Cidade Turismo
the United Kingdom

Before you go

Your trip to Portree.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Portree – Escócia Destination Highlands and the Ilha de Skye about 370 km from Edimburgo

How to get there

  • Inverness Airport (INV) Inverness · 195 km
  • Kyle of Lochalsh railway station Kyle of Lochalsh · 55 km
  • Portree Bus Station (Somerled Square) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Skye is linked to the mainland by the Kyle of Lochalsh bridge and by the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale. From Inverness, Portree is about 180 km by car; from Fort William, about 175 km. Buses run from Inverness, Fort William and Glasgow. Trains reach Kyle of Lochalsh and Mallaig, from where you continue by bus or ferry.

How many days

Two days: one for the circuit of the Trotternish peninsula, including the Storr and the Quiraing, and another for the Fairy Pools, Dunvegan and Neist Point. With three days you have leeway for rain and to visit the south of the island.

When to go

From May to September, with long days and attractions open; July and August are very busy and accommodation sells out. May and September are quieter. In winter the days are short and several attractions close.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Yes, in practice: the island buses are limited and don’t reach several spots such as the Fairy Pools and Neist Point. You drive on the left, and most roads are single-track with passing places. Without a car there are tours leaving from Portree.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Portree
  1. Morning
    Old Man of Storr

    Climb early to the Old Man of Storr, about a 15-minute drive north of Portree.

  2. Afternoon
    Trotternish

    Follow the A855 to the Kilt Rock viewpoint and the Mealt waterfall, and do the short Quiraing section.

  3. Late afternoon
    Uig and return

    Complete the circuit of the peninsula via Uig and return to Portree.

  4. Evening
    Portree Harbour

    Dine on fish and seafood near the colourful harbour.

2 days in Portree

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Storr

    Old Man of Storr at sunrise.

  2. Afternoon
    Quiraing

    Kilt Rock, the Mealt waterfall and the Quiraing circuit.

  3. Late afternoon
    Port

    Return to Portree via the west of the peninsula.

  4. Evening
    Portree

    Dinner in central Portree.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Fairy Pools

    Fairy Pools early in Glen Brittle, with a stop at the Talisker distillery in Carbost.

  2. Afternoon
    Dunvegan

    Dunvegan Castle, gardens and a boat trip to see seals.

  3. Late afternoon
    Neist Point

    Neist Point for sunset behind the lighthouse.

  4. Evening
    Return

    Return to Portree via single-track roads; take it slow.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Portree the best base on Skye?

It’s the village with the most hotels, restaurants and services, in the centre of the island, close to the Storr and the Quiraing.

How to get to the Isle of Skye?

By the Kyle of Lochalsh bridge, by car or bus, or by the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale.

Do you need to book accommodation on Skye?

Yes — well in advance in summer, because there are fewer rooms than demand.

Is it possible to explore Skye without a car?

Partly: with buses and tours from Portree. Places like the Fairy Pools and Neist Point are difficult to reach without a car.

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