Top 10 best adventures on the Isle of Skye

Since the road bridge to the Isle of Skye opened in the 1990s, the island has become an even more popular holiday destination and has seen an influx of tourists and campers; you’ll find many of them eating fish and chips beneath the rows of pastel-coloured houses that wrap around the bustling harbor, or sampling whisky in traditional local pubs. But there are still plenty of lesser-known and hidden wonders to explore across the island.

The irregular coastline is made up of a series of peninsulas radiating from a mountainous centre, crowned by the famous Cuillin mountains. Experienced hikers and climbers who make it to the summits are rewarded with otherworldly views of the surrounding land and seascapes.

At the foot of the jagged peaks of the towering Black Cuillin, sits the wild and majestic Loch Coruisk which is ripe for exploration by canoe or kayak. Further you can find the magical Fairy Pools in Glenbrittle - perfect for a spot of wild swimming. At the coast, climb up the natural flowstone staircase inside the otherworldly Spar Cave to bathe in its glittering Mermaid Pool, or spend the night camping out in a former coastguard lookout perched on a cliff edge at the very northern tip of the island.

Wild swimming - Talisker Bay, Carbost

Talisker Bay is a dramatic silver bay with plunging waterfall and huge purple rock pools. This is a perfect spot for wild swimming if you can brave the chilly water in the pools. During strong south-westerly winds the waterfall often blows back up on itself!

Parking: As you enter Carbost from the east on B8009, bear left uphill, signed Talisker, then take the first right, in the direction of IV47 8SF, and continue 3 miles to parking and track ‘to beach’. In Carbost, it’s also well worth squeezing in a visit to the bay’s namesake distillery, and why not stay at the Carbost Old Inn?

Coasteering - Leac Tressirnish, The Storr

Leac Tressirnish is a hook-shaped, natural harbour rock formation which is perfect for coasteering. The adventurous can try to reach the inlet 100m to the north, which leads to the foreshore rock plateau, from the end of which you can swim into and explore several sea caves.

Parking: Head almost 2 miles south from Inver Tote to find long layby parking/viewpoint signed Tobhta Uachdrach on the left (set back from road) opposite a gated track. Look down to see a flat grass plateau with the Leac rock formation. Go through the narrow gate and bushwhack 300m right steeply down the slope.

Hiking - The Quiraing

A massive landslip that is still moving created this fantastical landscape of spectacular plateaus enclosed by dark basalt cliffs and pinnacles. Some of the more distinctive features have their own names: The Needle is a jagged 37m high pinnacle, The Table is a flat expanse of short grass and The Prison is a pyramidal rocky peak that resembles a medieval keep from some angles. This spectacular landscape is a hiker's dream, and not something you'll want to miss. 

Parking: Parking can be found at the summit of the minor road between Uig and Staffin at 57.6281, -6.2909.

Boat tour - Loch Coruisk

This magnificent, desolate loch is often described as the wildest in Britain. Surrounded by the towering, dark, craggy mountain walls of the Cuillins, it is truly one of the most majestic places on the islands. The walk around the loch involves the famous Bad Step, a scramble over sloping rock slabs which is not for the inexperienced! However, if you’d like to take it a bit easier, there are half- and full day boat trips on offer. One-way trips are also available if you’d prefer to walk back. Boat 30 mins. Walk 3-4 hrs.

Getting there: From Elgol (IV49 9BJ) follow the coastal path for 5 miles north west or take a trip on the Bella Jane (0800 7313089) or Misty Isle (01471 866288). 

Wild swimming - The Fairy Pools, Glenbrittle

One of Scotland’s most enchanting wild swimming spots, the crystal clear Fairy Pools lie at the foot of the dramatic Black Cuillin mountain range. Follow the stream towards the mountain and explore the numerous magical turquoise pools, small waterfalls and even an underwater arch.

Parking: From the B8009 just south east of Carbost, take the turning signed Glenbrittle, 400m east of IV47 8ST. After 4 miles you’ll find the Fairy Pool car park on the left. 

Getting there: Cross the road and follow a clear path down and then up the valley, crossing the minor stream and then keeping the Allt Coir a’ Mhadaidh river on your right for ¾ of a mile, and several falls and pools will be revealed.

Hiking and climbing - The Storr & The Old Man of Storr

The spectacular Old Man of Storr is a 48m rock pillar, part of a dramatic ancient landslide feature beneath the iconic cliffs of The Storr. Explore the paths leading around the pinnacles or climb up to the craggy summit of The Storr to enjoy magnificent views of the island and beyond. From the flat-topped Macleod’s Tables in the west, sweeping south past the jagged Cuillin mountains to a wonderful array of peaks on the mainland, this wild landscape is a must-see. 

From the information board a good path heads uphill through a felled area, which soon turns into woodland. Turn right at both forks in the path ahead, passing a gate which leads to open moorland before the cliffs. From here either follow the path to the Old Man or if you’d like to get higher, follow a fainter path to the right of the pinnacle which continues to the summit.

Parking: Head north from Portree on the A855 for 6¼ miles to park in car park on the left side of the road about ¾ mile before IV51 9HX. 

Adventure - Spar Cave, Elgol

This is a remarkable cathedral-like sea cave, popular with Victorian explorers and ideal for a modern-day adventure. Enter by the marble-like flowstone staircase and explore giant columns formed from water dropping through the limestone for thousands of years, until you reach the real reward, the crystal clear Mermaid Pool. Bring torches and keep an eye on tide times!

Parking: As you drop down to Elgol on the B8083, turn left signed towards Glasnakille as the road bends right. You’ll reach a T junction after 1½ miles, park by the telephone box turning right in the direction of IV49 9BQ

Getting there: Enter a field downhill 100m on the left, by a ruined barn. Bear left down to an inlet and boulder hop left along LT foreshore rocks for 100m, passing another small inlet, then traverse around into Spar Cave canyon. Inside, the right-hand passage diminishes but left one bears right and rises in a flowstone staircase, descending to the deep Mermaid Pool.

Spectacular scenery - The Fairy Glen

This is a strange magical landscape, formed by an ancient landslip. It consists of many grassy cone-shaped hills, small lochans and natural rocky towers – the most prominent of which is known as Castle Ewen. Bring your camera for this one and soak up the enchanting atmosphere of the glen.

Getting there: Just south of Uig IV51 9YE, turn east off the A87 before a bus stop, and onto a minor road heading steeply uphill. Continue for 1 mile and park on the left after the road drops down and the grassy hills at the start of the glen come into view.

Hiking - Coire Lagan

A perfect introduction to the Cuillin range, this impressive and lofty ice-carved bowl contains a tiny turquoise lochan surrounded by spectacular jagged peaks. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a day of good weather, the natural amphitheatre is a great place to stop, eat and relax– if you’re in the mood for something a little more daring, take a plunge into the unforgivingly icy water.

Parking: At the Fairy Pools (see above)

Getting there: From the car park for the Fairy Pools follow the road south to park at end by Loch Brittle, after IV47 8TA. Take the path leading east uphill, ignoring the path heading south along the loch. When the path splits, take the left-hand fork and continue climbing. After passing the shore of Loch an Fhir-bhallaich, keep straight, ignoring the path veering off to the right, taking the steeper, rockier climb to the lip of the coire. Some mild scrambling will be required near top. Take the same route back.

Wildlife spotting - Neist Point

An amazing location for wildlife, the dramatic headland at the most westerly point of the island is regarded the best place on Skye to spot minke whales, basking sharks and dolphins, so bring your binoculars along! There is also spectacular and rugged coastal cliff scenery and a wonderful lighthouse at the end of the peninsula that is a must visit.

Parking: Turn south west off the B884 at Upper Milovaig (IV55 8WY) signed Waterstein/Neist Point. Drive to the end, to find the Neist Point car park. Follow a concrete path down to the lighthouse.

Wild Guide Scotland, published by Wild Things Publishing, is a celebration of the ‘hidden places, adventure and the good life’ to be found in Scotland. It was created by travel and lifestyle journalist and photographer, Kimberly Grant, photographer, writer and mountaineer, David Cooper, and travel and fashion photographer, Richard Gaston.

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