It looks like parking has a fee in Portree, Fairy Pools, Quiraing and the Old Man of Store, do these require cash, or can you tap and pay? Are there ATMs in Portree if we need cash? Trying to figure out how much cash, if any that we need.
Thanks for your help!
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1111 posts
When I last went to the Fairy Pools there was a car park attendant and it was cash only. The other places have machines and you can usually pay by inserting a credit card, but I am honestly not sure about tap and pay. It would be safer to have some one pound coins on you just in case. There are a couple of ATMs in Portree. I'd suggest saving any £1 coins you get on your travels and using them in car park machines.
Jacqui (Skyegirl)
Posted by
OP
45 posts
Thank you Jacqui, it sounds like tap and pay is pretty common, but there are still places that cash is required. We will pick some cash up for sure now.
Posted by
North Carolina
98 posts
There is a community parking lot a block or so over from Portree's main square. We visited in May and were surprised that we were able to snag a spot more than once. Finding the lot open, of course, can't be assured, but it worked well for us.
Posted by
TX, USA
4048 posts
And if you do need pay parking on the square in Portree, it is tap and pay. I didn’t use any of the other lots this week. And the Bank of Scotland atm is also right there in Portree - used it Sunday.
Posted by
OP
45 posts
Thank you for the additional information. We will be dining out a few times in Portree, so good to know!
Posted by
Delaware
1376 posts
According to our host in Breakish, there is also a parking charge at the Fairy Glen. The (formerly free) car park at the bottom of the hill in Portree has been expanded, and now charges to park.
If you are looking for a free place to park in Portree, the car park at the swimming pool/library/high school is free, and is only about a five minute walk to Somerled Square. If you're coming from Broadford, turn left on the Dunvegan Road, and left again at the first traffic light, which is about 200 yards from the turnoff. There are lots of parking spaces when school is not in session.
More money saving tips will be posted once we're back in the U.S. As we don't have access to our own internet devices, we're using the public library computers in Oban.
Best wishes to all for safe travels. It's a beautiful country!
Mike (Auchterless)
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1111 posts
Mike,
The car park in Portree at the Swimming pool and library is free, but really only for users of those facilities out of school time and for the school staff during school time. I know this because I teach piano at the school two days a week. There will be some pretty irate teachers if lots of tourists park there! And we can spot a rental car a mile off!!!! Seriously though, parking in the village centre is not that expensive £2 for 2 hours and you honestly don't need longer than that to see the sights. But if you work in Portree and had to pay to park all day during the working week it would soon add up.
Best wishes
Jacqui (Skyegirl)
Posted by
OP
45 posts
I appreciate all the information, I had not heard about the Fairy Glen parking not being free anymore. I don't mind paying for the parking, knew that would be the case, just wanted to know what the pay options were and if cash would be necessary.
Posted by
Delaware
1376 posts
Hi, Jacqui,
Point taken, but when you're on a tight budget, even two pounds makes a difference. That buys over half of a meal deal at the Co-op, or exactly half if you don't have a Co-op membership card. Yes, those rental cars are easy to spot, aren't they!
A' the best,
Mike (Auchterless)