Isle of Skye, Scotland | From the Highlands to Portree, follow along as we road trip to Scotland's magnificent Isle of Skye.

Journey to Scotland’s Magical Isle of Skye

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I thought the trip to Scotland’s Isle of Skye was going to be the longest part of our road trip, but the Highlands easily took that accolade. From the Glencoe area, it was just under two hours to Portree, a drive peppered with plenty of impromptu pull-overs for photos. In fact, one of the most photographed monuments in all of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle, is located just before the bridge to the island. I heard the inside wasn’t nearly as impressive as out, so we did all of our castle-viewing and Gangnam-dancing from the parking lot.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

It was one of the more crowded places we saw on the island, so I’d say our instincts were right. However, should you wish to actually go in and visit, admission is just Β£6, and the castle is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Eilean Donan, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Despite having spent a stint in Edinburgh and coming back to visit a half a dozen times, I’d never before been to Skye—partly because it’s rather difficult to reach by public transit, and partly because the last time I was back in Scotland I was just shy of 23 and not of legal car-renting age(!). This time, from the moment we booked our trip, I knew Skye would be a priority.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

And it didn’t disappoint, not one bit. Every last scene around the windy mountainous roads was postcard-worthy, and the drive itself was a relatively easy one. To reach the isle from the mainland, you can take a ferry from Glenelg during the summer months or drive over a very short bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh. We chose the latter (though I hear the ferry ride is mighty pretty).

Isle of Skye, Scotland

My mom is terrified of bridges—I can’t blame her; she lived in San Francisco during some pretty shaky earthquakes and was driving in Minneapolis a few years ago the day before the bridge collapsed—and she breathed a huge sigh of relief when she realized this particular bridge ended nearly as quickly as it began.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

We were lucky during our time on Skye and greeted by (relatively) clear skies (well, lacking rain is more accurate). Every picture I’ve ever seen captured from the island is littered with gray and ominous clouds (and many ruined by rain drops on the lens!). Skye is also littered with sheep, a fact my sister couldn’t get over—if there is a word in the dictionary for “one who is obsessed with sheep,” I think Kari could be called just that.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

We spent much time wondering what the different color markers were for: Blue for those who were just sheared (or “shucked,” as we liked to say) and red for those who were about to be…well, you know?

Sheep, Isle of Skye, Scotland

(How many times we sang “Baa Baa Black Sheep” is not a fact I wish to disclose.)

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Portree, where we would be staying for the next two nights, was another half hour from the entry to the island. While planning this trip earlier in the summer, I spent a lot of time trying to decide exactly where on the island we should make our base—Edinbane? Uig? Dunvegan?—and in the end settled for Portree due to its central locale and bevy of services (i.e. tons of B&Bs and quite a few restaurants). Not once during our 48 hours exploring the isle did we regret that decision.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

COMMENTS
  • October 31, 2012

    The world needs more castles. And sheep. And dancing while wearing galoshes. And whatever that DELIGHTFUL looking drink is.

    • November 5, 2012

      How about sheep dancing at castles while wearing galoshes and drinking Kopparberg?

  • November 1, 2012

    Lucky you with the weather… Isle of Skye looks stunning!

  • November 1, 2012

    I’ve always wondered what those markers were for on their ears. I thought it was some way to identify who’s sheep were who’s if and when they got out. Skye looks divine!

    • November 5, 2012

      I thought so, too, at first but throughout the country, the sheep were either blue or red. If that’s the case, then two guys own all the sheep in Scotland!

  • November 1, 2012

    For some reason I LOVE taking pics of sheep – they have such personalities. πŸ˜€

    • November 5, 2012

      They just seem so dumb! I think that’s why I like them =)

  • November 1, 2012
    jeje

    love it

  • November 1, 2012
    jeje

    love it, want more!

  • November 1, 2012
    Haidang

    1 cover photo of Eilean-Donan SLAYS. my heart skipped a beat for sure when i saw it hehe

    2 your sister looks kind of swedish ….wouldnt you agree?

    3 also, i pray there is gonna be a halloween post! costumeeessss

    • November 5, 2012

      I think my sister could most definitely be Scandinavian! Maybe she is adopted =)

      And I didn’t dress up for Halloween! Can you believe it?

  • November 2, 2012

    You and your sister really do look so much alike! Love the sheep pics. πŸ™‚

    • November 5, 2012

      I will take that as a huge compliment, as I think my sister is gorgeous! (She got all the looks in the family.)

  • November 2, 2012

    Beautiful captures!! Loved the sights that were on offer! As far as bridges are concerned, try going to the Himalayas, some pretty scary bridges there πŸ™‚

    • November 5, 2012

      Oh, I’m sure. The bridges in Scotland were hardly even bridges, ha! Though my mom used to live in San Francisco and had to commute over the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge each day, so I think that’s where her fear began!

  • November 2, 2012

    Okay well I loved this post to begin with, because I love Scotland and because your sheep-stalking reminded me of my family trip to Iceland (favorite quote: “What do you have to do to get a sheep to look at you around here?!”) and then you have to go and end it with a photo of my FAVORITE BEVERAGE EVER. Now I need a Kopparberg.

    • November 5, 2012

      Oooh, yes, I do love Kopparberg but the flavored ones (like pear) were way too sweet for me. Just sticking with plain ol’ apple from now on.

  • November 2, 2012

    Britain is definitely a good spot for Kari if she’s into sheep! Great photos, as always.

  • November 2, 2012

    As always gorgeous photos, it looks like you had a really wonderful time there.

  • November 2, 2012

    So the red marker is if you like your sheep meat rare? Or is it well done? πŸ˜‰

    • November 5, 2012

      Ha! So morbid, but so true =)

  • November 2, 2012

    I miss those landscapes….thanks for the great pics πŸ™‚

  • November 2, 2012

    This post made me miss Skye… I only spent one night there but wish so badly it had been longer! What a beautiful place.

    • November 5, 2012

      And I thought we were doing it quickly with two nights! Such a lovely place.

  • November 5, 2012

    Oh, what a beautiful story and journey! Love pictures of you and the sheep…maybe you should adopt one? Would the TSA balk at that? πŸ™‚

    • November 5, 2012

      I’ll just give it a passport and put some glasses and clothes on it, and I’m sure they won’t even notice! I *have* been wanting to get Ella a pet goat of her own…

  • November 8, 2012

    I’m obsessed with all the animals in all the lands and would probably have made up songs for the sheep, about how pretty they are and how sheepish they are. I’m crazy like that.

    • November 8, 2012

      If by crazy, you mean crazy AWESOME, then yes! I make up songs for everything—to SVV’s dismay—so you and I would be a force to be reckoned with if we traveled together =)

  • November 29, 2012

    I’m going to have to go through all of your Scotland posts because I think we are heading there in the spring! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

  • December 5, 2012

    I’ve had a fascination with Scotland for a long time. I would love to visit the Isle of Skye. I’ve heard and read a lot about it and just time walking through the Highlands would be a blast. I’ve covered some Scottish games and festivals here in California but nothing like being there!

  • March 3, 2013
    Jami McCormick

    Hi Kristin,
    Curious to know where you three stayed in Portree and if you’d recommend? My family of 4 will have two nights there this July and am also challenged in finding accommodation for more than 2 people. Thanks for any suggestions!

  • May 21, 2013

    Amazing pictures, Scotland looks so beautiful!

  • July 21, 2013

    loved this one – would love to go there! Its nice that you kind have mapped out what places to go and not to go in so many places!!!

  • January 24, 2016
    Abbie

    Isle of Skye is one of my favorite places on earth! I can’t wait to go back again.

  • October 30, 2017

    Are you “Sheepin” me?!? LOL… but seriously the Isle of Skye and Scotland as a whole is on my bucketlist. From drinking Scotch to seeing a land unlike anywhere else I’ve seen. It looks beyond amazing!

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