Hotels in Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye: Scotland's Atlantic Highland Frontier

The Isle of Skye sits off Scotland's northwest coast, connected to the mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh by the Skye Bridge (opened 1995). The island spans roughly 1,656 km² and is home to around 10,000 residents. The Cuillin mountain range dominates the interior, with Sgùrr Alasdair rising to 992 m — the highest point in the Hebrides. The Trotternish Peninsula in the north holds the Old Man of Storr rock formation and the Quiraing ridge, two of Scotland's most-photographed landscapes.

Where to Stay

Portree, the island's main town, offers the widest choice of hotels, guesthouses, and self-catering properties. Broadford on the east coast serves as a practical base for southern Skye and the Cuillin. More remote stays appear in Dunvegan, near the castle dating to the 13th century, and along the Sleat Peninsula in the south, sometimes called the "Garden of Skye." Most properties are small-scale; larger 3- and 4-star hotels concentrate in Portree.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: The Skye Bridge carries the A87 from Kyle of Lochalsh; journey from Inverness takes roughly 2.5 hours by car.
• Getting around: Public bus services (Stagecoach West Highlands) connect main settlements, but a hire car gives access to single-track roads.
• Season: Summer (June–August) brings long daylight hours and peak crowds; roads around the Fairy Pools near Glenbrittle can queue heavily.
• Weather: Pack waterproofs year-round; rainfall averages 1,800 mm annually at lower elevations.