A Guide to The Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands may have a vast wealth of majestic landscapes, but not many are as dramatic and impressive as Glencoe.
Home to one of the most scenic drives in the UK, Glencoe is famous for its dramatic, rugged landscapes shaped by ancient volcanic activity and glacial erosion. Towering peaks like Buachaille Etive Mòr and the Three Sisters dominate the scenery, with this mountainous glen offering up a paradise for hillwalkers and photographers alike.
Most people will make the iconic drive through Glencoe along the A82, but few will take the time to venture far from their cars to explore the wonderfully dramatic landscape and the plethora of adventures that Glencoe can provide.
In this blog I list the 10 memorable things to do in Glenoce, alongside 11 of the best hikes. I also provide some key information on the area including the best time to visit to visit, the best way to travel around Glencoe, alongside some recommendations to eat, drink, and sleep.
Where Are the Scottish Highlands?
The Scottish Highlands cover the northern third of Scotland, stretching from Loch Lomond in the south to the farthest tip of the mainland. This vast region includes towering mountains, dramatic coastlines, and remote islands. The west coast, in particular, is home to some of the most dramatic scenery, with fjord-like sea lochs, craggy peaks, and islands rich in history and wildlife.
How to Get to the Isle of Skye
The island is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge, which links the village of Kyleakin to Kyle of Lochalsh. You can also reach Skye via ferry from Mallaig to Armadale.
🚗 By Car
From Glasgow: 5.5 hours (via the A82 and A87)
From Edinburgh: 5.5-6 hours (via the A9, A82, and A87)
From Inverness: 2.5-3 hours (via the A82 and A87)
🚆 By Train (Part-way)
You can take a train from Glasgow to Mallaig and then a ferry to Skye.
Alternatively, take a train from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Inverness, then a bus or rental car to Skye.
⛴️ By Ferry
Mallaig to Armadale (CalMac Ferry, 30-minute crossing) – A scenic way to arrive on Skye.
Glenelg to Kylerhea (Seasonal ferry) – A smaller, more remote crossing with great wildlife spotting opportunities.
🚍 By Bus
Buses run from Inverness to Portree (Skye’s main town), but public transport is limited, making a car the best way to explore.
When is the Best Time to Visit Skye?
There is no ‘best time to visit, as you experience will largely be determined by the weather and if you visit between May and October, the midges.
Having visited the Isle of Skye during all four seasons, my favourite time to visit is in Spring (April and May). This is due to a number of things
Mild weather – Average Temperatures range from 5-15°C,
Longer days - Between 14-16 hours of Daylight
Fewer crowds – Enjoy popular spots without the craziness of summer
No midges – These biting insects arrive in mid to late May
Blossoming landscapes – Wildflowers, fresh greenery, and snow-capped peaks create stunning scenery.
Better wildlife spotting – Spring is ideal for seeing red deer, golden eagles, and puffins.
Spring Weather on Skye:
March: 3-10°C (chilly, but beautiful with occasional snow on the Cuillins).
April: 5-12°C (more sunshine, but still unpredictable).
May: 8-15°C (often the driest month, with long daylight hours).
Due to its location, Skye’s weather changes rapidly. You can experience sunshine, rain, and strong winds all in the same hour. so come prepared and always bring waterproof gear and layers!
Tips for Visiting Skye
Book early – Accommodation fills up fast, especially in spring.
Drive slowly
Fill up on fuel – Petrol stations are limited.
Respect nature – Stay on trails and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Prepare for all weather – It can change quickly!
Skye is an unforgettable destination full of history, adventure, and natural beauty. Whether you're hiking the Quiraing, sipping whisky at Talisker, or watching the sunset at Neist Point, you'll fall in love with this magical island.
Would you like a personalized itinerary? 😊
Where to stay on the Isle of skye
The isle of Skye offers a range of accommodation options suitable for various preferences and budgets. When i have visited i have tended to either stay in a Campsite or have wildcamped.
Campsites
Portree Campsite: Situated 1 mile north of Portree town center, this campsite offers 40 hard-standing pitches with electric hook-ups for motorhomes or caravans and 50 tent pitches. Amenities include showers, toilets, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi.
Skye Camping & Caravanning Club Site: Set on the shores of Loch Greshornish, this site provides 105 pitches, including hard standings for caravans and motorhomes, many with beautiful loch views.
Camping Skye Opened in June 2018, this campsite is nestled in a peaceful woodland setting near Broadford village. It offers 26 hard-standing motorhome/caravan pitches with electric hook-ups and individual awning/picnic areas. Heated washrooms and a small laundry/drying room are available.
Glenbrittle Campsite: Located on the shores of Loch Brittle at the foot of the Cuillin mountains, this campsite boasts over 35 electric hook-ups and approximately 120 tent pitches. Amenities include a café/shop serving drinks and treats, as well as essentials like fresh bread, groceries, and camping supplies.
Kinloch Campsite: A small, family-run site on the shores of Loch Dunvegan, offering grass and hard-standing pitches. The village of Dunvegan is a short walk away, providing access to pubs, shops, and cafes.
Hostels
Skye Basecamp: A climbers' inspired hostel overlooking Broadford Bay, offering nine guest rooms split between dorms and private en-suite rooms. Facilities include a self-catering kitchen, dining room, lounge areas, garden with BBQ area, laundry facilities, and a drying room.
The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse: A luxurious yet affordable retreat with stunning views over Uig Bay. Offers custom-built bunks with privacy curtains, sockets, and reading lights. Also provides en-suite pods with wet rooms, small kitchenettes, and underfloor heating.
Skyewalker Hostel: A family-run hostel conveniently situated close to the Cuillin mountains, Fairy Pools, and Talisker Distillery. Known for its cleanliness and cozy atmosphere, it offers great kitchen facilities, a comfortable lounge with guitars, and an amazing glass solardome in the garden.
Glenbrittle Youth Hostel: Set in rugged scenery at the foot of the Cuillin Ridge, this homely hostel has a long tradition as a base for walkers and climbers, offering a mix of accommodation from private rooms to unisex/mixed dorms, all with USB charging points and individual bed lights.
Isle of Skye Bothys
A bothy is a small, basic shelter or hut, traditionally used by hikers, mountaineers, and travelers. They are often found in remote areas and are free to use, providing a place for people to rest or stay overnight, especially when out on long walks or hikes in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Bothies typically have minimal amenities—sometimes just a roof and a place to sleep—and are self-catering, meaning you have to bring your own food and supplies. The idea is to have a safe place to shelter from bad weather without the need for a reservation or a fee. Many are maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association, which ensures they are safe and well-maintained. If staying in one of these, please respect them sand leave them in a better state that you found it.
Camasunary Bothy - This Bothy is is located in Camasunary Bay at the end of Glen Sligachan, on the west coast of the Isle of Skye. The Bothy sits under the awesome Black Cuillin and provides a great base for exploring the Sgurr na Stri, Loch Corusick, and Bla bheinn. It has two rooms and sleeps 16 on wooden bunkbeds
The Lookout Bothy - a stunning small building located on the tip of the isel of SKye. The Lookout is a former coastguard watch station which is equipped with a large bay window enjoying commanding views out over the Minch. Its very small and only sleeps three people, so take a tent as its most likely going to be full.
Where to eat and drink on the Isle of Skye
Whether you're looking for a fine dining experience, a cozy café, or fresh seafood by the water, Skye has a fantastic selection of restaurants, cafés, and bistros. Here are some of my suggestions of cheap eats and cafes to eat on the Isle of Skye
Cafés
Café Cùil: Located on the way to Glenbrittle, this cosy cafe offers a unique take on a Scottish brunch menu in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Coffee Bothy: Located in Broadford this well price, Cozy café serves heart breakfasts mega sandwhiches alongside homemade cakes, and soups
Birch Cafe: A modern cafe situated in Portree which serves speciality coffee artisanal brews, plus sandwiches & muffins
Community Cafe: A not for profit Cafe located in Dunvegan which offers stunning views, a comfortable environment, and good quality food and drink.
Caora Dhubh Coffee Company: Located in Carbost, this coffe shop and roaster focuses offers speciallity coffee which focuses on ethical trading, sustainability. and involvement with the local community.
Pubs and Restaurants
Pizza In the Skye: Offbeat institution dispensing wood-fired pizza from a simple roadside food truck.
Gasta Porth Righ: A well priced pizzeria situated just outside Portree
The Oyster Shed: A seafood kitchen and farm shop which s offering fantastic and well priced local seafood in a rustic setting.
The Old School Restaurant: This is a former schoolhouse turned family-run traditional Scottish restaurant, which Specialises in locally sourced meat, seafood, and desserts.
Columba 1400: Located in Staffin, this social enterprise cafe offers home-made soup, toasties, home baking, fragrant coffee and a choice of substantial lunches. Every single penny spent here is invested back into Columba 1400 to help young people in the community
the best way to travel around The Isle of SKye
Due to the vastness and expansive road network of both the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands, having a vehicle is essential.
Although Scotland has a reliable public transport system that connects major towns and attractions, they aren’t the most frequent, take a lot longer than driving, and do not reach the remote locations.
By having a vehicle it allows you freedom to visit the locations you want, whenever you want, in the shortest time possible. Meaning you can take advantage of the many incredible locations located around the Scottish Highlands, alongside being able to visit around sunrise and sunset.
Travelling the Scottish Highlands by car
If you are visiting the highlands for longer than 3 days i would recommend getting a campervan (outlined below). However it maybe easier to rent a car.
I would recommend booking your car rental through discovercars.com, I have used them all over Europe and they search both international and local operators for the best deal.
Scotland’s freedom to roam rules are some of the most progressive in the world, thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which gives the public extensive rights to access most land and inland water for recreational purposes.
This includes wild camping, is legal on most unenclosed land, provided it’s done responsibly. This differs from much of the rest of the UK, where wild camping is often restricted without landowner permission. In Scotland, you can pitch your tent in remote areas like moorlands, forests, hillsides, and coastal regions.
If you do choose to do this follow be respectful and leave no trace.
Scotland’s wild camping freedom is a privilege, and maintaining it depends on everyone playing their part. It’s one of the things that makes exploring the Highlands, islands, and remote glens so magical.
Steall Falls in Glen Nevis
Travelling by campervan
In my opinion the best way to travel around Scotland and the Isle of Skye would be in a motorhome or campervan.
Scotland is incredibly van friendly and it will allow for the greatest flexibility alongside being cheaper and easier than booking accommodation. Every time I have been Scotland I have travelled in a campervan.
Alongside using my own VW T6 I have also used Roadsurfer who are absolutely faultless.
They have a large deport located in Edinburgh (Alongside London, Bristol and Manchester), offer unlimited mileage, and have a fleet of different vehicles to choose from.
When renting a campervan or motorhome, I would look to get one which is relatively compact. Scotland has some narrow single track roads, so the smaller the vehicle the easier and more comfortable it will be to drive.
On the two occasions I have travelled Scotland in a Roadsurfer vehicle, I have rented a Couple Cottage.
It was incredibly spacious and it was the perfect companion on my road trip Not only did it have everything I needed but it was a reasonable size, meaning it wasn’t a hassle to drive and I could actually park it in normal sized space.
The manual or automatic van can sleep two people and had everything I needed for the road trip;
Cruise control, Reversing Camera, Bluetooth, and Apple and Android CarPlay
Kitchen area with a sink, two stove gas hobs, fridge, oven, and lots of storage
Wet room with hot water shower, sink and toilet
Air conditioning & off grid stationary heating (powered gas or electricity)
Two up front swivel seats
Spacious living/dining room area with two fixed seats and big table
Large fixed double bed (L 1,92 m x W 1,42 m)
Midge nets and black out blinds for all windows
Awning, camping chairs, table, and kitchen utility box.
230 v Power connection and supply-battery
Pick up in Edinburgh was incredibly easy, the depot is located close to the airport and is short bus ride from the city centre. They even have a help yourself selection of items (including food and kitchen equipment) which other users have left and you can take with you.
You can get a 10 % discount off your Roadsurfer booking (5 night minimum) if you use the code: KNIGHT12 (Valid until 31/1/25)
So there we have it, my guide to the Isle of Skye in the Scottish highlands. Did you find the blog useful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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For more Scottish hiking inspiration check out my other guides below;
Individual hike guides
Area Guides
Hiking related guides;