Why this road
This is the main road onto the island, and luckily it is also the scenic one. In under an hour you get islands and sea lochs, the bare red hills around Loch Ainort and the sharp Black Cuillin at Sligachan. Portree, with its colourful harbour, is the perfect base for the Trotternish loop to the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing.
The route
- AKyle of Lochalsh
Start on the mainland, at the little harbour across from Skye.
- 1Skye Bridge
The bridge to the island, free of toll since 2004. Look left along Loch Alsh and right out to the Inner Sound.
- 2Broadford
The second largest village on Skye, with shops and fuel. The road then follows the shore under the Red Cuillin.
- 3Sligachan
An old stone bridge in front of the Black Cuillin. According to legend, dipping your face in the river brings eternal beauty.
- BPortree
Skye's main town, with its row of colourful houses around the harbour.
Stops worth it
Twenty minutes at the old bridge, with the Cuillin peaks behind it. The best mountain view on the drive.
Walk down to the harbour for the classic view of the colourful houses.
Light and the best time
Most of the way you head west and then north-west. In the morning the sun is behind you, lighting the sea lochs and the Red Cuillin ahead. At Sligachan the Cuillin lie to the south, so in the late morning they are side-lit and show their ridges. Portree's harbour gets the morning sun. If you add the Trotternish loop, the Old Man of Storr faces east: sunrise or early morning is the classic time.
April to September, with May and September best: long days and fewer visitors than high summer. In July and August accommodation is booked out early and the car parks at the famous sights fill up. Midges are out on calm summer evenings. The road is open all year.
By vehicle
Easy on a good two-lane road all the way. Side roads on Skye are often single track with passing places.
Short and sweet, with great curves around Loch Ainort. Expect rain and wind, and sheep on the road.
On a rare dry day with the roof down, Skye is magic. Keep the roof close at hand.
Very popular with campers. Use official campsites and car parks: wild camping by the road is not welcome everywhere on Skye, and many single-track roads are tight.
Good to know
No tolls, the Skye Bridge has been free since 2004. Fuel is available in Kyle of Lochalsh, Broadford and Portree, but stations are scarce in the rest of the island. Parking at the Old Man of Storr and other sights is usually paid. On single-track roads use the passing places, and never park in them. The UK drives on the left.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
Is the Skye Bridge free?
Yes. The toll was removed in 2004.
How long does it take from Kyle of Lochalsh to Portree?
About 1 hour without stops. With a stop at Sligachan and a walk in Portree, plan two hours.
What is the Trotternish loop?
A circular drive of about half a day north of Portree, past the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing. Part of it is single track.
When is the best time to visit Skye?
May and September: long days, fewer people and fewer midges than in July and August.