Destination: Highland Council Part 3
The Highland Council destination for part 3 is all about the Isle of Skye. At 50 miles long, it is the largest of the Inner Hebrides. As it is mostly single track roads, it will be the slowest place to drive around. However, the scenery is so gorgeous that just means more photo ops. I can’t even begin to express how excited I am to go to Skye! Fortunately, I am blessed with friends who are my own personal Isle of Skye experts. Even so, I have gotten so much from travel bloggers Wayfaring Kiwi and Migrating Miss.
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If you have read my UK Travel Tips, you know the importance to book early. With small, popular, more remote places like the Isle of Skye, that goes double! I keep seeing people on Facebook Scotland travel groups trying to find accommodations, book tours, etc for trips only a few months out. From what I can see, that only works if you are hiking and camping. Even then, you probably need now-unavailable camp reservations!
Isle of Skye Starting Point
We need a starting point, so to make it a little more organized, we will start with ‘A’ and go clockwise.
Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum of the Isles offers a full day of discovery, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences. In the museum you will learn all about Clan Donald. The clan was established on Skye in the 15th century. Before Armadale Castle, they had Dunscaith Castle. Here are excellent walking directions to the fascinating Dunscaith Castle ruins.
Church of Kilchrist, or Cill Chriosd, is a ruined late 15th or early 16th century church. This church was probably built over a medieval church. It is also thought that St. Maelrubha preached from the top of a nearby rocky knoll, still called Cnoc na-Aifhreann, or “hill of the mass” in the 600s.
Torrin Pools and Waterfalls are a good option if you want to skip the crowds at the more well known Fairy Pools.
Elgol Shop looks like a delightful all-in-one stop where you can enjoy delicious home-baked goods with a cuppa. They also have groceries, local crafts and gifts. The Facebook page has updates for hours and offerings. One of those cupcakes has my name on it!
Misty Isle Cruise to Loch Coruisk was highly recommended by my Skye experts. It looks like an amazing experience-if the weather is favorable!
Loch Coruisk offers plenty of hiking surrounded by the incredible Cuillin Mountains.
For those of us not ready to scale mountains, Cuillin Hills are a nice little hike from the Loch Coruisk landing pier.
Traveling Onward and Upward
St. Maelrubhas’ 7th century Chapel ruin isn’t shown on the map, but it’s about halfway between the Fairy Pools and the sea.
Talisker Bay and Waterfall claims the finest beach on Skye. I wouldn’t mind putting that to the test! A beach visiting trip sounds like an excellent idea.
Dun Beag Broch is an Iron Age round tower. This type are only found in Scotland.
The Fairy Pools offer another gorgeous hike.
Here is the beautiful Sligachan Old Bridge with its magical waters. Be sure to follow instructions for eternal beauty! I’m not sure what happens if you don’t get it right. Hopefully just disappointment!
Sligachan Waterfalls are nice walk from the Old Bridge.
The Most Westerly Point of Highland Council, and then Moving Back Around
Neist Point Lighthouse was built in 1900 and is situated on the most westerly tip of Skye. It is one of the most famous lighthouses in Scotland.
From the car park you can walk to the Neist Point Cliff Lookout, Neist Point Cliff Lighthouse viewpoint, Neist Cliff viewpoint, Neist Point Lighthouse, Neist Point Jetty, and Basalt pavement.
Dunvegan Castle and Gardens is one of the few places where you don’t need to pre-book admission tickets.
If the weather permits, you can enjoy a 25min boat trip to see the Loch Dunvegan seal colony.
Close to Dunvegan Castle there are several interesting places to visit.
- Ruins of St.Mary’s Church and Cemetery
- Duirinish Stone
- The Hebridean Alpaca Company
- Giant Angus MacAskill Museum
- Fasgadh Stores
- Cath Waters Gallery & Studio Outlet
- Free Public Toilet (possibly the most important place on the list!)
Continuing East and Then Up to Uig
There are more fun things to see just off the road.
- The Fairy Bridge
- Edinbane Pottery
- St. Columba’s Isle (boots recommended) Excellent Google Reviews
- Clachan Erisco Standing Stones
All the Way North on Skye
Moving to the top of Skye, there’s more to learn about the island. This is also where the search for dinosaurs begins!
On a Quest for More Dinosaurs and Waterfalls
Staffin Beach is where you can see dinosaur footprints at low tide.
Staffin Dinosaur Museum has all of the dinosaur information. Be sure to check for events and opening times. They do close for winter.
You can find out more about Jurassic Skye HERE.
Kilt Rock are ancient cliffs resembling a kilt.
Mealt Falls is a waterfall going over Kilt Rock.
Enjoy the perspective of both in this YouTube video.
Portree
Portree Events
Skye Live Festival (May 8-10 2025)
Skye Agricultural Show (1st Saturday of August each year)
Highland Games (August 6, 2025)
The Conclusion of Destination: Highland Council Part 3
There is so much more on Skye than I’ve covered in this very long post! You probably need years, possibly a lifetime, to really see and experience everything that this lovely Isle has to offer. The Isle of Skye has something for everyone! It’s a hiker/backpacking paradise. There’s great polar plunge swimming in exquisite locations. Then you have castles, museums, historic buildings and ruins. Skye is a food lover’s paradise. It also has excellent shopping if you want locally made pottery, yarn, and crafts. And don’t forget the dinosaurs! Where else can you have all of this, a dinosaur museum and dinosaur footprints?
We are moving on to Fort William and Glencoe in the next post, but I am definitely leaving my heart in Skye!
A special thanks to Pixabay photographers: Isle-of-Skye-Scotland, katjasv for Neist Point Lighthouse, FrankyFromGermany for Bridge River and QuiraingLandscape, Michangle for Landscape Quiraing, nikolaus_bader for Isle Of Skye The Quirang, Slamtilt for Quiraing Isle Of Skye, chris6dn for Loch Coruisk, Efraimstochter for Isle Of Skye Skye Dunvegan and Kilt Skirt Waterfall, ccandg for Fairy Pools Scotland, LoboStudioHamburg for Portree Scotland, shilmar for Skye Coral Beach Scotland, HarryJBurgess for Skye The Storr
