The Isle of Skye, with its dramatic landscapes, picturesque villages, and fascinating history, is the perfect destination for those seeking the perfect mix of adventure and tranquillity.
The island offers endless opportunities for exploration, with plenty of popular things to see and do and lots of other alternatives, too. Skye is a destination that many people dream of visiting and have high expectations for.
However, like any travel destination, certain pitfalls and mistakes can dampen your experience and mean that what you hoped for doesn’t match the reality of your stay.
To help you plan the best trip possible, I’ve listed some of the mistakes I see tourists make when they’re both planning their trip and here experiencing Skye.
1. Underestimating the Weather
The Isle of Skye is famous for its unpredictable weather. A sunny morning can quickly turn into a rainy afternoon, and temperatures can drop unexpectedly.
The weather is always changing! This is great if it’s rainy, as it tends to clear at some point during the day, but it’s definitely something to be aware of and take into account when you’re planning your trip.
Even in summer, it can get chilly, so don’t expect to be able to get by with shorts and t-shirts!
To avoid disappointment or discomfort:
- Check the Weather Forecast: Before heading out, use reliable weather apps to monitor the weather conditions, especially if you’re planning on hiking.
- Dress in Layers: Wear waterproof clothing and warm layers. This will allow you to adjust your attire according to changing weather conditions.
- Bring Waterproof Gear: Waterproof shoes, jackets, and backpacks are essential for staying dry. Always check that your gear is water-repellent, not just water-resistant.
2. Skipping Accommodation Reservations
The Isle of Skye has steadily grown in popularity over the years, especially during the summer months, leading to a high demand for accommodation. If you arrive without a reservation, you might find yourself without a place to stay.
There are only around 10,000 residents in Skye, so there can only be so much accommodation provided. With visitors expected to reach around 1 million a year, it’s important to get in early to book your stay.
- Book in Advance: Secure your accommodations well ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting during peak seasons (May to September).
- Choose a Location That Suits You: Think about the sort of place you want to stay and what facilities you want nearby. Don’t just book anything in Skye! You can read more tips about booking accommodation here.
3. Not Realising Skye is Seasonal
The Isle of Skye’s tourism industry is highly seasonal, which can affect everything from accommodation availability to attractions and services. Failing to plan for the seasonality can lead to disappointments:
- Visit Early or Late for Quieter Experiences: While summer is the most popular time to visit, consider travelling earlier in the season (April) or later (October). However, some things will not be open at these times.
- Be Prepared for Limited Winter Services: Many attractions, restaurants, and accommodations may close or reduce their hours during the winter months (November-March), so plan accordingly. Check the previous year’s opening dates for reference.
- Check Operating Hours: Always verify the opening times of attractions and restaurants in advance, especially if you’re visiting outside the peak season.
4. Neglecting Road Safety
The Isle of Skye’s stunning scenery can make for a memorable road trip, but the roads can be narrow, winding, and sometimes single-track, which poses a challenge for drivers unfamiliar with these things.
Understanding the road rules and signs goes a long way to making your experience more enjoyable.
You can read my top tips for driving in Skye here.
- Drive Carefully: Be prepared for narrow roads, sharp turns, and oncoming traffic and drive to your ability. However, if you find traffic is building up behind you, find a safe place to pull over and allow the other vehicles to pass.
- Understand Single Track Roads: Use passing places, know when and how to reverse, to not follow too closely in a line of cars, and other rules that make single track roads easier and safer to drive.
- Watch for Livestock: Sheep and other animals often roam freely, so stay alert and be ready to stop if needed.
5. Not Engaging with Local Businesses
While the Isle of Skye is a popular tourist destination, it’s also people’s home. Ideally, you would support local businesses while you’re here.
This is easy to do! Visit cafes and restaurants, browse shops, take a tour to learn more, and that kind of thing.
- Support Local Businesses: Shop at local stores, dine at local restaurants, and consider purchasing local crafts as souvenirs. This will support the community and enrich your experience.
- Be Courteous: Be patient in busy places, and respect the island’s pace of life. Service may not always be as fast as you are used to, often due to staffing, so be prepared for this.
6. Ignoring the Wildlife & Animals
There is so much amazing wildlife to be found in Skye, if you know where to look. It’s home to deer, seals, otters, eagles, dolphins, and even the occasional whale. Not taking the time to engage with wildlife means you’re missing part of what’s on offer here.
However, it’s essential to interact responsibly with animals too.
- Keep Your Distance: Maintain a respectful distance from wildlife to avoid disturbing their natural behaviour.
- Don’t Park Dangerously to View Animals or Wildlife: If you see animals or wildlife pull over somewhere safely to view them, don’t park dangerously or stop suddenly on the road.
- Do Not Feed the Animals: Feeding wildlife can harm their health and alter their behaviour. This includes Highland Cattle who should not be fed!
- Watch Out for Animals on the Roadside: Sheep are often left to roam free, so be wary of animals on the roadside and slow down when necessary.
7. Rushing Your Visit & Not Allowing for Flexibility
With so much to see and do, it’s tempting to try and fit everything into a short visit. However, rushing through your itinerary means you can miss some of the magic of Skye, and it also doesn’t take into account the changeable weather.
- Plan Your Itinerary Wisely: Prioritise the sites and activities that interest you most and allow ample time for exploration around them. See what’s close by rather than criss-crossing the island. People often underestimate the size of the island and think it’s much smaller than it is! It’s not possible to drive “around” Skye, it takes time to get to and from places down it’s different peninsulas.
- Consider a Longer Stay: If possible, extend your visit to fully appreciate the island’s beauty and attractions. I always suggest an absolute minimum of 2 nights and ideally more like 3-4 – the more the better!
- Embrace Spontaneity: Allow some flexibility in your schedule for unexpected discoveries and relaxation.
8. Not Making Food Reservations or Having a Backup Plan
Skye is such an underrated foodie destination! There are so many amazing eateries here and it’s a shame not to take advantage of that during your stay.
However, thanks to the small size of the population and the large amount of tourists, many eateries are very busy. Some take reservations and others don’t, so it’s important to decide what you want to do and what you’re happy with if you can’t get into a place you’d like to go to.
- Make Reservations in Advance: Popular restaurants can book up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Make reservations where possible to avoid disappointment if there’s somewhere you really want to go.
- Research Food Options: Know where nearby eateries are located, especially if you’re staying in a remote area. Know which places don’t take reservations and plan to turn up earlier rather than later in case you need to wait.
- Have a Backup Plan: Keep a list of alternative dining spots or consider self-catering if you have the facilities. Having snacks and drinks on hand is always a good idea, especially if plans change unexpectedly. Consider takeaways as an option too, either as a backup or just to get something you haven’t cooked yourself but can relax with back at your accommodation, or outside somewhere with a view.
9. Forgetting to Pack Essentials
Being prepared can make your trip a lot easier! There are a few things I would consider as essentials for or during your trip.
- Always Have Waterproofs: Carry your waterproof jacket with you, even if it doesn’t look like it will rain. The weather can change quickly!
- Carry Snacks and Water: While there are places to eat, having snacks and water on hand is helpful, especially if you’re not sure exactly where you’ll be around meal times and if a place you planned to visit is full and you want to continue on.
- Don’t Forget Insect Repellent: The island’s midges can be annoying, so always have some repellent on hand just in case. We use Smidge and have it in our backpacks or in the car as conditions can change quickly.
10. Overlooking Transportation Challenges
Getting around the Isle of Skye can be challenging, especially if you’re relying on public transport. While there are buses and taxis, service can be infrequent and limited and you need to plan carefully to be able to get to the sites you want to. Some popular tourist sites are not accessible via public transport. You can find more info about public transport in Skye here.
- Rent a Car: Having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace, but you should be confident in your ability to drive the roads here.
- Plan Bus Schedules: If using public transport, check the bus schedules in advance and plan your itinerary accordingly. Choose where you stay carefully so that you’re not caught out by timetables. We would recommend Portree if you have no access to a vehicle.
- Consider Guided Tours: Joining a guided tour can be an excellent way to explore key attractions without the hassle of navigating on your own. It’s a great idea to have a car-free day even if you’re travelling here with a car. You can choose from group tours (departing from Portree) or private tours, where the driver will work with you to form an itinerary that suits.
11. Only Visiting the “Hotspots”
While popular attractions like the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing are considered “must-sees”, don’t overlook other parts of the island, and plan your visit to these hotspots carefully.
There’s so much more to see! I’ve written a whole post on how to find alternative things to do in Skye.
- Time Your Visit: Consider visiting popular places early or late, especially in the summer when the daylight hours are long. This will help you to avoid any car park congestion.
- Talk to Locals: Locals can offer invaluable insights and recommendations on lesser-known places worth visiting. Ask your accommodation provider for some ideas, or join our Isle of Skye Travel Tips Group.
- Take Time for Nature: Stop when you see a peaceful area and soak it in rather than rushing around.
12. Disregarding Environmental Responsibility
The Isle of Skye’s natural beauty is one of its biggest draws, but with increased tourism comes the responsibility to protect the environment.
- Respect Private Property: When exploring, respect people’s property. While the Scottish Outdoor Access Code does outline ways you may be able to access land, it’s best to stick to marked paths and trails if you’re not sure.
- Follow Leave No Trace Principles: Be mindful of your impact on the environment by staying on designated paths, avoiding littering, and minimising disturbances. This includes when parking and driving. Don’t leave the road to drive on the verges past another car, as this ruins them and causes more damage to the road. Always reverse where possible.
- Choose Eco-Friendly Options: Support eco-conscious businesses and accommodations that prioritise sustainability where possible.
The Isle of Skye is a beautiful place to come and explore, but a little understanding of the island before making your trip can go a long way! I truly think everyone can find something for themselves here, and have the trip they dream of with just a little planning.
Hopefully these “mistakes” will help you to have the best time you can in the Isle of Skye!
Sonja x
