As this is the biggest of the islands, it is a good idea to spend two nights here when completing your Scotland travel planning.
If you had more time, you’d go for three.
There are so many fantastic sights to see; you really need to cherry-pick the ones that stand out to you.
Today’s itinerary will give you a selection that we feel is on the “most wanted” list, but feel free to add or substitute others.
The Trotternish Loop is where the day will be focused.
Driving the loop with no stops takes 2 hours and 15 minutes (60 miles), and you will take lots of stops!
If this feels too much, you can always complete half of the loop. It’s your trip; you decide!
I know couples who have visited Skye and felt their trip was successful with only three tourist stops; Skye is a live museum.
If you can, grab a picnic from a bakery, cafe, or shop in Portree the day before.
Lunch options might be pretty limited until you get back into Portree.
Ensure you have all your power banks charged and ready for a day of photos and videos.
Note: The weather can dictate what you do on Skye, so be prepared to make changes if it is too wet or windy.
Portree to Old Man of Storr (15 minutes)
Old Man of Storr is probably the most recognisable landmark on Skye and one you will not want to miss.
The large pinnacle rock can be seen from miles around.
This makes it the busiest of the attractions on Skye.
Parking below, you can complete this hike in about an hour and a half, but you can walk so far and turn back whenever you feel like you’ve soaked up enough of the striking landscape.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls (15 minutes)
Kilt Rock is so named as it looks like the pleats of a kilt.
The waterfall here is spectacular.
It cascades down 90ft into the ocean below.
There is a large car park and a quick view of the falls.
Kilt Rock to Quiraing (15 minutes)
One of the most scenic routes in Skye is the Quiraing.
The road is a single track and is hair-raising in places as it follows the mountainside on hairpin bends.
But, if you can’t face such a terrifying drive, you can get to the Quiraing from Uigg.
You can spend 15 minutes (in and out) or 3 hours (circular) hiking here.
Note: The Quiraing has a much smaller car park than the Old Man of Storr, so if visiting this attraction is a must, make it your priority for the day and arrive before 9 a.m.
Quiraing to Skye Museum of Life (20 minutes)
The Skye Museum of Life is a great place to stop and imagine what life in Skye was like in the 18th century.
A well-preserved township of thatched cottages allows you to step back 100 years and see what Highland village life was like.
Check opening times on the website.
This museum is a little out of the way, but if you want to save time, you can add it to your bucket list for later.
Skye Museum of Life to Fairy Glen (20 minutes)
Think Alice in Wonderland-style gardens, and you are there!
There is a small car park close to Fairy Glen, so do not park on the side of the road.
The walk itself takes around 40 minutes and is not a strenuous hike.
As you wander among the trees and rocks, you may just spot one of the elusive fairies
Please don’t confuse the Fairy Glen with the Fairy Pools, which is on tomorrow’s itinerary.
From the Fairy Glen, a side step trip, Uig is only 1 mile away.
Here, you will find a restaurant and brewery.
The sleepy village is a port for ferries to the islands, such as quiet North Uist and the majestic Harris and Lewis.
Now complete the Trotternish Loop, driving back to Portree in around 30 minutes.
Evening in Portree
It has been a very busy day with all the driving and hiking.
A quiet evening dining out and sipping a dram at a pub in Portree is your reward.
Highlights on This Leg
Day 4 is a full loop of the Trotternish peninsula from your base in Portree — the most spectacular concentration of scenery on Skye. Each of these has its own detailed guide:
- Old Man of Storr — the iconic rock pinnacle and Skye’s most famous walk
- Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls — sea cliffs with basalt columns and a waterfall plunging into the sea
- The Quiraing — an otherworldly landslip landscape of pinnacles and plateaus
- The Fairy Glen — a miniature valley of cone-shaped hills near Uig
- Portree — return to Skye’s capital for dinner on the harbour
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Trotternish loop take?
The loop itself is about 50 miles and under two hours of pure driving, but with stops at the Storr, Kilt Rock, the Quiraing and the Fairy Glen it easily fills a full day. Starting early beats both the coach tours and the car parks filling up.
Is the Old Man of Storr walk difficult?
The main path to the Old Man of Storr is a steady uphill climb of about 45 minutes each way on a well-made trail. It is moderate rather than hard, but wear proper footwear as the upper section can be muddy and exposed.
Can you drive the Quiraing road?
Yes, the single-track road over the Quiraing between Staffin and Uig is drivable and stunning, with passing places and a car park at the top. In winter or high wind it can be closed, so check conditions before setting off.