Isle of Skye: A week in a motorhome…
If you're interested in visiting Skye and would like some practical advice and tips, then read on... Here is our travelogue from a one-week stay in August 2025.
Accommodation
When we started looking for accommodations—hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnb listings—on March 25, we quickly realized that it’s a bit pricey. So if you’re planning a visit, you should book your trip in advance to get the best price. Since there are so many beautiful places to visit all over the island, we recommend planning each day to make the most of your time on Skye. It might also be worth staying in different places. We wanted to see as much of Skye as possible and stay in different spots around the island, so we decided to rent a campervan.
Please note that the roads on Skye are narrow and sometimes extremely narrow, with long single-lane stretches and passing places! In short, we would only recommend motorhomes for those who are confident drivers, and even then, we advise driving and parking with caution—and, of course, only staying overnight with permission!
We did a lot of research before choosing a motorhome and decided on Freedom Motorhomes (https://freedommotorhomes.scot), which offers luxurious motorhomes in a convenient location near Glasgow Airport at competitive prices and provides excellent customer service. We spoke with them before booking to make sure we got the best-suited motorhome, booked online, and the pickup and drop-off went completely smoothly! Plus, the staff are very knowledgeable about what to do and see in Scotland!
Before you get two Skyes from Glasgow, there are a number of places we stopped along the way, so we've listed them here.
Eilean Donan Castle
The castle was first inhabited around the 6th century and built around the 13th century. Since then, there have been four different versions of the castle, as it was repeatedly rebuilt due to its feudal history. Today, it is one of Scotland’s most popular attractions and definitely one of the country’s most famous landmarks.
Bottom line: Definitely worth a visit!
Glencoe:
In the heart of the Highlands, dramatic mountains and rare beauty abound, paired with a rich history. For those who love to be on the move and want to explore the area, there are eight Munros to choose from. Even if time is limited, the drive through the region is breathtaking and highly recommended.
Conclusion: Highly recommended!
Oban:
A pretty little harbor about an hour and a half from Glasgow.
Verdict: Nice little one!
On Skye
Portree
The capital of Skye, located on the east side of the island, translates to “harbor on the hillside.” Portree is about 200 years old and is a charming fishing port with plenty of shopping options.
Bottom line: It’s worth taking a stroll through the streets—there’s a nice outdoor store, a bookstore, and a few other shops—but expect tourist prices and food of corresponding quality!
Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are located on the northern slopes of the beautiful Black Cuillin mountain range. Crystal-clear blue pools await those who hike up the Allt Coire a’ Mhadaidh (Burn of the Dog), as the water winds its way through Glen Brittle into the River Brittle.
Did you know: In 1601, one of the last clan battles took place here, marking the end of the long and brutal conflicts between the MacDonalds of Sleat and the MacLeods of Dunvegan—battles that rank among the bloodiest ever recorded.
Conclusion: It’s a lovely walk along the shore, though it can get a bit crowded. We recommend turning left once you reach the top and taking a loop, as it’s much quieter there and you can enjoy a pleasant stroll in the Scottish air!
Neist Point
Neist Point is located at the westernmost tip of Skye. From here, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the steep, dramatic cliffs and one of Skye’s most famous landmarks: the lighthouse.
Bottom line: It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s well worth it!
Fairy Glen
Fairy Glen was formed over 100,000 years ago by landslides following the Ice Age and is a small, magical spot with beautiful, gnarled rowan trees, considered a place of myths and wonders. A great place where random boulders and sheep are scattered along the quiet paths. It’s a lovely spot to visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon.
Conclusion: The drive here is a bit long, but it’s a beautiful place. It’s definitely worth coming early or late.
Duntulm Castle
Originally, in the 17th century, it was the seat of the chieftains of the MacDonald of Sleat clan; today, it is a small castle ruin. It was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, during a time of feuding between the rival MacDonald and MacLeod clans. While the castle’s importance grew in the 16th century thanks to improvements, it was eventually abandoned by Sir Alexander MacDonald in 1732, and its stones were stolen to build Monkstadt House.
Bottom line: As a castle enthusiast, it’s a picturesque ruin that was a perfect stop on our trip to Quiraing. It’s definitely worth stopping here if you’re on your way.
Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is probably the most famous spot on Skye and definitely the most visited. The 55-meter-high peak is all that remains of a 2,800-million-year-old volcanic cone. The hike to the summit is a beautiful, atmospheric walk (it was raining and foggy), and it’s well worth the effort.
Bottom line: In our opinion, a must-see when you’re on Skye!
Quiraing
The Quiraing offers some of the most spectacular scenery on Skye. It was formed by a massive landslide that created the steep cliffs and hidden plateaus. The landslide is actually still moving, which means the roads have to be repaired every year!
Conclusion: A nice drive is possible, but if time allows, those who venture outdoors to explore the area can expect magnificent views.
Sligachan
Sligachan is a small village located between Portree, Dunvegan, and Broadford, near the Cuillin Mountains. As such, it’s an ideal base for climbers, as it offers a hotel, a campground, and great food (and whiskey!). There’s also a fairly well-known bridge there that’s always a popular photo spot!
