One of Scotland’s most rugged natural landscapes lies on the north west on the country, where it typically rains more often than the sunshines. This is why the Isle of Skye is known as the Misty Isle, however the moody vibe that it gives to the island is what makes it even more spectacular.
In our opinion, 2 days on the Isle of Skye doesn’t give you enough time to dig deep into the incredible sights that it has to offer, however it will give you a great taster of what to expect and we hope that you will plan a trip back.
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Isle of Skye 2 Day Itinerary
The Isle of Skye is one of the most popular places to visit in Scotland and it often paired with the NC500 road trip as the route typically ends near the Isle of Skye. In this 2 day itinerary, we will discuss the best time to visit the Isle of Skye as well as where to stay.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
How to get to the Isle of Skye
Drive
The Isle of Skye is connected to mainland Scotland by the Skye Bridge, a free road bridge, from Kyle of Lochalsh to the village of Kyleakin on the island. In high winds, the bridge will close to high vehicles and on days of particularly extreme weather, the bridge may close to all vehicles.
Ferry
Another option is to get the ferry over to Skye which typically takes around 30 minutes, leaving from Mallaig on the mainland to Armadale. You can check the timetables online as there is typically only a morning and afternoon ferry running. This itinerary starts on the Sleat Peninsula so arriving into the ferry port at Armadale will be your quickest option if you are coming from the south.
Bus
If you are travelling to Skye without a vehicle, buses run from Scotland’s major cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh direct to Isle of Skye’s capital, Portree. Buses to the Isle of Skye run from other areas in Scotland and you can plan your bus journey to Skye here.
Once you are on the island, you can book onto a tour that departs from Portree and takes you around the best sights that there are to see on the island. Read more about this tour and book your place right here.
Where to Stay in Portree
In this 2 day itinerary for the Isle of Skye, the activities will be based around the centre of the island, the small town of Portree. Below are a list of accommodations to book for your stay.
In the winter months, however, Portree is a pleasant and central location from which it is easy to get to many of the sights around the island.
Glamping – Allt Yelkie Pod ‘Dha’ Luxury Glamping is located in Earlish, 12 miles from the central town of Portree. This chalet has a garden and private parking is offered.
There is a fully equipped kitchenette, with a microwave and a fridge, within the accommodation, as well as one bedroom and a flat-screen TV Towels and bed linen are offered for guests in this accommodation.
Book your stay at Allt Yelkie Pod ‘Dha’ Luxury Glamping Earlish here.
Luxury – If you are looking for a comfortable apartment stay to come home to after a day exploring, Quayside Apartment is the perfect place for you. With spectacular views and a good central location, this accommodation is comfort plus for your next trip to Skye.
Book your stay at the Quayside Apartments right here.
Mid-range – The Portree Hotel is a great central location for your stay in Skye. This hotel overlooks the main square in Portree and during the winter months, there are wood-burning stoves to keep you warm after a day of exploring.
Book your stay at the Portree Hotel right here.
Budget – If you are looking for a budget place to rest your head but still have a great view, The Pink House is the place to stay just for that. A continental breakfast is included in your stay and you can book a room with a great view out to sea.
Book your stay at the Pink House right here.
If hostels are more your scene, you can check out the hostels available in Isle of Skye here.
Day 1
Camas Dairaich
Start your 2 day Isle of Skye itinerary with a bang and visit one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. Camas Daraich Beach is a stunning white sandy beach on the Isle of Skye on the Sleat Peninsula.
This beach requires a a bit of a walk to get to as it is located at the end of the Sleat Peninsula, about an hours walk from the car park along a rough road and boggy terrain. This makes it the perfect place to visit if you are wanting to escape the busy areas on the Isle of Skye as it is likely it will be much quieter.
Torabhaig Distillery
If you can squeeze in a tour at the Torabhaig Distillery on your first day, you can learn more about the second ever licensed Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye. This 19th century building, which was previously an old farmstead, has been fully restored and on the distillery tour you can witness the stunning copper stills. The tour also includes a tasting session at the end.
Coffee Bothy
As you leave the Sleat Peninsula, you will pass through Broadford. When you do, we highly recommend you stop into the Coffee Bothy, a friendly and cosy coffee shop serving delicious food and cakes.
Cross the Breathtaking Sligachan Bridge
As you head further north on the island, the next iconic stop you will make is beneath the impressive mountain range of the Cullin. Sitting well beneath this wall of rock is the meeting point of many different rivers and an old bridge known as the Sligachan Bridge. With the stunning scenery around you, this has got to be the most picturesque bridge on the Isle of Skye.
Originally built at the beginning of the 19th century, this bridge has since been replaced by a more suitable crossing for cars. This beautiful, arched bridge has, however, been preserved as a footbridge for walkers and tourists visiting Skye to access the towering mountains above.
Allt Daraich Falls
This is one of our favourite places to visit on the Isle of Skye, particularly for wild swimming.
There are a number of waterfalls and small cascades along Allt Dairaich, all plowing into crystal clear plunge pools surrounded by the stunning Cuillin mountain range.
There are many swimming holes that are perfect for swimming in if you can brave the icy temperatures.
Continue to follow the path and you will come across plenty of waterfalls and swim spots.
Portree
Portree is a fishing village with a variety of accommodation, pubs and restaurants. There are some lovely areas by the harbour to relax and enjoy the sea view with a picnic or you can choose one of the restaurants in the area. There are a number of cosy pubs to choose from if you wish to rub shoulders with other adventurers and locals, all exchanging tales from the day before.
There is also a short walk around the cliff above the harbour, The Meall, there are some great views from here.
Day 2
Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is a natural phenomenon created by a massive landslide thousands of years ago, which left the tall pillars of rock standing on the mountain that you see today. The Old Man itself is just one of many incredible rock features in this collection known as the Storr. The Old Man rock tower got its name due to the rock having the features of an old man’s face. This is one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes and is worth the climb to the viewpoint if you are able to.
There is a clear path in place for the first half of the climb where you will reach a halfway viewpoint. From here on, there is no clear path and if it has been raining the trodden pathway will be extremely muddy and slippery, take care.
Once you reach the top you will be able to see all the way to the Isle of Raassay and even Applecross on mainland Scotland on a clear day. If the weather is less favourable the landscape around you is still out of this world, with low lying clouds on the Storr giving it a mystical and other-worldly feel to it.
Lealt Falls
Time to stop off at another one of the Isle of Skye’s breathtaking waterfalls. This is, once again, a very unique waterfall on Skye, this time because of how close it is to the road and the fact that there are indeed three tumbling columns of water. As you head south towards Portree you will see a bridge passing over the river Abhainn An Lethuilt.
The viewing platform for this collection of waterfalls lies just north of the bridge, where you will see a small parking area for visitors. Walk towards the waterfalls and you will reach a small platform that leads out over the river for a better view. The river itself contains two waterfalls that form two steps to the right of the platform, whilst on rainy days there is a third, much taller waterfall that joins onto the river directly in front of the platform.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Kilt Rock is a seacliff between Portree and Staffin, formed by thousands of years of punishment by the powerful ocean below. The cliff itself gets its name from its resemblance to a kilt (a traditional Scottish skirt worn in Scotland by men and woman), with the vertical basalt columns forming the plaits and the varying colour seen as the tartan.
In addition to the stunning sea view and the beautiful cliffs leading up to them, there is also a rather unique waterfall here that tumbles directly into the ocean. Mealt Falls is 55-metres tall and is a mesmorising sight to watch, especially if there has been a lot of recent rain.
Staffin Beach
Staffin Beach is a large strech of sand on the northern coast of the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye. The beach is sheltered by rugged mountains, including the Quiraing Peak. There isa boat slip way further round the road and during the summer months, boat trips leave from here.
Look out for the small stretch of black sand beach just before the slipway. At low tide you can look out for fossilised dinosaur footprints which were discovered in 2002 and has given fame to this beach on the Isle of Skye.
The Quiraing
The Quiraing (pronounced Coorang), is located in the north of the island and one of the most spectacular sights on the island. Depending on how much time you wish to spend in this area, it can either be viewed as part of a hike through the mountains or by a short walk to the first viewpoint.
This spot is a photographer’s dream as the landscapes in this area are some of the most beautiful in Scotland. The Quiraing was created by a landslide, thousands of years ago and has left pinnacles and outcrops of cliffs. The view from the viewpoint is simply incredible, sitting high above the winding road in the glen below and below the towering cliffs to the left of you.
The walk through the hills is a total distance of 6.8km and with no stops, it will take you around 2 hours. I would recommend you leave some extra time spare for stops though as you will want to get snap happy on this walk.
There has been a brand new car park built to sustain the number of tourists visiting this spot and the cost for 3 hours parking is £3 or 6 hours for £5.
Loch Sheanta
Loch Sheanta is one of the most beautiful spots on the Isle of Skye. With only a short walk from the small car park, it is the perfect place to go for a wild swim on the Isle of Skye. When the sun is shining, the water in this small loch lights up crystal clear with a gorgeously green tint. The water gets deep very quickly here so it is important that you are a capable swimmer to go swimming at Loch Sheanta.
Before You Leave on Your Trip to the Isle of Skye
Before you leave on your trip to the Isle of Skye there are a few things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. These include how to get there and around the island, what to pack and where to stay, all of which are discussed below.
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye
These recommendations may vary depending on what activities you are wanting to do whilst on the island. We have based these accommodations close to the centre of the island and near Portree. In the summer Portree is extremely busy and we would recommend that you look to stay elsewhere if you want to avoid the crowds and traffic.
In the winter months, however, Portree is a pleasant and central location from which it is easy to get to many of the sights around the island.
Luxury – If you are looking for a comfortable apartment stay to come home to after a day exploring, Quayside Apartment is the perfect place for you. With spectacular views and a good central location, this accommodation is comfort plus for your next trip to Skye.
Book your stay at the Quayside Apartments right here.
Mid-range – The Portree Hotel is a great central location for your stay in Skye. This hotel overlooks the main square in Portree and during the winter months, there are wood-burning stoves to keep you warm after a day of exploring.
Book your stay at the Portree Hotel right here.
Budget – If you are looking for a budget place to rest your head but still have a great view, The Pink House is the place to stay just for that. A continental breakfast is included in your stay and you can book a room with a great view out to sea.
Book your stay at the Pink House right here.
If hostels are more your scene, you can check out the hostels available in Isle of Skye here.
What to Pack for the Isle of Skye
When it comes to packing for a trip to Scotland there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your trip to the Isle of Skye in winter, you can expect rain at some point. Due to this, the number one item on your packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
Second to that, another item to not leave home without is a good pair of warm and, if possible, waterproof boots. A lot of the best sights on Skye require a bit of walking to reach them and the conditions underfoot can become very muddy. You do not want to ruin a good pair of white trainers so pack some sturdy boots.
You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the winter months as the wind chill can be bitter.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around the Isle of Skye, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Scotland
We know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your 2 day itinerary for the Isle of Skye guide to where to stay on the Isle of Skye, glamping edition. If you are visiting this incredible place and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was! Did you get a clear day to see the sights? Did you manage the trip without getting caught in the rain? Let us know in the comments below!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning walk.
If you are planning a Scotland trip soon then check out our other Scotland content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
Read Now:
- Visiting the Isle of Skye in Winter – All You Need to Know
- Isle of Skye – The Best Things to Do in Skye
- Isle of Skye Itinerary – One Day on the Isle of Skye
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