Overnight Between Uig and Inverness

I would likely stop over in Inverness and see a band
The Black Isle Hostel has very nice private rooms and is right in town .
The Highlander and Hootenanny bars a couple of mins walk away.

Thanks Richard,

I don’t want to lose a day on Skye though. I’m thinking the drive might be too far in one go in the evening or trying to get to the airport leaving in the middle of the night. This is why I was thinking of somewhere in between.

Does lodging with restaurants make sure their guests can get in?

Not that I am aware of. Most restaurants rely on bookings and I doubt that they would hold a table for anyone without a reservation, even someone who is staying there. The only exception would be if you are paying for half board, and even then there are probably some restrictions.

With regards to a halfway spot, have you considered Strathpeffer? It's a bit more than halfway, but wasleys, who posts here a lot and lives in England, traveled there recently and it looks very charming. She might pop in to give her opinion, too.

ETA: In looking at it on Google maps, it's perhaps much more than halfway. Another option might be staying in Kyle of Lochalsh. That's less than halfway, but there is a decent amount of lodging there and it gets you to the mainlaind. From there it's probably a 2 1/2 hour drive to Inverness, depending on traffic. And that would give you more time on Skye.

I'd take Fort Augustus over Kyle maybe shortens the run to Inverness .
Kyle doesnt do much to detain folks unless its the excellent hardware shop or the Co-Op are in your sights.
As its light so long if you did decide to head to Inverness in one go the roads would be quiet early evening.
If you are doing at dusk time be very cautious for deer in the 3 or so miles approach up to Clunnie Inn ,I know two people had cars written off

Much as I love Strathpeffer, you are only 30 minutes out of Inverness there. I'd stay in Strathpeffer over Inverness, all other things being equal.

The Strathcarron Hotel is one possibility, but, if I was you, I would feel safer staying on the Inverness side of the only remaining single track section of the northern road. Maybe the Ledgowan Hotel on the old loop of road at Achnasheen. or even in Garve (20 minutes or so before Strathpeffer).

Strathpeffer should be under the hour to the Airport, and Garve about the same because from Garve you are straight down to Tore junction then the Kessock Bridge, not going through Dingwall as you do from Strathpeffer.

You definitely need to be near to Inverness for a 1030am flight. My personal choice would be the Marriott at the airport, or the Holiday Inn Express just 10 minutes away and near to Inverness. Alternatively if you want somewhere a bit more scenic then Fort Augustus would be a sound bet. You need to be at the airport by around 0900am and traffic getting across Inverness in the rush hour can be slow.

As for hating reservations, well sadly that's just the way of things on Skye where demand outstrips supply and everywhere is short staffed. A good bet without reservations is Gasta (pizzas) at the Skye Candle visitor centre in Portree. There's the Galley Seafood Cafe at Earlish, where you can get a take away if they have no tables. Uig has the excellent Ferry Inn - where you definitely need reservations, a rather basic pub by the ferry terminal and the Uig Hotel. Not sure if the pub does walk ins, but the Uig Hotel would probably require reservations. Ask your accommodation for sure, but they would probably still want you to book a table otherwise they are denying themselves the certainly of filling a table on the off chance you might decide to eat with them.

Thank you everyone.

I was looking at Strathcarron, but Fort Augustus looks interesting.

@Skyegirl, we have had the same issue in Nova Scotia in Cape Breton, with a limited number of dining options on the Cabot Trail and a destination meant for road tripping. My comment was certainly not a criticism of Skye.

The staff at the Uig Hotel have been most helpful

Hi KB.

You should be fine at the Uig Hotel but do check out the Ferry Inn for dinner too if you can get a table. It's really excellent and just a short walk from your hotel. Also the Galley Seafood Cafe at Earlish is worth a look - excellent local seafood.

As you know Cape Breton you might be interested in a small book shop at Skeabost - near the Skaebost hotel. They don't have a web site but do have a facebook page. The owner and his wife are first language Gaelic speakers and she is from Cape Breton.

Have a wonderful visit to Skye.
Jacqui (Skyegirl)

Thank you @skyegirl. I love books. Will look at going.

Also, that you for the Fort Augustus recommendation. I've booked a nice looking place there the night before my flight.

That's great! I passed the bookshop today on my way to Portree. They have a red sign out on the main road (Bookshop and Gallery) and you turn off the main road and their house is just along on the left.