Holiday homes & rentals on the Isle of Skye

Stay in a cosy holiday cottage by the sea and discover the natural beauty of the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Visitors to Skye can enjoy the fascinating local history and rugged landscape that make the island such a memorable holiday destination.

How to get to Skye

Skye is connected to mainland Scotland by a bridge, which was opened in 1995 and forms an extension of the A87 from Invergarry, just south of Loch Ness. The Skye Bridge runs from Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland to the small village of Kyleakin, with the main road then continuing to the island's largest town, Portree.

Visitors can also take the ferry to Skye, with several departures daily from Mallaig on the mainland to Armadale. The crossing takes just 30min. Travellers can take their cars on the CalMac ferry, making it easy to reach their accommodation on the island.

There is no airport on Skye, but flights from across the UK land regularly in both Glasgow and Inverness. From the airport, you can hire a car to complete the rest of the journey to your Skye holiday cottages.

What is the best time to visit the Isle of Skye?

The famous rugged landscape makes the Isle of Skye a desirable location for holidaymakers. Take advantage of the breathtaking scenery, try your hand at fishing in one of the fishing towns, or take a trip back in time at one of the medieval castles. Whatever you're looking for Isle of Skye has something to keep everyone entertained. And top it all off by retiring to your comfortable cottage at the end of the day.

The perfect time to visit the Isle of Skye falls between May and September. However, during the summer months of July and August, vacationers flock to the Isle. This means that accommodation is sold out, restaurants are booked and the car park is overflowing. If you're looking for a slightly less hectic time to leave, try June when there are fewer visitors and the Isle of Skye is less crowded. During April and May, the Isle of Skye has very few visitors. So if you are into privacy and don't mind the cold, this might be the time for you. If you want the Isle of Skye and its best sites all to yourself, book a cottage during the winter months or offpeak season.

The weather stays relatively mild throughout the year in the Isle of Skye. You might find yourself wearing a jumper in your accommodation in winter, but that's all part of the charm. Temperatures never rise above 20 degrees Celsius, but it does not get below zero degrees. July and August tend to the warmest months of the year. Vacationers who love sunshine can visit the Isle during May and June. If you are looking to observe Skye's Northern Lights, stay at any time except June and July. In June and July, it stays too light which means you won't see the lights in all their glory.

Explore Millennia of History on Skye

Many of Scotland's islands have a long and fascinating history, and Skye is no exception. In fact, Skye's history goes back further than most. Visitors can observe dinosaur footprints on the beaches of Staffin, Duntulm, and Rubha nam Braithrean. To deepen your prehistoric knowledge and to see some ancient fossils, visit the Staffin Museum. Skye is also home to many ancient monuments, including stone chambers, standing stones, ice-age towers called brochs, and stone-age forts. One of the best preserved brochs is Dun Beag, which is a short walk away from the main Dunvegan to Sligachan road. More recent castles can also be found on Skye, including Dunvegan Castle, which has been the home of the Clan MacLeod chiefs for 800 years. Other famous castles include Armadale Castle, home of the MacDonalds, and Monkstadt House, where Flora MacDonald is said to have brought Bonnie Prince Charlie to hide when he fled English troops after his failed rebellion in 1746.

The maidens and fairies of Skye

Travellers should also visit MacLeod’s Maidens, the name given to a coastal area which features the tallest cliffs in the whole of Great Britain. Faerie Glen is a valley with a castle and tall green mounds forming a truly majestic landscape - it's easy to see how the area got its mystical-sounding name.

Local attractions on the Isle of Skye

Dunvegan Castle

This grand residence by the water originally dates from the 13th Century. It has the distinction of being the longest continually inhabited castle in the whole of Scotland.

The Storr

The Storr is a dramatically shaped natural rock formation which forms one the island's most prominent landmarks, the ‘Old Man of Storr’. This is the local name given to a rock that appears to keep watch over the surroundings.

Quiraing

An active geological area where the ground actually shifts throughout the year, Quiraing is a truly dramatic landscape of deep valleys and large open skies.

Neist Point

An outcrop of rock overlooking the sea, Neist Point is the location of an ornately designed lighthouse. It is a prime spot for nature photography or simply enjoying the calm ambience of this unspoilt landscape.

Kilt Rock

These steep cliffs with their beautiful lined formations are said to resemble a Scottish kilt. A pretty waterfall cascades into the sea from a height of 380 metres.

Frequently Asked Questions