Ferry to Isle of Skye: Day Trip to Skye Itinerary

The Isle of Skye is, in a word, magical. From misty mountainous landscapes and miles of craggy coastline to lush green glens, storybook Fairy Pools, lovely pastel-colored coastal villages, and ancient castles, Scotland’s most popular island is arguably the most photogenic place in the country. It’s difficult not to be enchanted by its iconic scenery, otherworldly nature, and mythical tales.

Spanning some 640 square miles, there is a diverse array of things to do on the Isle of Skye, with activities especially for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.

How to Get to the Isle of Skye

There are several ways to get to the island. You can take a ferry to Isle of Skye, but there is also a land bridge if you are driving. In addition to the ferry to Skye, you can take a ferry from Skye to the nearby Isle of Raasay for a day trip (see below).

Was Game of Thrones filmed in Skye?

The Isle of Skye’s spectacular, one-of-a-kind landscape wasn’t literally used as a filming site. However, there is a scene with Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons soaring over a mountain vista (done via CGI) that looks strikingly similar to the landscape of the Quirain on the Isle Skye.

We spent a glorious day on the island. Here are the best things to do after you drive to or get off the ferry to Isle of Skye.

6 Kilt Rock

One stop on the Trotternish circuit road trip (a 50-mile loop around Skye’s northernmost peninsula) is Kilt Rock.

Towering 295 feet above the crashing surf of the Atlantic Ocean, Kilt Rock cliffs consist of basalt columns resting atop a base of sandstone. It’s been so-named because at a distance it resembles a pleated kilt, with the colors of the rock creating a tartan-like illusion in the sun.

5 Mealt Falls

At the same overlook for Kilt Rock (#6), visitors get a 2-for-1 with a killer view of Mealt Falls crashing down onto the jagged coast.

4 Old Man of Storr

About six miles from the main village of Portree, the Old Man of Storr is one of the island’s most iconic and most photographed landmarks. The Old Man of Storr is a large, ancient rocky pinnacle that is said to resemble an old man and can be seen for miles around.

Formed by a massive ancient landside, legend has it that the towering rocks are the partially uncovered remains of a giant who lived on the ridge long ago.

Visitors can view the rocky formation from various overview points, or by a brisk hike along a grassy trail that leads right up to it, taking approximately an hour and a half.

3 Fairy Pools

Snaking down the northern slopes of the magnificent Black Cuillin range, Skye’s famous Fairy Pools are beautiful crystal-clear rock pools of icy, translucent mountain springs fed by a series of waterfalls.

It’s a 1.5-mile hilly walk from the car park to the Fairy Pools via a gravel path bordered with flowering heather, peat, and rocks.

Now a spectacular and tranquil Highlands vista, it wasn’t always so. In 1601 the area was the scene of the last of Scotland’s clan battles and one of the bloodiest ever recorded in clan history.

There are three legends associated with the Fairy Pools…

One legend is that an old Clan MacLeod chief married a fairy princess, giving rise to many fairy place names on the Isle of Skye.
Another is that Fairy Pools attracted selkies, legendary water creatures disguised as seals during the day, but at night they shed their seal skins and in human form, they would bathe in the Fairy Pools under the magical glow of a full moon.
There is an old adage that claims “one has to suffer to be beautiful.” The Fairy Pools’ icy waters are alleged to be one such spot. I decided to put it to the test. Balancing carefully on the incredibly slippery rocks, I stepped cautiously into the bracing water. Much to my chagrin, I was later informed by Nory, our Scotland Folk Tours guide, that only the part you immerse will be beautified. Oh well, I guess beautiful feet are better than nothing!

Tip of the Hat: The Fairy Pools were not part of our original Scottish Folk Tours itinerary, but when our guide Nory, heard that I had wanted to go, he made it our first stop of the day. How sweet is that?

2 Portree

Located within the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, the bustling fishing village of Portree is the capital of the Isle of Skye. It’s considered to be among the “20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland” according to Condé Nast Traveler as well as one of the most colorful villages in the world.

Sheltered by a lovely harbor and fringed by the cliffs of Ben Tianavaig to the south, Suidh Fhinn or Fingal’s Seat to the west, and Ben Chrachaig to the north, Portree is a cultural hub for the island, one of its main attractions. It’s a popular base for exploring the rest of the island because it has restaurants, gift shops, banks, churches, cafes, a cinema, a library gas stations, and supermarkets

Almost 40% of Portree’s population can speak Scottish Gaelic.

1 Quiraing

The landscape of the Quiraing is one of the most surreal landscapes in the world! It is superb and otherworldly at once, and the first sight of it will leave you with your mouth gaping open.

Like the Old Man of Storr, there are viewpoints if you are driving the Trotternish circuit road trip. But those fit enough to scramble up and down the 4.5-mile loop of steep slopes to the summit will be rewarded with the most amazing views of the Outer Hebrides and the Scottish mainland.

Created by a series of landslides some of the geological formations are still moving. Landscapes have nicknames such as The Needle (a 121-foot pinnacle), The Prison (a pyramid-shaped peak that resembles a medieval keep), and The Table (a flat grassy area).

Note that the weather can get quite moody here, so it is advisable to bring a jacket and/or raincoat.

More Things to Do on Skye

If you have another day to spend on the Isle of Skye, here are three more great things to do.

7 Sligachan Bridge

The old Sligachan bridge is famous for its backdrop of the striking Black Cuillin Mountains – a rocky mountain range that dominates the Isle of Skye’s dynamic landscape. The highest point, Sgurr Alasdair, looms at 3,255 feet above sea level.

The legend here is that anyone who washes their face in the river’s frigid waters will be granted the gift of eternal beauty, similar to the Fairy Pools above.

8 Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle, the only castle on Skye, is located on a rocky outcrop by the shore of Loch Dunvegan. This medieval castle has been the seat of the chief of Clan MacLeod since the 13th century and is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.

Built on an elevated rock overlooking Loch Dunvegan, the castle is surrounded by five acres of three formal gardens of exotic plants, flowers, and waterfalls.

The castle is unique in that the family still lives there today.

9 Neist Point

For the best place to view the sunset, head to Neist Point on the westernmost point of Skye. Here you’ll find one of Scotland’s most famous lighthouses, offering dramatic views of the surrounding cliffs.

Views of the landscape around the lighthouse are beautiful from the right side of the car park, or a 1.4-mile walk from the car park for close-up views.

10 Eilean Donan Castle

The castle is located on the mainland just one mile off the Isle of Skye bridge, so if you are visiting Skye, a visit here is a must!

The fully restored 13^th-century castle sits on a small tidal island at the confluence of three lochs: Loch Duich, Loch Long, and Loch Alsh.

Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks, for good reason – it’s the most picturesque castle in Scotland with a dramatic backdrop of the Cuillin Mountains. Looking straight out of Scottish myths, many movies have been filmed here, including Rob Roy, The Highlander, and James Bond – The World Is Not Enough.

The Conchra Charitable Trust owns Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland, but the MacRae family – descendants of the castle’s original Clan MacKenzie owners, are still the Constables.

Our Scotland Folk Tours accommodation was perfect –a charming countryside B&B just a 10-minute walk from the castle, making it easy to visit at different times of the day.

Day Trip from Skye

Isle of Raasay

We caught a 25-minute ferry ride to the small island of Raasay, located between the Isle of Skye and the mainland of Scotland. We spent most of our day with a whisky tour and lunch at Raasay Distillery but there are other lovely sights on the island for non-drinkers.

Isle of Raasay is for those who want to experience the peace and tranquility of island life. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike to the top of Dun Caan, Raasay’s highest peak, where they will be rewarded with panoramic views of the sea and the Cuillin mountain range on Skye.

About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.

Disclosure: The author was honored to be the guest of Scotland Folk Tours during her stay, but as always, the opinions, reviews, and experiences are her own.