The Ultimate Guide to the Isle of Skye with Kids: 21+ Things to Do & Top Tips
We recently returned from a road trip in Scotland with our kids and it was absolutely amazing. I totally recommend it to anyone looking for an adventurous yet rejuvenating family vacation.
We started our trip in Edinburgh (which is such an amazing hidden gem) and then drove about 5 hours north to the Isle of Skye (with some amazing stops along the way) where we spent 5 nights.
Just a couple of side notes- check out my guide to visiting Edinburgh with kids if you want to do the same as us and start in Edinburgh. And if you are feeling worried about driving on the left-hand side in Scotland, read my post: 16 Helpful Tips That Make Driving in Scotland Feel Easy. You’ll feel confident in no time.
Anyway, I was a little worried that the Isle of Skye wouldn’t live up to my expectations thanks to all of the fantastic photos I had seen. But that was no problem at all. All of my (extremely high) expectations were met or exceeded. Skye is an absolutely beautiful place.
This post is to give you the best things to do in Skye with kids (which are all things you’ll enjoy as parents too). Plus, I’ll include my top suggestions for things to know before visiting the Isle of Skye with toddlers or babies.
Be sure to check out my post 18 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting The Isle of Skye for more detailed information on things I wish we had known before our visit to Sky.
*There are affiliate links in this post. Read my privacy/disclosure policy to learn more.
Is it worth it to visit the Isle of Skye with kids?
Yes! Definitely, yes. From gorgeous views to adorable sheep, dinosaur fossils, castles, and beaches- the Isle of Skye has everything you need for a perfect family vacation.
The Isle of Skye is one of our favorite places we’ve visited as a family. It’s a great place to unwind, enjoy nature and experience a bit of fairy magic with your kids.
Is it possible to visit the Isle of Skye with a toddler or baby?
You may be sold on the idea that your older kids will love the Isle of Skye, but is it possible to enjoy Skye with a toddler or baby? Again, my answer is a definite yes!
We visited the Isle of Skye with a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old and we had an absolutely lovely time. And we weren’t the only ones! We encountered many other families with young kids doing the same things as us. Just be sure to read my tips for visiting the Isle of Skye with young kids at the bottom of the page.
How to Get to the Isle of Skye
If you are planning to see the Isle of Skye, chances are you’ll be flying into one of three airports: Inverness, Glasgow, or Edinburgh. Inverness has the shortest drive time to Skye, while Edinburgh & Glasgow are about the same.
- Inverness Airport (2.5 hours to Portree)
- Glasgow Airport (5 hours to Portree)
- Edinburgh Airport (5 hours to Portree)
Although Edinburgh is twice as far as Inverness, I recommend flying into Edinburgh because the city is absolutely lovely and one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. But, I get it if you want as little driving as possible. If that’s the case, fly into Inverness which is only about 2.5 hours from Skye.
Isle of Skye Guided Tours
If you want to visit Skye but don’t want to drive or are feeling overwhelmed by planning- check out these Isle of Skye guided tours that leave from all three of the different cities I mentioned you can fly into. We saw tons of tours while we were in Skye. There are both group tours you can book and private tours to Skye (which would be perfect if you have younger kids).
We saw loads of guided tours during our four days on Skye and they seem like a great option if it works for you and your family. You can find tours that leave from Inverness, Edinburgh, and Glasgow so that you can fit it in your itinerary exactly as you’d like.
Skye Tours Leaving from Inverness:
Skye Tours leaving from Edinburgh:
Skye Tours Leaving from Glasgow:
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye with Kids
I think we found literally the perfect place to stay on Skye with kids (or at least perfect for us and our two kids). We stayed at North Skye Pods just about 30 minutes north of Portree.
North Skye Pods are a group of four pods situated on a hill, surrounded by sheep with amazing views towards the Quiraing. The main bed faces a wall of windows which makes for breathtaking views in the morning.
The pod is equipped with a kitchen, table, full bathroom, and a perfect bunk bed nook for the kiddos. Plus we were even provided with a pack-n-play and a highchair for our littlest. And there’s even a fire pit outside to enjoy in the evenings when you get back from exploring.
Besides being in an absolutely beautiful setting, the location is so ideal for Skye. It’s only a short 15-minute drive to the Quiraing, a 15-minute drive to the Old Man of Storr, a 30-minute drive to Portree, and a 30-minute drive to The Fairy Glen.
For a destination as vast as Skye, these pods are some of the most ideally located accommodations you can find (and they are such a great price too).
Best Time of Year for a Family Vacation to The Isle of Skye
The busiest time of year on Skye is June-August (with an uptick in visitors Easter weekend in April). However, these months are popular because they are the months with the fewest days of rain (which is still about 12 days in July). Plus, the Isle of Skye is showing off how green it can be come those summer months.
But June-August also means its prime season for midges which are biting bugs that come out in swarms on the Isle of Skye. And since it’s peak season, the trails are full of people, and accommodations are more difficult to find.
Our Airbnb host recommended visiting in early May or late September to avoid the midges and the crowds. We visited over Easter weekend in early April and had a great stay. Easter weekend in April tends to be quite busy (which it was) but we saw zero midges (which was something I wanted when traveling with kids).
During our trip, some parts of Skye were still brown (which was still beautiful) but if you are wanting full-on green around every corner, I recommend visiting later in the year like May or September.
Map of things to do on the Isle of Skye with kids
*Use this interactive map to explore the best things to do with kids on the Isle of Skye Click on the full-screen icon in the top right corner to have this map open in your own Google Maps app or click on the arrow in the top left corner to see a pullout list of all points on the map*
As you can see from this map of things to do on the Isle of Skye- activities can be quite spread out. We didn’t make it to some of the locations we were hoping for (like Neist Point Lighthouse) because the drive was a bit too long for the time we had.
However, there are plenty of things that are near each other like the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and the Fairy Glen! And we honestly didn’t mind the longer drives because it gave our kids time to relax and/or nap between activities.
22 Family-Friendly Things to Do on the Isle of Skye
All of the places on this list are the top places to see on Skye with kids that I recommend from our own experiences and loads of research. A few of the places that we weren’t able to make it to we definitely plan to visit next to we make it to Skye.
1. Drive the Trotternish loop
If you only have one day in the Isle of Skye and you want to make the most of it, I recommend driving the 50-mile Trotternish Loop. The Trotternish Peninsula was created from a massive landslip millions of years ago which has given it gorgeous cliffs and epic spires jutting out of the ground.
The Trotternish Loop starts in Portree and takes you past the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and a bunch of other lovely sights. The drive alone is going to take you about 2.5 hours (without any stops). So you’ll have to plan wisely if you want to spend much time anywhere along the way.
It’s impossible to do everything on the Trotternish Loop in one day (hikes, viewpoints etc.) but if you have a very limited time on Skye this area will have some of the most epic views.
2. Explore the Fairy Glen
The Fairy Glen is by far one of the best things to do with kids on the Isle of Skye. It’s the most kid-friendly hike of all of the hikes on Skye and it has so many fun areas to climb and scramble.
Basically, the Fairy Glen is a mostly-flat trail that winds through hills and mounds that make for perfect areas for playing pretend or hide and seek. To make the Fairy Glen a little extra magical for our 4-year-old we brought along a small LEGO fairy minifigure that we hid for her to find.
She was absolutely delighted and continued to talk to her fairy and find fairy homes for her as we continued exploring the Fairy Glen. Seeing her play pretend with a fairy in a place called The Fairy Glen was definitely a highlight of our trip for all of us and I highly recommend doing something similar.
3. Hike Along the Quiraing Trail (or just see the views from the parking lot)
If you are looking for the most quintessential views of the Isle of Skye, I recommend heading to the Quiraing Trail. This area is absolutely breathtaking and it fulfilled all of my wildest Isle of Skye dreams.
The great thing about the Quiraing is that you get epic views from just across the street from the parking lot. So if you aren’t feeling up for a hike- it’s totally no problem.
However, if you do want to hike, I highly recommend it. The Quiraing Trail is a loop that covers just over 4 miles- but you can go out and back as far as you’d like to still get a great experience. We hiked probably half a mile out and turned around because it started to rain and got too windy- but we had continually insane views during that 1-mile roundtrip hike.
One thing to note about the Quiraing Trail is that the edge of the trail is very steep and we didn’t feel comfortable letting our 4-year-old hike any of it. We even saw parents of older kids closer to 10 years old hollering at their kids warning them to back away from the cliff edge.
So we strapped our 4-year-old onto our backs with our Baby Tula Toddler Carrier (which is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend) and did hiked the trail that way. If we hadn’t had a carrier for her we would have just stayed at the viewpoint from the parking lot.
4. Play in the Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools is the second most family-friendly hike on the Isle of Skye (after the Fairy Glen). The Fairy Pools trail is a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike on a wide gravel path down one hill and up another (you can see the entire trail from the trailhead). The hills are unfortunately quite long but the promise of playing in the water kept our daughter going.
You don’t necessarily need to go alllll the way to the end of the trail because you can stop and play at various rivers and pools anywhere along the way. I was under the impression it was a trail to only one specific pool, but that’s not the case. You are next to the water and pools the entire walk. However, the Fairy Pool you see most commonly in photos is at the very top/end of the trail.
You may read older blog posts about a muddy trail or having to cross the river on logs or rocks. However, it seems as though the trail has recently been majorly renovated. The trail is made of gravel that would not be slippery in the rain and there are 2-3 bridges crossing the river so no rock or log scrambling is required.
You can’t tell from the pictures but the trail was packed over Easter weekend when we visited. It definitely took away from the magic of the area a bit. However, very few people were taking breaks by the water. So once we climbed down to the water it felt like we had a piece of the pools to ourselves and it was much more peaceful.
The area surrounding the Fairy Pools was still quite brown during our visit in early April. If you visit later in the year this area can be a lush green.
5. Hike to the Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is a huge rock pinnacle jutting out of the landscape with other pinnacles surrounding it and a cliff edge behind it. You can see the Old Man of Storr from the road/parking lot, however, it’s much more epic to walk around the base of the pinnacles.
The hike to the Old Man of Storr is a 2.4-mile roundtrip hike to the base of the pinnacles in a large rock field. You have beautiful views looking up to the rocks and looking back over the water during the entire hike.
The problem with the Old Man of Storr hike is that it is STEEP and feels very long when hiking with very young ones. It’s basically a continual steep uphill hike with a mix of rock stairs and an uphill gravel path.
We were obviously already carrying our 1-year-old but we also ended up carrying our 4-year-old in our Baby Tula Toddler Carrier because it was just too much of a slog for her. If it was just adults hiking, it would have been a workout but not that bad. But it was definitely exhausting carrying two littles up and down the steep mountain.
That being said- I’m glad we did it. The highlight of the hike for our 4-year-old was the large boulder field at the top of the hike. She LOVED climbing on all of the rocks and she had an absolute blast. The views and the boulder field made the hike worth it.
We saw a few families turn around and some families chose one of the parents to continue the hike on their own because they didn’t have the proper gear to hike it with their kids. So if you only have time for 1 or 2 hikes as a family I wouldn’t necessarily pick the Old Man of Storr (unless you have good carrying gear or very determined hikers).
6. Book a Sheep Herding Experience with Skye Collies
One of the most unique things to do on the Isle of Skye that we did was a sheep herding experience on Airbnb where we learned from a local all about his sheep herding border collies.
First of all, the setting was out.of.this.world. You meet him in a small group at his field which overlooks a valley with multiple waterfalls falling in the distance. It was insane. I would have paid to have just sat on his property for an hour 😅.
But he taught us all about his dogs and how he trains them and gave us a demonstration of how directs his dogs to herd the sheep. Plus he taught us a bit about the area’s history and about raising sheep in general.
The meeting point for this experience is just about two minutes down the road from the Fairy Glen which makes it perfect to do both things on the same day. The host only has a few dates available at a time so I recommend continuing to check back as your trip approaches to see if he’s opened up any more slots.
And if there aren’t any times available during your trip, feel free to message him a request! That’s what we did and he let us know he’d open up some time slots in the next couple weeks and to check back.
7. Take in the Views of Sligachan Old Bridge & Playground
I was not prepared for the beauty of the views from Sligachan Old Bridge towards the Cuillin Mountains. You will most likely drive right past this as you enter Skye if you’re headed to Portree.
I recommend actually stopping to soak in the views. You can park in the Sligachan Hotel parking lot and then cross the street to see the bridge and play in the water with your little ones.
There is also a playground right there in front of Sligachan Hotel which makes this another great stop on Skye with kids. And if you are into beer, the Cuillin Brewery and Shop are located right here as well.
8. Hike to Coral Beach
Visiting Coral Beach was one of the few things to do on Skye with kids that we didn’t have time for. Coral Beach is a beautiful white sand beach with blue water on Skye with great views of the surrounding coastline. The hike/walk to Coral Beach is about 2.2 miles roundtrip.
You may want to check the tide schedule because you’ll want the tide to be about halfway up in order to see the white sand and really enjoy it for what it is. The beach is located just about 10 minutes from Dunvegan Castle making it a great thing to add to a visit to the castle.
9. Wake Up With Gorgeous Views in a North Skye Pod
I already mentioned this at the start of this post in my ‘where to stay on Skye’ section. However, this is for all of you who are just scanning the article and not reading the intro paragraphs. One of my favorite things we did on Skye was staying in a pod from North Skye Pods.
These pods were the perfect place to stay with all of the amenities you need (think kitchen, full bathroom, main bed plus bunk beds for the kids) PLUS we got to wake up in the morning to breathtaking views from bed out of the full wall-to-wall window.
Even when we were hanging out in the pod during some rain, we still felt like we were experiencing Skye. We played games while enjoying our view and listening to the rain hitting the roof and the sounds of the sheep outside. It was amazing.
Plus the location was absolutely perfect and the price was some of the most affordable lodging we found on Skye (which I was shocked to realize).
10. See Dinosaur Fossils at Staffin Dinosaur Museum
An absolute hidden gem on Skye is the Staffin Dinosaur Museum. We drove past it multiple times before actually going in and I am SO glad we went in. It’s a tiny museum located in an old one-room schoolhouse but it has some of the most amazing display items inside.
The man who started the museum in the 1970s still runs it and is there to answer any questions you have (and I recommend asking!). He has dinosaur fossils and footprints from literally ACROSS THE STREET from the museum plus from other areas of the Isle of Skye.
The fossils and footprints are just sitting right there on a shelf for all to see (no fancy glass case or anything). Plus he has other artifacts discovered around Skye that are amazing to see.
It’s definitely a great stop for those dino-loving kids (and parents!). There is a small entrance fee of 4 euro per adult and 2 euro per child but it’s worth it to support such an amazing local piece of history.
11. Hunt for Dinosaur Footprints at An Corran Beach
We didn’t have time to head down to An Corran Beach to hunt for dinosaur footprints on the beach, however, it’s a great stop if you want to see dinosaur footprints in the wild. You’ll want to make sure you go at low tide (so that the footprints aren’t covered in water) and you may want to bring some patience with you cause I’ve heard they can be a bit tricky to find!
Although we didn’t have time to visit the beach, we did see dinosaur bones and footprints at the Staffin Dinosaur Museum instead (that I talk about above) and I highly recommend it.
12. Take a Boat Trip to View Wildlife
We had a boat trip booked on Skye to have a chance to see wildlife like birds, seals, dolphins, whales, and maybe even puffins. Unfortunately, our trip got canceled because of poor weather, but it seems like a really fun thing to do.
Our boat trip was booked through Skye Marine Boat Trips, but there are lots of other boat companies on Skye to choose from as well.
13. Visit Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
Dunvegan Castle has been continuously occupied by the same family for over 800 years and has been built in various periods and restored at various times from the 1200s-1800s. It has some really lovely gardens surrounding it that even has a fun nature playground for kids.
To be honest, the exterior of Dunvegan Castle was a bit of a disappointment because it has a stucco exterior (from the most recent renovation) making it feel a bit like a pretend castle (rather than a castle built in the 1200s if you catch my drift).
You can’t tell from photos or from a distance that that’s what it looks like in real life, so unfortunately it was a bit underwhelming.
However, something that we wish we would have known about before visiting was that you can book a short, 30-minute boat trip from the castle to see a colony of seals that live nearby. These seal trips seem like the perfect way to experience Dunvegan Castle with kids and I wish we could have done one.
14. Ride a Pony with Your Kids on Skye
When we were driving through Skye I saw a sign advertising pony trekking (for both kids and adults) and I thought that would be so amazing if your kids love horses. The Isle of Skye Trekking Center offers a 1-hour pony walk for only 35 euro per person.
Because of the size of the ponies, children must be four years old or older and adults can ride only if they are under 165 pounds (boots and clothing included). But I think if you are not under that weight, you can walk along with your child while they ride (how fun would that be?!).
15. Take in the Views of Neist Point Lighthouse
Neist Point Lighthouse is one of Scotland’s most famous lighthouses and is another epic view on the Isle of Skye. You can either enjoy the views of the lighthouse from near the parking lot, or you can take the 1.3-mile roundtrip to walk down to the lighthouse itself.
I hear the walk back is quite steep and can be challenging. We didn’t have time to drive to Neist Point Lighthouse (although I really, really wanted to). But next time we are on Skye I think we will drive to the lighthouse and enjoy the views while we eat a picnic lunch without making the trek down to the lighthouse itself.
16. Hike to Brothers Point on the Isle of Skye
Another hidden gem on the Isle of Skye is the hike to is Brothers Point. The Brothers Point hike is a beautiful 2.25-mile roundtrip hike with gorgeous coastal views and a rocky beach.
If you’re wanting epic cliff views but can’t make the drive to Neist Point Lighthouse, Brothers Point may be a great option for you. Since we haven’t taken this hike, I can’t tell you how family-friendly it is, but I’ve heard great things!
17. See Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls
The Kilt Rock/Mealt Falls viewpoint is a quick, easy stop on the Isle of Skye. Unfortunately, the viewpoint was closed while we were there but I would have loved to see it. Kilt Rock is the name of the cliff that looks like a giant kilt (you know like the ones you wear) and Mealt Falls is the name of the waterfall that falls down into the ocean.
Right nearby is another viewpoint called Lealt Falls. It can get confusing with such a similar name, but they are different things.
18. Pick up a Souvenir from Isle of Skye Candle Co.
Isle of Skye Candle Co is a super cute, local, family-run company that sells handmade candles with natural fragrances. They have multiple locations, however, their flagship store is a large store in Portree attached to a cafe (more on that in my food section).
But swing by and you can pick up local fragrances like ‘Highland Gorse’ or ‘Scottish Bluebell’ to take home a piece of Skye with you.
19. Visit Skye Museum of Island Life
Skye Museum of Island Life is a great place to step back in time to see what an old Highland village was like 100 years ago. You can walk through various cottages to see the different parts of a croft (farm) on Skye.
The entrance fee is only 2.50 euro and you may even see some Highland cows nearby (which can be shockingly sparse on the Isle of Skye).
20. Admire the Ruins of Duntulm Castle
Duntulm Castle was built in the 1300-1400s and was later the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacDonald of Sleat. Now there are just ruins that remain on the cliff overlooking the sea.
It’s a 0.5-mile roundtrip walk through some sheep fields to see the castle ruins. The ruins are fenced off for your safety, but you can enjoy the views from behind the fence plus you can enjoy the beautiful views along the coast past the castle ruins.
21. See the Colorful Buildings in Portree
Portree is the main small town on the Isle of Skye. It’s where we did all of our grocery shopping and we drove through it multiple times on our way to various places.
We didn’t actually end up spending much time in Portree (besides grocery shopping) but we did see the view of the colorful buildings that you see everywhere when you search for Portree online. Here are coordinates for the viewpoint of the colorful buildings.
Things to See on Your Drive to the Isle of Skye
1. Marvel at Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle is a must-stop sight on your drive to/from Skye whether you are headed to Inverness, Glasgow, or Edinburgh. It’s located right off the main road with a stone bridge you walk across to the castle surrounded by water.
You can enter the castle or just walk around the grounds. We chose to just walk around the grounds and were totally satisfied.
2. Stop at Clachaig Inn
The Clachaig Inn is a perfect stop between Edinburgh and Skye or Glasgow and Skye. The Inn has an awesome restaurant (which was so good). We ordered vegetarian haggis with neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes) and it was SO good.
We loved it so much that we stopped again on our way back to Edinburgh at the end of our trip and ordered the same thing. If you haven’t heard of Haggis, it’s a traditional Scottish food that you’ll probably want the vegetarian version of 😅.
We also got some yummy homemade mac n’ cheese that the kids downed or you can choose from lots of other dishes they serve as well.
But the highlight of the stop for our 4-year-old was definitely the super fun playground located just right outside the restaurant right next to the outdoor seating. It was SO nice to let the kids play to their hearts’ content after a couple of hours in the car.
And if those two reasons aren’t enough to stop at the Clachaig Inn- here’s a great third reason. Just about a 10-minute walk from the Inn’s parking lot is the filming location of Hagrid’s Hut from Harry Potter. Like there used to be a little hut built there and everything.
Unfortunately, that’s all gone now but you can still see the spot! The hut’s filming location can be found on Google Maps here. Or if you just search ‘Hagrid’s Hut Glencoe’ on Google Maps you’ll be able to find it.
3. Visit Doune Castle Where Multiple Movies Have Been Filmed
Doune Castle is a great stop if you are driving from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye. The castle is located just over an hour from Edinburgh’s city center and it makes a great stop if you love visiting filming locations.
Some of the most popular movies and shows that have been filmed at Doune Castle are Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Outlander, and Game of Thrones. You can tour the inside of the castle or just walk around the outside. The castle was closed by the time we got there so we just enjoyed it from the outside.
Places to Eat on the Isle of Skye with Kids
When we travel as a family, we cook a lot of our own meals. However, we do really love eating out a few times if we can. The Isle of Skye doesn’t have a ton of eateries but there are a few good ones to choose from.
Here are some of the places to eat on Skye with kids that we either tried or wished we could have tried.
1. Pizza in the Skye
We actually ended up ordering takeaway pizza from Pizza in the Skye two times while we were on the island. Pizza in the Skye is a small food truck permanently parked in a parking lot in Portree. The owner is the sole employee and serves up delicious thin-crust pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Pizza in the Skye is open until 8 pm when many of the other casual eateries on the island close around 4 pm which meant we couldn’t stop for dinner.
You must order ahead of time on the website to ensure you can get your pizza. I recommend ordering 1-2 hours ahead of time (you can choose your pick-up time). The owner can only produce so many pizzas a day since there is just one of him and one oven and his slots fill up fast. So order in advance! We especially loved the cheesy garlic bread- it was delish
There are no tables near the food truck so you can take it back to your place to eat or go find a good viewpoint to enjoy during dinner.
2. Gasta Pizzeria
I so wish we would have had time to stop at Gasta Pizzeria but it just didn’t work out with our schedule. Gasta Pizzeria is another wood-fired oven pizza place on Skye. However, Gasta has indoor seating with some beautiful views (unlike Pizza in the Skye).
Gasta Pizzeria is located within what is called the ‘Isle of Skye Candle Co Visitor Center’ in Portree and is open daily from 9 am- 9 pm.
3. The Hungry Gull
The Hungry Gull is a super cute, local joint recommended to us by our Airbnb host. Their menu looks super delicious, but we were so sad because their opening hours never quite line up with what we needed.
They have a varied many with great meat, gluten-free and vegan options. Check out The Hungry Gull’s Facebook page before your visit to see their latest opening hours and menu. That’s where they seem to post the most up-to-date information.
4. Cafe Arriba
Cafe Arriba is a quirky cafe located right on the water in the heart of Portree open from 8 am- 4 pm (closed on Mondays). The menu is updated frequently, but you can expect sandwiches, salads, and breakfast served all day.
It looks like the perfect casual place to visit as a family and you may even luck out with a great view of the water during your meal. Of course, we planned to visit the cafe on a Monday and quickly realized Mondays are the one day of the week they are closed. Next time we’ll make it!
5. Glenbrittle Campsite Cafe
If you’re looking for a little pick-me-up after hiking and playing in the Fairy Pools, swing by the Glenbrittle Campsite Cafe that’s just a few minutes down the road. They serve mostly pastries and coffee but they do have a few a couple savory options.
We got some brownies and a muffin from Glenbrittle Cafe and they were some of the best brownies I’ve ever had. They also have some super cute things for sale like children’s books and other Isle of Skye momentos.
Sample 4-day Isle of Skye Family Itinerary:
This is what I would view as a great Skye itinerary if the weather happens to be in your favor. We had an itinerary outlined before our trip to the Isle of Skye, Scotland but we ended up switching things around quite a bit in order to make the most of our good weather windows.
I definitely recommend checking out the hourly weather forecast and planning each day accordingly. However, below you’ll find a great, 4-day Isle of Skye itinerary with kids.
This itinerary is assuming you arrive to the Isle of Skye the day before and leave the morning after your fourth day. We were based in Staffin at North Skye Pods (which I highly recommend). The location is perfectly close to top attractions like Quiraing, Storr, Portree and Fairy Glen plus the pods are magical.
DAY ONE:
- Hike to the Old Man of Storr
- Kilt Rock/Lealt Falls Viewpoint
- Staffin Dinosaur Museum
- Dinner at Gasta Pizzeria in Portree
DAY TWO:
- Hike part of the Quiraing or see the viewpoint
- Hike and explore the Fairy Glen
- Skye Collies Sheep Herding Experience on Airbnb
DAY THREE:
- Hike to and play at The Fairy Pools
- Pick up treats from Glenbrittle Campsite Cafe
- Sligachan Old Bridge & Playground
DAY FOUR:
- Dunvegan Castle, gardens, and seal boat ride
- Neist Point Lighthouse
Extra Tips for Visiting the Isle of Skye with a Toddler or Baby
1. Bring a comfortable child/baby carrier for hikes
We brought child carriers for both our 1-year-old and our 4-year-old. We carried our 1-year-old on every hike (but let him down occasionally to play). And we carried our 4-year-old about half of the time we were hiking.
Our 4-year-old can be motivated and encouraged to hike, however, some hikes (like the Old Man of Storr) were just a lot for such a small kiddo. Plus the Quiraing wasn’t safe for her to hike on her own so we opted to carry her during that one as well.
We absolutely love our toddler-sized Baby Tula soft carrier. It’s made for kids up to 60 pounds (that could be like 7 years old or so) and it’s so awesome.
The Baby Tula toddler carrier can be folded up to fit in a backpack and can be pulled out just when you need it. We wanted this rather than a huge hiking backpack with a metal frame that we knew our 4-year-old wouldn’t always need (it is so nice to not be stuck with a huge carrier on your back that you’re not even using).
We actually bought our toddler carrier specifically for this trip and I’m SO glad we did. We used a similar soft carrier for our 1-year-old (it just happens to be a different brand that was gifted to us). But if we did it again, we’d buy the ‘free-to-grow’ Baby Tula adjustable carrier for both babies and toddlers.
2. Wear Lots of Layers
We visited the Isle of Skye in early April and all of us almost always wore long pants with a sweater, a light puffy jacket, a beanie, and mittens. The weather can turn windy and rainy quite quickly and it’s good to have an extra layer on you even if the weather looks okay at the beginning of a hike.
We also all wore wool socks which I 100% recommend. As I mentioned, it rains frequently on Skye and wool socks really help to keep your feet warm and dry (I even converted my husband to wool socks).
3. Expect Rain
Even if you visit the Isle of Skye in the peak of summer, the weather forecast predicts 12 days of rain during the month. That’s rain almost every other day! And if you are visiting Skye with kids come September/October you can expect 22 days of rain during the month.
All of this is to say that you just need to come prepared for rain and add a little extra time into your itinerary to take into account any time you decide to spend cozied up indoors instead of battling the rain.
We checked the hourly weather forecast each night to determine the best time to leave the house and start exploring Skye. Some days we left a little later because it rained in the morning and other days we did activities in the morning and late afternoon while it rained during the middle of the day.
4. Be Patient With Your Toddler on Hikes
It can be a lot to ask toddlers to hike- so you need to keep that in mind and be patient and encouraging with them (and bring a Tula carrier for when they just can’t make it any further). Chatting with your kids during the hike about the things you are seeing and bringing plenty of snacks and special treats to use as motivation can help.
Our favorite thing we did was hide a small LEGO fairy Minifigure on our Fairy Glen hike that our daughter found and played pretend with for the entire hike. She talked with the fairy (us) as she explored the area and found small fairy homes for it around every corner of the trail.
Remember that hiking is going to take MUCH longer than what the average time says online. I’d say that between walking slowly, snack breaks, and playing, we often take twice as long as any hiking page suggests.
5. Spend 4-5 Days on the Isle of Skye, Scotland as a Family
If you really want to experience the most of what Skye has to offer, I recommend spending at least four days on the island. We spent four full days exploring Skye and I could have happily stayed 1-2 more days. If you are very short on time, I’d recommend at least two whole days.
Check out these other posts, I know you’ll love them:
- 18 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting The Isle of Skye in Scotland
- 16 Helpful Tips That Make Driving in Scotland Feel Easy
- 21 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh With Kids + Top Tips
- The Only Itinerary You Need For a Day Trip to Edinburgh (+ Map)
And that’s everything you need to know about visiting the Isle of Skye with young kids! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!
Natalie
I second the above comment. We have not been yet but we are planning it. I was almost rethinking going but after reading your blog post we are super encouraged and I have used a lot of what you have here on our plan! Thank you so much!
jenessa
NatalieThis is so great to hear, Natalie! I was also feeling worried and discouraged while researching our trip, but we decided to go for it and it was amazing! I’m so happy to hear that this post has helped you- I hope you have a great time!
Kristina
Thank you so much for this blog post, it really helped us plan our trip to the Isle of Skye with kids! We did the Brother’s Point hike and I can confirm that it is both fantastic and family-friendly – our 4.5 year old managed it all by himself.
For anyone spending time or staying in the south of the island, there is another very kid-friendly walk we discovered by chance – the otter hide in Kylerhea: https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/skye-walks/island-walks/kylerhea-otter-hide
It would be suitable even for toddlers as it is short and flat and while we didn’t see any otters, we still spotted seals and cormorants. The views along the drive there are also spectacular, so I would recommend taking the time to visit the hide if you are in the area anyway.
jenessa
KristinaHey Kristina, so great to hear! Thanks for the update on Brother’s Point and for the other hike suggestion! Sounds like you had a great trip 🙂