Hidden Scotland
Sign in
A white house sits beside a stone bridge over a river, misty mountains rising behind.
Minginish and The Cuillin Hills

Sligachan Campsite

With room for the dog.

Book on their website
Welcome

A central – and gobsmacking – location, surrounded by the Cuillin mountains, beside a river and with a great bar (at the Sligachan Hotel a caber’s throw from the campsite) – it’s a good base from which to explore the island.

Visited and photographed by Hidden Scotland

Sligachan Campsite sits at the mouth of Glen Sligachan in the middle of Skye, beside the river with the Red and Black Cuillin all around. Walkers and climbers have been camping here since the 1980s, and the site is set up for days in the hills, with hot showers, laundry, a drying room for soggy boots and free wifi.

There are 43 hardstanding pitches for motorhomes, caravans and tentboxes that can be booked online, 32 with electric hook-up and 11 without, each 6m wide by 9m long. Open grass pitches for tents and vehicles can’t be booked: you turn up and the owners can generally find you a space.

Coffee roasted locally by Caora Dubh is served from reception from 7.30am, and Alberto’s Tacos cooks from the Glen Sligachan food truck from 5pm to 8.30pm every day through the season. The campsite shop sells snacks, drinks, toiletries and midge repellent, and Seumas’ Bar at the Sligachan Hotel and the old stone bridge are nearby.

What is here

The campsite has hot showers, toilets, dishwashing, laundry, a charging area with 24-hour charging ports, drinking water, black and grey water disposal, bins and free wifi, though speeds vary with usage and weather.

Shop on site
Wifi
Good to know

Check-in is from 3pm, at reception, and check-out is at 11am; reception is staffed from 7am to 9pm, and late arrivals should phone.

Hardstanding pitches are booked online, while grass pitches can’t be booked, so arrive close to 3pm for the pick of the views. The longest stay is 14 days. Dogs are welcome on a lead, and they stay out of the buildings except assistance dogs. Quiet time runs from 11pm to 7am, and vehicles can’t leave during it. Fires and barbecues must stand clear of the ground, never on the grass. The showers and facilities are for campers staying on site only, and there is no parking for non-residents. Tell the owners in advance about motorhomes over 7.75m, tents larger than 5m by 8m, or anyone with restricted mobility.

Dog friendly
Toilets
Wi-Fi
Where it is

The campsite is at Sligachan, just off the A87 between Broadford and Portree, at the mouth of Glen Sligachan between the Red and Black Cuillin.

Portree is 9 miles north for fuel and supplies, with a good-sized Co-op there and another in Broadford, 12 miles south, and camping gas is sold at Inside Out in Portree rather than on site. Being right on the main road, it's easy to reach by public transport too. The walks start from the campsite. The Sligachan waterfalls are 1 to 2km there and back from the old stone bridge, and Loch Sligachan is a 3km return along the shore. The Fairy Pools are 9km away on foot over the Bealach a’ Mhaim pass, a quieter way in, and Camasunary Bay is 14km down the glen. Seumas’ Bar at the Sligachan Hotel has over 400 whiskies and live music at the weekends.

what3words///scariest.moguls.petrified

Close by
  1. The back bar at Seumas' lined with whiskies.Seumas' BarThe Sligachan Hotel's bar at the foot of the Cuillin, a haven for climbers since 1987, with more than 400 whiskies.Under half a mile 1 min by road
  2. A copper-clad brewing vessel.Cuillin BreweryThe small brewery at the Sligachan Hotel, at the foot of the Cuillin, with its ales poured next door in Seumas' Bar.Under half a mile 1 min by road
  3. Snow-covered road winding towards mist-shrouded mountains under a grey skySligachanThe Sligachan Hotel and the old stone bridge below the Cuillin, where the A87 meets the road to Dunvegan.Under half a mile 1 min by road
  4. Old stone bridge at Sligachan with the Cuillin mountains behindSligachan Old BridgeA humped stone bridge of about 1810 to 1818 by Thomas Telford, with the Cuillin rising behind it.Under half a mile 1 min by road
  5. Red-roofed building with grey cladding and picnic tables outside on gravel car parkCafé CùilA red-roofed café on the shore of Loch Harport by Carbost, serving Hebridean brunch from a Skye chef who began in Hackney.7 miles 9 min by road
  6. Green-framed shopfront windows painted with fish and "OK" motifs beside a slate roofÒR Shop SkyeTwo craft shops in the middle of Portree, selling jewellery, ceramics, knitwear and art by makers from Skye and across Scotland.10 miles 15 min by road
Walks from here
  1. Glen SligachanGlen Sligachan3½ miles, 45 minutes to an hour each wayFrom the door
  2. Sligachan with the DogSligachan with the Dog1¼ miles, about 40 minutesFrom the door
  3. The Miners' TrailThe Miners' Trail2½ miles, 1½ hours3 miles away
  4. HallaigHallaigabout three and a half hours from Sconser, with both crossings3 miles away
  5. Temptation HillTemptation Hill2½ miles, 2 hours3 miles away
  6. Ben TianavaigBen Tianavaig3½ miles, about 2 hours10 miles away
Directions
A canyoner in helmet and drysuit coming through the fall of a gorge, water breaking white over the shoulders.AttractionsSkye Adventure0.4 miles
Wood-burning stove alight beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a hillside pathSligachanSligachan BlackhousesSleeps 6 · 0.5 miles
The Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle: white water spilling over dark rock into a clear pool, the jagged ridge of the Black Cuillin rising behind.AttractionsFairy Pools4.7 miles as the crow flies
Yachts moored on a loch beneath the Cuillin mountains at duskAttractionsCuillin Mountains5.5 miles as the crow flies
Talisker distillery entrance, whitewashed wall with crossed oars beside the doorAttractionsTalisker Distillery8.1 miles
White cottage with dormer windows beside "The Old Byre" sign overlooking the lochRestaurantsThe Old Inn8.1 miles
Café interior with blue counter, glass display case and framed bird prints on the wallCafeCaora Dhubh Coffee Company8.2 miles
White painted building marked Talisker Distillery, with a footbridge crossing the burn belowAttractionsThe Bar at Talisker Distillery8.3 miles
Dining table beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Talisker distillery and the lochRestaurantsThe Three Chimneys at Talisker8.3 miles

Recommend to a friend

Days out from Sligachan CampsiteAll days out from here
  1. A gorge walk with Skye AdventureA gorge walk with Skye AdventureUnder half a mile away A day out
  2. The Glamaig falls and lunch at Seumas' Bar with the dogThe Glamaig falls and lunch at Seumas' Bar with the dogUnder half a mile away A few hours
  3. A walk up Glen Sligachan from the old bridgeA walk up Glen Sligachan from the old bridgeUnder half a mile away A few hours
  4. The Perfect Day on the Isle of SkyeThe Perfect Day on the Isle of SkyeUnder half a mile away A day out
  5. A walk on the Burma Road and Miners' Trail, RaasayA walk on the Burma Road and Miners' Trail, Raasay3 miles away A few hours
  6. A walk to Hallaig on RaasayA walk to Hallaig on Raasay3 miles away A few hours
  7. A walk up Temptation Hill on RaasayA walk up Temptation Hill on Raasay3 miles away A few hours
  8. The Isle of Raasay Distillery tour and lunch on the islandThe Isle of Raasay Distillery tour and lunch on the island3 miles away A day out
  9. Raasay: Calum's Road and HallaigRaasay: Calum's Road and Hallaig3 miles away A day out
  10. Minginish: the Fairy Pools, Glen Brittle and TaliskerMinginish: the Fairy Pools, Glen Brittle and Talisker5 miles away A day out
  11. A walk to the Fairy Pools in Glen BrittleA walk to the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle5 miles away A few hours
  12. The Raasay House coast and Orchard Wood walkThe Raasay House coast and Orchard Wood walk6 miles away A day out
  13. Ben Tianavaig and lunch at the Isles Inn in PortreeBen Tianavaig and lunch at the Isles Inn in Portree6 miles away A day out
  14. Strathaird: Elgol and the boat to Loch CoruiskStrathaird: Elgol and the boat to Loch Coruisk6 miles away A day out
  15. A stroll by Loch Harport and a pint at the Old InnA stroll by Loch Harport and a pint at the Old Inn7 miles away A few hours
  16. Talisker Distillery and lunch at CarbostTalisker Distillery and lunch at Carbost7 miles away A day out
  17. A walk to Rubh' an Dùnain from Glen BrittleA walk to Rubh' an Dùnain from Glen Brittle8 miles away A day out
  18. Torrin Pools and a shore walk at WaterlooTorrin Pools and a shore walk at Waterloo8 miles away A few hours
  19. The Lump, Portree harbour and a hot chocolate at BirchThe Lump, Portree harbour and a hot chocolate at Birch8 miles away A few hours
  20. A sea eagle boat trip from Portree and fish and chipsA sea eagle boat trip from Portree and fish and chips8 miles away A few hours
  21. Brunch at Birch and the Donnie Munro mural in PortreeBrunch at Birch and the Donnie Munro mural in Portree8 miles away A few hours
  22. Bookbug and a family swim at the Fingal Centre in PortreeBookbug and a family swim at the Fingal Centre in Portree8 miles away A few hours
  23. A swim at the Fingal Centre and pizza at Gasta in PortreeA swim at the Fingal Centre and pizza at Gasta in Portree8 miles away A few hours
  24. Portree and the BraesPortree and the Braes8 miles away A day out
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here