The Isle of Skye isn’t known as “The Misty Isle” for nothing! The west coast of Scotland generally sees more rain than the east, thanks to clouds forming off the sea, and the Cuillin Hills in Skye attract the clouds, too.
It rains all year round, leading to lots of mist and clouds, and therefore, rainbows!
But what do you do in the Isle of Skye in the rain? It’s not exactly an “indoors” destination, with most people travelling here wanting to spend their time in the outdoors taking in the beautiful scenery.
Now, most of the time, I just say, “Go ahead with your plans with waterproofs!” I especially love coastal/beach walks in the rain.
But every now and then, the sky really chucks it down, and the rain doesn’t pass as quickly as we’d like, so some alternative ideas are in order…
1. Visit a Museum
Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum
Located in Sleat, a quieter area in southern Skye, Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum are well worth visiting.
The castle, once the seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat, is in ruins, and you can’t go inside. However, wandering the surrounding gardens and forest gives a glimpse of why this area is called the “Garden of Skye.” On a clearer day, there are also stunning views towards the mainland.
The Museum of the Isles provides a detailed history of Clan Macdonald and the general history of the highlands and islands, from the clearances, Jacobite times, and mass immigration to what were then British colonies.
Knowing more about the history of Skye can really enrich your experience here (you can also read more in this post on the history of Skye!).
You could easily spend much of a rainy day exploring here! There’s also a cafe at the former stables, accessible from the car park.
If you catch the ferry to Skye from Mallaig, it’s well worth stopping here on your drive north, especially if you don’t intend to return to Sleat during your stay (although I would encourage you to!).
Giant MacAskill Museum
Learn about the tallest-ever Scottish man at this small museum in Dunvegan! Angus MacAskill was born in 1825 and grew to 7 foot 9 inches tall. He’s said to be the world’s tallest “true” giant. The museum includes a model of Angus and replicas of some of his furniture.
The museum is managed by none other than Peter MacAskill, the father of the cyclist Danny MacAskill.
Kyle Station Museum
Located in the historic train station building in Kyle of Lochalsh, this small museum was founded by volunteers who campaigned to save the Kyle Railway line from Inverness from closing in the 1970s.
There are two exhibition galleries with model boats and trains, a children’s activity table to explore, and archival films to view.
Skye Museum of Island Life
Located in Kilmuir, north of Uig, on the Trotternish Peninsula, the Skye Museum of Island Life gives an insight into the lives of those who lived here.
The “museum” is located in a series of croft houses and is like stepping back in time to an old highland village in the 19th century.
Each house covers a different part of life, from home to work to community life, and there’s plenty to see and discover.
You’ll still want a raincoat to brave the rain between each house!
2. Explore Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
Dunvegan Castle is the home of the MacLeods and is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.
Obviously, the Castle part is the inside bit, but given the changeable weather in Skye, chances are you’ll be able to explore the gardens before or after that, too.
Inside the castle, each room contains extensive information about the lives of those who have lived there over time and the items within, including the famed Fairy Flag, one of the clan’s most treasured possessions. The silken flag has several origin stories, including that it was given to the clan by fairies.
Make sure you explore from top to bottom, including the dungeons and the film room next to the shop downstairs.
Outside, there are extensive gardens to explore, and you can take a boat trip to see a nearby seal colony at an extra cost. It’s worthwhile if you’re not doing anything else like that while you’re in Skye.
3. Take a Distillery Tour
There are two main distilleries on Skye and one on nearby Raasay, plus at least one smaller one too.
The largest and oldest is Talisker Distillery in Carbost, established in 1830. It recently underwent a large renovation to its visitor’s area. You can easily spend time there taking a tour, doing tastings, and browsing the extensive shop. In peak season, tours do book out, so you’ll want to plan ahead if possible.
The second distillery in Skye is Torabhaig on the Sleat Peninsula. It’s very new in comparison, having only started in 2017. However, the location in an old mill lends itself to a lovely shop and cafe you can visit alongside taking a tour.
There is also a small whisky and gin tasting room at Hotel Eilean Iarmain, where you can try the Gaelic Whiskies made by the small boutique whisky company Praban na Linne, which means “a small smugglers enterprise” in Gaelic, a nod to the location at the pier in Isleornsay also in Sleat.
A short ferry ride from Sconsor will find you on the Isle of Raasay, where the Raasay Distillery is within walking distance of the pier. It’s the first legal whisky and gin distillery established on the island, and it was established in 2017.
The distillery helps provide work for the small local community and has an excellent gin alongside their whisky, both of which you can try when you take a tour. The food at the restaurant is also some of the best!
As long as the sea isn’t rough, you could easily plan a half or full-day trip to the island to visit the distillery if it’s raining and drive to some other areas of interest on the isle, like Calum’s Road.
4. Relax at a Pub
A leisurely pub lunch is always a good thing to do on a rainy day in Skye. There are plenty of spots to choose from!
We like the Old Inn in Carbost, as well as Bar Am Praban at Hotel Eilean Iarmain. The Edinbane Inn and Stein Inn further north are also great options when they’re open for lunch service.
Several places like the Edinbane Inn and 1820 in Portree often have live music on a Sunday afternoon so you can sit and enjoy a meal and some drinks while you listen.
You could even take the Original Skye Ferry from Kylerhea to Glenelg for the Glenelg Inn and explore that area further.
5. Go Climbing at Third Ridge
If you can’t explore the outdoors, then go indoor rock climbing and bouldering instead! Third Ridge has a small rock climbing and bouldering room.
For those with experience, you can be left to your own devices or book in with an instructor to help you out. You will need to book in advance for this, too, usually by the day before, so check the weather ahead.
Website: https://www.third-ridge.com/
6. Do Some Research
Many people travel to Skye because of their family connections, and it’s well worth exploring this further with a trip to The Skye & Lochalsh Archive Centre in Portree. It has changing exhibitions you can peruse, and you can research your family history there too.
Even if you don’t have a family connection, it’s a great place to find out more about Skye’s history.
7. Have Fun at A.C.E Target Sports
With clay target practice in Sleat and various activities like axe throwing, archery, air guns, and more clay target practice in Portree, A.C.E Target Sports is a great thing to do on Skye in the rain (or do anyway!).
It is recommended you book in advance if possible, so check out the weather and plan for the days ahead.
Website: https://www.ace-skye.com/
8. Visit Skyeskyns
Skyeskyns, located in Waternish, is the only sheepskin tannery in Scotland. You can take their small tour to learn about how they take sheepskins that would otherwise go to waste and turn them into usable sheepskins to decorate your home.
Shop in their beautiful showroom and have coffee and cake in the Yurt Cafe onsite too.
You could easily turn a miserable day into an exploration of Waternish, including visiting the Stein Inn, Skyeskyns, galleries in the area and Skiō Pottery. If the weather clears, there are walks from the historical Trumpan Church.
9. Take a Boat Trip
If the weather is more drizzle than rough winds, you could go on a boat trip, especially one with a cover like the glass-bottom boat in Kyleakin.
10. Go to the Isle of Skye Candle Visitor Centre & Las Cinema
The Isle of Skye Candle Visitor Centre is home to a large shop with all of their candles and other highland-inspired goods, as well as Gasta restaurant/cafe and Las Cinema.
Las Cinema often plays a short film (45 minutes) about the dramatic geological history of Skye. Escape the weather for a bit to see the film, browse the shop, and stop in for food at Gasta.
Check the film timetable here: https://www.lasportrigh.co.uk/
11. Browse Art Galleries
Skye is an inspirational place, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find many art galleries spread across the island. It’s well worth stopping in to some during your trip! It also gives you an opportunity to chat with local artists and learn more about Skye.
The gallery at Hotel Eilean Iarmain hosts different artists all the time, and there is also the Aird Old Church Gallery right at the end of the road on the Sleat peninsula.
12. Fox’s Hollow Blacksmith
This is a bit more of a plan-in-ahead activity, but I wanted to include it anyway since it’s an amazing indoor thing to do in Skye!
Fox’s Hollow is a Bladesmith and Blacksmith in Carbost. You can book in with them to spend the day creating your own Sgian Dubh (pronounced Skian Doo), which is a small knife usually worn in the top of the sock as part of traditional highland dress.
They also have various items for sale, so if you’re not interested in the course but want to check out their range, get in touch!
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/FoxsHollowBlacksmith
13. Stop for Coffee & Cake
I’ll never say no to a coffee and cake stop…
I’m so happy to say Skye has some AWESOME cafes. It’s always worth checking out what’s near the main sights you’re trying to see so you have somewhere you could pop in to grab a hot drink and warm up on a day when the weather might not be so great. Even if it means grabbing a takeaway for the car!
Here are a few of my favourites:
- Cafe Cùil – Carbost
- The Coffee Bothy – Broadford
- Lean To Coffee – Breakish
- Bog Myrtle – Struan
- Amy’s Place – Torrin
- Bûrr Cafe – Kilmaluag
- The Hungry Gull – Staffin
- Caora Dhubh Coffee – Carbost
- Cuillin Coffee Co. – Glenbrittle Campsite
14. Lusan Spa
If you’re in Skye on a rainy Sunday or Monday, then you’re in luck! You can book a treatment at Lusan Spa while it’s raining and be fresh and ready to go out when the weather improves.
Website: https://lusan-spa.book.app/
15. Browse Shops for Local Goods
There are so many creative people doing amazing things in Skye. It’s the perfect place to find locally made arts and crafts and beautiful souvenirs to remind you of your trip.
In Portree, we recommend a trip to Òr – they have two locations – for Scottish-made things, including jewellery made by the owner, Jen.
Skye Weavers in Glendale is another great stop, as you can often see them using the pedal-powered loom in their weaving shed.
Island at the Edge in Edinbane makes goods “sheep to fleece” from their own sheep.
Lou Lou Designs in Carbost also has beautiful handmade items.
Love Skye is a jeweller in Broadford which has plenty of Skye-inspired items that will give you a lasting memento of your trip.
Several pottery studios are also located on the island, including Skiō Pottery in Waternish, Edinbane Pottery, and Uig Pottery.
As I mentioned, the rain in Skye doesn’t often hang around as the wind blows it through, so it’s worth noting the location of these sorts of places near outdoor things you want to see so you have somewhere to go if it gets too much, and just because they’re wonderful places to add to your itinerary regardless!
Tips for Enjoying Skye in the Rain
- Bring Waterproof Clothing: Ensure you have waterproof jackets, trousers, and sturdy footwear to stay comfortable. Make sure it’s waterproof and not just water-resistant. You need the real thing here!
- Check Opening Hours: Some attractions may have seasonal hours, so check in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Embrace the Weather: The rain can add to Skye’s mystique and beauty, offering a different perspective on the landscape. Don’t be afraid to just get out in it and enjoy it, you can always dry off and warm up after!
- Plan Ahead: Have a flexible itinerary that allows for indoor and outdoor activities based on the weather. Group morning and afternoon activities that you can then flip around if the weather looks better for one or the other.
Whether you prefer indoor attractions, scenic drives, or embracing the elements, there are plenty of things to do on the Isle of Skye in the rain. Enjoy your trip!
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You can also join our Facebook Group for more ideas!
Sonja x
