Introduction
Day 15 was one of the biggest and most anticipated days of our entire trip — a full day exploring the Isle of Skye. We knew it would be long, so we set our alarms for 5am to get an early start.
Day 15: The Isle of Skye Adventure
The drive along Loch Ness in the early morning fog was atmospheric. We arrived at our first destination, The Old Man of Storr, just before 9am. This is the most popular hike on Skye for good reason. It’s a 3-mile loop with about 1,050 feet of elevation gain. The rock formation itself is 165 feet tall and legend says it’s the thumb of a giant buried beneath the mountain. The views from the top were incredible, though quite challenging — the photos don’t fully do it justice.
Next, we drove counter-clockwise along the coast and stopped at Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. The waterfall cascading directly into the sea was dramatic. We also got a good view of the Quiraing area, though we were too tired to do that hike.
We cut across the island on a narrow single-lane road (very typical for Skye) and found a beautiful spot overlooking the harbor of Idrigill, Portree to enjoy the lunch we had packed.
Later, Jerry and I hiked around The Fairy Glen while Dave and Karen rested in the car. This smaller site has a whimsical, almost storybook feel with its rolling hills and winding paths.
Our final stop was Eilean Donan Castle — one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. It was blown up in the past and beautifully rebuilt between 1911 and 1936. While we couldn’t take photos inside, the exterior views were impressive and very romantic.
We had a very long but rewarding day. Back at our cottage we made Mexican omelettes, enjoyed some wine, and were in bed by 11pm, completely worn out.
Helpful Tips for Visiting the Isle of Skye
• Start very early — the roads and popular spots get crowded quickly.
• The single-lane roads with passing places take some getting used to.
• Pack lunch and snacks — good food options are limited in some areas.
• Check the weather forecast, as conditions can change fast on Skye.
• Prioritize the hikes based on your energy level (Old Man of Storr is steep!).
• Wear sturdy hiking boots for the Old Man of Storr — the path is rocky and steep in places.
• Parking at major spots like the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock can fill up quickly (some have fees).
• The Fairy Glen is a shorter, gentler walk — perfect when you need a break.
• Bring layers and rain gear; Skye weather is famously unpredictable.
Fun Facts
Old Man of Storr
• It forms part of an ancient volcanic plug and was shaped by one of Britain’s largest ancient landslides, creating the dramatic Trotternish Ridge.
• In Gaelic it’s known as Bodach an Stòrr (“Old Man of the Storr”).
• The rock spire itself was first successfully climbed only in 1955.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
• Kilt Rock gets its name from the striking hexagonal basalt columns that resemble the pleats of a traditional Scottish kilt.
• Mealt Falls is one of the relatively rare waterfalls worldwide that plunge directly into the ocean.
• Before modern navigation tools, these distinctive cliffs served as an important landmark for sailors.
Fairy Glen
• The whimsical landscape of cone-shaped hills, knolls, and small lochans was formed by ancient landslides and erosion — it’s often described as a “mini-Quiraing.”
• Despite the magical name (Bail nan Cnoc in Gaelic, meaning “village of the hills”), there aren’t specific ancient fairy legends tied to this exact spot — it simply feels enchanted!
• Look out for the natural basalt outcrop that looks like a tiny crumbling castle. (Visitors sometimes create grass spirals, but it’s best not to, as it causes erosion.)
The Quiraing walk
• The Quiraing is part of the same massive ancient landslip that created the Trotternish Ridge (one of the largest in Britain). It features otherworldly rock formations like “The Table” (a flat grassy plateau), “The Needle” (a sharp 120ft/37m pinnacle), and “The Prison” — all still slowly moving a few millimeters each year!
• Its Gaelic name roughly means “the pillared or folded place.” The popular circuit walk is typically 4–6.5 km (2.5–4 miles) long with around 350–400m (1,150–1,300 ft) of elevation gain, taking 2–4 hours depending on your pace and how far you explore.
Eilean Donan Castle
• Named after Saint Donnán, a 7th-century Celtic saint who may have established a religious site on the tidal island.
• The romantic structure we see today is a careful 20th-century reconstruction carried out by Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap, who used original stones wherever possible.
• It sits where three sea lochs meet and has appeared in films like Highlander.
Final Thoughts
Skye lived up to all the hype. The dramatic landscapes, hikes, and castles made it feel like we were driving through a movie. It was exhausting but absolutely one of the highlights of our entire 3-week trip.
Next Up:
Our journey back south, saying goodbye to Scotland, crossing Hadrian’s Wall, and arriving in the charming seaside town of Whitby.
