Isle Of Skye Overview

Nicknamed the Misty Isle for the swirling clouds that obscure its mountain peaks, Skye and its hills, peninsulas, and seaside paths hold many secrets for the savvy traveler. Crofts and cottages pepper the island, providing glimpses into Highland culture and Gaelic traditions. Because visitors tend to stick to major roads, many of Skye’s landscapes lie virtually undisturbed—a far cry from the island’s revived castles and their summer crowds.

Getting There

The tradition of ferries that carried passengers “over the sea to Skye” ended with the construction of the Skye Bridge, which links Kyleakin to the mainland’s Kyle of Lochalsh 3 mi. away. Pedestrians can take either the bridge’s 1½ mi. footpath or the shuttle bus (every hr.). Trains (☎08457 484 950) run from Kyle to Inverness (2hr.; M-Sa 4 per day, Su 2 per day; £17.30). Scottish Citylink buses travel daily to Fort William (2hr., 3 per day, £17), Glasgow (5hr., 3 per day, £28), and Inverness (2hr., 6 per day, £15). From the Outer Hebrides, CalMac ferries (☎08000 665 000) sail from Uig to Tarbert, Harris, and Lochmaddy, North Uist (1hr.; M-Sa 1-2 per day; £10, 5-day round-trip £17.10, cars £48/82). Ferries also run from Armadale in southwest Skye to Mallaig on the mainland (30min.; June-Aug. daily 8-9 per day, Sept.-May M-Sa 8-9 per day; £3.50, 5-day round-trip £6, cars £18.75/32.50). From Aros or Portree, take an On the Wing guided bus tour through Skye. (☎01478 613 649; www.aros.co.uk.)

Getting Around

To avoid headaches, pick up the handy Public Transport Map: The Highlands, Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles at any TIC. On Sunday, buses run infrequently and mostly to meet the Raasay and Armadale ferries (June-Aug.). Prices listed below are often estimates—fares can change rapidly and often depend on the driver of the bus. For the eager and intrepid, the stellar MacBackpackers Skye Trekker Tour (☎01599 534 510; www.macbackpackers.com) departs from the hostel in Kyleakin and offers a three-day tour emphasizing the mythology and history of the island (£79; weekly departure F 9am).

Buses: Rapsons Highland Country buses traverse Skye. They are not always timed to connect with ferries or even other buses, and a bus’s route may change suddenly. It is best to let the driver know your plans. The most reliable service is Scottish Citylink, which runs regular buses from Kyleakin to Broadford to Portree on the A87. The Skye Rover ticket offers unlimited bus travel on Skye and can be purchased on any local bus (1-day £6, 3-day £15). For a traveler planning more than 2 bus rides in a day, the Rover is likely a good deal, as fares tend to be surprisingly high.
Car Rental: Kyle Taxi Company (☎01599 534 323). 23+. £40 per day.
Bike Rental: Cycling is common and enjoyable on Skye, but be prepared for steep hills, nonexistent shoulders, and rain. Most buses will not carry bikes. Rent bikes in Broadford at Fairwinds Cycle Hire (☎01471 822 270), in Broadford. £8 per day. £5 deposit for 1-day rentals, £10 for overnight. Island Cycles (☎01478 613 121), in Portree. £14 per day. Discounts for longer rentals. Reserve ahead, especially in summer.

Holidays And Festivals

Cultural life on Skye is vibrant, engaging tourists and locals alike. Snag a copy of the seasonal newspaper The Visitor at the TIC for a list of special events on the island or in nearby Lochalsh. The Skye Music Festival (www.skyemusicfestival.co.uk) draws bands and fans from across the UK in late May. In mid-July, Feis an Eilein (☎01471 844 207; www.skyefestival.com), on the Sleat Peninsula, is a two-week celebration of Gaelic culture, featuring concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, and films. Additional revelry can be found at the Highland Games (☎01478 612 540; www.skye-highland-games.com), a day of bagpipes and merriment in Portree on the first Wednesday in August, and Skye Scene, with ceilidhs and other musical events, also in Portree (July-Aug. Tu-W; £8, concessions £6).