Beautiful Things To Visit On The Isle of Skye

Overview of the Isle of Skye

Undoubtedly among Scotland’s most gorgeous islands, the Isle of Sky is defined by brightly colored fishing villages nestled between shores and mountains, narrow and sheer stone spires of eroded mountains, dozens of medieval castles and grand, green windswept planes. With some of the most pristine and dramatic land in all of Scotland, there are many beautiful things to visit on the Isle of Skye.

Beautiful Things To Visit On The Isle of Skye

Spar Cave

Because it’s challenging to reach Skye’s southern shore, Spar Cave is considered out-of-the-way for many tourists. Furthermore, this cave is only accessible during either hour of low tide each day.  The interior of the cave is alien, filled with beautiful calcite formations.  The cave doesn’t flood enough to drown people, but missing the hour mark while inside results in a person needing to wait 12 hours to exit again.

Fairy Pools of Skye

Leaping out as a myth from Scottish lore, these thin pools can only be accessed on foot from the Glen Brittle Forest hike.  They are among the most pristine swimming pools on the planet.

The Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is an ancient Scottish rock formation said to be the gravesite of a giant.  This unusual and fantastic rock formation is an extremely popular spot for photos, sunset views and hiking scenery.

Fairy Glen

The Fairy Glen is a prime example of beautiful and dramatic landscape hidden on the Isle of Skye.  The ground here is green, filled with wave and ripple formations. There are also large flocks of wandering sheep immersed in uncommon beauty.  The alien landscape is unlike anything else on the island.

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls

This is a sheer reddish, green and gray cliff with a waterfall directly entering salt water below. The enormous stone face of the cliff is named for the kilt of a Scotsman.  

Isle of Skye Dinosaur Tracks

Harkening back to Scottish fossil and archeological heritage, these ancient footprints of dinosaurs follow the northern curve of the Island of Skye. The prints can most likely be found on rock formations following the coastline. Remember that the rocks are only revealed during low tide, so plan your hike accordingly. Additionally, wear shoes with decent grips, as some stones covered in seaweed are quite slippery.

The Quiraing

These are some of the most unusual, sloped and verdant green landscapes in all of Scotland. In ancient eras, this mystical land was used to hide cattle, sheep and other livestock from raiders.  Now, the Quiraing is a looping hike of 6.8 kilometers, taking roughly about two hours to walk. The landscape is one of the most beautiful things to visit on the Isle of Skye.

Claigan Beach

Claigan Beach is a rocky, stunningly curved beach jetting off into the ocean. The hidden-away beach is unique for it’s numerous sea birds, nesting grounds and seals in the area. Visitors can also enjoy long grass near the waters, as well as colorful surfs. It’s also possible to walk to a small island during low tide. Also in the area is the beautiful Coral Beach Rock to the north.

Sea Kayaking

No mention of the Isle of Skye would be complete without mentioning Sea Kayaking. There is arguably no place better in all of Scotland to take kayaks out into the actual sea.  The water is manageable and easy to navigate, the wildlife is abundant and the geographic shoreline views are unreal.

Dunvegan Castle

This impressive old castle hosts  the treasures of the MacLeod clan and the famous Fairy Flag, said to have magical properties. The fortress was originally designed as a stronghold, but was eventually opened to visitors in 1933. The structure is one of Skye’s most famous and award-winning heritage attractions. The castle includes formal gardens, boat trips, small shops, museum features, ruins and historical markers.

Eilean Donan Castle

This castle isn’t really on the Isle of Skye. However, anyone taking the main road to the Isle will pass this unmissable fortification. Eilean Donan Castle sits on a small tidal island perched at the confluence of three sea lochs. The fully restored, 13th century castle offers tours for visitors en route to Skye.

Portree

Portree is the biggest town of the Isle. It’s considered a great place to stay while visiting and exploring the Isle of Skye.  Known for colorful houses on the waterside beneath imposing mountains and cliffs, is the cultural hub of Skye and home to the Aros Centre theatre. The town is a popular launching point for exploring the rest of the island.

Neist Point

Neist Point is one of the most famous tourist attractions of the island. A small peninsula hosts a white lighthouse complex and small series of buildings at the extreme west of the island. The journey to the lighthouse is profound, with visitors walking along a slanted green cliff falling off into the ocean on either side.

Lealt Waterfalls

This isn’t a single location on Skye, but instead a long and intense hiking trail following several notable water features.  Due to the isolation of the waterfalls, the Lealt Waterfall path can only be reached via car followed by hiking.

Talisker Distillery

An important cultural part of Scotland and Skye, the Talisker Distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery based on the Minginish Peninsula. It is the oldest working distillery located on the Isle of Skye.

Skye Museum of Island Life

Located in Kilmuir (north of the island) this outdoor living musuem consists of several 19th and 20th century Scottish cottages. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of Skye’s elder lifestyles, with numerous stone buildings and thatched cottages standing on an endless green expanse.

Read more about beautiful things to visit on the Isle of Skye and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Travel Blog.

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