This post featuring a fun itinerary for the Isle of Skye with kids may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy.
If you’re here, it means you are planning on visiting the Isle of Skye with kids. And, gosh, are you in for a treat! We spent a month in the Scottish Highlands, with a home base in Inverness, and loved the food and the immediate outdoor spaces across the area. While way too brief, our time on the Isle of Skye was one of the highlights of our time in Scotland. If you’re looking for a fun Isle of Skye itinerary with kids and a few tips along the way, this guide will help you explore some of the island’s best highlights.
We spent 2 days on the Isle of Skye – and if you take one thing away from this blog, that is NOT enough time. I highly recommend spending at least 3 or 4 days on the Isle of Skye, especially if you are traveling with young kids. We packed a lot into our two days, leaving us pretty exhausted at the end. If I did it all over again, I would plan at least 3 days, ideally more like 5 days, to add some wildlife or island excursions.
That said, we truly enjoyed our time on the island and hope you do too! Keep reading to learn how to plan your time on the Isle of Skye with kids.
Tips + Packing List for the Isle of Sky with Kids
Before we dive into our Isle of Skye itinerary with kids, there are a few tips and things that you should know while planning your trip. From how to get there to what to pack, here are a few things to note.
Tips
When visiting the Isle of Skye with kids, there are a few tips to know beforehand, like, getting around the Isle of Skye and the best time to visit.
- Summer is generally the best time to visit the Isle of Skye with kids. You will have better luck with the weather between April and October than the rest of the year. We went in August, and it was perfect. We didn’t encounter much rain in the month we were there, nor did we encounter the dreaded midges either. But you should be prepared for both.
- The roads are very narrow. Be prepared for routes to take longer than expected, as encountering other cars or buses can create delays. In the most remote parts of the island, the roads are single-track roads only.
- If you go in August and don’t plan to attend the Isle of Skye Highland Games, avoid the date! Our visit happened to coincide with the games, and everything was packed.
- See more of our experience through pictures, videos, and text in this Instagram highlight.
Packing List
Here is what you need to pack to explore the Isle of Skye itinerary with kids (in addition to the things you usually pack for a family trip).
- Waterproof shoes. I recommend these shoes from Vessi; they offer adult and kid sizes. You can also read more about our experience with Vessi on the Isle of Skye here!
- Rain gear (coats, shoes, pants, etc.).
- Base layers if you are going outside of July + August. The island can get chilly.
- Hiking boots if you plan to hike the Old Man of Storr (which you should be). You also may want hiking poles for this trek. Here are the hiking shoes we like for kids, and for me (women’s hiking shoes). I wore my L.L.Bean Women’s Bean Duck Boots for the Old Man of Storr.
- Water bottles or a hydration pack.
- A hiking pack for water bottles and snacks is definitely needed if you are doing the Old Man of Storr or other hikes on the island.
- If you’re worried about midges, you’ll want some sort of insect gear or repellent. We didn’t encounter too many – at least not in the way that many blogs describe them.
- Swimwear for the beach + Fairy Pools.
- Midge repellent. We didn’t need ours, but it’s one of those things that if you need it, you need it.
- Reusable water bottle.
- UK power adaptor/converter.
How to Get to the Isle of Skye with Kids (from Inverness)
If you visit the Isle of Skye with kids from Inverness, there are two routes to get there that look almost the same on Google Maps. They are NOT the same. We took both routes; learn from us!
First, you should plan to drive to the Isle of Skye. Public transportation to and on the island will only take you so far – and will be very time-consuming. Alternatively, there are many guided tours on the island if you’re not interested in driving. But, speaking from our experience, driving was one of the highlights of experiencing the island for us.
From Inverness, there are two routes to the Isle of Skye. One that goes to the north, and one to the south. Take the one that looks like it goes to the south. The northern route is much slower than Google Maps states and relies heavily on single-track lanes. And, it has enormous potholes that are just clamoring to pop your tires.
The southern route, however, is a much smoother drive and offers double lanes the whole way. You will also see more highlights along this route, like Loch Ness. Both routes are gorgeous, but if you’re worried about time or have anyone prone to getting car sick – go south! Plan on 2.5 – 3 hours of drive time.
READ NEXT: A Complete Family Guide to Visiting Inverness with Kids
Getting Around the Isle of Skye with Kids
Getting around the Isle of Skye is pretty straightforward. Remember that many roads in the more remote areas are single-track use. Be prepared to encounter other cars and buses. Use the passing zones and be respectful of other drivers. If you see someone approaching and you can get into a passing area, move over and wait.
Then, you will also encounter animals (primarily sheep) on the road. Be careful and be patient when they are crossing the road. The Isle of Skye offers additional tips here.
Basically, when you are embarking on your own Isle of Skye itinerary with kids, be patient and take your time when driving. This is one of the reasons I suggest reserving at least 3 days for the island.
If You’re American Like Us, Don’t Forget This!
One more note about driving. As an American, remember when you rent a car abroad, it will most likely be a manual. If you need to drive an automatic, triple-check that the rental agency can offer you one. And, remember that in Scotland, you drive on the opposite side of the road than in America. Likewise, Scotland uses road signs and markings that are different from those in the States. Make sure you know what they are and what they mean.
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Day 1 on this Isle of Skye Itinerary with Kids
Alright, with that, let’s talk about our fun Isle of Skye itinerary with kids! We left Inverness early in the morning with coffee, snacks, and packed lunches in hand for our first day on the Isle of Skye. The drive is stunning and definitely a highlight of the experience. You won’t see as many highland coos (cows) as you probably expect. Truth be told, we only saw them once or twice during our whole trip. The most exciting time was on the Isle of Skye, where they were feeding along the road, and we were able to stop quickly and take a few pictures.
Hike the Old Man of Storr
The first thing on our Isle of Skye itinerary with kids is hiking the Old Man of Storr. There is plenty of parking available, and the trailhead is well-marked. As one of the best Isle of Skye things to do for families, expect it to be busy if you are traveling during peak season. Most people complete the hike within 2-3 hours. It’s a 3.4-mile loop trail with an elevation gain of 1,171 ft. Be sure to have plenty of water and snacks in your pack.
The hike offers spectacular views! It was one of my favorite things to do on the Isle of Skye. Feeling the wind in my hair while I looked out onto the foreign terrain of the island and its coastline was simply magical. It’s an experience that’s not likely to repeat itself.
With that said, we live in Minnesota, which means we are undeniably flat-land hikers. As such, this hike was not as “easy” as we envisioned, especially since most blogs call it “slightly strenuous” or something similar. For us, it tested our abilities a bit, especially as we climbed the rocky stairs and felt that some of the rocky paths slipped a bit. The hike is either almost entirely uphill, or entirely downhill. If you are hiking with babies or toddlers, I recommend having a carrier. My daughter, however, loved racing along the path. She was utterly in her element.
In retrospect, I would have reserved most of a day to do this hike so that we could really enjoy it. We felt rushed and slightly ill-prepared for the experience, especially since it was the first thing on the list. If I were to plan this trip over again, I would give us more time here.
Pit Stop a Pit Stop Kilt Rock
Tons of blogs call Kilt Rock one of the best Isle of Skye things to do with kids – but I feel like it’s entirely skippable. It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong. But it’s over touristy, and you have to pay to park here. For a 10-ish minute stop, it’s not worth it, in my opinion. But if it’s your dream to see it or if you want a “park and look” stop, this is a great one with kids!
See the Fossils at Staffin Dinosaur Museum
You probably wouldn’t think twice about the Staffin Dinosaur Museum as you drive by it. With its humble appearance, you might easily drive past it or decide not to stop. However, it’s quite possibly the best stop when visiting the Isle of Skye with kids – especially if you have dinosaur lovers or budding paleontologists in your family.
The one-room museum is FILLED with dinosaur fossils and other unique finds (like historic crofting tools) from across the island. The museum was established by a local teenager in 1976. Over the years, he’s identified several species on the island, including Stegosaurus, Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus, Hadrosaurus, and Ceolophysis. Plus, the museum founder himself, Dugald Ross, will be there to guide you through each of the fossils and answer any questions. We were completely in awe of the collection.
Finally, there is on-site parking, and the museum has a small entrance fee. Additionally, you cannot take pictures inside the museum. Plan to be here for at least 30 minutes – longer if your kids like to ask questions or look at fossils in depth. As you plan your Isle of Skye itinerary with kids, make sure you save time to visit this incredible museum.
Picnic + Dinosaur Prints at An Corran Beach
After seeing the museum fossils, head to An Corran Beach to see if you can locate the dinosaur prints etched on the rocky beach. The beach offers a small parking area and a clearly marked entrance (with info boards on the dino prints!).
We headed straight for the beach, where my daughter played in the surf and sand, while we set up a picnic lunch. She got soaked entirely and was delighted to have some free play after spending the morning hiking and at the museum. We packed lunch from Inverness, and this was the perfect spot for it. The waves are relatively calm, and the sand is soft. If you’re looking for a bit of beach time on the island, this is the place to do it.
After eating lunch, we went in search of the dinosaur prints. High tide was starting to come in, so we were unsuccessful in locating any of the prints along the rocks (to the right of the sandy part). However, for us, it was enough to know they once roamed here!
If you’re looking for free things to do for families on the Isle of Skye, this will definitely be a highlight – whether you find the fossil prints or not!
Drive Through the Quiraing Mountain Range
Next on your Isle of Skye itinerary with kids, drive through the Quiraing Mountain Range on your way to the Fairy Glen. This is a beautiful part of the island. It’s hard to believe the green, brown, and purple hues along the mountain range. If you want to stop to take pictures or hike, the parking lot is located at the highest point of the single-track road.
If you have extra time or are taking a longer trek across the Isle of Skye, add a hike here. The whole hike is about 4.5 miles. But even a quick jaunt down the trail will lead to great views, based on what I’ve read. If I were to plan our time on the island again, I would add this hike to our itinerary.
Feel the Magic at the Fairy Glen
Stop at the Fairy Glen first before ending a very long first day at your hotel in Portree. This is different than the Fairy Pools mentioned later on in the itinerary. The Fairy Glen is another quick hike that leads to an impressive rock formation and “fairy” stones.
There is a small fee parking lot nearby; park here. From the parking lot, you’ll find the trailhead to the Fairy Glen. Do not walk along the road – it may look faster, but there are a lot of blind spots, and it’s a single-track lane for cars. The trail is about 1-ish miles out and back from the parking lot. As one of the best Isle of Skye things to do with kids, plan on at least 1 hour or so here – longer if your kids aren’t speedy along the trail.
The trail leads you to the iconic spiral in the grass below “Castle Ewen” (which is a large rock formation, not an actual castle). We enjoyed checking out the spiral, but most of our time was spent climbing Castle Ewen. It’s a very tight squeeze to get to the top – I wouldn’t recommend it with really small children or if you are afraid of tight spaces/heights. The view from the top is incredible, however. There are probably no bad views on the Isle of Skye, but this is definitely one to experience. On top, there are no guard rails, so stick close to each other.
Dinner at The Tongadale Hotel
Finally, end your first day of this itinerary for the Isle of Skye with kids with dinner and a good night’s rest at Tongadale Hotel. The menu here is filled with hearty, home-style favorites, traditional dishes (like haggis, cullen skink, and venison), and regional produce/seafood. Plus, they also offer a lovely kids’ menu. They have a great whisky and wine list, too. It was the perfect place to fill our bellies after a long, long day of exploring.
Below, I’ve shared more about why you should stay at the Tongadale Hotel.
Day 2 on this Isle of Skye Itinerary with Kids
Day two on this Isle of Skye itinerary with kids explores the western part of the island. It starts in Portree, where you’ll have breakfast at Tongadale Hotel, followed by some shopping in the nearby shops. I found a wonderful locally-made, wool sweater here!
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Wander the Grounds of Dunvegan Castle
When you’re ready to head out, your first stop is Dunvegan Castle. The castle sits on 42K acres of the MacLeod Estate. Part of the castle still operates as living quarters, while tourists can explore about two floors of immaculately maintained rooms and collections. Each room offers placards explaining items in the room or a bit of local history. Plus, the castle is surrounded by several lush gardens.
The castle is stunning and definitely worth a visit. When you arrive, a guide shares a bit about how to move through the rooms. They also offer kids a small activity to do too. We loved exploring the different rooms and learning about the history of the castle and Clan MacLeod. Not to mention, seeing so many Jacobite items, the Fairy Flag, and other heirlooms. They also had a neat exhibit on “life downstairs” in the servant’s quarters when we were there.
The gardens alone are worth a visit as part of your Isle of Skye itinerary with kids. We explored several of the gardens, but our favorites were the Walled Garden and the Children’s Garden, which included a small nature play area. Inside the Walled Garden is a lovely exhibit on the life of the gardeners who lived and worked here.
Lunch at The Waterside Cafe Bistro
Before exploring more of the best things to do with kids on the Isle of Skye, it’s time for lunch. Near Dunvegan Castle, The Waterside Cafe Bistro is a great stop. Don’t let its location attached to a gas station fuel you; the food is excellent! They have a nice list of cozy sandwiches and salads. While they don’t have a specific kids’ menu, several sandwiches will appeal to all tastes.
Grab a Treat for the Road at Skye’s Oldest Bakery
After lunch, keep heading down the road to grab a special dessert from Skye’s Oldest Bakery. The Dunvegan Bakery has been baking since approximately 1870! They have a nice little bakery case filled with delicious items. We loved the carrot cake! You can enjoy your treat on the small cafe tables outside or take it on the road.
Learn about Local Whiskey at Talisker Distillery
The next stop on our Isle of Skye itinerary is Talisker Distillery! While in Scotland, my husband was really interested in trying a local distillery or two, and this was a very unique one! The distillery and tasting room are located on Loch Harport, which offers beautiful views, and the salty sea breeze informs the taste of the whiskey. It’s also the oldest working distillery on the island.
During your visit, you can head straight to the tasting room and gift shop, or you can take one of the official tours (tasting is 18+, guided tours are 8+). Tours should be booked in advance.
We opted to skip the official tour due to timing, and headed straight in for a tasting. In addition to the tasting area, there is a small museum of sorts and a gift shop. We really enjoyed our visit. The staff was lovely, offering lots of advice and sharing their knowledge.
Hike to the Fairy Pools
After your tasting, head to the Fairy Pools, which are a series of waterfalls with crystal blue pools along a gravel trail. Located on the northern part of the Black Cuillin range, this area is not to be missed! A large, dedicated parking lot leads to the well-marked trailhead. The entrance to the trail is steep, but it flattens out after that. While the waters can be a bit icy, this is a great place for wild swimming and waterfall viewing.
The first waterfall is a quick walk from the parking lot (about 20 minutes). And, this first waterfall is also the tallest cascade, and deepest pool along the path. There is certainly enough space to swim and explore here, too! This is also the furthest we made it on our visit due to timing. Though choosing to stop here and swim was the best choice we could have made! It was so peaceful and beautiful.
If you have more time to explore one of the best things to do on the Isle of Skye for families, continue along the trail to see more of the waterfalls. The whole trail is about 2.6 miles out and back.
Dinner at Cafe Sia & Siaway
The last thing to do on this Isle of Skye itinerary with kids before returning to Inverness is dinner. We stopped at Cafe Sia & Siaway on the way off the island. There is a seated cafe inside, as well as a quick order, takeaway wood-fired pizza oven, and drinks outside. We opted for pizza on the patio. It was delicious and a great way to end our time on the island!
Add a 3rd Day to Your Isle of Skye Itinerary with Kids
If I were to do it all over again, I would plan a 3- or 4-day Isle of Skye itinerary with kids. There is SO much to do across the island, and cramming it into two days left us a little ragged. So take my advice when visiting the Isle of Skye with kids, and give yourself TIME to enjoy it.
If I were to break up the above itinerary into 3 days, here’s how I would re-arrange it:
Day 1
- Hike the Old Man of Storr
- Picnic + Find the Dinosaur Prints at An Corran Beach
- See the Fossils at Staffin Dinosaur Museum
- Drive through the Quiraing Mountain Range
- Feel the Magic at the Fairy Glen
- Dinner + Hotel in Portree
Day 2
- Breakfast in Portree
- Peek in a Few Shops in Portree
- Hike along the Quiraing Mountain Range
- Lunch at Waterside Cafe Bistro
- Grab a Treat for the Road at Skye’s Oldest Bakery
- Wander the Grounds of Dunvegan Castle
- Dinner + Hotel in Portree
Day 3
- Breakfast in Portree
- Hike along the Fairy Pools (spend most of the day here!)
- Learn about local whiskey at Talisker Distillery
- Consider adding one of the other things to do in the Isle of Skye with kids from the next section (if you want to add more or feel like you have more time to explore).
READ NEXT: 5+ Exciting Day Trips + Weekend Getaways from Inverness with Kids
More Things to Do for Your Isle of Skye Itinerary with Kids
If you want more things to do to fill your Isle of Skye itinerary with kids, I have a few more ideas. While we didn’t personally get a chance to try these out, we have added them to our personal list for next time! If you need them, here are a few more Isle of Skye things to do for families:
- Rubha Nam Brathairean (Brother’s Point) – 2-mile hike
- Sunset or Take in the Views at Neist Point
- Hike The Cuillins
- Slipway Beach
- Duntulum Castle
- Wildlife Boat Tours (there are many options!)
- Skye Museum of Island Life
READ NEXT: How to Spend 4 Exciting Days in Inverness, Scotland, with Kids!
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye with Kids
Now that you know what to add to your Isle of Skye itinerary with kids, let’s talk about where to stay on the island. Most families choose to stay in Portree, as it is the largest city on the island and offers most of the hotels. Not to mention, it’s pretty centrally located for exploring. However, there are plenty of Isle of Skye hotels for families, as well as home rentals and bed and breakfast options, across the island.
We chose to stay at the Tongadale Hotel, which is located in Portree. It’s definitely a budget-friendly, no-frills hotel, but it worked perfectly for our itinerary. The staff is incredible, and they offer a complimentary breakfast in the morning. The breakfast room also turns into a restaurant at night. Tongadale Hotel also provides an excellent location for exploring Portree, as it is very centrally located.
Enjoy the Isle of Skye with Kids!
I hope this Isle of Skye itinerary with kids is helpful in planning your own trip to the island! It was one of the top highlights of our month in Scotland, and we hope you love it as much as we did! From hiking and beaches to castes, there are so many things for families to do on the Isle of Skye, so be sure to take your time and have fun!
Unless otherwise noted, all images within this article were taken by and belong to the blog’s author, Antonia Grant. A reminder that this post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.