3-Day Camper Van Roadtrip Itinerary For Isle of Skye
Way back in 2009, I met my best friend while studying abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. It’s the only time we’ve ever lived in the same city - and we’ve never lived less that 2-hours from each other since. We had a 10-year “friendaversary” trip planned for 2020, a trip that we had mapped out, booked the B & B’s and were all but ready to take off for… but I think we all know what happened to those plans when the world all but shut down.
In 2023, we were able finally reschedule and set our plans back in motion - but with three more years of Google Map pin drops to filter through and prioritize. Our trip completely transformed from what we had originally planned in 2020. Our new plans featured a bright red campervan in lieu of navigating public transportation and a totally new route. We focused on the Isle of Skye for the majority of our week - hiking and eating our way across this iconic Scottish isle.
Camper Vanning (or Caravaning) 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.
Don’t camp in parking lots/space that clearly state no overnight parking or in areas intended to be laybys for passing vehicles.
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!
Our camper van at Neist Point
Before We Get Started
Before we dig in to the day by day 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 Day 1.
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 traditional RV park - 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.
Why did we pick Big Sky Camper Vans?
There are tons of camper van rental companies in Scotland these days - we opted for Big Sky for the following :
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!
Transmission: Manual transmissions are still pretty common in the UK. The thought of re-programming out brain to drive on the opposite side of the road AND use our opposite hand to shift gears seemed a bit daunting. Big Sky Camper Vans has vehicles with automatic transmissions for those that don’t know how to drive manual (or maybe just don’t feel like it).
Branding: Big Sky Camper Vans do not have any branding or decals on them - they look like any other mini-van on the road. As two ladies traveling together, we liked that it would draw less attention to us as tourists.
Price: Their all-in pricing, including things like cutlery, cookware and bedding was super competitive. Because we were flying from the US, it was a bonus not to have worry about packing all of our camping gear, and also not having these items be considered an add-on.
Map of Isle of Skye
The Itinerary:
This 3-day itinerary for the Isle of Skye hits the highlights, and some hidden gems including:
Portree
Old Man of Storr
Neist Point
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. Along the way, we spotted tons of wildlife including a stag and stopped for an iconic photo of Eileen Donan Castle.
We arrived on the Isle of Skye mid-morning, crossing the Skye Bridge, and started our trip on a couter-clockwise loop of the island, making our way up the eastern coast. Here were our top stops on Day One:
Salmon Smokehouse (1)
Just beyond 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 canapés.
Portree (2)
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 (3)
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 (4)
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:
Uig (5)
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 (6)
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 (8)
This walk is sure to surprise you - the 3 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, but 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
Neist Point (9)
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 from near 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 (7)
Isle of Skye is home to many amazing artists 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. Edinbane Pottery, founded in 1971 by Stuart McWirther and his father, features stunning pottery and ceramics - from lamps to coffee mugs - with unique glazes inspired by the landscapes of Isle of Skye.
Day 3:
Talisker Bay (10)
Tucked between steep cliffs, Talisker Bay is a striking black-sand beach washed by the Atlantic waves. Remote and moody, this was one of my favorite walks on the Isle of Skye.
Fairy Pools (11)
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.
Where We Ate
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 pasteries.
Blas Inn - The perfect spot to pop in for for fish & chips made with locally sourced haddock delivered by the fishmonger daily.
About Scotland
The Location:
Scotland is a country in the northern part of the United Kingdom, located on the island of Great Britain just north of England, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Irish Sea.
Its capital city, Edinburgh, is located along the Firth of Forth on the eastern side of Scotland. It is about 7.5 hours north of London by car.
The Weather:
Edinburgh has a temperate maritime climate thanks in part to its proximity to the North Sea. It is a common misconception that it is perpetually rainy - averaging only about 27 in annually (compared to Seattle’s 37 in annually). Visitors can expect long summer days and winters with shorter daylight periods.
Winter (December - February): Temperatures are often in the mid-30’s (F), this time of year sees more frequent rainfall with occasional snow. The days are short, with the sun rising as late as 8:30 a.m. and setting as early as 4 p.m.
Spring (March - May): Temperatures are more mild but certainly not hot in the spring in Edinburgh. Daytime highs can range from the low 40’s to mid-50’s this time of year.
Summer (June - August): The average daytime temperatures for summer in Edinburgh are in the mid-60’s. The days are also much longer - sunrise can be as early as 4:30 a.m. and sunset at 9:30 p.m.or later.
Fall (September - November): Fall temperatures are often in the mid-50’s in Edinburgh. The days start to become longer and the wind begins to pick up as you head into the winter months.
Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code
Scotland is famous for letting people explore its wild spaces, and the Outdoor Access Code makes it clear how to do that responsibly. Basically, you’re free to walk, cycle, or camp almost anywhere, but you’re asked to respect the land, wildlife, and people who live there. Stick to paths when you can, practice Leave No Trace principles, and be considerate around farms and livestock. It’s what makes Scotland’s mountains, lochs, and glens so accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
For wild camping, follow these rules when selecting a campsite:
Ensure you’re out of sight of any residences, or at least 200m away from them.
Choose a spot that is that isn’t going to have people walking past your tent regularly.
Don’t pitch up right beside a campsite.
When you leave the camping spot as you found it, leave not trace.
Arrive after dark and leave before light. Do not overstay in one spot.
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