Hike Scotland’s Isle of Skye on a Weeklong Walking Tour of Dramatic Landscapes and Island History

Two tiny lambs were staring at us. Fluffy and white, with adorable pink ears, they stood together on an emerald hillside observing the curious parade of slicker-clad hikers trudging by.

It’s misty springtime on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, where wildflowers blaze, cuckoos call, and glorious landscapes unfold at every turn.

Where Is the Isle of Skye?

Off Scotland’s west coast, the 50-mile-long, 25-mile-wide Isle of Skye is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides, with about 13,000 residents, including approximately 2,500 people who live in the capital city of Portree.

Although it’s been linked by a bridge to the mainland for 30 years, the Isle of Skye still has an untamed beauty that feels a world away.

Traveling to Skye

On my recent walking tour of the Isle of Skye with Wilderness Scotland, our hardy group of eight visitors (from the US, Canada, and the UK) assembled at the Inverness Railway Station and boarded a passenger van with our guide.

He was also an accomplished mountaineer and Gaelic language expert.

Driving directly to Skye from Inverness only takes about 2 ½ hours, but why not indulge in a few tempting detours along the way?

We skirted Loch Ness (no monster sightings, alas) before making a stop for a brief amble through the regenerated woodlands of the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre.

Following a tasty Highland lunch of sausage rolls and sweet potato soup, we cleared the dishes and unfurled a large map to discuss the trip.

We shared any special interests—including history, geology, and wildlife—that we hoped to explore. Our own personal rewilding process was about to begin.

Continuing westward toward the coast, we turned down a lonely road into a silent glen where we encountered two round Iron Age brochs—Dun Telve and Dun Troddan—dating back 2,000 years.

These towering residential structures were built with spiraling stairways sandwiched between double drystone walls, and we wandered up and around them in awe.

Then, it was on to the coast and the Glenelg Ferry, which claims status as the world’s last manually operated, turntable car ferry.

After squeezing our van into what looked like an impossibly small space, we set off across the Kyle Rhea Strait.

It was a quick voyage, only lasting a few minutes, and the ferry operator looked justifiably proud when our gridlocked vehicles all disembarked with nary a scratch. We were on Skye at last.

Skye Island Adventures

The week that followed included treks that led us through sunshine and pouring rain, rainbow-tinted skies and swirling winds, to brooding lochs, craggy mountains, and far-flung beaches marked with dinosaur footprints.

We also explored the shops and cafes of Portree, with its pastel-pretty harbor.

Scottish mountains boasting peaks above 3,000 feet are called Munros (named in honor of Sir Hugh Munro, who compiled a list of these mountains in 1891), and there are 12 Munros in Skye’s Cuillin ranges.

But we weren’t aiming to bag any peaks.

Graded at a moderate level three, our itinerary included daily hikes averaging five to six miles, with flat and hilly trails (a maximum of 1,500-foot ascent).

We plodded through occasional stretches of boggy mud along the way.

There’s a reason Skye is known as the “Isle of Mist,” and, after a brief and sometimes comically unsuccessful battle to stay dry, we relaxed into the elements and became one with the ever-changing weather.

Hikers on Skye can also take to the waves.

One day, we hopped aboard a ferry to ramble around the Isle of Raasay.

Another day, we embarked on a Bella Jane boat trip to cruise past a colony of sleepy seals before arriving at remote Loch Coruisk, where we were left to wander in splendid isolation.

Our guide shared tales of island history and Gaelic language and folklore as we traveled through landscapes including the mysterious, velvety-green hillocks and stone towers of the Fairy Glen near Uig and the desolate beauty of the Quiraing’s dramatic cliffs and stone pinnacles.

We were surrounded by magnificent scenery on a giant scale, where wind-scoured and rain-lashed hillsides provided dramatic scenery and soft green grass for a lazy picnic when the sun broke through.

Read More: Looking for Fairies on the Isle of Skye

Skye Cultural Experiences

We learned the sad history of the Highland Clearances as we stepped among the mournful terrain of Suisnish and Boreraig.

These ruined villages on the shore of Loch Eishort were emptied and burned in 1853 when Lord MacDonald evicted the residents in order to raise sheep on the land instead.

The Skye Museum of Island Life at Kilmuir recreates a century-old township of thatched stone cottages where crofters and their families once lived, complete with authentic historic artifacts and displays.

Nearby, Flora MacDonald’s grave marks the final resting place of the brave woman who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape over the sea to Skye.

Lodging on Skye

During our six-night journey, we stayed in one hotel on the south end of the island, and another in the north, hitting the trails each day within an easy drive.

The Eilean Iarmain Hotel is a dream of a Scottish lodge, gleaming white beside the sparkling Sound of Sleat.

Filled with antiques, plus a crackling fire in the lounge, charming guest rooms, a friendly pub (Bar Am Pràban), and an excellent dining room, I was ready to move in.

Add a waterfront gallery next door showcasing the work of local artists, and a shop (“bùth,” in Gaelic) selling Gaelic Whiskies and Gaelic Gins, and there was plenty to keep us busy.

Situated in the north of Skye, perched on a hillside with stunning views over Uig Bay, the family-run Uig Hotel is a picturesque 1831 coaching inn updated with comfortable guest rooms and a convivial dining room and bar boasting over 120 single malt whiskies.

Skye Dining

We filled up on hearty hotel breakfasts and paused mid-day for brown-bag picnic lunches on the trail, under a tree, or basking in the sun beside a tranquil loch.

At the end of a long day outdoors, the hotel pub provided a welcoming spot to enjoy a frosty local ale from the Isle of Skye Brewing Company.

Dinner menus at the Eilean Iarmain Hotel and The Inn at Àird a’ Bhàsair, in nearby Ardvasar, showcase Skye delicacies, including estate venison, fresh-caught Scottish seafood, haggis, and (my personal favorite) sticky toffee pudding.

The Uig Hotel serves delicious homemade fare, including just-baked bread and cozy soups, Scottish sirloin steak with whisky and green peppercorn sauce, West Coast mussels, North Uist scallops, and Highland venison.

In Portree, the 1820 Limited pub is located in a repurposed church, with outdoor garden seating that’s perfect for resting your tired feet and muddy hiking boots.

Shopping on Skye

Looking for a local souvenir? Check out Portree’s eclectic shops, including the delightful Òr, with two contemporary art and craft boutiques.

If you’re visiting Uig, peruse the handmade ceramics at Uig Pottery.

Returning to the Mainland

There’s just something magical about islands. Spending time on Skye made me feel like we had stepped away from reality, and it unlocked a joyful connection with nature.

After one last jaunt through the moody, mountain-shadowed landscape of Glen Sligachan, our voyage back to the Scottish mainland was quick and easy.

Driving across the bridge was undoubtedly efficient, but far less fun than crossing the water by ferry.

We stopped to snap one last group photo beside the spectacular backdrop of 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle before separating at the Inverness railroad station, where our adventure had begun only a week before.

Thanks to the magic of Skye and the easygoing camaraderie forged by long days sharing the trail, we were all going home with new friends and a new appreciation for Scotland.

If you want to follow a similar route and see the highlights without the stress of planning, the 2-Day Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools and Highland Castles Tour is a great way to experience the best of this region with a knowledgeable guide.

If You Go

When to Visit Scotland

Wilderness Scotland offers Isle of Skye walking tours from April through October.

How to Get to the Scottish Highlands

I flew into Inverness through London, but train buffs can also ride the rails, including overnight from London to Inverness aboard the Caledonian Sleeper.

By car, Inverness is a three-hour drive from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. Consider planning tempting detours on scenic routes through the Highlands.

More About Wilderness Scotland

Founded in 2001, Wilderness Scotland is an adventure travel company dedicated to sustainable expeditions, with each trip labeled for carbon impact.

Following the belief that tourism can be a force for good, Wilderness Scotland supports rural communities and economies through its Wilderness Conservation & Community Fund.

I participated in Wilderness Scotland’s guided, seven-day/six-night Wilderness Walking: The Isle of Skye tour.

We stayed in two comfortable three-star hotels during the week-long journey.

The company arranges for same-sex solo travelers to share a room or individual travelers can pay a supplemental charge for a private room.

Daily breakfast and lunch are included, along with some dinners.

There’s also a “Luxury & Deluxe” version of this tour with all six nights of elevated accommodation in a four-star hotel near Portree.

In 2026, there’s also a Women-Only Departure for this itinerary in June.

And if you and a gang of friends or family want to make this tour private, Wilderness Scotland can tailor a trip just for you.

Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.

Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:

• Discover Europe’s Hidden Gems Away from the Crowds
• Beyond the Beaten Path: Discovering Ancient Shepherd Routes in the Albanian Alps

Author Bio: Laura Beausire is a Colorado-based travel writer who blends her background in art and design with her love for outdoor adventure. She contributes to publications including Travel + Leisure, Mountain Living, Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine, Condé Nast Traveler, TravelAge West, 5280, and many others. When she’s not writing, she’s probably hiking.

Want to discover more hidden gems and helpful travel tips? Join our free newsletter for the latest travel secrets and travel articles.

We are reader-supported and may earn a commission on purchases made through links in this article.