15 Isle of Skye Travel Tips | Isle of Skye Scotland

The Isle of Skye offers some of the most beautiful hiking on this planet. Here’s a list of things to do and Isle of Skye travel tips to keep in mind. 

The Isle of Skye – the name itself sounds like a place in Game of Thrones. It’s a place so far removed from the rest of Europe, you almost feel you are in a different world. You cross a bridge into Skye and suddenly, things change up there. Skye is the largest and most northern major island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

I’ve always wanted to visit the Isle of Skye. After once seeing photographs of Man of Storr and Quiraing, I realized there was something special about Skye. And no doubt, the reality of its beauty met all our expectations. The lush green and rocky mountainside and rugged cliffs feel otherworldly but in a heavenly way. There’s a mythical essence of the landscape that almost feels like Jurassic Park meets Game of Thrones.

Our original plan on visiting Scotland was to spend the majority of our time in the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye. No offense Glasgow, but we didn’t have time for cities this trip.

Here are 15 reasons why you need to visit the Isle of Skye Scotland. I hope this inspires you to visit.

1. Skye’s Otherworldly Landscapes

The main reason to visit the Isle of Skye is to see its landscapes. You can drive around the entire island and discover new places. The rugged towering nature of the mountains and the cliffs hanging over the sea are uniquely Jurassic.

2. Fewer People On The Island

One thing I liked a lot about visiting Skye was the fact that there are just fewer people and fewer tourists. We went on a holiday weekend and hotels booked up super fast. But, the island had a nice balance of tourists.

3. Skye Is Heaven For Hiking

From Quiraing to Man of Storr and all the many places to stop off along the way, Skye offers some of the best hiking trails I’ve ever seen. In many respects, the trails were pretty off-the-beaten-path so to speak.

4. You Can See REAL Dinosaur Prints

Did you know that you can actually see real fossilized dinosaur prints from 175 million years ago on Skye?? The excitement of searching for these was certainly one of the highlights of our trip.

5. The Isle of Skye Is Beautifully Preserved

When modernization overruns cities, landscapes, and even history, it’s refreshing to find a place that is largely in its natural state. The Isle of Skye doesn’t have a lot of excessive development. The air is clean and the landscapes are pure.

6. A Selection Of Amazing B&Bs

Skye has some of the most extensive selections of B&Bs I’ve ever seen. It seems every single house you drive by is a B&B. You have plenty of great options to choose from when booking a trip to Skye.

7. Its History Dates Back To The Mesolithic Period

That’s right. Its history doesn’t just go back to the Vikings. We even saw cavemen dwellings on the cliffside. How cool is that?

8. It’s Not That Hard to Reach

Granted you have to drive up the entire country of Scotland (as if that’s a bad thing), but the Skye Bridge makes it incredibly easy to get to Skye. We rented a car and simply drove there.

9. The Road-Trip Is Amazing

This is a road-trip you’ll never forget. Aside from the incredible scenery, it’s really pleasant to drive and the drivers were all so courteous. I also like all the helpful signs and warnings that Scotland puts on the roadside to keep you safe.

10. Highland Cows Are Awesome

These creatures are so beautiful. I do regret not stopping off to see more. They can be a little hard to find sometimes, but they are there often in the distance or off a small road.

11. Gaelic-Speaking Natives

Skye has a strong Gaelic-speaking history. We met a guy who said his first language was Gaelic!

12. This Painting by Sidney Richard Percy

13. It’s The Site of Many Movie Film Locations

Skye has seen numerous film crews over the years and recently while we were there, the new Star Wars movie was being filmed in Quiraing. It’s definitely a spot that boasts some real-life movie locations.

14. You Can Walk Cliff-sides With Sheep

15. It’s Very Close to Eilean Donan – Scotland’s Most Beautiful Castle

In Sum…

Depending on your preference, you can spend a few days to months on Skye exploring. The best way to see Skye is to hire a car and then stop off and wander. But visiting the Isle of Skye won’t disappoint.