Find Out the Best Landscapes in UK at Isle of Skye

Make your way to the northwest of Scotland and discover the unparalleled sceneries at the Isle of Skye. Connected by a bridge from the mainland Scotland, Skye was brought closer to the people. Centuries ago, the island is only accessible by ferries but operations ceased since the construction of Skye Bridge. Today, Isle of Skye is directly accessible by car. Thus, road trips get faster and more convenient.

The roads in the Isle of Skye will surely excite you with its series of bends and curves as much as the landscapes you will encounter in each turn that will leave you in awe. Expect to drive in almost single track roads, that is certainly narrow with a driving speed of 30 to 60 miles per hour. But once you get there, you might tend to drive slower or put your car to stop just to have a much longer time to capture the scene and absorb the gorgeous setting.

Be ready for the unpredictable weather at Skye. Yes, the weather gets moody most of the time. It gets cold especially when it rains, so always be prepared with a rain gear and a warm clothing. The wind is untamable at certain times of the day that it could literally blow you away. But you would easily forgive and forget its erratic climate for the captivating sights it would offer you, especially when the blanket of fog clears up making the panorama more visible.

I love Skye for its effortless beauty. Its nature is incredibly breathtaking with its craggy mountains, dramatic coastlines, quaint villages, and vast moorlands. I adored its sparkling lochs and waterfalls, mystical glens, and not to mention, the isle’s legends and folklore.

Skye’s landscapes are diverse and raw which make it enchanting. Hikers and adventure seekers would surely love to stay there for days. Its setting is remote and the atmosphere is serene making it a wonderful place to unwind and a best escape from the hustles of the city.

The sceneries at the Isle of Skye might be familiar. Maybe because you saw them several times featured in movies, may it be in a blockbuster film or not so popular ones. Or perhaps you saw it long back captured on a postcard or possibly recently on the wallpaper of your computer screen. The views in the Isle of Skye are stunning, magical and worth capturing. The vistas would bring your imagination to a fairy tale land or a mystical scene. You would realize why once you get there. It was highlighted in many feature films and fantasy movies and perhaps soon in the prequel of Game of Thrones.

You better set your destination on your GPS to the Isle of Skye soon or get your maps ready for a road trip. Or if you prefer convenience, you can book guided tours with Rabbies. To guide you on your planning, here is a list of sights you do not want to miss on your Skye adventure:

Portree

This lovely town of Portree is the capital of the Isle of Skye. Tourists usually make this village a stopping point or a home base while exploring the island. It is conveniently located and you could find all your necessities here – banks, hotels, gas stations, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets.

Portree is a small village surrounded by hills so you could easily walk around the town and climb the slopes for an excellent lookout point. It is known for its harbor bordered with colorful houses. A famous picture of the town could be captured on top of a cliff where you could see the boats swaying along the harbor and the verdant hills lined with bright-colored houses make a beautiful backdrop.

Coach services run several times a day from Portree to different areas in Skye and also to main towns of Scotland. Boat cruises also operate from Portree harbor to the Sound of Raasay, a good opportunity for bird and dolphin watching.

Quiraing

I was flabbergasted when I first saw the unusual rock formations of Quiraing, that I considered it my favorite spot in Skye. I did not expect how series of landslides could turn out to be a gorgeous vista. The panorama, consisting of rock pinnacles, rugged cliffs, plateaus, and sloping hills, feels like you are in another world. No wonder why scenes of popular movies such as Stardust, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Transformers: The Last Knight, to name a few, were filmed in this location.

You do not need to hike steep slopes to appreciate the landscape of Quiraing, though reaching the top of the hidden plateau, will reward you with a sweeping view of the coast and the mountains on the mainland Scotland. Just walking a few meters from the carpark, you will have excellent photo opportunities. Make sure your camera has a lot of memory!

The Old Man of Storr

The Storr is a popular view at Trotternish peninsula in the north of Isle of Skye. Like the Quiraing, it was formed by massive landslides during the past. It is a large, pointed column of rock that stands proud at the top of a steep hill. Resembling the features of an old man, it was named as The Old Man of Storr.

Thick fog covers the “Old Man” most of the time but we were lucky enough that the clouds slowly disappeared when we pass by the road going to Portree. We had a glimpse of the famous Old Man of Storr and take photographs of the beautiful surrounds.

The Storr is a favorite hiking spot of tourists thus, the trails usually get busy. The path is an easy hike where getting on top will give you satisfaction taking a closer look at the rock pinnacle and seeing the majestic view of the islands below.

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls

Kilt Rock is another peculiar rock formation at Trotternish Peninsula. This 90-meter sea cliff with vertical basalt columns has a pattern resembling a pleated kilt, hence the name, Kilt Rock. Just beside it is Mealt Waterfall that cascades down the 55-meter cliff. The striking waterfall was so named because it was formed by the efflux of water from Loch Mealt. The freshwater from the loch flows down to the sea creating the waterfall.

An observation point near Staffin highlights these two amazing spots in Skye. A quick stop at the viewpoint is a must to catch sight of the scenery though taking good pictures could be difficult unless you bring a drone.

Fairy Glen

Hidden above the village of Uig is a miniature landscape with an out of this world character, nicknamed, the Fairy Glen. It is like a home of the fairies with a bunch of verdant mounds, tiny lochs, and a column of rock on top of a slope resembling a ruined castle.

While on Skye, you could reserve some time to wander around the trails of this magical place. You would be delighted with its mystical feel and you could have a lovely sight once you get on top of the highest spot of the so-called ruined Castle Ewan.

The Cuillin

The Isle of Skye is overshadowed by the craggy mountain ranges of Cuillin that extends roughly for 14 kilometers at the south of the island. Glen Sligachan runs in between the mountain ranges which distinguishes it into Black and Red Cuillin.

Cuillin’s rugged feature with serrated peaks that is devoid of any vegetation, is not only a delight to the eye but more of an aspiration for climbers and mountaineers. Climbing the summits of the Cuillin Ridge is a challenging task which mountaineers aimed to tackle not only for the wonderful views but also for the fulfillment gained having endured the challenges of the terrain.

Yet for a traveler like me, I am content in viewing the famous mountain ranges from afar. Though the peaks are visible along the roads of Skye, the best viewpoint is at Sligachan Bridge. Here, we got an excellent photo opportunity of the Cuillins.

Neist Point

At the western end of Skye is a dramatic landscape of rugged coastline with a white lighthouse perched at the edge of the cliff. Sunsets are worth waiting at Neist Point with the view of the solitary lighthouse and the Atlantic Ocean in the background. Whether the scene could bring you to an atmosphere of melancholy or tranquility, either way, the views are stunning.

From the carpark, a concrete path with handrails is provided, that would lead you all the way to the lighthouse. The path would allow you to walk along the whole stretch of Neist Point and take wonderful photographs of the scenery. You would surely find a flock of birds soaring near the high cliffs and a great luck if you could spot a dolphin or perhaps a shark.

The walk along Neist Point could be a struggle at certain times, not because of steep trails, but of cold, strong winds. The wind has gone wild during our visit to this spot. But it did not discourage me to walk towards the lighthouse, though the wind could blow me off the coast. The landscape is so impressive that I could not refuse. I took good pictures of the panorama but not as much as I wanted. The cold made my hands fixed inside my pocket and I could even hardly take out my camera phone, scared to be blown away. But of course, I manage to take a selfie; and it is the only time I realized that the wind got my face fully covered with the scarf.

The Dunvegan Castle

This iconic castle in the Isle of Skye is an interesting stop if you love to learn more about the history of the island and the legends of the prominent Highland Clan of MacLeod. It could also be a lovely idea to spend some time in the castle if you love to explore ancient structures or just enjoy the view.

There are plenty of activities to do within the compounds of Dunvegan Castle, aside from checking its interior. You could stroll around its formal garden, go for a cruise or a fishing trip onto Loch Dunvegan, or dine in their café. You could try their cottages if you love to spend more time in this ancestral home of the clan MacLeod.