Destinations > Scotland > Highland > Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

This rugged and beautiful island is the most popular island with backpackers. It has a strong Gaelic influence and is touristy even though it doesn't have any major attractions.

The main towns on the Isle of Skye are Broadford and Portree, but Kyleakin is the island's backpacker hub.

Practical Information

Kyle of Lochalsh Tourist Information Centre

Car Park, Kyle of Lochalsh

Tel (01599) 534 276

Open May-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm

Broadford Tourist Information Centre

The Car Park, Broadford, Isle of Skye

Tel (01471) 822 713

Open Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Portree Tourist Information Centre

Bayfield House, Bayfield Road, Portree, Isle of Skye

Tel (01478) 612 137

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 9am-4pm; Apr-Jun Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 9am-4pm

Uig Tourist Information Centre

Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry Terminal, Uig, Isle of Skye

Open for ferry arrivals

Coming & Going

The Skye Bridge connects the Isle of Skye to the mainland and Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland side of the bridge is a major transport hub for travellers visiting the island.

Kyle of Lochalsh, which is often abbreviated to Kyle, has a train station with several trains a day from Inverness.

Buses run to Fort William, Inverness and Glasgow.

Caledonian MacBryane ferries sail from Uig on the island's north to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist. There are also ferries between Mallaig and Armadale in southern Skye.

Local Transport

Highland Country buses (tel (01478) 61222; website www.rapsons.co.uk) run bus services on the island and the nearby Lochalsh area, although many services are infrequent.

If you plan to rely on the island's bus service the Skye Rover ticket is a good deal. The Skye Rover costs £6 for a one-day ticket or £15 for a three-day ticket and it is valid on routes 50-59, 151, 152.

There are several short tours of the island that are aimed at backpackers. These include one, two and three day tours of the island that are run by MacBackpackers, in addition to their hop-on hop-off service that also serves the island.

Accommodation

KYLE OF LOCHALSH (MAINLAND)

Cuchulainns Backpackers Hostel

Station Road, Kyle of Lochalsh
Tel (01599) 534 492

KYLEAKIN

Dun Caan Hostel

Castle View, Pier Road, Kyleakin IV41 8PL
Tel (01599) 534087

Kyleakin SYHA

Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, IV41 8PL
Tel 0870 004 1134

Saucy Mary's Hostel

Main Road, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye IV41 8PL
Tel (01599) 534 845

Skye Backpackers

Benmhor, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye IV41 8PH
Tel (01599) 534 510

BROADFORD

Broadford SYHA

Broadford, Isle of Skye, IV49 9AA
Tel 0870 004 1106

SLEAT PENINSULA

Armadale SYHA

Ardvasar, Sleat, Isle of Skye, IV45 8RS
Tel 0870 004 1103

Flora MacDonald Hostel

3 Kilmore, Sleat, Isle of Skye
Tel (01471) 844 440

SLIGACHAN

Sligachan Bunkhouse

Sligachan, Isle of Skye IV47 8SW
Tel (01478) 650 204

MINGINISH PENINSULA

Croft Bunkhouse & Bothies

7, Portnalong, Isle of Skye IV47 8SL
Tel (01478) 640 254

Glenbrittle SYHA

Glenbrittle, Carbost, Isle of Skye, IV47 8TA
Tel 0870 004 1121

Skyewalker Independent Hostel

Old School, Portnalong, Isle of Skye
Tel (01478) 640250

Waterfront Bunkhouse

The Old Inn, Carbost, Isle of Skye IV47 8SR
Tel (01478) 640205

PORTREE

Bayfield Backpackers

Bayfield, Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9EW
Tel (01478) 612 231

Portree Independent Hostel

Old Post Office, The Green, Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9BT
Tel (01478) 613 737

UIG & THE TROTTERNISH PENINSULA

Dun Flodigarry Hostel

Flodigarry by Staffin, Isle of Skye IV51 9HZ
Tel (01470) 552212

Glenhinnisdal Bunkhouse

1 Peinaha, Glenhinnisdal, Snizort, Isle of Skye
Tel (01470) 542 293

Uig SYHA

Uig, Isle of Skye, IV51 9YD
Tel 0870 004 1155

Hiking

Skye boasts several excellent hiking trails, particularly in the impressive Cuillin Hills in central Skye. The Walks from Sligachan and Glen Brittle booklet (£1) details hikes in the area and is available from hostels and tourist information centres.

There are also some good hiking trails in the south including walks in the Sleat Peninsula.

Sights

Armadale Castle Gardens & Museum of the Isles

This castle in southern Skye features extensive gardens and a museum focusing on the Isle's clans, with an emphasis on the MacDonald clan.

Armadale, Isle of Skye

Tel (01471) 844 305

Website www.clandonald.com

Admission £4.60

Open 9.30am-5.30pm daily (last entry to gardens 5pm)

Bright Water Visitor Centre

This visitor centre has displays about local history and the flora and fauna of Eilean Bàn.

The Pier, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye

Tel (01599) 530 040

Website www.eileanban.org

Admission free

Open Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Fri 10am-5pm

Castle Moil

The ruins of this 15th century castle overlook Kyleakin Harbour.

Kyleakin, Isle of Skye

Admission free

Duntulm Castle

In the 1730s, the MacDonald clan abandoned this castle, 42km north of Portree in northern Skye, and it is now in ruins.

Kilmuir near Duntulm, Isle of Skye

Admission free

Dunvegan Castle

Located 35km west of Portree, this imposing castle dating from the ninth century is said to be the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland. The castle's interior has the usual collection of antiques and paintings along with a few historical relics.

Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye

Bus 56

Tel (01478) 521 206

Website www.dunvegancastle.com

Admission £6

Open Jan-mid Mar 11am-4pm daily; mid Mar-Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 11am-4pm daily