Isle of Skye is one of the most popular destinations in Scotland so when I originally planned my trip, I wanted to skip it. (I’m not one for overly touristy destinations). Luckily I ended up changing my mind last minute and I’m sure glad that I did. Isle of Skye was one of the highlights of my two-week roadtrip through Scotland. The landscapes are unmatched, the vast remoteness is breathtaking, and the beauty is surreal. If you plan to travel to Scotland, I would not miss your chance to spend a couple of days (minimum) exploring Isle of Skye. This is the best 2 day Isle of Skye itinerary and everything you need to know about visiting.
If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, don’t miss…
- The Best 10 Day Scotland Itinerary
- Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Scotland
- The Ultimate Scotland Packing List
How to Get to Isle of Skye
In my opinion, the ideal way to get to (and around) Isle of Skye is by renting a car and driving. And while you might not be used to driving on the *special* side of the road, and Scottish roads are oftentimes small; driving to Isle of Skye really is the best way to arrive – unless you’re joining a tour. Below I’ll go into depth on how to get to Isle of Skye from both Edinburgh and Inverness.
For more information on renting a car and driving in Scotland, don’t miss…
GETTING TO ISLE OF SKYE FROM EDINBURGH
- Rental Car – This would be my preferred way of traveling between Isle of Skye and Edinburgh. The drive will take around six hours heading northwest.
- Private Transfer – You can take a private driver from Edinburgh to Isle of Skye and while this wouldn’t be my preferred method (simply due to cost), if you aren’t comfortable driving – it is another option.
- Tours to Isle of Skye from Edinburgh – Your last option would be to join a tour from Edinburgh to Isle of Skye. Here are some tours I’d recommend…
- 3-Day Isle of Skye, Inverness, Highlands, & Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh
- 3-Day Isle of Skye & Scottish Highlands Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
- 4-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
- 3-Day Isle of Skye & Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh
- 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye & Highlands Tour from Edinburgh
If you’re traveling to Isle of Skye from Edinburgh, don’t miss…
GETTING TO ISLE OF SKYE FROM INVERNESS
- Rental Car – This would be my preferred way of traveling between Isle of Skye and Inverness. The drive will take around 2.5 hours heading west.
- Private Transfer – You can take a private driver from Inverness to Isle of Skye and while this wouldn’t be my preferred method (simply due to cost), if you aren’t comfortable driving – it is another option.
- Tours to Isle of Skye from Inverness – Your last option would be to join a tour from Inverness to Isle of Skye. Here are some tours I’d recommend…
Best Time to Visit Isle of Skye
Isle of Skye is best visited during late spring and early autumn (May to June and September to October) when the weather is mild, and the tourist crowds are smaller. These shoulder seasons offer decent temperatures, fewer midges, and stunning landscapes in full bloom or autumn colors. The summer months (July and August) bring warmer weather and the peak tourist season, making popular sites busier. Winter (November to February) can be cold and wet, with fewer daylight hours, but offers a peaceful and dramatic atmosphere for those looking for more solitude.
I visited in June and the weather was mediocre. It was pretty cold, windy, and rainy which did affect some of the hiking we had planned to do. From what I could gather, this was unusual for Isle of Skye in June, but this part of Scotland is used to seeing cloudy days and cooler weather throughout the year.
How to Get Around Isle of Skye
The easiest way (and the way I’d recommend) getting around Isle of Skye is by car. The island is big and remote and there aren’t any trains that connect you from one part of the island to the other. If you’re planning to drive around Isle of Skye here are my best tips for driving…
- Go slow and take your time – there are many one-way roads that require you to stop and let oncoming traffic pass
- Be courteous – if you have an area where you can pull off to let oncoming traffic pass, make sure to pull over
- If it’s raining make sure your headlights are on
- There is no tolerance for drinking and driving in Scotland so if you go to a whisky tasting you can ask for your pours to-go
- When you park your car, always check for a machine to pay for parking or you’ll get fined
Where to Stay in Isle of Skye
Monkstadt 1745
As I mentioned earlier, Isle of Skye is large and there are areas that are pretty remote. When deciding where to stay, I think you need to ask yourself if it’s best for you to be in a more remote location or decide if you want to be closer to town. When I visited, I decided to go the remote route and loved every second of it. Sure there weren’t any restaurants or coffee shops nearby – but waking up to rolling green hills and nothing else around – was pretty special. I checked into Mondkstadt 1745 and would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a remote stay. They do serve a phenomenal breakfast and a 5-course dinner so you don’t need to be too concerned with the remote location.
If you’d rather stay closer to town, I’d recommend choosing somewhere near Portree. This is the capital of Isle of Skye and there are tons of great bars, restaurants, and shops around. Here are some hotels in Portree that I’d recommend…
If you decide to stay in Portree and want a tour guide to show you around the island, I recommend booking this tour.
BOOK YOUR STAY IN ISLE OF SKYE HERE!
Day 1 Isle of Skye Itinerary
HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 1: NORTHERN ISLE OF SKYE
In my opinion, the northern part of Isle of Skye is the most rugged and beautiful part of the island. Even if you’re not staying in the area, I highly recommend making the drive up north to see the beauty for yourself. These are the stops I recommend making when visiting the north…
- Castle Ewen/Fairy Glen – Put Castle Ewen into your Google maps and it will take you to an area with a parking lot; from there you can make the short (and beautiful) walk to Fairy Glen
- Skye Museum of Island Life – See how Isle of Skye came to be and how people used to live before transportation and tourism (this museum is closed on Sunday)
- Rubha Hunish – The northernmost point of Isle of Skye
- Quiraing or The Storr – You’ll probably only have time for one more hike and I’d recommend either one of these
Day 2 Isle of Skye Itinerary
HIGHLIGHT OF DAY 2: WESTERN ISLE OF SKYE + PORTREE
On your second day in Isle of Skye I’d head to the western part of the island to whisky taste, visit castles, and see more attractions. You should also drive to the east so you can visit the capital – the village of Portree. These are the stops I’d recommend when visiting the west and Portree…
- Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
- Giant Angus MacAskill Museum – Dedicated to the tallest man in the world
- Neist Point – Viewpoint with a lighthouse
- Talisker Distillery – Book a tasting ahead of time and if you’re driving, you can get yours to-go
- Cafe Cuil – For lunch
- Portree – Walking around/shopping
FAQ
Q: “Can you do Isle of Skye in a day?”
- A: Yes, but I would recommend more than that. The island is large and not well-connected by roads so it takes a while to get around.
Q: “Is it worth going to Isle of Skye?”
- A: This was the same question I had asked myself while planning my trip and I have to say, Isle of Skye was one of my favorite places in Scotland. I would say that it is absolutely worth the visit.
Q: “Can you do Isle of Skye in 2 days?”
- A: Yes. I would recommend a minimum of 2 days in Isle of Skye so that you can focus on a couple of different parts of the island and not rush too much.
Scotland Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Scotland
TRAVELING THROUGH SCOTLAND
- The easiest way to book train tickets in Scotland is through Omio
- The easiest way to book bus tickets in Scotland is through Bookaway or Omio
- To book a flight to Scotland, I recommend using Skyscanner or a big search engine to compare options
- For car rentals in Scotland, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want a driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Scotland – I use and recommend SafetyWing (see why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for 5% off
ACCOMODATION IN SCOTLAND
- To easiest way to book hotels in Scotland is through a booking platform
TOURS IN SCOTLAND
- For tours and activities in Scotland, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO SCOTLAND
- Don’t forget a Scotland guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (Scotland uses type G)
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend a sleep mask for long flights
I hope that this 2 day Isle of Skye itinerary helped plan your trip and inspire your travels. If you have any questions about visiting Isle of Skye or Scotland in general, let me know in a comment below!
For more things to see and do in Scotland, don’t miss…
For more information on things to see and do in Scotland, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinscotland” or under my highlights for “Scotland”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Scotland” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
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