Do you like the outdoors? Picturesque landscapes? Don’t mind a bit (ok, lots) of driving? Then the Isle of Skye is probably for you!
The Isle of Skye was a bucket list destination of mine. We spent one day driving up from Glasgow, one full day in Skye, and a day driving back to Glasgow. I would definitely recommend staying 2 to 3 days in Skye to get the most out of your trip! We didn’t have enough time to see everything, but I’ll give you some highlights from our tightly packed itinerary.
Suggested Stops/Sights for a Road Trip from/to Glasgow:
- Loch Lomond (you will pass it about 25 miles into your drive) – Make sure you play “The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond” while driving by!
- Arrochar and The Cobbler – You will pass a village overlooked by a group of mountains called the Arrochar Alps, in particular, the distinctive rocky summit of The Cobbler (also known as Ben Arthur).
- Glencoe – We stopped here for lunch at the end of our trip on the way to the Glasgow airport. Glencoe valley is also where parts of “Skyfall” were filmed!
- Rest and Be Thankful View Point – A nice stop to take in the view of the valley and stretch your legs.
- Tour Inverary Castle – Don’t forget to pick up a treat from the cafe
- Oban – a small fishing village. This is a great stop for lunch. You can also visit the Oban Distillery for a whisky tasting or McCaig’s Tower for panoramic views.
- Drive by Castle Stalker – featured in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
- Fort William – A small town that is good for a little stroll, a snack, and a bathroom break.
- Glenfinnan Viaduct – The train viaduct featured in Harry Potter. I wouldn’t recommend stopping unless you have plenty of time to hike from the parking lot all the way out to the viaduct.
- Stop at Eilean Donan Castle – for some photos of the historic landmark (also featured in the film “Made of Honor”).
- If you are a scotch fan, and have plenty of time (and a designated driver) – I would definitely recommend stopping at a number of distilleries along your journey to and from Skye.
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at an Airbnb in Portree. I believe this is probably the largest town on the Isle of Skye. It has several restaurants, and it was a great jumping off point for the sights we explored. I would recommend booking your accommodations far in advance. We waited too long and nearly everything was booked.
Portree Restaurants:
- The Rosedale Hotel (shared plates)
- Café Arriba (great for breakfast)
- Sea Breezes (seafood)
- 1 Bosville Terrace (British/seafood)
Sights to See in the Isle of Skye:
- Hike The Old Man of Storr: I would suggest doing this early in the morning to avoid crowds. There is a large car park on A855. The car park may be full, but you can park on the shoulder of the road.
- Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls View Point: The view was nice, but if you have limited time, I would skip it.
- Fairy Pools: Make sure you hike all the way along the path and up the hill to view the beautiful, crystal clear pools of water.
- Tour Talisker Distillery: Make reservations for after the Fairy Pools because it’s less than a 15 minute drive away.
- Neist Point Light House: One of our highlights from the trip. If we had more time, we would have hiked out to the point. If you’re interested in a nice dinner near Neist Point, book a table at Three Chimneys!
- Hike around Fairy Glen: We didn’t have time for this hike, but the pictures look magical!
- Hike The Quiraing: Another spot that we didn’t have time for, but evidently it has some of the most beautiful landscapes to photograph.
Feel free to comment if you have any questions about traveling to Skye! It was a beautiful trip and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to visit while living in the UK.
Happy travels!
xxoxoxx
Alison
