Road trip on the Isle of Skye

I have left a piece of my heart in the Isle of Skye. Living in the Lake District, I thought nothing could compare, but the Isle of Skye had something different to offer. Not only did it have beautiful rolling hills which sprawled all around us, but there was plenty of historical points of interest, making it the perfect place for history buffs, photographers, and walkers alike.

Once you leave the M6 and travel towards the Isle of Skye, it’s a picturesque drive from then on with beautiful waterfalls falling from mountain faces and crystal-clear waters from the lochs you see as you pass by.

On our way up, we drove to Inverness and across to Kyle of Lochalsh. On the way back we took a different route, taking us through Fort William and Glencoe. Both journeys were outstanding with so many beautiful landscapes to enjoy.

We drove over Skye bridge which connects the mainland to Skye, this is the most convenient way to get over to the island and it is free of charge to cross the bridge.

Another option is to travel by ferry from Mallaig dropping passengers off at Armadale on the Sleat peninsula.

Our trip started off with a three-night stay in Dunvegan at Kinloch Campsite, the campsite was ideal, with views overlooking Loch Dunvegan. We perched our two-man tent on a slight hill to enjoy the views of the town and loch.

The campsite is just a 5-minute walk into the centre of town where you can enjoy all the delights from some very well-known family-run businesses, including the Dunvegan Bakery, the oldest bakery on Skye. Jann’s Cakes specialising in handmade organic cakes and chocolates. The Dunvegan, a deli café, shop and also offering accommodation, make great coffee and the cinnamon rolls, were the best I’d ever tasted. There are also a few galleries, a museum, and plenty of walks in this area.

A contrast to our camping experience in Dunvegan, we drove further north to a township called Flodigarry. We booked to stay in camping luxury, in one of a number of glamping pods available on the Isle of Skye. I loved our pod, we stayed at the Flodigarry Pods, which are located on farmland overlooking the sea and Flodigarry Island. The island is known to have inhabited a soldier during the Second World War who stayed on the island solely, watching out for potential threats.

You have everything you can ask for in the pod, including a kitchen with all mod-cons, a comfortable bed, a decent-size shower room and a dining/living area.

Flodigarry is the area in which Flora MacDonald lived for a time. Flora went down in history for her involvement in helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape Scotland after his defeat of the Jacobite’s in the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This is a great base to get around the north part of the island and there are so many walks you can enjoy too.

There is so much to see and do, that you cannot possibly see everything in one week but some of my recommendations include:

Dunvegan Castle - Easily accessible from the town of Dunvegan, the castle has been occupied by the MacLeod family for over 800 years and is home to some of the original antiques and artifacts which are on display there. The grounds are beautiful with stunning waterfalls in the main garden.

The Fairy Pools - With the backdrop of the Black Cuillin mountain range in the background, this was a spectacular display. The pools were crystal-clear, in turquoise blue waters.

The Quiraing - A popular hiking trail, it’s part of the Trotternish ridge, formed by a massive landslip that has created high cliffs, hidden plateaus, and pinnacles of rock.

Portree - The village is the capital of the Isle of Skye. The cute, coloured buildings on the harbourfront make it a focal point, and this is where you can pick up a boat to go out and spot whales and seals and many other sea life along the way.

Lealt Falls - The falls are a hidden gem, you wouldn’t quite believe they are there from the roadside. The waterfalls fall 90 metres into the depth of a gorge which can be seen from the viewing deck. A short walk away you can see the ocean and cliff edge in front of you.

Mealt Falls (Kilt Rock Waterfall) - Just a short drive from Lealt Falls we came across Mealt Falls; an impressive cliff waterfall backed by kilt rock. The water plummets 60 metres to the bottom.

Staffin Beach - The beach is surrounded by rugged scenery with amazing sea views, it has become a historical point of interest since 2001 when the first dinosaur footprint was found, which is believed to have been covered in layers of mud which then preserved them as fossils. This is a fun day out for all the family.

If you are looking for a trip to the Isle of Skye then let me help you find the best places to stay!