How to Spend 2 Days in Isle of Skye – What Not to Miss!

A visit to the Isle of Skye is magical, and it was certainly a highlight of our road trip through Scotland. Admittedly, we underestimated the distance between some of the things we wanted to see. We wanted to share what we saw and what we would have done differently so you can learn from our mistakes. Even if things didn’t go exactly according to plan for us on our visit to Isle of Skye, it was still incredible, and it just gives us an excuse to return one day! Keep reading to see how we spent 2 days in Isle of Skye and an example itinerary of how to spend 2 days in Isle of Skye knowing what we know now.

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Epic Adventures for Your 2 Days in Isle of Skye

1) Explore Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle is not something to miss during your 2 days in Isle of Skye. This impressive castle has been continuously occupied by the same family, Clan Macleod, for 800 years, and as a result, is full of interesting history. Beyond the castle, there are stunning gardens to explore as well. The grounds also offer a cafe and several holiday cottages available for overnight stays. Find helpful information to plan your visit here.

2) Hike Old Man of Storr

The hike to Old Man of Storr was a highlight of our 2 days in Isle of Skye. At 3.5 miles round trip, we would recommend allotting at least 2.5-3 hours for the hike to allow for plenty of photo stops. Trust us, you’ll find yourself stopping to marvel at the view along the way (& catch your breath). You’ll want to arrive early to avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot, and make sure to bring a jacket as the winds can be quite chilly at the summit.

3) Visit Kilt Rock and Mealtfalls

Mealtfalls and Kilt Rock can be observed from an overlook just a short walk from the parking area. This is a quick stop, but it certainly deserves a spot on your itinerary. It isn’t everyday you get to see a waterfall dropping straight into the sea. The rocky cliffside is gorgeous, and the proximity to the Old Man of Storr trailhead make it an easy addition while you’re in the area.

4) Marvel at the Beauty of Eileen Donan Castle

Once you see Eileen Donan Castle for yourself, you’ll understand why it easily made our list of the best castles to visit in Scotland. Situated at the meeting point of three sea lochs, the iconic view of Eileen Donan Castle surrounded by water is a sight to behold. This historic castle is steeped in history and a true joy to wander through. There is an onsite visitor center and coffee shop available. Find information to plan your visit here.

5) Visit Neist Point

If you’ve been planning a trip to Isle of Skye, you’ve likely stumbled upon the iconic view of Neist Point Lighthouse. The scenic drive to the parking area and winding trail will lead you right out to the lighthouse. While the lighthouse itself is not open to visitors, the views are certainly worth the visit. We visited just before golden hour, and it was lovely.

We chose to climb up for the view you see above. It was quite strenuous and very windy, so be prepared if you decide to. There is no shortage of great photo ops though if you opt against the climb. We never did quite manage the view you see online. Our assumption is that you’d need to walk farther up the hill near the parking area, but we ended up liking the view we captured better anyway. Sometimes there’s magic to be had in things not quite panning out as you expect.

How We Would Spend 2 Days in Isle of Sky (if we could do it all over again)

As we mentioned, the order we explored Isle of Skye could have been better. We stayed in Applecross on a separate peninsula, and this greatly increased our commute time. While we loved the beautiful scenery of Applecross, if you’re short on time it would be best to stay closer. While we don’t regret exploring the winding roads of Applecross, the example itinerary below is how we would have approached our time in Isle of Skye if we could have done it over.

Day 1 of 2 Days in Isle of Skye

If you’re driving from Inverness like we did, it will take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to get to Eileen Donan Castle and approximately 3 hours to reach the Old Man of Storr trailhead. We’d suggest traveling from Inverness the night before to get an early start on your Isle of Skye adventure.

Old Man of Storr

Spend the morning hiking Old Man of Storr. Depending on conditions the hike should take around 2.5 to 3 hours, but it isn’t one to rush.

Kilt Rock and Mealtfalls

Kilt Rock and Mealtfalls is just a 15 minute drive from Old Man of Storr so you could really make this stop before or after the hike depending on crowds. A half hour to admire the views should suffice. From here it will take you approximately 1.5 hours to make it back towards Eileen Donan Castle.

Eileen Donan Castle

Spend the afternoon exploring the iconic Eileen Donan Castle. Double check the seasonal opening hours beforehand. A minimum of 1 hour is recommended to visit the castle. There are several lodging options in the the area that would be a good base for day 2 in Isle of Skye.

Day 2 of 2 Days in Isle of Skye

Dunvegan Castle

It is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Eileen Donan Castle to Dunvegan Castle. Spend the morning exploring the castle. 2 hours is recommended for your visit if you plan on visiting the gardens as well. There are no facilities available at Neist Point, so you’ll want to plan accordingly before heading towards your next stop.

Neist Point

Neist Point is about a half hour drive along a scenic road from Dunvegan Castle. A couple hours should be plenty to take in the views and find an epic photo spot or two! Visiting in the late afternoon just before golden hour worked well for us, so if you’re ahead of schedule you may want to include some additional stops in your itinerary. We’ve listed a few ideas below!

Other Things to Do in Isle of Skye

We didn’t have a chance to visit these stops ourselves, but they’re on our list for next time!

• Fairy Pools
  • 45 minutes from Dunvegan Castle
  • 1 hour 10 minutes from Neist Point
  • 1 hour 10 minutes from Eileen Donan Castle

• Fairy Glen – Best to visit when near Mealtfalls
  • 45 minutes from Dunvegan Castle
  • 1.25 hours from Neist Point
  • 35 minutes from Mealtfalls

• The Quirang – Best to visit when near Mealtfalls
  • 10 minutes from Mealtfalls
  • 1 hour from Dunvegan Castle
  • 1.5 hours from Neist Point

• Explore the town of Portree
  • .5 hour from Dunvegan Castle
  • 1 hour from Neist Point
  • 1 hour from Eileen Donan Castle

Is 2 Days in Isle of Skye Enough?

In our experience, no – 2 days in Isle of Skye was not enough. We’d love to go back and see all the things we had to cut because we ran out of time, but that the things about travel. Often there isn’t enough time, and we just have to make the most of the time we do have. Any visit to Isle of Skye is worth it, even if you can’t check absolutely everything off your list.