Isle of Skye without a car

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There are multiple ways to travel around Isle of Skye without a car, listed here from most expensive to least expensive.

Private taxi tour

You can rent a private taxi for a day. 
The upside of this option is that you can plan the day(s) entirely to your liking. You can visit the parts that you want to see and skip the parts you don’t want to see. 
The downside of this option is that it is quite expensive.

Tip: There's a 10% discount for taxi and car hire on Skye with Kyle Taxis/Skye Car Hire if you have the Scottish Grand Tour pass from Scotrail (click here for more info). 

Small group tour

You can book a small group tour for a half day or full day. 
It is less expensive than the first option, but you cannot create your own itinerary.
These tours try to put as much highlights of the island in one day, so you probably won’t miss anything. 

Public transport

Buses run around the Island, but not so regularly. However, if you plan it right, it is absolutely doable. 
Upside is that it is cheap, downside is that you sometimes have to wait long at the busstops and you will therefore not be able to see as much in one day compared to the small group tour. However, I must mentino that the bus drivers on Skye are extremely friendly and if you ask them nicely they are willing to drop you off as close to your preferred destination, even if it is not a official busstop (as long as it is on the busroute). We experienced that custom stops were quite common on Isle of Skye. And sometimes they are even willing to pick you up somewhere on the road if you wave down the driver (as long as it's safe to stop). We went for this option, and what we liked about it is that you can do everything at your own pace and spend as much time at each location as you want, unlike the small group tours. We preferred to visit fewer places over a longer period instead of cramming in more destinations in less time, so we were able to take in everything.

 

Hitchhiking

I would not recommend to hitchhike to every location on your itinerary, but it is not completely uncommon on Isle of Skye. We opted for this option when visiting the Quiraing. There is a bus stop all the way down the road, but it is a very long uphill hike to reach the beginning of the Quiraing, so we hitchhiked up and down.

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If you're planning to discover Isle of Skye by public transport, you should check out the Stagecoach Bus timetable. This is a great way to build your own itinerary to explore the island. As mentioned before, we chose to explore the Northern part of the island and this is what you need to know about it: 

Bus 57A and 57C journey around the north of Skye, where 57A runs anti-clockwise and 57C clock-wise, apart from that they go follow the same route. For more details about other busses that run on Isle of Skye I would advise you to check out the Stagecoach website. 

Tip: for £9.20 you can buy a DayRider ticket giving you unlimited travel on Isle of Skye. You can buy this ticket in the Stagecoach app or directly from the bus driver by cash or card. 

 

 

 

The Fairy Glen

Visiting the Fairy Glen is like walking straight into a fairytale. A stunning landscape with mystical hills and moss-covered rocks. Local folklore has tales of tiny fairies inhabiting pointy hills, hence the name Fairy Glen. Walk through this stunning landscape until you see Castle Ewen, known as the Fairy Castle of Scotland. It looks like a fortified old tower, but Castle Ewen is a natural basalt rock formation.

 

How to get here by public transport:

Take bus 57C from Portree and get out at The Uig Hotel and follow the sign to 'Sheader and Balnaknock'. After walking 1600m up this minor road you will reach the Fairy Glen parking area. You can also take bus 57A, depending on where you're coming from, it's faster to take either 57A or 57C. Click here for more info on the timetables of busses on Isle of Skye.

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The Quiraing

The Quiraing, located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, gets its name from Old Norse words meaning “round folding.” It is a 543m high landslide on the eastern side of Meall na Suiramach, the northernmost peak of Trotternish Ridge. This hike should definitely be on your list as it passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland.

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How to get there by public transport:

Take bus 57A or 57C to Flodigarry, from here you can walk all the way to the parking lot where the Quiraing hike starts. However, reaching this parking lot is a hike in itself. I would advise you to hitchhike from the bus stop to the start of the Quiraing hike if possible. 

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Practical info about the hike:

Start: The Quiraing hike is a loop, starting and ending at the same place: the parking lot halfway between Digg and Uig.

 

Historical fun fact: It is said that during the Viking invasions, cattle was hidden on the Quiraing.
Geographical fun fact: The Quiraing has a dynamic landscape, is the only part of this area that still shifts, requiring annual repairs to the road at its base in Flodigarry.

 

Kilt Rock & Mealtfalls

Another beautiful landmark that is worth visiting is Kilt Rock & Mealtfalls.

Do you know why it is called Kilt Rock? This stunning natural formation

rises an impressive 90 meters above the Atlantic Ocean, revealing layers

of ancient basalt columns that look like a pleated kilt. From here you can

watch the beautiful Mealtfalls go into the ocean. It is also a great

viewpoint to see whales and orcas (if you’re lucky).

 

How to get here by public transport:

Take bus 57A from Portree, you will need to get off at Road End, or 57C

depending on where you're coming from (since 57A and C are circular

routes in opposite directions).

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Old Man of Storr

The iconic Old Man of Storr is a must-visit when exploring Isle of Skye. The Old Man of Storr is a 50m high pinnacle of rock that stands prominently on the Trotternish Ridge, visible from miles around. It is part of a larger landslip area known as the Storr, which features dramatic and rugged landscapes. The dramatic landscape around the Storr was formed by the collapse of an ancient lava plateau, creating a series of pinnacles and cliffs.

 

Fun fact: local legend has it that the Old Man of Storr is the thumb of a giant who was buried in the earth. According to folklore, his thumb protrudes from the ground, creating the iconic shape we see today.

 

About the hike: it's about 4.5 kilometers (round trip) and can take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on your pace and the weather conditions. The path is well-marked and starts with a gradual ascent through a gate and onto a maintained path. As you climb, the trail becomes steeper and rockier.

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How to get here by public transport:

Take bus 57A from Portree and get off at Torvaig (14 min ride).

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This depends on what you want to see on Isle of Skye, here are some suggestions and things to keep in mind when traveling around Isle of Skye without a car:

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Portree: As the largest town on the Isle of Skye, Portree offers the biggest range of accommodation options, including hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, and hostels. It serves as a transportation hub with bus connections to various parts of the island, making it a convenient base for exploring Skye. 

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Dunvegan: If you're interested in exploring the western side of Skye, Dunvegan is a picturesque village with attractions like Dunvegan Castle. It has a few places to stay and is accessible by bus from Portree.

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Broadford: Located on the southern coast of Skye, Broadford is another popular destination with a selection of accommodation choices. It has bus connections to Portree and other parts of the island, as well as shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities.

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Uig: If you're planning on visiting the Outer Hebrides, Uig is a great to have as your base on Skye. Located on the northern coast of Skye, Uig is known for its ferry terminal connecting Skye to the Outer Hebrides. It has a few accommodation options and offers bus connections to Portree and other destinations on the island.

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The reason we chose to stay in Portree is that we had limited time on the island and we wanted to see as much as possible. The Portree busses that circle around the north of Skye are perfect for exploring some of Skye's best landmarks in a limited amount of time. However, there are so many other places on Isle of Skye that are worth visiting, so definitely check out the Stagecoach website to create your own itinerary that suits your wishes. 

 

​​​​Last tip: check out this website for information about different walking routes.