Scotland

Isle of Skye

The largest of the Inner Hebrides, famed for the Cuillin mountains, dramatic coastlines, and the Old Man of Storr.

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Isle of Skye

Part of the Scotland islands map and the Inner Hebrides collection.

Names

Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach; Irish: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach; Welsh: Ynys Skye; Manx: Yn Ellan Skianagh; Scots: Isle o Skye; French: île de Skye; Also known as: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach

Geography

Skye is the second-largest Scottish island. The Cuillin range dominates the south, while the Trotternish peninsula in the north is famed for landslip features such as the Quiraing and the Storr.

Geology

Bedrock: Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene (Mafic Lava And Mafic Tuff), Palaeogene–Palaeogene. Superficial deposits: Peat (Peat). Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026, licensed under the BGS Open Data Licence (OGL v3.0). Source: BGS DigMapGB-625 Bedrock & Superficial WMS.

History

Skye has been inhabited since the Mesolithic. Norse rule lasted until 1266, after which the island fell under the MacLeod and MacDonald clans. The Highland Clearances of the 19th century reshaped its population.

How to reach it

Connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh. Ferries run from Mallaig to Armadale and from Glenelg to Kylerhea. Local buses link Portree, Broadford, Uig and Dunvegan.

Accommodation

Wide range from hotels in Portree to B&Bs, hostels and self-catering cottages across the island. Booking ahead is essential in summer.

Nearby and related islands

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-08-13.