Portree is the island's capital and the natural place to start exploring Skye. Its colourful harbour is lovely in itself, but within an hour you can be at the Old Man of Storr, walking the Quiraing, looking out from Neist Point or wandering the shores around Dunvegan. Every road on Skye seems to lead to another view, and a day spent following them is hard to beat.
Each day is worked out stop by stop, with the drive between each place, where to eat, and what to book before you go, since the island's restaurants and boat trips fill up quickly in summer. Many of the roads are single track, so we've allowed time for that. Set off early to beat the crowds at the busiest spots, and choose the day that's calling you.
Your best match · In PortreeBrunch at Birch and the Donnie Munro mural in PortreeOn foot, about an hour and a half.See the day
In PortreeThe Lump, Portree harbour and a hot chocolate at BirchOn foot, about two hours
In PortreeA sea eagle boat trip from Portree and fish and chipsOn foot, about three and a half hours
In PortreeBookbug and a family swim at the Fingal Centre in PortreeBy car, about four hours
In PortreeA swim at the Fingal Centre and pizza at Gasta in PortreeBy car, about three hours
In PortreeScorrybreac at dusk and supper at the Cuillin Hills HotelOn foot, about three hours
About 3 miles awayBen Tianavaig and lunch at the Isles Inn in PortreeBy car, about four and a half hours
In PortreePortree and the BraesA day by car, about 19 miles
About 5 miles awaySt Columba's Isle and afternoon tea at Skeabost HouseBy car, about two hours
About 5 miles awayWaternish, by Skeabost and EdinbaneA day by car, about 58 miles
About 6 miles awayThe Raasay House coast and Orchard Wood walkBy car, about two hours on foot, and half a day with the ferry
About 6 miles awayThe path up to the Old Man of StorrBy car, about two and a half hours
About 6 miles awayTrotternish: the Storr to the QuiraingA day by car, about 44 miles
About 6 miles awayA walk down to Bearreraig BayBy car, about two hours
About 7 miles awayBrochel Castle and Calum's Road walk, RaasayBy car, about two hours on foot, and a day with the ferry
About 7 miles awayA walk on the Burma Road and Miners' Trail, RaasayBy car, about three and a half hours from Sconser, with both crossings
About 7 miles awayA walk up Temptation Hill on RaasayOn foot, about four hours from Sconser, with both crossings
About 7 miles awayThe Isle of Raasay Distillery tour and lunch on the islandBy car, about four and a half hours
About 7 miles awayRaasay: Calum's Road and HallaigA day by car, about 52 miles
About 7 miles awayA walk to Hallaig on RaasayBy car, about three and a half hours from Sconser, with both crossings
About 8 miles awayA gorge walk with Skye AdventureBy car, about five hours
About 8 miles awayA walk up Glen Sligachan from the old bridgeBy car, about two hours
About 8 miles awayThe Glamaig falls and lunch at Seumas' Bar with the dogBy car, about two and a half hours
About 8 miles awayThe Perfect Day on the Isle of SkyeA day by car, about 81 miles
About 9 miles awayA Day Exploring Skye’s NorthwestA day by car, about 46 miles
About 9 miles awayDun Beag Broch and lunch at Bog Myrtle in StruanBy car, about two hours
About 10 miles awayA rainy day on SkyeA day by car, about 63 miles
About 10 miles awayA stroll by Loch Harport and a pint at the Old InnBy car, about two hours
About 10 miles awayTalisker Distillery and lunch at CarbostOn foot, about four hours
About 10 miles awayA walk to Dun Ardtreck and Ardtreck Point lighthouseBy car, an hour to an hour and a half
About 10 miles awayA walk to the tidal island of Oronsay at UllinishBy car, about two and a half hours
About 11 miles awayA walk to Loch Cuithir on the old diatomite railwayBy car, about three and a half hours
About 12 miles awayMinginish: the Fairy Pools, Glen Brittle and TaliskerA day by car, about 58 miles
About 12 miles awayA walk to the Fairy Pools in Glen BrittleBy car, about an hour and a half
About 12 miles awayA walk to Brothers' Point on Skye's Trotternish coastBy car, about an hour, and longer at low tide
About 12 miles awaySkye's dinosaur coast: a day of footprints on one low tideA day by car, about 37 miles
About 12 miles awayBrothers' Point and lunch at Columba 1400 in StaffinBy car, about three hours
About 12 miles awayA walk to Talisker BayBy car, about an hour and a half
About 13 miles awayA walk round the Fairy Glen at UigBy car, about an hour
About 14 miles awayA walk in Uig Wood to the Rha Glen waterfallBy car, about an hour
About 14 miles awayThe Rha waterfall in Uig and lunch at the GalleyBy car, about two hours
About 14 miles awayDunvegan and Glendale, home by Loch BracadaleA day by car, about 72 miles
About 14 miles awayStrathaird: Elgol and the boat to Loch CoruiskA day by car, about 30 miles
About 14 miles awayA community sauna on the shore at ApplecrossOn foot, about three hours
About 15 miles awayDunvegan Castle's gardens and the seal boatBy car, about three and a half hours
About 15 miles awayThe Quiraing circuitBy car, about four hours
About 16 miles awayA walk to Irishman's Point at BroadfordBy car, about an hour
About 16 miles awayA walk to the cleared village of BoreraigBy car, about three hours to Boreraig and back; five to six for the full round by Suisnish
About 17 miles awayA walk to the Coral Beach at ClaiganBy car, about two hours
About 19 miles awayA walk to the Lookout at Rubha HunishBy car, about two hours to the Lookout and back; three to five for the full round
About 20 miles awayA shore walk to Castle Moil at KyleakinBy car, about half an hour
About 21 miles awayThe circular walk round Milovaig in GlendaleBy car, about an hour
About 21 miles awayTrotternish: the north end and UigA day by car, about 53 miles
About 21 miles awayA walk up Waterstein HeadBy car, about two hours
About 21 miles awayPlockton, Eilean Donan and KyleA day by car, about 27 miles
About 22 miles awayA walk to Neist Point lighthouseBy car, about an hour and a half
About 22 miles awayA walk to Leitir Fura in Kinloch ForestBy car, about three hours
About 22 miles awayPony trekking at Red Point, by GairlochBy car, about two hours
About 23 miles awayBroadford, Kylerhea and the Glenelg ferryA day by car, about 54 miles
About 23 miles awayThe otter hide at KylerheaBy car, about two hours
About 24 miles awayA tour of Torabhaig DistilleryBy car, about two hours
About 24 miles awaySleat: Armadale and the west loopA day by car, about 43 miles
About 26 miles awayA walk to Sandaig, Gavin Maxwell's CamusfeàrnaBy car, about four hours with lunch
About 26 miles awayArmadale Castle Gardens in SleatBy car, about three hours
About 26 miles awayLunch at the Badachro Inn and Redpoint beachBy car, about three and a half hours
About 27 miles awayA walk to Coroghon and the black beach on CannaOn foot, about an hour
About 27 miles awayA walk up Compass Hill on CannaOn foot, about an hour and a half
About 27 miles awayA sea kayak on Loch CarronBy car, about two hours
About 27 miles awayA wood-fired sauna at Shieldaig Lodge, GairlochBy car, about two and a half hours
About 27 miles awayA walk to the cross at A'Chill on CannaOn foot, about an hour
About 27 miles awayA walk to the Point of SleatBy car, about four hours
About 28 miles awayA Daytrip Around the Applecross PeninsulaA day by car, about 58 miles
About 28 miles awayAttadale Gardens on Loch CarronBy car, about two and a half hours
About 28 miles awayA walk to Harris and the Bullough mausoleum on RumOn foot, about nine hours
About 28 miles awayA walk to Kilmory beach on RumOn foot, about five hours
About 28 miles awaySupper by the fire at the Old Inn in GairlochBy car, about two and a half hours
About 29 miles awayGairloch Museum and the Flowerdale Glen waterfallBy car, about five and a half hours
About 31 miles awayA walk to the Victoria Falls on Loch MareeBy car, about an hour with the shore at Slattadale; half an hour for the falls
About 31 miles awayThe boat to Inverie and a pint at the Old ForgeBy boat and on foot, a full day, set by the boats you book
About 31 miles awayThe Mallaig Circular Walk and Loch an NostarieBy car, about an hour, or two and a half hours with the loch
About 31 miles awayA Saturday night at the Chlachain Inn in MallaigBy car, about four hours
About 33 miles awayInverewe Garden on Loch EweBy car, about two and a half hours
About 34 miles awayCamusdarach and the Silver Sands of Morar: two beach walksBy car, about two and a half hours
About 34 miles awayA walk to Laig Bay and the Singing Sands on EiggOn foot, an hour and a half from Cleadale, or most of a day from the pier
About 35 miles awayA walk up the Beinn Eighe Mountain TrailBy car, about five hours
About 35 miles awayA walk to Eilean Glas lighthouse on ScalpayBy car, about an hour and a half
About 36 miles awayA walk up An Sgùrr on EiggOn foot, three to four hours
About 37 miles awayA walk to Grulin, Eigg's cleared townshipOn foot, two and a half to three hoursNot every day out needs to be a big one. A castle and a café, a walk and lunch, a museum when it rains: one place, somewhere good to eat close by, and the time between worked out.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By train and on foot, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about four and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about five hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By Subway and on foot, about four hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By bus and on foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

By Subway and on foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By Subway and on foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By train and on foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about two hours with lunch.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By Subway and train and on foot, about five hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By boat and on foot, about four hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about an hour.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about four hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about four and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By bus and on foot, about five hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about four and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about four hours.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By train and on foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By tram and on foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about four hours.

By car, about four hours.

By car, about four and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about five and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By bike, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about three hours with Nardini's.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about four hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about four hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about four hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By Subway and on foot, about four hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about five hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

By train and on foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.
By car, about two hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

On foot, about four hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about two hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about four hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about four hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about two and a half hours.

On foot, about an hour and a half.

By car, about four hours.

On foot, about three and a half hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

By car, about six hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about two hours.

By car, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours.

On foot, about three hours, with lunch.

By car, about an hour and a half.

On foot, about two hours.

On foot, about three hours.

By car, about three hours.

By car, about four hours.
Days out within an hour of where you are staying, nearest first.
Our writers’ own days out, from the places they know best.

A day by car, about 26 miles.

A day by car, about 110 miles.
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A few hours by car.
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A day by car, about 58 miles.
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A day on foot, about 3 miles.
The people we have met along the way, the makers, owners and writers, on the places they love most, in their own words.

“…stroll up to The Birks of Aberfeldy from The Memorial Arch, soaking up the woods and waterfalls that once inspired Rabbie Burns.”
Zanna Wilson, artist and gallerist who runs The Watermill Gallery in Aberfeldy, Perthshire

“My absolute favourite café with the best coffee in town.”
Lorna Freytag, artist and illustrator based in Oban, with a studio overlooking Oban Bay

“The best veggie and vegan breakfast around. Epic cakes and great coffee.”
Shelley Richmond, freelance photographer and creative based in Dervaig, Isle of Mull, who publishes The Isle of Mull Journal

“The breakfasts here are incredible.”
Karen Harvey, owner of Hoos and InHoos, two homeware shops on Great Western Road in Glasgow's West End

“We particularly love doing sections of the Fife Coastal Path, especially through the East Neuk villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie.”
Joy and Nick, own Airdit, a woodland treehouse stay above St Andrews, Fife

“A visit to the Falls of Foyers is a must.”
Anna Low, co-owns and runs Foyers Lodge, a small boutique hotel overlooking Loch Ness

“I’m a big fan of the Isle of Raasay Distillery.”
Katy Fennema, whisky Ambassador at the Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar, and runs Braemar Highland Experience with her husband Julian

“…amazing panoramas all the way up to the Old Man of Storr.”
Calum Gillies and Leonie, artist Calum Gillies and his wife Leonie run The Exchange, a gallery and coffee spot in the old telephone exchange at Clachan, Isle of Raasay

“The Nethy House Café is a regular spot for lunch or coffee.”
Sarah and Phil, run The Lazy Duck, an off-grid eco-holiday site with cabins, a bunkhouse and a campsite in Nethybridge, Cairngorms National Park

“I would definitely recommend Arthur’s seat in Holyrood Park.”
Kirsty Campbell, knitwear designer from Banchory, Deeside, behind RYVOAN, who knits in her Edinburgh studio

“…the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing and Fairy Pools etc are all incredible natural wonders to see.”
Jennifer Pearson, jewellery designer and founder of ÒR, two creative retail stores in Portree, Isle of Skye

“Exploring the incredible beaches of Oldshoremore, Polin, Achmelvich, Sandwood Bay all within 30-40 minutes drive, all with their unique character.”
Catherine Sinclair, textile designer behind Cove*, who also runs Kylesku Lodges on the north-west coast

“Both are incredible ruined castles on the coastal cliffs and have such interesting history alongside spectacular views.”
Laura (Fernweh), designer and maker of waxed-canvas bags and accessories at Fernweh UK, with a studio at Deemouth Artist Studios in Aberdeen

“Leith hall, Drum Castle and Crathes Castle gardens are all personal favourites.”
Hollie Berries, sustainable florist running Hollie Berries Flower Studio and Cutting Garden in Aberdeenshire

“Blackford Hill is my very favourite spot in Edinburgh.”
Emily Hogarth, papercut artist and illustrator who lives in East Lothian and works for Edinburgh clients, including Hidden Scotland's folklore illustrations

“…head down to the Harbour for Lobster & chips at either ‘The Rocketeer’ or ‘The Lobster Shack’.”
Stephanie Lothian, co-owns The Barn at Williamstone Farm Steadings, a holiday cottage in North Berwick
Two days and more: the days joined up, with somewhere to sleep between.








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Every day out has a Customise button: give it your own name and date, say where you are staying, move or drop a stop, and keep it in your account to share with whoever is coming.