The largest of the Hebrides, the Isle of Skye is a dramatic and remote place. Mist shrouded hills even out into heather clad moors, then rise up again into the jagged Cuillin Mountains before tumbling steeply into the sea. The best places to stay in Skye reflect this variety with its excellent range of cosy B&Bs, restaurants with rooms and smart country house hotels. Indeed the accommodation options have grown over the years as the number of visitors have soared.

Portree, the island's capital (and a great base for exploring the rest of Skye), is actually Scotland’s third most popular destination. It's close to the island’s museums, castles and ruins, and several of its distilleries.

But many come here for its epic scenery and fabulous opportunity for outdoors activities: hiking, cycling and climbing are high up many agendas. There are some pretty photogenic landmarks. For example the Old Man of Storr, a 50 metre high pinnacle of rock six miles to the north of Portree and just to the north of The Old Man of Storr is Kilt Rock, a basalt cliff, which has pillars which make it look like the folds of a kilt. The Quiraing, a basalt escarpment of pinnacles around Staffin Bay, is another of Skye's natural highlights. So is the Fairy Glen, which features small, conical hills around ruined cottages — a curious and atmospheric spot. Skye's flora and fauna are equally impressive and many come to see its Golden Eagles, Red Deer and Salmon.

The popularity of this island has sky-rocketed over the last decade or so and a word of caution — the roads can be very tiresome to navigate. It's pretty much single track the whole way round! This popularity also means that in the peak summer months it's very hard to find accommodation. If you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Skye from June to September you'll need to get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to stay on Skye

For a Special Occasion

• Just a short drive from Skye Bridge, Kinloch Lodge is a converted 17th century hunting lodge, owned by food writer Clare MacDonald, and her husband Godfrey, who’s Clan Chief. So it’s got foodie, and historic credentials, and the result is a spectacularly beautiful, gourmet restaurant, with 15 elegant, traditional rooms filled with natural light and beautiful antiques. The cosy sitting room has an open fire and an enviable collection of whisky, and the views are incredible.
• The House Over By are the rooms that are attached to the famous Three Chimneys Restaurant. Situated in an incredible spot, overlooking the sea off Dunvegan, the six guest rooms have wonderful views, and have been decorated simply and tastefully. The restaurant will be well known to food lovers, and won’t disappoint, and the whole experience is made more relaxing and memorable if you stay over. Very romantic.

For the Views

• Positioned on a particularly dramatic peninsula, the Flodigarry hotel and restaurant is a view-full option — on a clear day you can see all the way across the water to the Wester Ross Mountains. The interiors are designed to complement the wild landscape, so you can expect lots of natural materials, think slate and stone, and plenty of wood. There are eleven rooms and suites, some romantically turned out, with antiques, four-poster beds and private balconies, and some more suited for families.
• Greshornish House is luxurious, eight bedroom B&B, in a spectacular spot on its own peninsula, surrounded by ten acres of lush land. Inside are cosy log fires, welcoming sofas, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere, The rooms are spacious, and the food is excellent too. Definitely a treat to come back to.
• The Hotel Eileen Larmain is a 16-room hotel on a small harbour overlooking the Sound of Sleat. Each of the rooms has been individually designed and decorated with a collection of antiques and vintage pieces, and the effect is cosy and charming — perfect if you enjoy a home-from-home atmosphere. A much-heralded seafood restaurant and ocean views complete the picture.

For an Outdoorsy Stay

• Toravaig House is a peaceful, contemporary hotel, with incredible Atlantic views but surrounded by landscape ripe for adventures. There are just nine rooms, plus an excellent seafood restaurant, and a cosy bar with a log fire and a superb selection of whiskies. This is an ideal hotel for trout or salmon fisher-folk too.
• Coruisk House is a restaurant with rooms in a spectacular spot overlooking the Elgol peninsula, just behind the Cuillin Mountains. There are four rooms — two doubles and two suites — plus a charming little self catering cottage for three. The decor is classic but with plenty of luxe touches including antique furnishings, fine linens and freestanding bath tubs in the suites. The restaurant is Michelin recommended and serves the very best local meat and seafood.

In Portree

• The Bosville Hotel is a chic offering on Portree’s harbour. Transformed from an inn into something more Scandinavian looking, with a restaurant that locals love as much as the visitors, this is a smart option. There are just 20 rooms and suites, decorated with plenty of white, pale woods, stylish black and white photos of the island, and orange throws. Family friendly, and all about local produce.
• The Marmalade Hotel is a Georgian-built manor house (plus sleek modern extension) just outside Portree, overlooking the harbour. The interiors have been renovated with contemporary style, and decorated in a muted greys, whites, sea blues, and gorse yellows. It also boasts lovely gardens, a great view and Chargrill Restaurant specialising in steak and seafood.

For Romantics

• Duisdale House is an 18 room hotel, converted from a 19th-century hunting lodge on Skye’s stunning southeast coast. The decor is rather grand, with the option of four-poster beds and open fireplaces, if you’re looking for a romantic recommendation. There’s also a hot tub on the terrace, and the restaurant has 2 AA Rosettes, with a menu that makes the most of Skye’s seafood. The garden is beautiful, and they have a wedding license.

For an Island Escape

• Glenview is another charming, and great value, B&B, located 15 miles north of Portree. There are just three guest rooms, the best with incredible views over the Trotternish peninsula. Perfect for walkers, explorers, surfers and for anyone seeking out a peaceful escape.
• Canowindra B&B is a four-room B&B just a couple of miles to the south of Portree, in a peaceful spot. This is a great choice for anyone looking for a proper escape, complete with simple decor in pale colours, cosy communal areas, and a no-children policy.

For Great Value

• Woodbine House is a five bedroom B&B in Skye's northern village of Uig. The decor is simple and cosy, and the owners are very friendly. One of the suites would be perfect for families, and there are self catering facilities. Great value, and ideally located for exploring the whole isle or island hopping via the Uig Ferry.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com,

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Skye?

• There’s an airport in the Hebrides, Stornoway Airport, but it may be more convenient to fly in to Inverness, from where it’s just over two hours by car to Skye, or a two and half hour train journey to Kyle of Lochalsh station, and then a bus or taxi ride across to Skye from there. It’s possible to catch a bus from Inverness as well, but you’re looking at several buses and a journey time of around five hours. Glasgow Airport is the closest international airport, but it’s about four hours away by car, or ten hours by rail, which is about the same as London's airports. If you're coming from the mainland you can take a ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, run by the Calmac company, or you can drive over the Skye Bridge. City Link also offers coaches from Glasgow and Inverness to Skye.
• The easiest way to get around Skye is by car, and if you want to hire one we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Scotland’s unpredictable weather is well known, and Skye is subject to all the usual recommendations about packing wet weather gear whatever the season. The mildest months are April through October, and this is definitely the time to travel if you want to book boat cruises or tours, as most trips will operate fairly reliably. If you’d like to see the amazing marine animals of the region, September is the best time to travel. Visit during the winter months and you’ve a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Seals visit the Hebrides in the summer months, but this is also the worst period for midges. Some tourist businesses close between November and March, so do you research extra carefully if you want to travel during this window.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include our Gurus’ recommendations for the best places to stay in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, the best places to stay in the Inner Hebrides or the best hotels on the Outer Hebrides
• Consider the best places to stay on Harris or North Uist
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Skye