Isle of Skye Day Trip from Inverness: Is It Worth It?

Are you dreaming of an adventure through the Scottish Highlands but don’t want to brave the drive yourself? That’s exactly why we hired a private driver to take us on a full day tour from Inverness to Isle of Skye. You’ll see the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands on this adventure, but there are a few things to consider when weighing whether it’s worth it for you. Here’s everything we saw and did, plus the pros and cons we discovered along the way.

Loch Ness Photo Op

Loch Ness is usually the first major stop on a Skye day trip. It’s one of the most famous lakes in the world thanks to the Nessie legend, and while you’re unlikely to spot any mysterious creatures, it’s still worth a quick pull-over.

Most drivers stop at designated viewpoints where you can hop out, snap a few photos, and stretch your legs. The loch is huge (over 20 miles long), so you won’t capture all of it in one shot, but the dark waters framed by hills make a nice introduction to Highland scenery. Expect this to be a short stop, 10–15 minutes. (If you want to explore more of Loch Ness, you can book a separate boat tour. Read about our experience here.)

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle is situated right on Loch Ness and is one of the most visited castles in Scotland. It dates back to the 13th century and has seen its share of battles, sieges, and eventual destruction during the Jacobite risings.

The ruins are impressive, with towers you can climb for panoramic views and grassy areas to explore. You won’t have time to explore it in detail on this day trip to Isle of Skye, but you will get some great photos.

Eilean Donan Castle

Next up is one of the most photographed castles in the country. Eilean Donan sits on a small tidal island at the meeting point of three lochs and is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. We drove up a hill to get some gorgeous photos, and then parked along the water below to walk around and stretch our legs before moving on to the next stop.

A Quick Hello to Scottish Cows

On Highland drives, it’s common to see the famous shaggy-haired Highland cows, known locally as “coos.” Some tours include a designated stop where you can see them up close and snap photos. These cows are incredibly photogenic and friendly, though it’s best to keep a safe distance unless you’re at a farm or visitor center that encourages interaction. This isn’t a long stop, but it adds a nice bit of character to the day.

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Crossing the Skye Bridge

The Skye Bridge connects the mainland village, Kyle of Lochalsh, to the Isle of Skye.

The bridge opened in 1995 and replaced the ferry crossing, making Skye much more accessible. At first, high tolls were charged to cross the bridge, which caused a bit of controversy, but now it’s free to use by all.

The bridge itself is scenic, arching over the water with views of the hills and islands beyond. You won’t stop on the bridge (there’s no pedestrian walkway), but many drivers pull over just before or after for a quick photo to mark the official entry onto Skye.

Lunch at the Shellfish Shack

We had a quick bite to eat from an outstanding food stand just after we crossed onto Skye.

While they had many options available – including a generous platter of lobster, mussels, scallops, and oysters – we all opted for Cullen Skink (delicious fish chowder) and buttered bread. It was a perfect meal to warm us up and get us motivated for some light hiking ahead.

Lots of Waterfalls Along the Way

Skye is known for its dramatic landscapes, and you’ll find an abundance of waterfalls. Depending on the route and the recent weather, you’ll likely pass multiple cascades tumbling down rocky cliffs. Some are quick roadside views, while others require a short walk to reach.

One of the benefits of having a private driver was being able to stop when something caught our eye. We got out a few times for short walks to waterfalls, which broke up the drive and added variety to the scenery.

Fairy Glen

Fairy Glen was the farthest point on our journey and easily the highlight. It’s located on the Trotternish Peninsula near the small town of Uig. The natural landscape is full of miniature grassy hills, ridges, and stone formations that transport you to another realm. Many travelers say the landscape looks like Hobbiton from the Lord of the Rings.

There are plenty of paths that wind through the hills, and you can scramble up for panoramic views and epic photos. We spent about an hour exploring here and could have stayed longer. If you only have time for one stop on Skye, this would be the one.

Portree for a Pint

Before the long drive back, we stopped in Portree. It’s the largest town on Skye but still very small. It has colorful harborfront houses, pubs, and small shops. We were actually glad to make the trip back to Inverness, rather than renting a car and spending a night in Portree, because the town was small and sleepy. There’s so much more to do in Inverness.

With limited time in Portree, we grabbed a pint at a local pub and stretched our legs before heading back. This is more of a rest-and-refresh stop than a sightseeing highlight, but it’s practical if you want a bathroom break and a meal or drink before the return journey.

The Return Drive

The drive back to Inverness took nearly three hours. By this point, everyone in the van was tired, and while the scenery was still beautiful, it felt like the right time to just settle in and let the miles pass. We got back just before dark, making it a full 11-hour day.

The Pros

• Every stop was genuinely worthwhile, with Fairy Glen standing out as the best.
• Having a private driver made a huge difference.
• We could go at our own pace, choose where to stop, and not worry about navigating or parking.
• Our driver Billy was fantastic.
• We lucked out with absolutely perfect weather and low crowds in early September, which can’t be guaranteed but really added to the experience.
• We had plenty of opportunities to get out of the van, stretch, and do light hiking.

The Cons

• It’s a very long day with significant drive time.
• The route is popular, so many of the stops are usually crowded, especially in summer.
• If the weather is bad, the day could feel long and miserable after 10–12 hours.
• You can’t possibly see everything in one day.
• We didn’t make it to the Fairy Pools, which are one of Skye’s most famous attractions, but we didn’t feel shortchanged thanks to everything else we saw.

Our Verdict

We loved our day trip and definitely think it was worth it – but it’s not for everyone. For us, it was one of the most memorable highlights of our Scotland trip, and we would absolutely do it again.

That said, there are other options from Inverness that focus on castles, lochs, and Highland scenery without being quite as long. If you have limited time, mobility concerns, or simply don’t enjoy full-day drives, you might prefer a shorter route with a few scenic overlooks and stops.

If you’re considering Skye from Inverness, ask yourself:

• Do you want a full, 10-12-hour day of driving and sightseeing?
• Are you okay with skipping some major Skye highlights (like the Fairy Pools) in exchange for a sampler of the island?
• Are you prepared for the possibility of bad weather making the day less enjoyable?

If the answer is yes, then a day trip to Skye from Inverness is a great way to see some of Scotland’s most iconic scenery in a single day.

You can check out our excursion here on Viator.

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