17 of the best things to do on the Isle of Skye with kids

Few places in Britain feel quite as wild or as wonderful as the Isle of Skye – jagged mountains, fairy-tale glens, waterfalls galore and plenty more tempt you to visit the Isle of Skye with kids.

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The largest of the Inner Hebrides, Skye is – unsurprisingly – also one of Scotland’s most popular islands so while it feels a proper escape, you won’t get it all to yourself, especially in summer when some advance planning will make all the difference to your holiday.

So if you’re considering a visit, whether it’s part of a family road trip in Scotland or time exploring the island alone, here’s my pick of the best things to do on Skye with kids and how to get the most out of your time on the island.

Is the Isle of Skye good for a family holiday?

Yes – although it helps to know what you’re getting. Skye isn’t a destination of theme parks and classic family attractions, it’s somewhere to enjoy the fabulous scenery, wildlife and outdoor adventure. Older kids who enjoy walking will be in heaven, although there’s still plenty for younger children.

One of the easiest islands to reach from mainland Scotland, you don’t even need a ferry to get there (although taking one is still a lovely option if you fancy the adventure – just book ahead for the CalMac ferry from Mallaig to Armadale).

There’s a soaring road bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh which makes life easier as you can be more flexible rather than restricted by a timetable, although it’s worth being aware it may close in high winds or bad weather.

If you’ve only got a few days to spend here, it’s easy to enjoy a few of the highlights although you certainly won’t tick off everything there is to do on the Isle of Skye with kids – you can easily fill a week, which gives you longer to explore without rushing, and chance to stumble across a few less well-known finds too.

Getting around Skye with kids

Although there are bus services on the island, they’re limited, so a car is by far the easiest way to explore Skye with kids.

Do bear in mind that distances on Skye can often take longer than they look on the map, with single-track roads, passing places and the odd sheep in the road all slowing you down, while petrol stations are limited away from the towns and main roads.

The island isn’t small either, this isn’t somewhere you can drive around in half an hour so allow plenty of time – the route from Broadford (not far from the bridge) to Staffin takes over an hour for example.

Many families base themselves in or around Portree, the island’s main town, which puts you within reasonable driving distance of most of the main sights. It’s just under an hour from the bridge and 60-90 minutes from the ferry at Armadale.

We stayed in Isleornsay on the south-east coast which is closer to both the mainland and port, but was then further from a lot of Skye’s highlights so you’ll need to decide what is most practical for your family.

Tips for exploring Skye with kids

One word of advice: pack for all weathers, whatever the season – waterproofs, warm layers and proper shoes are non-negotiable, even in August. We had glorious sunshine, cloud, drizzle and torrential downpours, all in the space of a few days.

If you are visiting in the summer months, especially in July and August, come prepared for midges. We packed Smidge midge repellent but you’ll also want something to keep them away from your face – walking to the fairy pools, we spotted more than a few people wearing net hats and quickly regretted not having our own.

While the midges aren’t dangerous in the way mosquitoes are, they are astonishingly annoying, and pester you in clouds – the bites are also irritating, although usually fairly mild unless you’re unlucky enough to have an allergic reaction to them.

Either way, don’t let it put you off visiting this gorgeous part of Scotland though, just go prepared.

The Fairy Pools

Tucked beneath the Black Cuillin mountains near Glenbrittle, the Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear waterfalls and pools carved into the rock by the River Brittle – and unsurprisingly, one of the most popular things to do on Skye with kids.

The walk out to the pools is around 1.5 miles there and back along a well-defined path, although there are shorter and longer options.

While the first section from the car park takes you down a hill (and back up the slope on your return), the rest is gently undulating rather than exhaustingly steep, which makes it manageable for most families.

When the sun shines, the turquoise water looks almost too perfect to be real but even on a cloudy day, the clear pools and trickling water in the shadow of the hills is a wonderful sight.

On a warm day some brave souls do swim, though be warned – it’s fed by the mountains, so it’s bracingly cold even in summer.

Give yourself an hour or so to enjoy exploring, although you’ll want more time if you’re taking on one of the longer loops. There’s nothing at the pools themselves beyond the car park (which does get very busy in peak season, so arrive early), and pack a picnic if you want to eat here. There are toilets at the car park, parking costs £8 for cars.

The Old Man of Storr

No trip to Skye is complete without a walk up to the Old Man of Storr, the island’s most photographed landmark and one of the best short hikes for families in the whole of Scotland.

This towering, jagged pinnacle of rock is thought to be the remains of an ancient landslip, although legend tells that it’s the thumb of a giant, buried on the hillside below. Whatever you believe, the view as you climb up through the forest and out onto the open hillside, with the Storr looming above and the sea stretching out beyond, is one you won’t forget in a hurry.

The path is well made but steep in places, climbing around 300 metres over roughly 3 miles there and back, so it’s best suited to kids who are happy walking for an hour or two. Give yourself around two to three hours if you’re taking it slowly with children, and set off early or arrive later in the afternoon if you can, as the car park fills up fast in summer.

There’s a small charge for parking, and toilets at the car park, but nothing else up on the hill itself, so pack snacks, water and proper shoes – there are rocky sections to scramble over, and it can be muddy.

The Quiraing

If your kids are a bit older or up for a proper adventure, the Quiraing is one of the most spectacular walks on Skye – a strange, tumbled landscape of pinnacles, cliffs and hidden plateaus created by a massive ancient landslip, the largest still moving in Britain today.

The full loop is around 4.3 miles and involves some narrow, exposed sections, so it’s definitely not one for toddlers or nervous walkers, but confident older children who enjoy a challenge will love scrambling around features with names like the Table and the Needle.

If a full circuit feels like too much, you can simply walk partway along the path from the car park and turn back whenever you’ve had enough – the views are astonishing from the very first few minutes.

The narrow road up to the car park is single-track with passing places, so allow plenty of time and take care, especially if you’re not used to driving on roads like this. It’s also not a walk to tackle if conditions are bad, including if it’s windy or foggy.

Fairy Glen, Uig

A world away from the drama of the Storr and the Quiraing, the Fairy Glen near Uig is a small, otherworldly landscape of cone-shaped grassy hillocks, which are said to have been shaped by fairies rather than geology – ideal if you need to convince younger kids to get our for a walk.

It’s a lovely spot for a bit of easy exploring rather than serious hiking, with plenty to spot along the way. Look out for the little spiral known as the Fairy Glen Castle, and plenty of miniature hills to scramble up and down for some great views.

You can spend as long as you want imagining stories of fairies but it’s easy to explore within an hour or so, and if you’re short of time and looking for a break from driving, you could scamper around in half an hour.

Do treat this fairytale landscape gently though – it’s become so popular that the magical feel is at risk from too many visitors moving stones or leaving rubbish.

That’s only a taste of a few of the main trails to try on the Isle of Skye, but you’ll never be far from a great walk – we ambled round the edge of a loch near our accommodation in Isleornsay, spotting a heron and finding a crab in a rock pool, while another walk took us into the woodland of Kinloch Forest, so you’ll discover plenty of happy surprises across the island – or check out a few more walks on the Isle of Skye here

Dunvegan Castle and Gardens

For a change of pace from all that scenery, Dunvegan Castle is a great family day out. The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, it has been home to the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years.

Inside, kids can explore rooms filled with clan treasures, portraits and the legendary Fairy Flag, said to protect the clan in times of great need.

Outside, the five acres of gardens are just as lovely, with a walled garden, water garden and woodland trails to wander, plus a natural play area.

From the castle grounds, you can also take a short boat trip out to see the seal colony that lives on the rocks nearby – a lovely, low-key wildlife experience that’s popular with younger kids in particular, it runs between April and September, first come, first served.

Eilean Donan Castle

Although Eilean Donan Castle isn’t on the Isle of Skye itself, it’s an easy journey to its home on the mainland (around 15 minutes from Kyle of Lochalsh) and well worth the visit with kids.

Set at the point where three sea lochs meet, it was one of the inspirations for Merida’s home in the Pixar movie Brave and there are some fabulous views of the castle all but hovering above the water at the end of a stone bridge, as well as the hills reflecting in the water.

The first room gives you some background on the castle, which has stood for around 750 years, before a video narrated by a Spanish sailor who was one of those besieged here in 1719 when Spain sent forces to aid the Jacobite rebellion.

Otherwise, you can wander through a few rooms in the castle which are mostly set up like a museum (no photos allowed in these) – the kitchens are particularly fun for kids to explore, while there are also some photos from its appearance in movies like The World Is Not Enough, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Highlander.

Keep an eye out for the QR codes with more information about some of the history and legends linked to the castle as you explore – everything from selkies and mermaids to Carlos the ghost and the story of the ‘five sisters of Kintail’. There’s also an audio guide which has more background, but it’s better for older kids.

Parking is paid here too, while there’s a café, shop, toilets and food kiosk, so plenty of places to refuel – expect to find everything from a haggis toastie to a vegan pasty.

Talisker Bay

For a proper black sand beach with dramatic cliffs and a waterfall tumbling down onto the sand, Talisker Bay is one of Skye’s loveliest spots, and while it’s a popular one, it’s rarely overcrowded either.

That’s partly because it’s roughly a mile’s walk from the car park along an easy farm track, but if you’re up for the 20-minute stroll, the path opens out onto a wide, dark beach backed by high sea cliffs.

There’s a sea stack out in the water and, at low tide, plenty of rock pools and sand to explore, making it a great spot for a picnic and some proper beach time.

Do check the tide times before you go as much of the beach is inaccessible at high tide (and the hour or so before and after), and be aware there are no facilities at the beach, so bring everything you need with you.

Neist Point

At the westernmost tip of Skye, Neist Point is home to one of the most photographed lighthouses in Scotland, perched dramatically on the clifftops above the Atlantic.

The walk down to the lighthouse itself is short but steep, down a paved path and a flight of concrete steps, so it’s does need a bit of stamina (and more effort on the way back up) – definitely not the best option with toddlers and younger kids (unless you’re happy to tackle the climb with them in a carrier).

Even if you don’t fancy the walk down, the views from the clifftop car park are spectacular in their own right, and it’s a brilliant spot for whale and dolphin watching if you’re lucky, with basking sharks and minke whales occasionally spotted offshore. June and July are the best months to try, although they’re found in the waters here from May to September.

Coral Beach, Claigan

Despite the name, there’s no actual coral at Coral Beach – the pale, pinkish sand is made up of the bleached remains of a calcified red seaweed called maerl – but it’s still one of the prettiest and most unusual beaches to visit on Skye with kids.

It’s about a mile’s walk from the car park near Claigan, over fairly easy, undulating ground, though a bit muddy in places after rain. Once you’re there, the turquoise water and pale sand feel almost tropical, and there are looping views back towards Dunvegan Castle in the distance.

Bring wellies or walking shoes (or something you don’t mind getting grubby), as the walk can get boggy.

Portree

Skye’s colourful main town is more than just a handy base for a family holiday – it’s a lovely spot to stroll around, with brightly painted houses, plenty of cafes and a relaxed pace, as well as a working harbour.

Wander down to the harbour to watch the fishing boats come in, or take the short walk up to the Apothecary’s Tower for views back over the town and rooftops.

There’s a small but enticing high street with independent shops, several child-friendly restaurants and, usefully, public toilets and parking (mostly paid). It’s also a good spot to pick up fish and chips to eat by the harbour

Isle of Skye Candle Company Visitor Centre, Portree

If the weather closes in, and on Skye it often does, the Isle of Skye Candle Co Visitor Centre (previously called the Aros Centre) in Portree is a handy rainy day option, with the island’s only cinema and lovely pizzeria, plus plans for more live theatre and performance.

The soft play has closed, but you can sometimes find exhibitions on the island and its history and wildlife, as well as photos – plus plenty of candles if you’re looking for a souvenir.

Skye Museum of Island Life

For a glimpse of how families lived on Skye in centuries past, head to the Museum of Island Life near Kilmuir, a cluster of eight thatched cottages kitted out with everyday tools, furniture and farming equipment from the 1800s.

Each cottage has its own story, including one which was lived in until the 1950s, and it’s a chance to understand what everyday life was like for the majority of islanders and Highlanders, away from the grander castles.

It won’t take more than half an hour or so to explore, but it’s a good, hands-on introduction to crofting life for kids. It also sits close to Flora MacDonald’s grave, a name kids may be familiar with from stories of how the Jacobite heroine helped Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape after the Battle of Culloden.

Staffin Dinosaur Museum

Easy to drive straight past, the little Staffin Dinosaur Museum is a treat for any dinosaur-mad kids.

While it’s small, with all the displays packed into a single room, you’ll get to see genuine dinosaur fossils and footprints found on Skye’s beaches.

Skye is actually one of the best places in Scotland to find dinosaur footprints, thanks to rock formations from the Jurassic period, alongside ammonites and other fossils discovered in the local Jurassic sandstones.

Run by the family who discovered many of the finds themselves, it might be unassuming from the outside (and do check ahead for opening hours), but it’s often cited as one of the best surprises for families exploring this part of the island.

Around half an hour from Portree, you can combine it with a visit to An Corran Beach to spot dinosaur footprints at low tide.

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls

A little further along the coast from Staffin, Kilt Rock is a dramatic sea cliff, so called because the columns of basalt rock are said to resemble the pleats of a kilt – plus the dramatic Mealt Falls tumble 55 metres straight down into the sea beside it.

It’s a short, easy stop right from the car park, with a viewing platform that makes it manageable even with younger kids, though do keep a close hold of little ones near the edge as the drop is sheer.

You need to pay for parking which can work out expensive for a short stop, but it’s worth the detour if you’re in the north of Skye with kids.

Sligachan Playground and Old Bridge

If your kids want a break from exploring Skye’s landscapes, this little playground with swings, slides and climbing frame is a handy stopping point.

Handily placed on the A87 by the Sligachan Hotel, it sits right beside the old stone Sligachan Bridge, with the Cuillin mountains rising up behind, so grown-ups can soak up the views while kids burn off some any extra energy.

The Fairy Bridge

Near Dunvegan, the Fairy Bridge is a small stone bridge with its own legend attached – said to be the spot where a fairy bride said goodbye to her mortal husband, the Chief of the MacLeods.

Only permitted to live with him for a year and a day, she left behind a magical shawl to protect their child and the clan when she returned to her own people – the shawl itself is the Fairy Flag you can see in Dunvegan Castle.

It’s a quick stop rather than a destination in itself, although it’s easy to combine with a visit to Dunvegan Castle.

Boat trips and wildlife watching

Skye’s coastline is home to seals, otters, white-tailed eagles and, in summer, the chance of spotting minke whales, basking sharks and dolphins, so a boat trip is one of the best ways to introduce kids to the island’s wildlife.

Several operators run trips ranging from short seal-watching cruises that suit younger children to longer wildlife-spotting trips further out to sea, as well as trips visiting other nearby islands.

You’ll find plenty of options departing from Portree, but there are trips running from a string of destinations around the island including Dunvegan, Kyleakin and Elgot. Check out some of the options for boat trips from Skye including puffin, dolphin and seal-spotting.

If you’re happy to pop back to the mainland, you can even sail around Skye in a glass-bottomed boat departing from Kyle of Lochalsh to discover some of the marine life hidden beneath the waves.

Do check the recommended ages and sea conditions before booking, as some trips can be choppy, and pack warm layers even on a sunny day, as it’s always colder out on the water.

For more ideas of some of the best things to do in Scotland with kids, check out my posts on Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Falkirk and Loch Lomond.

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Main images/loch/road/Fairy Pools/Eilean Donan copyright MummyTravels, all others courtesy of Depositphotos

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