Timely question re Skyes roads and hikes

I live here so can advise.
Point of Sleat - fine. Only a short single track section, but a long walk once parked.
Rubha Hunish - should be fine. Follow the road to Staffin and then continue. It's single track but no steep drops.
Ullinish. Last section once you turn off the main road is single track but no steep drops. Park considerately at the end of the road as it's only a very small parking area and access to a working croft.
Elgol. Single track from Broadford. Can be extremely busy. Last bit is hilly, but I don't find it scary.
Coral beach. Single track from Dunvegan. No steep drops. Very limited parking.
Neist Point, almost 10 miles of single track from Dunvegan. I live off this road! Can be extremely busy. Steep drops after Glendale but there is a guard rail. Last section is similar to the road up to the Quiraing.

Basically once you leave the main roads (A87, the road to Armadale and the road to Dunvegan from Sligachan or Portree) you will be on single track roads.

For less busy hikes check out Walk Highlands. Basically you’ve chosen all the honey pot sites, so any other walks you choose from walk highlands are likely to be less busy.

Yes the roads are crowded, yes there are lots of potholes (road budget comes from local taxes and those in no way cover the amount of visitors we get and therefore the wear and tear on our roads).

Narrow roads are not an issue if everyone uses the passing places properly. No more than 2 vehicles per passing place. This means you should not allow the traffic to bunch up. Hold back so that you can always see the that the next passing place will be clear for you to use if necessary. Never, ever try to pass another vehicle except in a passing place. The edges are variously very boggy or very sharp and will rip your tyres. Reverse to the nearest passing place if necessary. Trucks and school buses manage these roads without incident. So it's not the width of the road that is the issue, rather the lack of awareness on the part of visitors of how to use single track roads.

Good Luck and stay safe!

Thank you very much for your message Skyegirl! I really appreciate it.
Indeed I’ve checked the walkhighlands website and was hoping the Point of Sleat and Isle Oronsay from Ullinish were not honey pot sites.
Maybe we check out the Braes and/or Waternish Point? No steep drops there? I thought going to the more remote locations might mean more difficult roads?
Yes, we had knowledge of negotiating the single track roads (thanks to reading your and others previous posts before we arrived - thank you!) but sincerely believe for us it’s not a matter of awareness but experience, which we are now getting! My husband likes it to someone who is not used to driving in snow in Canada. Thanks again!

One thing I'd add for single track roads, and other places, is the driving instructor's advice.

If in doubt, give way. Even if you have the priority, if in doubt, give way.

Tinka, on my first trip to Scotland, I rented a car for several weeks and drove it through the Highlands and the isles, including Skye. Yes, you do have to pay attention, and definitely use correct etiquette when passing, as Skyegirl mentioned above. But it's not that difficult, and after a few days, you should get the hang of it.

Sometimes there will be places where you and another car are equidistant from the passing place, and you're not sure whether you should go or wait for the other car. If the other car flashes its lights, they're telling you to go ahead. You'll get that a lot. Or if you are not sure, feel free to flash your own lights and let the other car go.

Here's one video that is helpful: Driving on Single Track Roads

Trucks and school buses manage these roads without incident. So it's not the width of the road that is the issue, rather the lack of awareness on the part of visitors of how to use single track roads.

That is definitely true. Here in the States, we're so used to road shoulders that we don't worry about veering off a little bit, because we know there's going to be something there to keep us from going into a ditch. You don't find that on a lot of roads in Scotland, and so it is important to pay attention when you're driving. In my weeks of driving over there (I've also driven in England for long periods), I never went off into a ditch because I paid attention and tried not to get distracted.

Tinka
Hopefully you’ve had a good day out and about. Yes the two you mention are less busy but becoming known. Especially Rubha Hunish as it’s on the Trotternish loop.
Jacqui

Rubha Hunish is my favourite spot on the planet.
On a busy day you might see 20 people which after the crowds down at the Storr is wonderful.
You could make a circular by walking the coast lath down to the old church ruins.
There's often hikers just starting or ending their Skye trail and storys get shared at the bothy snd there's a guest book there..
There's a slight scramble to get down to the lower headland but I have seen Alan the crofter who's got a few years on me go down to gather rouge sheep at shearing time.On good days the sunsets are phenominal.
I have had a couple of birthdays up.Love the place

You all are so helpful! Appreciate your thoughts MC Glasgow. Yes, we are happy to give way, I’m in no rush! :)
And thank you Mardee. It’s true I miss having a shoulder and not keen when a big van is coming at you. But we are getting used to the driving. I appreciate your encouragement. :)
And thank you Skyegirl. We indeed chose a hike today that was stunning and after 5 hours there, we only saw only one other person. Plus we saw some otters and seals! What a remarkable land! The colors and changing light are just breathtaking.
And Richard, thank you for sharing those special thoughts on Rubha Hunish. We picked up our son who hiked the West Highland Way on our way to Skye so he might especially like that. Cheers to all.

Tinka, I'm so glad your trip is going well! I love Scotland so much! I'm hoping to get back there next year, if possible.

There's more or less two resident seals off the lower headland , Richie and Kinga they got named.
Tell your lad my friends were at Rowchoish just the other day.
7 folks walking the way and my friends carted in a load of firewood and goodies to share
Oh and I will plug the Ferry Inn up at Uig, Gordon the owner/ landlord is a very entertaing fella

The Ferry Inn at Uig is fabulous, but it has become more and more difficult to secure a table there. Understandably they prioritise guests staying there and other tables are released at short notice and usually snapped up within a couple of hours. Well worth it if you can get a spot.

The other thing about the single track roads and giving way, this also applies to people behind you. Pull over and let them pass even if they are being idiots.

The speed limit is 60 mph/(100 km/h), and yes, people do drive on those roads at that speed. I did when I was young and immortal, once getting a small Renault hatchback airborne for a few metres. I was said idiot. Let the idiot be in front where you can see them!

Thanks very much Mardee. Can see why you’d want to come back! We went to Edinburgh last year and fell in love with the place, so much so we have been exploring moving there.
Love hearing about the seals Richard. And my son will appreciate hearing about fellow hikers. We have met some lovely folks here.
I was intrigued by the Ferry Inn, but we are mostly cooking in, but had some good pizza at Caberfeidh. And love the Bakewell tarts and bread at Mackenzie's bakery.
Haha MC Glasgow!

Tinka
Try Gasta at the Skye Candle Visitor Centre for pizza too. I like it better than Caberfeidh....

Jacqui

Thank you Jacqui. I hope to try it! Well we wound up going to Cuchullin restaurant for dinner and it was delicious, esp the sticky toffee pudding!

You'll find it very busy in Portree this weekend with the Skye Live festival going on. I was in Portree earlier this afternoon teaching a piano pupil and we were distracted by the sound checks going on up on the 'Lump' where the festival is held.

Hi yes I wondered if we would have some difficulty parking too but okay so far and tomorrow we are off to Harris! Thanks again for your thoughts!

Enjoy Harris - it is absolutely stunning and so different to Skye too.If you want any ideas on hikes (though sounds as if you are well prepared for what hikes you want to do) then ask away. Apart from just walking on many of the incredible beaches,I’m a big fan of the gorgeous walk out from Northton, following the coastal path at the end of the road (go through the gate and turn left beside a large beach house) to explore the 3 or 4 small, gorgeous white sand beaches which line the coast and lead to the atmospheric ruin of an ancient chapel.The walk is below Ceapabhal, the small , conical hill at Northton.
Croft 36 is always worth a look re what is being sold - we’ve picked up lovely fresh langoustines sandwiches there and there are often freshly baked pastries.It’s an honesty box.

Thank you ScotlandMac! Looking forward very much to seeing the beaches. Wow re the langoustine sandwiches at an honesty box! Yes please to any hiking recommendations! Thank you!

Thanks again for the recommendation on Northton and Croft 36. They were both on my list but not sure we’d have made it there without your recommendation. The walk to the chapel was lovely, lots of wildflowers and lambs. The beaches beautiful. No one else was there. Ran into a couple leaving who'd seen porpoises and an eagle.
And the Croft 36 seems to have blossomed into a shed. Had some yummy sandwiches and got some pastries. The fellow and his mom running the place were funny and delightful.

Apologies for not coming back on the hikes!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the Northton walk, I think it’s a beauty. Good you managed a visit to Croft 36 too.
We are back on Harris in July for a family holiday - that walk is right on our doorstep and one we always do at least once.

No problem ScotlandMac! Can see why you’d like to go back there every year. Have a great time this summer!