Walking Holidays on the Isle of Skye

Unsure what Skye itinerary is the best choice for you? We are here to help! We have compiled a brief round-up of our Skye trips to help you decide which itinerary is the perfect fit for you. If you would like more detailed advice don't hesitate to contact our knowledgeable specialists. 

Best for ... 

Classic Long Distance Walking

• A Long Walk on The Isle of Skye - a challenging yet rewarding itinerary on The Skye Trail, traversing the entire length of the island, best suited to experienced walkers. 
• Across The Isle of Skye - walk from the island's south coast to the harbour town of Portree, taking in sections of The Skye Trail, perfect for the seasoned hiker. 
• Skye & The Outer Hebrides - hike highlights of The Skye Trail combined with a journey to Harris and Lewis to walk the incredibly scenic and remote Harris Walkway. 

Short Breaks

• Skye Highs Short Break - in just 5 days, immerse yourself in the rugged landscapes of Skye by day, and by night overnight in the colourful harbour town of Portree topped off with an iconic railway journey over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Skye and the Highlands

• The Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike - a classic week-long journey of discovery with shorter optional walks between scenic rail and ferry travel; explore Edinburgh, the forests of Perthshire, Inverness, the dramatic landscapes of Skye and Highland glens. 
• Highlands, Isle of Skye & Edinburgh: Drive & Hike - spend over a week driving Scotland's most scenic roads including the famous "Road to the isles", punctuated by hand-picked optional walks, the sights are too many to list but think castles, heather-clad glens, distilleries, dramatic coastlines and mountains. 

1) Sample a bottle of ale from the Cuillin Brewery in the Sligachan Hotel after a spectacular day on the trail. 

2) Wander around the Old Man of Storr rock pillar with amazing views to the mainland. 

3) Explore the ruined castle and gardens at Armadale, home of clan MacDonald, on the southerly Sleat Peninsula.

4) Try local fish & chips followed by live music in a Portree pub. 

5) Visit Neist Point lighthouse, the most westerly point on the island, for that edge of the world feeling atop steep cliffs. 

6) Enjoy a tour of Skye's oldest distillery - Talisker - accompanied by a dram or two. 

7) Seek out a magical encounter as you take a short stroll in the Fairy Glen, or visit Glenbrittle's waterfalls known as the Fairy Pools. 

8) Experience a wildlife watching boat trip from Portree, or Elgol, and look out for seals, sea eagles and dolphins. 

9) Hike the Trotternish Ridge in the island's NW and experience the curious rock formations of the Quiraing for yourself.

10) Take in some of the island's culture; visit the Skye Museum of Island Life, the fossil museum at Staffin (known for dinosaurs) or the quirky Giant Angus MacAskill Museum. 

Q: How fit do I need to be?

A: We offer a variety of itineraries on Skye, so whilst some of the walking on Skye is challenging, you should be able to find an option to suit you. If you aren't an experienced walker, you may want to consider our Skye Highs Short Break which is graded as easy-moderate (with some walks more on the moderate end of the scale). If you are an experienced walker then our A Long Walk on the Isle of Skye trip, our most challenging walking holiday in Scotland, could be the one for you and requires a very good level of hill fitness. Whichever trip you choose, you should expect to sometimes be following indistinct trails across sometimes boggy, remote, and rough ground. 

Q: Do I need to be able to navigate? Will I need a map and compass?

A: Generally we do recommend this for Skye. The itineraries vary greatly in difficulty, some are challenging and require experience navigating pathless terrain with a map and compass to back-up our handy, free Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app with maps, GPS tracks and route notes, while other trails are more easy-going with some minimal way-marking. Make sure to check out the route information for your specific trip before booking to ensure you have a great time on your holiday. 

Q: What is the best time of year to visit Skye?

A: Typically the best months for walking in the Highlands are May and September when the midges aren't a problems, the temperatures are ideal for walking and daily rainfall tends to be at its lowest. However, the walking season extends from April through to October. Skye is busiest with tourists and sightseers in the height of summer, but once you leave the honeypots you'll be able to find solitude on the trail passing just the occasional fellow-hiker. 

Q: What about the midges?

A: Ah, the dreaded midges! Midges are small biting insects (much like North American gnats), which can be prevalent in the summer months. They are particularly bad on still, overcast days but do not bother you if you are moving, the wind is blowing, sun is shining, it’s raining, or you are inside so as long as you carry repellent for the odd occasion you may need it they shouldn’t have any impact on your experience.

Q: What's the foodie scene like on Skye?

A: In a word, varied ... from simple fish & chips sitting at Portree harbour, to intimate Michelin-listed dining experiences, to plush country house hotels, and casual restaurants serving fresh seafood and local venison. If you have something particular in mind it's best to book ahead especially during the busier summer months.