has compiled his rundown of the 5 best coffee shops on Skye. But there are always more to discover!

7) Everywhere is beautiful, not just the top attractions

If you’ve just started to research a trip to Skye, the chances are you’ll have seen images and reviews of a handful of ‘must see’ places: the fairy pools, The Quiraing, Kilt Rock, the Old Man of Storr and Dunvegan Castle are the big hitters. Jon and I have been on the Isle of Skye for 6 months and still not visited half of these. This is because the whole island is so spectacular and filled with beautiful hikes, beaches and viewpoints that you will never run out of wonderful things to see and do (We’ve got to 101 and counting!). In fact, unless you visit out of season, it’s a good idea to avoid some of the top sites as they can becomes congested with coaches and tour groups. Here’s an alternative guide to the top attractions.

8) You need to book accommodation a year in advance…seriously

We’ve been working at a hotel while on Skye and it has really opened our eyes to the lack of accommodation available (especially during peak season). Where we are working is almost fully booked for next summer already.  Unless you have a huge budget, you will need to book accommodation a year in advance to have good affordable options. Luckily, wild camping is permitted on Skye meaning if you are happy to be spontaneous you should always be able to find somewhere to pitch a tent. If you’d prefer a roof over your head, accommodation should be the first thing you book when planning a trip to Skye.

9) Skye has some of the best wild swimming options in the UK (or even Europe)

I have to admit, packing my swimsuit was a last-minute decision as Scotland is notoriously wet and cold. However, due to the warmth of the Gulf Stream, the sea is not quite as icy as other wild swimming spots in the UK. Furthermore, the jaw-dropping marbled sands, dramatic cliffs and clear waters mean you’ll be desperate to dive in. I would urge anyone travelling to Skye to pack their swimsuit too even if you don’t think you’re going to need it as you’ll be disappointed if you miss out on some of the best wild swimming the UK (and possibly Europe) has to offer. There are great swim spots all over the island, but we’ve created a guide to our favourite 7 beaches.

10) The weather is incredibly changeable

If you plan a trip to Skye you are probably planning for some rain. You’d be right to pack plenty of waterproof clothing. But you should also expect for sun and wind. We’ve come back from hikes sunburnt as may times as we’ve come back drenched. So, make sure you pack a high factor sunscreen, insect repellent, warm layers for when the wind blows alongside your trusty raincoat. Chances are, you’ll need every item every day as the weather can change in seconds and you don’t want to be caught out. If the rain is unrelenting, there are still plenty of things to enjoy on Skye.

11) Skye is a foodie heaven – but book in advance

Skye is blessed with multiple Michelin recognised restaurants (including one with a Michelin star). Alongside this there are plenty of gastro pubs, cafes, fish and chip shops and bakeries. But the star of the show is the fresh seafood on offer pretty much everywhere. However, to enjoy your first choice of eateries you must book in advance. For restaurants, prepare to book a couple of weeks in advance and, for more casual places, there will usually be a queue. Opening times will fluctuate constantly based on staffing and availability of ingredients so keep an eye on social media to avoid disappointment.

Reach out with any comments and questions, we’re always happy to discuss our experiences of Skye.