Guide to the perfect day trip on the Isle Of Skye

This smaller version of the Trotternish day trip is best to do whilst staying in the South of Skye, if in the North you will just have to drive a bit more. I was staying at Sligachan hotel and headed off from there which was perfectly fine but Portree is a popular base so I’ll be using it as the starting point for this awe-inspiring day trip on the Isle of Skye. This day trip is a bit like a smaller Trotternish loop. If like me, you would like to have longer at each stop then pick certain points on the loop rather than all. This way you can enjoy them more fully rather than just stopping briefly here and there for a quick snap.

Also, for the sake of the environment, it can be beneficial to not overcrowd popular tourist areas. For example, an issue with stone stacking at the Fairy Glen can lead to some parts of this lovely picturesque spot slowly eroding. Therefore, perhaps pick a few less popular areas. This will mean there is likely to be more parking available as well! You can always come back again another day and see other areas. Altogether there is only 1 hour 20 minutes of driving so you have plenty of time to explore each area.

For an adventure on your way to or on your way back from Skye check out t his post on how to see the real-life Hogwarts Express.

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Stop 1 – Old man of Storr

On the first step of this small Trotternish Loop, I started with the Old Man of Storr which is a 14-minute drive from Portree. There is plenty of parking, enough for almost 150 vehicles. If the car park happens to be full then you can park along the road. Where ever you park realise that there is a charge. Most accept cards nowadays but handy to have change with you anyway just in case. You can also get a bus from Portree if you have no car access.

The legend goes that the old man of Storr was a giant who used to preside over Trotternish. Then when he died, it is thought that his ‘thumb’ remained partially above ground. This is where the ‘old man’ bit comes from. The Storr is a steep rocky walk on the Trotternish Peninsula so watch your footing.

The walk is around 4.5km / 2.75 miles and takes around 1.5 – 2 hour. I recommend taking your time at this stop but remember that you will need some energy left over for the next 3 stops of this scenic day trip!

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Stop 2 – Lealt Falls

Now Lealt Falls isn’t as spectacular as Mealt waterfall. However, like everywhere on the Isle of Skye there are wonderful views here. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get a very good photo of the fall because there were a lot of people waiting around to see it and the viewing point on the platform really only has enough space for about 5 people. With Covid on the go, this means unless living together then there is only space for about 2 people. I loved the noise of the waterfall, it is very relaxing. My photo does not do it justice at all, looks a whole lot better in person!

There is limited parking at the bottom but plenty more parking higher up in a car park. If you park in the car park then you can do viewpoint 2 and 3 first and then the one mentioned above last.

Viewpoint 2

However, you can wander up the path after seeing the waterfall towards another viewing platform which again is small but you can scatter about the hills here and make your own viewing point. I loved the view from here looking down onto the beach below.

Viewpoint 3

You can then walk further down away from this viewing point along a path but it starts to become quite steep and I felt a bit like I was going to fall off the edge so it wasn’t for me or the women in front of me – “oh no, I think I’m alright up here”. However, I saw other people wander on down and you can get a great view of the waterfall if you continue down the way so it is worth it if you aren’t afraid of heights or being near the edge of cliffs.

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Stop 3

Stop 3 of this beautifully Scottish day trip consists of Mealt waterfall, Kilt Rock and dinosaur footprints! There is a smallish car park which probably fits around 15 cars.

Mealt Fall

This waterfall is rather spectacular! Plunging around 50 metres down towards the beautiful blue sea, it is certainly quite a height to look down on! To see this waterfall, you just walk a few metres from the car park and you’ll see the viewing area. Plenty of space available for viewing this wonderful waterfall!

Kilt Rock

I loved seeing Kilt Rock! When you see it you realise it is aptly called Kilt Rock simply because it looks ‘kilted’. For those who don’t know, in Scotland kilts are popular attire. Have you watched Outlander? Plenty of kilts in this very Scottish tv series! Kilt rock is literally joined onto Mealt falls so you just have to move over a couple of metres to your right a get a good view of it!

Dinosaur footprints!

Real life dinosaur footprints have been discovered near Staffin beach. They are apparently very difficult to find by yourself even with directions so it is best to book a tour with the dinosaur museum. The footprints are believed to belong to the Hadrosaur, a dinosaur from over 170 million years ago! You can see replicated footprints near the carpark but of course the real thing is more impressive!

Stop 4 – Quirang

On the way up to the Quirang, you can park just below the car park. There is room here for about 4 cars and the parking is free. If you continue on then there is a very large car park which also has a food takeaway van. Past the car park there are further spaces along the road to park but these also require payment. After leaving the Quirang this is the way you go if you want to head back to Portree via Uig rather than repeating the journey you have already completed.

Don’t be in a rush to leave the Quirang. There are such phenomenal views all around you here. Stop and breathe in the surroundings. The entire area feels peaceful and relaxing.

Stop 5 – Uig

On the way back I went in the direction of Uig to avoid going back on myself. From here, you can head out on a boat trip if you wish! While stopping by, why not get some local Skye beer. I tried the blue beer and it was excellent!