The Perfect 2 Days on Isle of Skye Itinerary
The Isle of Skye is one of the top places to visit in Scotland for good reasons! This area in the highlands of Scotland is stunning, offering lush green mountains, tall cliffs, waterfalls, ocean views, and fun hiking trails. If it is not on your bucket list, I recommend adding it now!
The Isle of Skye was on the top of our bucket list when we visited Scotland, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! We spent two days exploring everything it offered, and it was incredible. We spent our days hiking and enjoying beautiful scenic drives.
Although you could spend a week exploring the Isle of Skye, you can see most must-see attractions in two days. This guide has everything you need to know about spending 2 days on the Isle of Skye!
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Tips for Visiting Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of my favorite places in Scotland because the landscapes are stunning! And the best part? There is something to do for everyone! You can enjoy scenic drives, easily accessible viewpoints, hiking beautiful trails, or visiting castles.
Important Things to Know
- Pack layers and a rain jacket because the weather in Scotland is unpredictable and rainy. The Isle of Skye has about 265 days of rain, which is crazy! Although it rains a lot year-round, the wettest seasons tend to be autumn and winter. April, May, and June tend to be the driest months. We visited in May because it is usually dry and has fewer crowds. It only rained one day during our week in Scotland, and we had beautiful sunny weather for the two days we were on the Isle of Skye.
- Pack the appropriate hiking gear. If you want to hike in the highlands, you should have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, layers for the time of year you are hiking, and a backpack with water, snacks, and layers. And last but not least, make sure to pack the Ten Essentials.
Be prepared to drive on the left side of the road. Unlike most of Europe, the United Kingdom drives on the left side, which is the opposite of what we usually drive. The driver is also on the right side of the car. You get used to this quickly, but it is good to keep that in mind if you plan to rent a car.
Most roads in the Isle of Skye are one lane. We did not expect to have most roads in the Isle of Skye be one lane, and it was interesting, to say the least. You can drive both directions on the roads, but it is tricky because it is one lane, so you pull over a lot while driving on one of the many Passing Places. The other interesting factor is the speed is about 60 MPH. Most drivers do not drive that fast because the roads are one lane, but some do, making it tricky. You just have to stay aware and be mindful while you are driving.
Arrive at the popular trailheads early. The Isle of Skye has over 600,000 visitors a year, and the popular hiking trailheads fill up quickly, especially during peak season. We arrived at the Old Man of Storr around 9 AM, and the parking lot was almost full! I recommend arriving at the popular trailheads early in the morning to secure a spot and enjoy the trails with fewer crowds. Trust me, it is worth the early wake-up call!
Pack food and water while you are exploring. Most attractions in the Isle of Skye are remote and have few restaurants and stores nearby. I recommend packing food and water you will need while exploring and hiking for the day. Some popular parking lots and trailheads have small coffee and food trucks if you need more food.
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
How to Get there
The best airports to fly into are Glasgow and Edinburgh. Although they are each a five-hour drive to the Isle of Skye, they have the most flights into Scotland. We looked into flying to other airports, such as Inverness, but the flights were significantly more expensive, and they had fewer flight options.
We flew into Edinburgh and spent our first day exploring the city. I highly recommend it since Edinburgh is a stunning city with incredible architecture. It is a great way to start your trip in Scotland before heading towards the Isle of Skye.
I also recommend renting a car to explore the Isle of Skye because it gives you flexibility during your trip. You can also go with a tour company for your trip.
Where to Stay on Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye has many towns to find accommodations, but I recommend staying on the eastern side of the Isle of Skye since most of the attractions on this itinerary are over there.
Portree is the largest town on the Isle of Skye with the most accommodations, restaurants, and stores. It is a great place if you want to stay near the hustle and bustle, but if you want a quieter area, I recommend staying anywhere north of Portree along the coast.
We stayed near Brother's Point and Old Man of Storr, which was perfect for our trip! It allowed us to be close to many attractions and decreased our driving time.
Isle of Skye Hotels:
Isle of Skye Campgrounds:
The Best 2 Days on Isle of Skye Itinerary
Are you ready to spend the best 2 days on the Isle of Skye?! This itinerary is flexible, so you can switch your days or attractions within one day, depending on where you stay.
Day 1 on Isle of Skye
The first day on the Isle of Skye explores some of the most iconic attractions in the area. Get ready for beautiful hikes and stunning ocean views!
Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is arguably the most popular hike on the Isle of Skye. The views along the trail are absolutely stunning and will quickly become one of your favorite hikes.
I recommend starting your day as early as you can because the parking lot for the Old Man of Storr fills up quickly. We arrived at 9 AM, and it was almost full! If you are up for an early wake-up call, this trail is stunning during sunrise, and you will likely only share it with a few people.
The 3.4-mile Old Man of Storr Loop gains most of its elevation in the first mile. The trail is well-maintained and has many stone steps to help, which is nice! The views along the first half of the trail are breathtaking looking towards the massive surrounding mountains.
I recommend hiking to the Old Man of Storr first to save the best views for last. Once you are near the Old Man of Storr, I recommend hiking the loop around it. The views on every side are stunning, and you can get an up-close and personal view of the huge rock formations.
The trail then continues to the final lookout first with stunning views of the surrounding area. The Storr Lookout Point is a beautiful place to take a quick snack break before beginning the descent.
This area has many interconnecting trails, making it crucial to stay on the correct path back towards the parking lot. When descending the trail, you get breathtaking views of the ocean, so the descent goes by quickly.
Once you hike the Old Man of Storr, you will quickly realize why it is a popular hike on the Isle of Skye! Trust me, you will love the views!
Looking for a longer hike? If you want to extend your hike near the Old Man of Storr, you are in luck! You can hike 5.3 miles round trip to the top of The Storr.
Lealt Falls
Lealt Falls is a beautiful waterfall on the side of the road on the Isle of Skye. The best part is the area has various viewpoints of the waterfall for you to enjoy. The easiest viewpoint is from the platform near the parking lot overlooking the top of the falls. This overlook is perfect if you do not want to hike.
I recommend hiking the trail towards the ocean because it has another platform with stunning views overlooking the surrounding cliffs and water. The An leth-allt view point is worth the short walk!
If you want to enjoy a less-popular hike to the bottom of the waterfall, you are in luck! You can continue descending along the path past the platform towards the ocean. The trail continues into the gorge, where you get incredible views of the waterfall! The trail is steep, but if you are up for the hike, it is a beautiful viewpoint!
We did not hike to the bottom of the waterfall because the trail was slippery from recent rain, but we could see the bottom of the waterfall from the trail just past the platform. The entire area near Lealt Falls is breathtaking, so no matter how much you hike, you will be in awe of the views.
Mealt Falls
Mealt Falls is another iconic attraction on the Isle of Skye. The 180-foot waterfall cascades off a huge cliff into the ocean and is truly a beautiful sight to see.
And the best part? You can see the waterfall right from the parking lot. The viewpoint is easy to get to and allows you to look towards the water cascading off the cliff. The viewpoint is not great for photos, but it is stunning nonetheless.
I recommend walking to the other side of the parking lot when you visit to take in the views looking south, too. This area overlooking the ocean is breathtaking!
An Corran Beach
On your way to An Corran Beach, you will pass through a small village with a few restaurants. They are great places to enjoy a meal before continuing your explorations for the day!
An Corran Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern coast of the Isle of Skye. The sandy beach sits at the base of the rocky cliffs, offering breathtaking views. But that is not the best part! If you visit during low tide, you can see Dinosaur footprints in the rocks! And if you are lucky, you may see the seals and dolphins that frequent this area along the coast.
An Corran Beach is a quick stop with a lot of history, making it a great attraction to add to your 2-day itinerary.
Brother’s Point
To end your epic first day in this 2-day Isle of Skye itinerary, you will hike one of my favorite hikes in the area! Brother’s Point has become an incredibly popular hike on the Isle of Skye because of its incredible ocean and cliff views.
The 2-mile round trip hike to Brother’s Point is a little tricky since it is not well-marked, but it is worth the trip! The trail is on private property, so please be respectful.
The first section of the trail follows along a driveway towards a gate. Once past the gate, you will see a sign pointing you toward the trail leading to the rocky beach.
I loved this section of the trail because there were so many baby sheep when we visited! The trail travels towards the ocean and follows along the rocky coastline. Soon, there is a warning sign you will pass as you start to ascend the grassy trail. The trail is faint, so it is helpful to have a map.
The last section of the trail travels up a steep incline before reaching the viewpoint overlooking Brother’s Point. It is one of my favorite views along the trail! You can either turn around here or continue hiking to the end of Brother’s Point.
We decided to hike to the top of Brother’s Point, which was well worth the effort for the stunning views! While we stopped at the top, we saw someone continue to the tip of the point. Either way, you will fall in love with the views.
Since Brother’s Point is becoming increasingly popular, I recommend hiking it in the late afternoon or near sunset. We only saw one other hiker when we visited in the late afternoon!
Day 2 on Isle of Skye
Your second and final day of your 2-day Isle of Skye itinerary explores my favorite trail in the area and the most iconic lighthouse. Get your cameras and hiking boots ready for another fun day!
The Quiraing
Are you ready to hike my favorite trail on the Isle of Skye? The Quiraing Circuit is a fun hike with stunning views overlooking the highlands. Although it is not easy, the views make the effort worth it!
The trailhead is off a road that was a bit of an adventure to drive, to say the least. The road was one lane, which was not surprising to us, but because we started the hike later in the day, the traffic near the trailhead was awful. The parking lot was very small, and they were doing trail work, so we waited almost 20 minutes before we could make it to the trailhead and find parking. I recommend starting the hike early in the morning to avoid traffic and easily find a parking spot.
Although you can hike the 4.3-mile loop in either direction, it may be easier to hike it clockwise to get the steep ascent out of the way. The ascent is steep making you work for the views, but once you are at the top, you get incredible views overlooking the highlands!
The trail follows along the top before descending to another viewpoint on Fir Bhreugach. The 360-degree views are beautiful, overlooking the ocean, valley, and surrounding mountains. It is a great spot to enjoy a snack break before finishing The Quiraing Loop!
After Fir Bhreugach, the trail descends into the valley before slowly ascending towards The Prison. No, it is not a real prison! It is just the name of a beautiful rock formation. Once the trail passes The Prison, the views are breathtaking! Honestly, these were my favorite views along the hike.
This section of The Quiraing can be a bit precarious because it has a steep drop-off. We did not have any issues on the hike, but it may not be for those who do not like heights. The rest of the trail is relatively flat, and since it has gorgeous views, it goes by quickly. Before you know it, the trail loops back to the parking lot.
Looking for a shorter hike? If you do not want to hike The Quiraing Loop, you can hike just to the Prison. The 2.5-mile round-trip trail is easier than The Quiraing but still offers stunning views!
The Fairy Glen
Ready to visit the land that is said to be the home of fairies?! Over 100,000 years ago, a landslide and erosion created this unique area known as the Fairy Glen.
The Fairy Glen has a 1.1-mile round-trip loop that brings you around the glen, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. The trail travels under crooked trees, up hills with sweeping views, and around the Fairy Glen. Even if you are not too into myths and legends, the views are worth the trip!
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
The drive from The Fairy Glen towards Dunvegan Castle is about an hour, but it is stunning and will go by quickly! Since the castle closes at 5:30, I recommend exploring it before getting dinner in a nearby town.
The Dunvegan Castle is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland because it has had the same family living in it for over 800 years! The property is absolutely stunning because it sits in a lush environment with gorgeous ocean views.
If you want to explore the castle and gardens, there is a fee to enter, but it is worth it to see the beautiful grounds. If you have time and want an even more fun experience, you can take a seal boat tour! The tour brings you to see the Loch Dunvegan seal colony, and it is a very fun experience if you have time for it when you visit Dunvegan Castle!
Neist Point Lighthouse
To end your incredible second day on the Isle of Skye, you will visit the iconic Neist Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse is one of the most famous in Scotland because of its location and beauty. Trust me when I say it is stunning!
Neist Point Lighthouse sits on a stunning cliff on the western side of the Isle of Skye, making it the most beautiful place to watch the sunset over the ocean. And the best part? You do not need to hike much to see the stunning lighthouse.
There are two ways to view the lighthouse: from the cliff and up close and personal. The iconic view of Neist Point Lighthouse is from the cliffs next to the parking lot. It will be easy to find since many people will be there for sunset. This area was my favorite because you get an incredible view of the cliffs leading up to the lighthouse. It is breathtaking!
If you want to get an up-close and personal view of the lighthouse, you are in luck! A 1.7-mile round-trip trail brings you to the lighthouse with beautiful ocean views. The trail begins descending some steep stairs before flattening out as it travels towards the lighthouse. From here you can explore the grounds while taking in the gorgeous cliffs and ocean views.
If you have time, I recommend arriving before sunset to allow you enough time to hike the trail to Neist Point Lighthouse and then get up to the cliffs near the parking lot to watch the sunset. Since this is a popular area for sunset, you will not be alone, but the views make it all worth it!
If you want to spend 2 days on the Isle of Skye, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about spending 2 incredible days on the Isle of Skye.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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