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18 Exciting Outdoor Activities on the Isle of Skye
If you read lots of our guides here at Travelness, you probably already know how much I love Scotland… and you probably also know how much I love the Isle of Skye.
It’s one of the best outdoor playgrounds in the whole nation, and it serves up a whole load of varied stuff. So in this guide, I’ve covered the 18 most exciting outdoor activities on the Isle of Skye.
Expect hiking, cycling, outdoor tours, interesting animals, watery wonders, and some surprisingly-laid back stuff.
Slip into that kilt, slap your ginger wig on, and come join the island adventures!
1. Scenery-Spotting
Alright, before we get to all the hands-on action and adventure, let’s cover the things you can see.
The Isle of Skye has loads of scenic spots—and you don’t necessarily need to hike or cycle or climb or swim or get all breathless to enjoy them.
Stuff like the Old Man of Storr and the Quiriang are impressive even just to look at—so you don’t need to spend your vacation getting all sweaty.
If that sounds ideal to you, check out this tour, which visits many of the island’s most scenic spots, in a jam-packed day of outdoor adventure fun. You’ll see Kilt Rock, the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, the Fairy Glen, Dunvegan Castle, Neist Point, and the Fairy Pools (and lots more en-route stuff!).
On the tour, there won’t be enough time to fully explore all the stuff you see… but there will be enough time to see them, take photographs, and ask plenty of questions.
Perfect if you want to see all the outdoor sights without much physical exertion!
⭐ Best base on the island: For most people, it’s Portree (where this tour begins and ends). Other good options include Dunvegan (if you want to hit some quieter spots) and Broadford (for exploring the southern part of the island)
2. Tour-Taking
Here’s another option if you’re short on time (or short on energy).
The Isle of Skye is much bigger than most people realize, and ticking off all the big spots can be a challenge (especially if you don’t have access to a car).
But if you tackle a guided tour, you can see the best of the island’s outdoor areas in a short-but-jam-packed period. Good tours are convenient and comfortable… and best of all, they can organize pickup from various different bases.
This one-day tour starts and ends in Portree (perfect if you’re staying on the island’s little capital), and it’s affordable and popular.
It covers the Fairy Pools, the Quiraing, Neist Point, Dunvegan Castle, the Fairy Glen, and Kilt Rock.
This full-day tour starts and ends in Inverness, and covers many of the same attractions.
And for something even more convenient and exciting, this 3-day adventure starts and ends in Edinburgh, and covers the Isle of Skye, and some parts of the Highlands. Absolutely brimming with loads of Scottish highlights, it includes castles, coasts, viaducts, valleys, National Park territory, and plenty more. They also take you to film locations used in Outlander, James Bond, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter.
If you’re overnighting in Edinburgh, you won’t find better than this. The risk is that they might sell out fast, so check out this link for more details and for booking this tour if you like it (I highly recommend it myself).
⭐ Best time to take a tour: Spring or fall, when the island is a little less busy
3. Hiking
This is my favorite activity on the Isle of Skye (well, to be fair, it’s pretty much my favorite activity anywhere).
For hiking, the Isle of Skye is genuinely one of the best bases in Scotland. Here are some of my favorite walks and wanders on the island:
And if you’re on the hunt for a long-distance adventure on the island, your best bet is the Skye Trail.
⭐ Top tips for hiking on the Isle of Skye: Talk some waterproofs (whenever you’re walking), don’t assume paths are waymarked (they probably won’t be), and get ready for big crowds on the most popular walks
⭐ Best time to walk on the Isle of Skye: For long days, summer. For good weather, summer or spring. For avoiding crowds (without enduring horrendous weather), spring or early fall
4. Cycling
My second-favorite activity on the Isle of Skye. This place is unbelievable for cycling—pretty much every road offers incredible views, and lots of them are pretty quiet.
The island also offers a nice balance between flat easy sections, and super-challenging uphill stretches.. so you get a good variety of two-wheeled stuff.
You can ride anywhere on the island, and none of the roads are unsuitable for bikes (some stretches of the major A87 road can be busy with fast traffic, but just take your time). Many roads are single-track, and perfect for cycling.
There are no official routes, so you’re on your own here kid.
I recommend choosing a specific region (the whole island measures in at 639 square miles/1,656 square kilometers—it’s big!), and exploring that region by bike.
I reckon your three best options are… the whole of the Trotternish peninsula (the northern part, where most of the big sights are, and where the roads form a big satisfying loop)… a Sligachan/Dunvegan/Skeabost loop (using the A863, A850, and A87)… or the Sleat peninsula (quieter than the two other options, but you’ll have to sometimes re-ride on the same road, so it’s less satisfying).
⭐ Best time to cycle on the Isle of Skye: summer, late spring, and early fall
⭐ Top tips for cycling on the Isle of Skye: don’t do it in winter (the weather can be horrendous, and the days are very short), take all the repair stuff you need (some of the Isle of Skye is surprisingly remote), and have some waterproof gear (Scotland is often very rainy)
5. Boat-Tripping
There are loads of boat trips on the Isle of Skye, and many companies who offer various boat trips around many parts of the island.
Some of the most popular include…
If you want to see beautiful outdoor stuff without putting in much effort, these boat trips are the perfect solution.
⭐ Best time to take a boat trip: usually from April until October. During other times of year, providers usually don’t offer trips
⭐ Best and most reliable companies to take boat trips with: Bella Jane Boat Trips, Misty Isle Boat Trips, and Wild Skye Boat Trips
6. Kayaking
A smaller-boat option for you.
I don’t know much about kayaking, and I’ve never hopped into a kayak anywhere near the Isle of Skye. But there are many providers offering kayaking experiences on the island, both in the sea and on some lochs. Potential sights include caves, cliffs, beaches, wildlife, sea stacks, and loads more.
Experienced kayakers can find challenging rough-water stuff, while people who’ve never kayaked can get involved with some entry-level adventures.
⭐ Best kayaking providers on the Isle of Skye: South Skye Sea Kayak, and Whitewave (who also offer way more experiences, including archery, canoeing and climbing).
7. Beaching
The Isle of Skye is an island. So it doesn’t take an absolute genius to work out that the place has lots of beaches. There are loads of them dotted around the island, but some of my favorites are:
8. Fairying
I’m pretty sure I’ve made that word up.
Anyway, the Isle of Skye has more than one fairy-named attraction (hence the fictional verb that I questionably decided to use as my subheading for this section).
Anyway, the most well-known fairy-based attraction on the Isle of Skye is the Fairy Pools. A series of tucked-away waterfalls that become more remote the further you venture down them, this is one of the most famous attractions on the Isle of Skye.
Sitting close to the Cuillins, The Fairy Pools offer great views of the mountains, and they’re a nice way to grab good panoramas without having to put in much effort. They’re one of the island’s best picnic spots.
Less popular than its similarly-named cousin (but arguably better!) is the Fairy Glen. This unusual place is a little like the Quariang—it’s a collection of lumpy bright-green marshes, and it’s a perfect place for an aimless wander. Again, take a picnic.
⭐ When to visit the Fairy Pools: As early in the day as you can. Skye’s most popular attractions all get really busy—but this place gets ridiculously busy.
9. Canyoning
Canyoning is becoming a hip and trendy little activity, and Skye has lots of top-quality places to do it.
A quick detour, just in case you don’t know exactly what canyoning is: it’s basically any outdoor activity you do in a canyon (duh!), and can include jumping, rafting, rappelling, and even just clambering about. I’m glad we’ve cleared that up.
Anyway, experienced canyoners can choose their own spots—and you’ll know more about what makes a good spot than I do.
But for the vast majority of people, the best option is (of course!) to book some type of tour or experience. Skye Highland Adventures have a good reputation for loads of outdoor experiences, and they offer the island’s best canyoning adventures. Even if you have absolutely no experience, you can still get involved (well, assuming you’re at least 10 years old).
10. Climbing
Because the Isle of Skye is mountainous, rocky, and cliffy, it offers lots of varied climbing areas. People come here both for bouldering and rope-climbing, so you have plenty of options.
Some of the best spots include Flodigarry, Neist Point, Kilt Rock, Rubha Hunish, and some sections of the Cuillins. For much more detail, here’s a crowd-sourced database of some of the best spots, with loads of inspiration.
For a much-more-standard indoor(!) adventure, instead head to Third Ridge, sitting on the outskirts of Portree. It’s not the biggest climbing gym you’ve ever seen, but it’s friendly and welcoming, and it’s pretty affordable. Again, they offer both bouldering and rope-climbing.
11. Sunsetting and Sunrising
The Isle of Skye is one of the UK’s best regions for sun-spotting… and it was recently voted as one of the best destinations on the planet for seeing sunsets.
So if you come here without seeking out sunrises and sunsets, you’re doing it wrong.
For the island’s best sunsets, you want to head to its western shores. The two best options are Neist Point (the most westerly point on the island, and home of a big famous lighthouse) or Rubha Hunish (the most northerly point on the island, and made up of a bunch of lofty cliffs).
For sunrises, head east. Two good options are Portree (both beautiful and convenient!) and the Old Man of Storr (you’ll need to do some climbing in the dark, but it’s absolutely worth it).
For more information, pull out your blanket, bring a little picnic, and check out our guides on the best places to see sunset on the Isle of Skye, and the best places to see sunrise on the Isle of Skye.
⭐ Best time of year for sunsets and sunrises on Skye: late fall, and anytime in winter. These times are always best for sunrises and sunsets… and because of the seasonal sunset/sunrise times on Skye, you won’t have to wake up too early or go to bed too late
⭐ Best places for sunsets on Skye: Neist Point, Talisker Beach, Rubha Hunish, Uig Tower, and Elgol Beach
⭐ Best places for sunrises on Skye: Portree, The Old Man of Storr, Sconser, Kilt Rock, and the Quiraing
12. Golfing
The Isle of Skye Golf Club sits in Sconser, right on the island’s east coast. Offering 18 holes, incredible views and well-maintained greens, some golf fans venture to Skye just to head here.
It’s the only course on the Isle of Skye, and all holes are either 3-par or 4-par.
The holes are pretty varied, the wind makes for some surprising challenges, and the clubhouse is super basic but super charming.
The course is open year-round, but the clubhouse is typically only open from April until October.
13. Northern-Lighting
Here’s something you might not know—you can see the Northern Lights (that’s the ‘Aurora Borealis,’ for the scientists among you) from many parts of Scotland.
And one of your best Scottish options is… you guessed it!… the Isle of Skye.
Obviously, the further north you go, the better chance you have of seeing the Northern Lights. So head to the most northern part of the Trotternish peninsula (that’s the finger-shaped part that includes the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing and all that stuff).
You can also head to the northwestern part of the island, north of Dunvegan. It’s not quite as north as the Trotternish peninsula, but it’s quieter—and there’s less light pollution.
⭐ Best time of year to see the Northern Lights on Skye: the darkest months (with the shortest days). So that’s November, December, January, and February. Between 10pm and 2am are usually the best hours
⭐ Best locations for seeing the Northern Lights on Skye: Shulista Croft Wigwams, Rubha Hunish, and Waternish Lighthouse
⭐ Top tips for seeing the Northern Lights on Skye: avoid full-moon nights, and arrive a couple of hours before peak time (so your eyes can adjust)
14. Safaring
When you think of safaris, you probably don’t think of the Isle of Skye.
But you can tackle some excellent animal-spotting adventures on various parts of the island (although, obviously, you won’t see elephants or zebras or cheetahs, or anything like that).
But you can see Skye’s alternative big five, made up of otters, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, seals, and red deer. You might also see dolphins, whales, sharks, and lots of other birds (both native and non-native).
The best company for enjoying an animal-spotting experience with is SKYEFARI (nice pun), who offer wildlife safaris in a big 4×4, and offer both daytime and night-time experiences.
The company is managed and operated by local guides, who know the island super well… and they offer bespoke experiences, group tours, and access to places that other companies can’t (or don’t) reach.
15. Birdwatching
As we’ve made pretty clear by now, there’s loads of wildlife on the Isle of Skye… and lots of birdwatchers come here to get their eyes (and binoculars) around some feathery friends.
Some of the most well-known (and best) Skye birds include golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, puffins, gulls, gannets, guillemots, razorbills, and shags.
Obviously, different birds are more prevalent during certain times of year (and in certain places).
So to get the best chance of seeing some birds, use a good resource to find out where and when to go. Skye-Birds is incredible, and it’s regularly updated with lots of juicy facts, content, and sightings. If you’re a birdwatcher, Skye is genuinely one of the best destinations in the UK.
⭐ Best time to go birdwatching on the Isle of Skye: mid-spring usually offers the most nesting birds and young birds, while winter is the best time for spotting falcons (as, in colder months, they typically stay a little closer to the ground)
16. Pony Trekking
Here’s something a bit more unique and unusual—and it’s a perfect little activity if you need to keep kids entertained.
One of Skye’s most wholesome adventures, family-managed Isle of Skye Trekking Center has been offering pony-based experiences since 2008.
Their most popular experiences are their 1-hour pony treks, which take you around the rural fields and farms surrounding the stables.
But they also offer meditation, wellbeing workshops, horse care clubs, and lots more interactive experiences.
All pony-back experiences are suitable for beginners (the ponies walk slowly) and anyone aged 4 or over can get involved.
Current price of a pony trek: £25 per person
Do I need to book in advance? Yes, especially in summer. Treks often sell out a few days in advance
Weight limit for rides: Riders must be 76 kg or less (including their clothes!)
17. Camping
The Isle of Skye is brimming with loads of great campsites. Add that to big fat bucketloads of natural beauty, and you get a recipe for one of Scotland’s best camping-centric locations.
And get this: thanks to Scotland’s brilliant ‘Right to Roam’ act, you can also wild camp pretty much whenever and wherever you want on the Isle of Skye (and in all other parts of Scotland).
For wild camping, Scotland is one of the best places on the planet—and Skye is one of the best wild-camping spots in Scotland.
If you want to wild camp, you have endless options. Find a place you like, pitch up your tent, and let the fun begin.
If you want to choose an actual campsite, some of the best options are Torvaig Caravan & Campsite, Sligachan Camping, and Ashaig Campsite.
For more, check out our guide to the best campsites on the Isle of Skye. And here’s our guide to the best tents for camping in Scotland.
⭐ Top tips for camping on the Isle of Skye: book in advance (even outside of busy season, because Skye is very popular), make sure you definitely(!!) take some midge spray, and make sure your tent is windproof and waterproof
Best time to camp on the Isle of Skye: late spring, early fall, and any time in summer. If you’re camping during midge season, take precautions. Don’t camp in winter—you’ll have a horrible time
Typical cost on an average Isle of Skye campsite: right now, typically between £10 and £20 for a standard basic pitch
18. Castle-Spotting
Lots of Skye’s castles are ruins, so they’re mainly outdoors (which explains why they’re on a list about the best outdoor activities on the Isle of Skye).
Some of the best castles on Skye include:
The most famous castle on the Isle of Skye is Dunvegan Castle, but that’s a big proper building rather than an outdoor ruin.
That said, it still has some excellent outdoor adventures, including gardens, some short walks, a great clifftop location, and panoramic waterside views.
⭐ Best time to see castles on the Isle of Skye: for serenity and solitude, winter. For nice weather, either summer or late spring
Before You Go
Thanks for joining us on our tour of the most exciting outdoor activities on the Isle of Skye.
As you’ve probably worked out by now, we definitely recommend getting over to the island, and giving them all a bash.
For even more inspiration, here’s our collection of 19 photos that’ll make you fall in love with Scotland.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for choosing Travelness. See you next time!
Paul is a handsome and hilarious travel writer and travel journalist from the UK. He’s hiked, hitchhiked and laughed his way through more than fifty countries, and he’s always looking for a new place to call home. Originally from Newcastle, he’s lived all over the UK, spent more than three years in Asia, and most recently lived in Vietnam and then in Georgia.
