Why go
- Island of the Inner Hebrides, Scotland.
- Known for Cloud Island, Norse languages, bridges, nature.
- 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including The Quiraing.
- Served by Stornoway Airport (SYY).
History
The Isle of Skye, or simply Skye, is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous hub dominated by the Cuillin, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. Although Sgitheanach has been suggested to describe a winged shape, no definitive agreement exists as to the name's origin.
Must-see attractions
Outdoor
31 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Restaurants & places to go
Chinese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mar 16-Oct 15: Mo-Su 16:30-21:30; Oct 16-Mar 15: Mo-Su 16:30-21:00 · Bayfield Road, Portree, IV51 9EL · thefatpanda.co.uk
Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 10:00-16:00 · 4 Satran, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SU · cafecuil.com
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating · Viewfield Road, Portree, IV51 9EU · gastaportrigh.co.uk
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 12:30-19:30; Fr-Sa off Features: outdoor seating · 5 The Green · cafesia.co.uk
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Nov-Mar: Mo-Fr 12:00-16:00; Apr-Oct: Mo-Fr 11:00-17:00 Features: takeaway · Carbost, IV47 8SE · theoystershed.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · Somerled Square, Portree, IV51 9EH · granary-skye.co.uk
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-17:00 Features: dogs welcome · 8 Wentworth Street, Portree, IV51 9EJ · thehighlandcowshop.com
Pizza, Fast Food · Pizza fast food · pizzaintheskye.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-14:00, 18:00-20:45 Features: vegetarian options · 9 Bosville Terrace, Portree, IV51 9DG · dulsebrose.co.uk
Cafe · Opening hours: Th-Tu 11:00-17:00 · 7 Ose Road, IV56 8FJ · oldbyreskye.co.uk
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 16:00-21:00 Features: vegan options · Somerlad Square, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EH
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 12:00-23:30
Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 09:30-16:00 Features: outdoor seating · Isle Of Skye, IV56 8FB
Indian, Restaurant · Indian restaurant · Bank Street, Portree, IV51 9DA · tasteofindiaportree.com
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant · Douglas Row, Portree, IV51 9DD · lowerdeckseafoodrestaurant.co.uk
Local, Restaurant · Local restaurant · royalhotel.scot
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Coffee Shop cafe · Quay Brae, Isle of Skye, IV51 9DB
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · Wentworth Street, Portree, IV51 9EJ
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant
Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-15:00, 17:00-21:00; Mo 11:00-15:00 · Market Place, Portree, IV51 9FD
Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-16:00 · 1 Wentworth Street, Portree, IV51 9EJ
Restaurant · restaurant · Sligachan, IV47 8SW · sligachan.co.uk
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: vegan options · 4 Bayfield Road, Portree, IV51 9EL
Tea, Coffee Shop, Cake, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating · Bank Street, Portree, IV51 9DA
Japanese, Restaurant · Features: takeaway, vegan options · Bayfield Road, Portree, IV51 9EL
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food · Quay Street, Portree
Ice Cream, Fast Food · Ice Cream fast food · 1 Wentworth Street, Portree
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant · 1 Bosville Terrace, Portree, IV51 9DG
Seafood, Restaurant · Seafood restaurant · 2 Beaumont Crescent, Portree, IV51 9DF
Regional, Restaurant · Regional restaurant · Wentworth Street, Portree, IV51 9EJ
Cafe · Opening hours: 09:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access
Cafe · Features: vegetarian options · Quay Brae, Portree, IV51 9DB · cafearriba.co.uk
Restaurant · restaurant · 7 Bosville Terrace, Portree, IV51 9DG · scorrybreac.com
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant · Somerled Square, Portree, IV51 9EH
Restaurant · restaurant · Quay Street, Portree, IV51 9DE
Airports
Stornoway Airport (SYY) 59 mi to the centre
Stornoway, Western Isles, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Flybe, Eastern Airways) · direct flights to 5 destinations incl. Aberdeen, Benbecula, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 5 direct destinations
- Flybe BE (Saab 340, D38) · 4 routes: Benbecula*, Edinburgh*, Glasgow*, Inverness*
- Eastern Airways T3 (J41) · 1 route: Aberdeen
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Benbecula Airport (BEB) 40 mi to the centre
Balivanich, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Flybe) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Glasgow, Stornoway (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 2 direct destinations
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Barra Airport (BRR) 49 mi to the centre
Eoligarry, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Flybe) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Glasgow (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
- Flybe BE (DHT) · 1 route: Glasgow*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Broadford Airstrip (SKL) 19 mi to the centre
Ashaig, Highland, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Plockton Airstrip 24 mi to the centre
Plockton, SCT, GB
Getting there by ferry
waiting room
Ferry terminal · 7.9 mi from the centre
Sconser – Raasay
Ferry route · Caledonian MacBrayne
Where to stay
Viewfield Rd, Portree IV51 9EU, United Kingdom · skye-self-catering.co.uk
6 Fisherfield, 6 Viewfield Rd, Portree IV51 9EU, United Kingdom · portreebedandbreakfast.co.uk
Portree IV51 9LG, United Kingdom · canowindraskye.co.uk
6 Beaumont Cres, Portree IV51 9DF, United Kingdom · harbourhouseskye.co.uk
54 Kilmuir, Mill Rd, Isle of Skye IV55 8GU, United Kingdom · skyelodge.co.uk
Carbostmore, Isle of Skye IV47 8ST, United Kingdom · isleofskye.net
7 Carbostbeg, Carbost, Isle of Skye IV47 8SH, United Kingdom · calath.co.uk
A87, Isle of Skye IV48 8TD, United Kingdom · sconserlodge.co.uk
Portnalong, Isle of Skye IV47 8SL, United Kingdom · bracadalehouseskye.com
Scorrybreac Rd, Portree IV51 9QU, United Kingdom · cuillinhills-hotel-skye.co.uk
Old Dunvegan Road, Edinbane, Portree IV51 9PW, United Kingdom · edinbanelodge.com
Borodale House Isle of Raasay, Kyle IV40 8PB, United Kingdom · raasaydistillery.com
Taigh Ailean, Portnalong, Isle of Skye IV47 8SL, United Kingdom · taighailean.scot
The Boathouse, Sconser, Isle of Skye IV48 8TD, United Kingdom · theboathouse-skye.co.uk
Ullinish, Isle of Skye IV56 8FD, United Kingdom · ullinishhouse.com
Viewfield House, 9 Viewfield Rd, Portree IV51 9EU, United Kingdom · viewfieldhouse.com
Edinbane, Isle of Skye IV51 9PN, United Kingdom · greshornishhouse.com
7 Portnalong, Carbost, Isle of Skye IV47 8SL, United Kingdom · skyehostels.com
Isle of Raasay, Raasay IV40 8PB, United Kingdom · raasay-house.co.uk
Skeabost Bridge, Isle of Skye IV51 9NP, United Kingdom · sonascollection.com
Vriskaig, Scorrybreac, Portree IV51 9QU, United Kingdom · vriskaig.co.uk
Ferguson House, Bridge Rd, Portree IV51 9ER, United Kingdom · ihcottages.com
Marmalade, Home Farm Rd, Home Farm Rd, Portree IV51 9LX, United Kingdom · perlehotels.com
Somerled Square, Portree IV51 9EH, United Kingdom · theportreehotel.com
Portree IV51 9XE, United Kingdom · corranhouseskye.co.uk
Sligachan, Isle of Skye IV47 8SW, United Kingdom · hebrideanhotels.co.uk
13 Bosville Terrace, Portree IV51 9DG, United Kingdom · perlehotels.com
Beaumont Cres, Portree IV51 9DF, United Kingdom · rosedalehotelskye.co.uk
Wentworth St, Portree IV51 9EJ, United Kingdom · tongadalehotel.co.uk
Isle of Skye, Bracken Hide Hotel Site, Struan Rd, Portree IV51 9EG, United Kingdom · brackenhide.co.uk
Carbostbeg, Carbost, Isle of Skye IV47 8SH, United Kingdom · cottageholidayskye.co.uk
8 Satran, Carbost, Isle of Skye IV47 8SU, United Kingdom · cottages-on-skye.co.uk
Elishader, Portree IV51 9LN, United Kingdom
7 Ratnad na Slignich, Portree IV51 9EW, United Kingdom
10B Viewfield Rd, Portree IV51 9ES, United Kingdom · portree-guest-house.com
Indoor
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Stornoway Airport (SYY); 4 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: SYY has direct flights to 5 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Aberdeen, Benbecula, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 12 mi (nearest: waiting room, 7.9 mi); routes include Sconser – Raasay.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Isle of Skye, Scotland. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing