Activities

While exploring the natural landscapes of the Isle of Skye, Isle of Raasay and Lochalsh can easily fill your entire trip, there is plenty more to do to keep everyone entertained!

Skye and Lochalsh is renowned for it’s walking and hiking trails. From short saunters to coral beaches at Plockton and Clagain, to the Skye Trail which nearly covers the length of the island on a multiday walk, there is something to suit all abilities. As well as the many guide books, WalkHighlands is an excellent resource for planning walks, checking out their difficulty level and reading other people’s experiences. Just remember, whether you are taking on the South Shiel Ridge (7 Munros on a very long one day hike) or enjoying a walk to Aird Point on Sleat, go prepared! Weather proofs, good walking boots, compass and maps are needed!

For those looking for an adrenaline rush, the island is a great place for rock climbing, coasteering and canyoning – see the island from a different angle with Skye Adventure. There are also a wide range of outdoor activities on offer at Whitewave: Skye’s Outdoor Centre, including canoeing, climbing and abseiling, mountain boarding and archery.  Or why not get a new perspective on Skye from the coastline and spend a day out on the sea with South Skye Sea Kayaks?

There are several boat trips on offer including Misty Isle and Bella Jane‘s boat trips to Loch Coruisk. Have fun spotting the marine wildlife such as porpoise,  whales,  dolphins and seals whilst venturing in behind the Black Cuillins for some spectacular scenery.  During the summer months you can also take boat trips to explore the small isles. You can also enjoy a trip  from Portree harbour to see sea eagles or a longer trip along the Trotternish coastline?  For a special day out Sea Flower Skye offer sea food lunch trips to the isle of Rona and Raasay. From Uig SkyeXplorer run trips at various times of the year to see puffins on the Ascrib Islands and Minke whales.

If you’d rather stay dry indoors, visit Third Ridge, Skye’s indoor climbing wall, or let off some steam at Skye Gym, providing short term memberships and a range of drop in classes. 

There are a couple of museums that could come in handy for a wet day. For a glimpse into life gone by,  drop into the Museum of Island Life at Kilmuir.  Peep inside the restored black houses,  once home to the crofter families living in this remote part of Scotland.  Behind this open air museum is the graveyard where Flora MacDonald is buried. And a few miles down the road is the fascinating fossil display at Staffin Dinosaur Museum.

For the more competitive amongst you, challenge your friends and family to some axe throwing at A.C.E Target Sports. They also offer archery and clay pigeon shooting, with shooting sites in both the North and South of the island, and have sheltered options for rainy days. 

A short ferry ride to the Isle of Raasay from Sconser you can visit Raasay house where they have various out door activities from Wild life Spotting Speedboat Trips, loch kayaking, archery and push bike hire.

In Lochalsh, visit Attadale Gardens for a scenic walk – there is a sculpture trail and a maze of paths taking you through different vegetation and landscapes. Nearby Plockton is a picturesque harbour village famous for its palm trees, with lots to do from Calum’s Seal Trips, one of the longest running boat trips in Scotland, to kayaking, sailing and rowing.

Still not sure how to spend your days on Skye or just want a break from driving? Relax and let an experienced guide show you around the island – try Skye Jeep Tours for something more unique.

If you have an interest in local or family history, why not browse the exhibitions and resources at Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre in Portree? It is located in the grounds of Portree High School where you’ll also find Arainn Fhinn, The Fingal Centre, which houses the local leisure facilities. They include a 25m swimming pool, steam room, sauna, gym, fitness classes and climbing wall.

If getting up close to a colony of seals or spotting a sea eagle sounds like your idea of fun, head over to our Wildlife page to find out more about what wildlife you can expect to find on Skye, and the best trips to ensure you tick off your ‘must see’ list.

Or for more information on the many historical attractions on the island, from castles to Iron Age brochs, visit our History page for inspiration.