Isle of Skye, Scotland is an island, in and of itself an archipelago; it is the largest island of the Inner Hebrides and has a population of around 10,500. It’s often marketed as “the Scotland that tourists miss” which may be true given its close proximity to not only the mainland but also Skye’s other two sister islands: Harris and Lewis. The scenery throughout Isle of Skye is said to be some of the most dramatic in all of Scotland with its grand mountains, deep lochs, green fields dotted with sheep, waterfalls and coastal beauty.

Why visit Isle of Skye, Scotland

1. It’s the largest island in the Inner Hebrides. Located off the coast of Scotland, Isle of Skye is part of the Highland region. The scenery is breathtaking with rolling hills and craggy mountains (the tallest is called “Sgurr Alasdair’ or “Faceless Peak”) which can be further viewed from one of Skye’s many cliffside roads.

2. It’s a hike: with miles upon miles of hiking trails throughout Isle of Skye, Scotland it makes for a great day trip especially if you are an avid hiker.

3. It’s a fantastic birdwatching destination: Skye is famous for its puffins, with several places to view puffin colonies, such as the Sumburgh Head near the town of Duncansby. In fact, Skye is said to hold the highest density of puffins in all of Scotland.

4. It’s a great place to watch storms: the night skies can be quite breathtaking and this is why people flock to Isle of Skye during thunderstorms. Skye is one of the few places in the world to experience both daytime and nighttime thunderstorms, with a “lightning flash every 30 seconds” (as mentioned in the article “A Brief History of Skye: Scotland’s Wild Atlantic”.)

5. It’s an island that can be navigated on foot: this is a great thing because it means you won’t need to commit to renting a car or flying. You can simply head to the nearest town and rent a bike or find a local bus service (you’ll probably want one of those).