3-Day Itinerary: Exploring Isle of Skye with a Campervan
The Isle of Skye has been an increasingly popular destination for travelers who want to take in it’s breathtaking landscapes. A 3-day itinerary on the Isle of Skye is just enough time to see the most iconic of these sights without spending your entire trip in the car rushing from place to place. With incredible scenic drives, and ample camping, it is also a great place to explore via campervan - your little hotel room on wheels.
When I last visited Skye, we took to the single track roads in a bright red campervan - hiking and eating our way across this iconic Scottish isle. In this blog post, you’ll get a realistic Isle of Skye 3-day itinerary with the best things to do (+ a detailed Google map of the route!).
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Campervanning (or Caravanning) in Scotland
Renting a campervan is one of the best ways to see Scotland. It provides a ton of freedom to explore as you wish - and since you’re taking your lodging with you everywhere, there is an extra layer of flexibility to change you plans on a whim. A few things to keep in mind:
Utilize an app like Park4Night to find camping spots, public restrooms and other facilities. For folks from the US, it’s essentially the UK version of iOverlander.
The Outdoor Access code (more details on that below), makes wild camping in Scotland easy to come by, however, due to the popularity of the Isle of Skye in the peak summer months, expect more crowds which can also mean less availability in both established campgrounds and free wild camping locations - plan ahead with a contingencies!
Things to Consider When Renting a Campervan
Before we dig in to the day by day itinerary, let's chat campervan rentals. With the rise in popularity, there are more vendors renting vans than ever before.
Pick Up Location: Consider where you'd like to pick up your van, and find a vendor that is easily accessible via taxi or public transportation. For example, if you're flying into Edinburgh, it would not make sense to pick up your van in Glasgow.
Van Size: We knew we wanted something on the smaller side - it just seemed a lot more manageable to navigate driving on the opposite side of the road for the first time, and for navigating single track roads, which is much of what you will find on the Isle of Skye. The draw back to the smaller van was that it meant no shower or toilet built into the van which some larger vans can offer. It wasn’t a deal breaker for us - but to each their own!
Van Amenities & Features: Think about the amenities that are non-negotiables for you - that could be an onboard toilet, or something as simple as a USB-C port. Here are some common amenities you will find in campervan rentals:
Cooktop / Hob (gas/induction)
Fridge
Microwave
Toilet
Shower
# of beds
Kitchen supplies (pots, pans, mugs, cups, plates, cutlery, etc.)
Bedding & Linens
Camp chairs
Some campervan rental companies will charge an additional fee for renting bedding, linens and camping supplies. If you're traveling from abroad, I highly recommend finding a vendor that automatically includes these at no additional charge so that you don't have to pack every bit of your camping gear.
Transmission: Manual transmissions are still pretty common in the UK. The thought of re-programming our brain to drive on the opposite side of the road AND use our opposite hand to shift gears seemed a bit daunting. For those that don’t know how to drive manual (or maybe just don’t feel like it) go with an automatic transmission.
Branding: Some campervan rentals are plastered with logos and decals that basically scream "I'M A RENTAL!" as you drive down the road. Finding a rental company that offered vans without branding was really important to us.
Price: Be sure to consider the total price, not just the nightly rate. Campervan rental companies will sneak in additional fees for things bedding, kitchen supply kits, and mileage. As you compare vendors, be sure you're doing so apples to apples.
Insurance: What kind of coverage is included with your rental and do you need to plan for supplemental insurance?
Where to Camp on the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye offers a mix of wild camping as well as traditional campgrounds (caravan parks) across the island.
Wild Camping
Wild Camping Spots can be found using apps like Park4Night. They are typically in remote or natural spots and do not offer any amenities like electric, water or toilet hookups (or facilities). In the off-season, it's very likely you'll have these all to yourself. In peak season, expect to share the limited wild camping locations on Skye with other travelers. Here a a few things to keep in mind:
Never camp in parking lots/spaces that clearly state no overnight parking or in areas intended to be laybys for passing vehicles.
Always Leave No Trace - pack it in, pack it out.
Park4Night is a great resource for finding service points like public toilets, showers, laundry, fresh water and waste dumping facilities.
Campgrounds
There are official campgrounds throughout Skye. Most campgrounds on the island are seasonal and will close for the winter months so keep this in mind as you plan for you trip. Additionally, many campgrounds book out well in advance, especially for peak season so be sure to book as early as possible.
Most campgrounds will offer sites with electric hookups, waste stations, toilets & shower block. Here are a few of the most popular campgrounds:
Situated on the west coast of the Isle of Skye, at the foot of the Cuillin mountains, Glenbrittle Campsite is an award-winning campground overlooking Loch Brittle. Due to its remote location, this campground does not have phone signal or wi-fi, perfect for those truly looking to get off grid.
Located just outside of Skye's capital, Portree, this centrally located campsite is ideal for those looking to post up at one campground for the duration of their trip.
Perched on the shores of Loch Greshornish, this campground is on a working croft where highland cattle (aka harry coos) graze. It is close to Dunvegan Castle and about 20 minutes from Portree.
Staffin Caravan & Camping Site
This site is located betweek the Old Man of Storr and The Quirang on the northeast side of the island. It is just a few minute walk from An Corran Beach, famous for its dinosaur footprints, as well as several restaurants and takeaway options.
The Itinerary
This itinerary assumes that you can pick up your camper van the day prior so that you can hit the ground running already on (or near) the Isle of Skye on the first day.
For our trip, we picked up our van from Big Sky Camper Vans shortly after landing in Edinburgh and headed to Glencoe for the first night. Having come straight from a red eye flight, we opted to stay in a campground - Red Squirrel Campsite - for access to showers to wash off all the plane grime on the first night. It’s nestled into the highlands along the Rive Coe with basic facilities and waking up to a flock of sheep outside the van was a perfect welcome for our first morning in Scotland.
This 3-day itinerary for the Isle of Skye hits the highlights, and some hidden gems including:
Portree
Old Man of Storr
Neist Point Lighthouse
Fairy Glenn
Tallisker Bay
Fairy Pools
Uig
Talisker
Day 1
Departing from the Glencoe, we made our way through Fort William - a great place to stock your van with groceries or grab a coffee - and continued making our way northwest to the Isle of Skye. The scenic drive from Glencoe is approximately 2.5 hours according to Google maps, but with so many view points along the way, we made sure to give ourselves plenty of buffer with an early start. On the drive, we spotted tons of wildlife, including a stag, and stopped for an iconic photo of Eilean Donan Castle.
We arrived on the Isle of Skye mid-morning, crossing the Skye Bridge, and started our trip on a couter-clockwise, round trip, loop of the island, making our way up the eastern coast. Here are the stops on Day One:
Salmon Smokehouse
On the outskirts of Broadford, off the A87, is the Isle of Skye Smokehouse offering bespoke tours and tastings of hot and cold smoked salmon. This is by far one of my most favorite food experiences I’ve ever had.
The award-winning Isle of Skye Smokehouse was launched by John Corfield, whose passion and dedication for excellence emerged from his time working as a Chef at the Ritz Hotel and Gordon Ramsay's 3 Michelin Star Restaurant in London. Corfield serves as your tour guide and chef for this unique experience. Participants are educated on Scottish salmon, the smoking process - using a replica, historic ‘cleat’ and includes a sampling of smoked salmon canapés.
Portree
The island’s colorful harbor town, Portree is Skye’s cultural heart—lined with pastel houses, cozy pubs, boutique shops and a lively waterfront. For those traveling to Skye and looking for more traditional accommodations, Portree would be a great homebase for exploring the island.
Old Man of Storr
Perhaps Skye’s most iconic landmark, the Old Man of Storr is a towering rock pinnacle set against rolling hills and sweeping sea views. A short but steep hike rewards visitors with one of the island’s most breathtaking panoramas.
Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls
Here, sheer cliffs drop dramatically into the sea beside the Kilt Rock waterfall, which tumbles straight into the ocean. On windy days, the water is blown back upward, creating an unforgettable natural spectacle.
Day 2
On day two, continue around the northern-most points on the island.
Uig
Uig is a small town located at the head of Uig Bay on the west coast of the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The main draw for us was Uig’s public restroom and free wifi. We also popped in to Isle of Skye Brewing to grab some refreshments for the road.
Fairy Glen
Just a short drive outside of Uig sits the Fairy Glen, a whimsical landscape of grassy mounds and spiraling paths. The Fairy Glen feels like something lifted from folklore.
Coral Beach
This walk is sure to surprise you - the three mile out-and-back trail takes you through a quintessential Scottish farm only to emerge on a coast line that feels like you’ve been transported to a Caribbean island. The turquoise blue water will have you forgetting you’re in Scotland. Instead of sugar sand underfoot, the shoreline in made up of tiny bits of coral. Keep an eye out for wildlife as it is common to see seals offshore here.
Neist Point Lighthouse
At the far western tip of Skye, Neist Point is crowned by its iconic, historic, lighthouse and dramatic sea cliffs. It’s one of the best spots on the island for sunsets, with sweeping views out to the Atlantic. Choose your own adventure here by taking in the views a short walk from the car park or for those with a more adventurous spirit, hike out onto the peninsula for a closer look at the lighthouse.
Edinbane Pottery
Personally, one of my favorite things to get a souvenir when I travel is a new piece of pottery, or some other locally made good and the Isle of Skye has many amazing artists to choose from. I recommend Edinbane Pottery, founded in 1971 by Stuart McWirther and his father. Their studio features stunning pottery and ceramics - from lamps to coffee mugs - with unique glazes inspired by the landscapes of Isle of Skye.
Day 3
The final day of this itinerary explores the more central band of the island.
Talisker Bay
Tucked between steep cliffs, Talisker Bay is a striking black-sand. This remote and moody bay, this was one of my favorite walks on the Isle of Skye. Nearby you'll find Talisker Distillery if you'd like to warm up with a wee dram after your hike.
Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear cascades set at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains. Legend has it that the pools’ name comes from a Clan Macleod Chieftan who was set to marry a fairy maiden. It is also rumored that the pools are frequented by selkies, shape-shifting seals, who shed their skins to bathe in the pools as humans under the moonlight. The views here feel otherworldly and are absolutely worth a stop.
Where We Ate on the Isle of Skye
Transparently, because we were in the camper van, we made a lot of our meals - which if you’re traveling on a budget is another huge perk of this option. BUT here are the places we did stop to grab a bite to eat:
The Three Chimneys - Located between Colbost & Dunvegan, on the edge of Loch Dunvegan, The Tree Chimneys serves local seafood, fresh game and foraged produce. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide and has held three AA Rosettes since 2000. This one is a splurge, but totally worth it.
Dunvegan Bakery and Coffee Shop - Dunvegan Bakery and Coffee shop is Isle of Skye’s oldest bakery (at least according to their sign), dating back to 1870. Stop in for a variety of breads and tasty treats.
Blas Inn - The perfect spot to pop in for for fish & chips made with locally sourced haddock delivered by the fishmonger daily.
Need inspiration for your next trip? Check out some of my other Scotland travel guides:
The Perfect 2-Day Edinburgh Itinerary
One Week Scotland Road Trip Itinerary
Top 25 Things to See & Do in Edinburgh
FAQs About the Isle of Skye, Scotland
Where is the Isle of Skye?
The Isle of Skye is considered part of the Inner Hebrides - an archipelago along the west coast of Scotland. Most visitors to the Isle of Skye will arrive via the Skye Bridge which spans Loch Alsh between Kyleakin and the village of of Kyle of Lochalsh on mainland (can we call it that since it’s also part of an island?) Scotland.
What is the best time to visit the Isle of Skye?
Peak season on Isle of Skye is from April to October. During this time,, accommodations book up far in advance and some may have minimum nights of stay. These factors can play a big role in selecting your accommodations.
On the flip side, some accommodations will close for the winter low season.
What is the best way to get to Isle of Skye, Scotland?
The Isle of Skye can be reached by car, ferry, bus or train. A rental car is going to be the best way to get to the Isle of Skye. While there is public transportation (buses) available to Isle of Skye from other destinations within Scotland, as well as on the island itself, it is not the most efficient way to get around. If you have a ton of time to spend and in no hurry, this could be an option but for travelers looking to see as much as feasible in a few days time, a rental car is absolutely the way to go. The journey time is approximately a 5-6 hour drive to the Isle of Skye from Scotland's central belt.
From Edinburgh:
From Edinburgh, there are a couple of routes but I prefer the one that follows along the A84/A85/A87 passing through Stirling, Callendar and eventually the Scottish Highlands.
From Glasgow:
From Glasgow, you'll meander along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond before driving through the spectacular scenery of Rannoch Moor. From there, you can either head west to Mallaig to take the ferry or continue north along the A82 and A87 to reach the southern shores of the Isle of Skye.
Driving on Isle of Skye
On the Isle of Skye, the roads are well maintained. You will find a mix of two lane and single-track roads. On single-track roads, when you come across another vehicle approaching, you should pull over in a passing place on your left. If the nearest passing place is on the right-hand side, wait on the left side of the road opposite the passing place allowing room for the oncoming vehicle to pull in.
Is Isle of Skye, Scotland worth visiting?
For sure! The Isle of Skye features incredible breathtaking landscapes at every turn. Some of these, like the Fairy Glen and Old Man of Storr feel otherworldly - others, are steeped in rich history and folklore. I absolutely loved my time on the Isle of Skye - it was an unforgettable experience - and I would go back in a heartbeat.
Want more tips, personalized recommendations? I would love to help you book your Scotland getaway!
Hi, I’m Jess
I’m here to help you plan epic adventures. If you’re looking for authentic travel guides that mix luxe lodging and incredible dining with out of this world hikes and adventures, you’re in the right place.
