Sight suggestions

As I live on Skye, I may be able to help with recommendations here, but it would be useful to know the approximate location of your accommodation before making dining recommendations as the island is much larger than most visitors expect and it takes an hour and a half to drive from north to south.

In terms of sights to see. Well the main 'honey pot' sights (Old Man of Storr, Neist Point, Quiraing, Kilt Rock, Fairy Pools, Coral Beach) are well documented in guide books (I'd recommend Lonely Planet), but you might also check out Walk Highlands if you are interested in finding some walks away from the crowds. Additional there's Dunvegan Castle (good gardens) and the Museum of Island Life, which is basically a reconstructed village of traditional 'black houses' with grass roofs.

We are staying in Portree - thanks for your sight suggestions!😊

Hi, greenearth65,

You may want to consider a trip to Loch Coruisk on the Bella Jane out of Elgol, and if you're feeling adventurous, a hike through the Cuillins to Sligachan. However, you'd need to take a taxi (or combination of bus and taxi) from Sligachan back to Elgol to pick up your car.

The folks who operate the Bella Jane also do several cruises under the AquaXplore banner, including a half day boat trip to Soay, Rum, and Canna. They say that you're guaranteed to see wildlife, although it may be nothing more than basking seals near the Coruisk jetty.

Slainte!

Mike (Auchterless)

Hello again greenearth65

Portree has quite a few places to eat but you will need to make reservations for pretty much everything except take away fish and chips. The following get good reviews: Scorreybreac; Dulse and Bose; Sea Breeze; No1 Bosville Terrace. The Antler Bar in the Portree Hotel is also fine. Personally I am unimpressed by the food or service at the Cullin Hills Hotel. Outside of Portree (if you are willing to drive 15 minutes) you could try the Skeabost Hotel.

Mike's (Auchterless) tip about Bella Jane Boat trips is a very good one. I have been on many of their trips and have always seen more than 'just' seals. In June if you take the 1/2 day trip out to Canna you will certainly see Puffins, there are thousands in the cliffs there, and I know they have seen dolphins pretty much every day for the last couple of weeks. There also seem to be quite a few whales around this year. I saw two orcas from my window yesterday!

From Portree you should also explore the Trotternish Peninsula and might enjoy the Island Life Museum which is on the northern tip of the island. On the way there you will pass (and should stop at) the excellent Single Track Cafe and Espresso bar. It is tiny but has great coffee, tea, soup and cakes and unparalleled views!

Have a great trip.

Jacqui (skyegirl)

Thanks so much for the suggestions! We are so anxious to visit - my husbands ancestors came from Scotland as did my paternal grandmother’s side so we are anxious to see where our roots began❤️

Here's another vote for Dunvegan Castle; it's really terrific if you want a true centuries-old castle with family heritage in evidence. I still get goosebumps thinking of the fairy flag. The day we were there it was raining too hard to explore the gardens much, but what we saw was lovely.