Best Time to Visit Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is the second-largest island in Scotland and the most-visited outside the central belt. Weather and crowds vary wildly through the year — pick your month with care.

Month-by-month

• Jan–Feb — Deep off-season. Storms possible, some accommodation closed. Photographers love it.
• Mar–Apr — Days lengthen, first lambs appear. Occasional snow on the Cuillins.
• May — Best value shoulder month. Long days, quiet roads.
• Jun — Longest days of the year (18 hours of light). Midges start.
• Jul–Aug — Peak season. Book everything ahead. Midges peak.
• Sep — Second peak. Beautiful light, fewer children, midges fading.
• Oct — Autumn colour. Some tourism infrastructure winds down.
• Nov–Dec — Quiet, dramatic, changeable. Short daylight hours.

Getting there

From Edinburgh: 5 hours drive via Fort William (recommended for scenery). From Glasgow: 4.5 hours via Fort William. From Inverness: 2.5 hours via Kyle of Lochalsh (fastest route).

A private car is the most practical option — Skye''s public transport is limited, and self-drive over the Skye Bridge in bad weather is stressful.

Recommended overnight stops

• Portree — Main town, plenty of accommodation
• Sligachan — Central, dramatic Cuillin views
• Uig — Ferry to Outer Hebrides, quiet base

Must-see stops

• Fairy Pools
• Old Man of Storr
• Quiraing
• Neist Point Lighthouse
• Dunvegan Castle

Related reading

• North Coast 500: How to Plan by Private Car
• Whisky Trail Private Tour Itinerary