The Isle of Skye is a land of dramatic landscapes, rich Gaelic heritage and fabled legends. Your visit to Scotland won’t be complete without a visit to experience the Isle of Skye must see attractions.
If you are looking for the very best things to do on the Isle of Skye. Read on, and we’ll help you compose your Isle of Skye bucket list!
1. The Fairy Pools
Nestled in Glen Brittle at the foot of the Cuillin Mountains, the Fairy Pools are among the most photographed places on Skye. Crystal‑clear water tumbles from the mountains into a chain of deep blue and turquoise pools, linked by small waterfalls.
A 2.4‑kilometre path winds gently up the glen, leading visitors past the first cascade, where daring swimmers leap from rocky ledges into icy waters.
Further along, a hidden pool reveals a natural stone arch you can swim through. On sunny days, the turquoise water contrasts beautifully with purple heather and the dark silhouette of the Cuillin ridge - a scene that feels almost otherworldly.
2. Old Man of Storr
One of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, the Old Man of Storr rises dramatically from the Trotternish Ridge. This 55‑metre basalt pinnacle was formed some 60 million years ago, when volcanic activity and a colossal landslip reshaped Skye’s eastern coastline.
The steep hike to the base is rewarded with sweeping views over the Sound of Raasay, across to the Scottish mainland, and on clear days, as far as the hills of Wester Ross.
Mist or sunshine, the Old Man never fails to inspire awe.
3. Castle Moil
Overlooking Kyleakin harbour, the ruins of Castle Moil - or Caisteal Maol - date to the 15th century but may have Norse origins.
Legend tells of “Saucy Mary,” a Norwegian princess who levied tolls on passing ships with a chain across the kyle. Abandoned in the 17th century, the ruin still stands watch over the narrow strait between Skye and the mainland.
4. Dunvegan Castle
For over 800 years, Dunvegan Castle has been the seat of Clan MacLeod, making it the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and one of the most popular attractions on the Isle.
Perched on a rocky outcrop above Loch Dunvegan, its rooms display clan treasures such as the famed Fairy Flag, believed to bring victory in battle, and the medieval Dunvegan Cup.
Outside, formal gardens bloom with colourful borders, while from the jetty below, boat trips take visitors to see a lively colony of seals basking on the loch’s skerries.
5. Elgol
Perched on the shores of Loch Scavaig, Elgol offers one of the finest panoramas in Scotland - the Cuillin mountains rising in the distance.
A rugged coastal walk from the village leads to Prince’s Cave, where Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to have spent his last night on Skye in 1746, hiding from government troops after the failed Jacobite uprising.
6. Dun Beag Broch
Dun Beag Broch, near Struan, is one of the best‑preserved Iron Age towers in Scotland.
Over 2,000 years old, its thick dry‑stone walls once offered defence, shelter, and a statement of power.
From its hilltop, views stretch across Loch Harport to the Cuillin - the same landscape its builders would have known.
7. Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Kilt Rock, on the Trotternish coast, is a 90‑metre sea cliff whose vertical basalt columns resemble the pleats of a kilt.
Adding to its drama, Mealt Falls plunges directly from Loch Mealt into the Sound of Raasay, sending up plumes of mist that catch the wind.
On a clear day, the sight is nothing short of spectacular.
8. Lealt Falls
Also on the Trotternish Peninsula, Lealt Falls offers a dramatic display as the River Lealt plunges 90 metres through a steep gorge before meeting the sea.
A viewing platform reveals the upper falls framed by rugged cliffs and sweeping coastal views.
Nearby, the moss‑covered ruins of a diatomite works and an old salmon smokehouse offer a glimpse into the area’s industrial past.
9. Neist Point
Skye’s most famous coastal viewpoint, Neist Point juts into the Atlantic on the island’s far western edge.
A cliff‑top path leads to the 1909 lighthouse, still standing proud against the waves. From here, you can watch the ocean come alive with seabirds, dolphins, and even the occasional whale.
Sunset here is unforgettable - the sea turning gold as the day fades.
10. Coral Beach
On the Waternish Peninsula, Coral Beach at Claigan is famed for its bright, creamy sands - not coral at all, but crushed maërl, the skeletons of red coralline seaweed.
The easy walk to the beach passes through open pasture, and at low tide, you can cross a natural causeway to the island of Lampay. A climb up the Ghrobain hill rewards you with a perfect picnic spot overlooking turquoise waters.
11. An Corran Beach
An Corran Beach near Staffin blends natural beauty with deep prehistory. Here, 168 million-year-old dinosaur footprints - likely from a Megalosaurus - are visible at low tide.
Archaeological evidence also points to Mesolithic and Iron Age settlement in the area, making this one of Skye’s most fascinating coastal walks.
12. Talisker Distillery
Established in 1830 by brothers Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, Talisker Distillery sits on the shores of Loch Harport, framed by the Cuillin Mountains.
On a guided tour, visitors can see the copper pot stills and traditional worm tubs that help define Talisker’s bold, maritime character, then sample a dram in the visitor centre.
The whisky’s smoky sweetness and peppery finish perfectly capture Skye’s rugged spirit.
13. Cuillin Mountains
The Cuillin range dominates Skye’s skyline, its Black Cuillin sharp and jagged, the Red Cuillin smoother and more rounded. Climbers, walkers, and photographers alike are drawn here for the dramatic scenery.
At Sligachan, a stone bridge spans the river, and legend claims that dipping your face in its waters grants eternal youth.
Clear or cloaked in mist, the Cuillin embody Skye’s wild beauty.
14. Loch Coruisk
Hidden deep within the Cuillin, Loch Coruisk is a remote freshwater loch whose Gaelic name, Coire Uisg, means “Cauldron of Waters.” Surrounded by serrated peaks, it’s accessible by boat from Elgol or by a challenging hike.
Seals often bask on nearby rocks, and golden eagles can sometimes be seen circling overhead.
15. Portree
Skye’s colourful capital, Portree, curves around a sheltered bay, its waterfront lined with pastel‑painted houses.
Founded in the early 19th century, the town has grown into the island’s cultural hub, hosting events like the Skye Highland Games and offering shops, restaurants, and the Aros Centre for music and theatre.
16. Skye Museum of Island Life
At Kilmuir, the Skye Museum of Island Life preserves a cluster of thatched cottages furnished as they would have been at the end of the 18th century.
Inside, peat fires, spinning wheels, and Gaelic bibles evoke a way of life deeply tied to the land and sea.
Nearby lies the grave of Flora MacDonald, the Jacobite heroine who aided Bonnie Prince Charlie in his escape.
17. The Quiraing
A short drive north along the Trotternish Peninsula brings you to the Quiraing - a surreal, shifting landscape born from an ancient landslip. Here, nature has sculpted towering cliffs, needle‑like spires, and grassy plateaus into a vast natural amphitheatre.
The 6.8‑kilometre circuit walk takes in famous formations such as the Needle, the Prison, and the Table - a flat meadow once used to hide cattle from Viking raiders.
On clear days, the views stretch across the sea to the Outer Hebrides, while on misty days, the monoliths emerge eerily from the clouds.
18. Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum
Once the stately home of the Clan Donald of Sleat, Armadale Castle now stands as a romantic ruin on the Sleat Peninsula, framed by manicured lawns and rhododendron-filled gardens.
Built in the late 18th century and remodelled in Gothic style in the 1820s, the mansion was abandoned after a fire in the 20th century.
Today, its ivy‑clad remains form the centrepiece of a 40‑acre estate, complete with woodland trails and sweeping coastal views.
The Museum of the Isles, located on the grounds, traces centuries of Hebridean history, from the Lordship of the Isles to the Jacobite era.
19. Fairy Glen
Near Uig, the Fairy Glen offers a miniature landscape of grassy, conical hills, tiny lochans, and the basalt outcrop of Castle Ewen.
Formed by ancient landslides at the end of the last Ice Age, the glen has an enchanting, almost whimsical atmosphere - a place where geology meets folklore.
Castle Ewen, despite its name, is entirely natural, and climbing to its summit offers charming views over this otherworldly terrain.
20. Caisteal Chamuis
On the Sleat Peninsula, the ivy‑clad ruins of Caisteal Chamuis, or Knock Castle, overlook the Sound of Sleat.
Built by the MacLeods in the 15th century and later taken by the MacDonalds, its strategic site commanded views over the sea routes to the mainland.
Today, its crumbling towers remain a place of romance, mystery, and sweeping coastal vistas.
Discovering the highlights of the Isle of Skye with Scottish Tours
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