Outer Hebrides
St Kilda by private charter
A day boat to Hirta, the abandoned village and the highest sea cliffs in Britain.
Inner Hebrides · Region
Skye and Raasay
Out of season and off the loop.
Skye is busy in summer, and we say so. We plan it for May, late September and the winter, and we send you to the parts the coaches don’t reach: Raasay, the Sleat peninsula, the far end of Waternish.
Skye and Raasay
Skye, the quieter way.
Skye has the most dramatic hills in the Hebrides: the black Cuillin, the slipped cliffs of the Trotternish ridge, the Storr. It also has the crowds. In July and August the car parks at the Fairy Pools and the Old Man of Storr fill early, and the single-track roads are slow.
So we use Skye differently. As a crossing point on the way to Harris and the Uists. As a base for two or three nights out of season. And for Raasay, the long island across the sound, reached by a short ferry from Sconserverify, with a distillery, a ridge walk and almost no traffic.
Is Skye too busy?
In high summer, at the famous spots, yes. Out of season, or away from the loop, it isn’t.
Should we stay on Skye or pass through?
Pass through in July and August. Stay two or three nights in spring and autumn.
Experiences
Private days in Skye and Raasay.
Mull and Skye
Sea eagles and sea lochs
A private RIB on Mull, Loch Sunart or off Portree for white-tailed eagles and otters.
Where to stay
Stays in Skye and Raasay.
Placeholders: the kind of place we would suggest, until our specialists confirm the houses and hotels we use.
Placeholder
Self-catering
[PLACEHOLDER] A house on Raasay
Across the sound from the crowds, with a view of the Cuillin.
Placeholder
Hotel
[PLACEHOLDER] A small hotel in Sleat
The quiet south of Skye, near the Mallaig ferry.
Best time to visit
The Skye and Raasay year.
April, May, late September and October. Winter too, for the light and the empty roads. Daylight shown for Stornoway, the nearest Light calendar station; the best months are in bold.
- Puffins and seabirdsMay · Jun · JulShetland, Orkney, the Treshnish Islesverify
- MidgesJun · Jul · AugWorst on still evenings on the west coastverify
- Red stag seasonJul · Aug · Sep · OctHighland and island estates. Never part of our trips unless askedverify
- Aurora likely on clear dark nightsJan · Feb · Mar · Oct · Nov · DecShetland, Orkney, Lewis, north-facing coastsverify
Skye and Raasay
Your guide to Skye and Raasay.
Avoiding the loop
Most visitors drive a loop of the Trotternish peninsula in a day. We would rather you took a boat under the Cuillin from Elgol, walked on Raasay, and ate in Sleat.
From the sea
The best views of the Cuillin are from the water. A boat from Elgol into Loch Coruisk, or a RIB from Portree for the sea eagles, changes the whole island.
Getting there
Kyle of Lochalsh
, by road,
Skye
Skye Bridge
Mallaig
, by ferry,
Armadale, Skye
CalMac
Sconser, Skye
, by ferry,
Raasay
CalMac
The bridge means Skye needs no ferry at all; the Mallaig crossing is the better arrival. Routes and operatorsverify pending a specialist check.
Photographs
Skye and Raasay, in pictures.
Speak to a specialist
Plan your trip to Skye and Raasay.
Tell us when, who’s coming, and what you’re hoping for. One person plans it and looks after you.
Want to see it on the map?
Build a route with the Crossings