📷 Photo by Perry Kibler on UnsplashIsle of Skye by the bridge
Eilean Donan, the Fairy Pools below the Cuillin, Neist Point lighthouse, Portree and the Trotternish ridge.
- Distance
- 188 km (117 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 35 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- United Kingdom
- Updated
- June 30, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 188 km (117 mi) with 9 stops, from Eilean Donan to Uig. About 2 h 35 min of driving in total.
More road trips in United Kingdom
Route description
Stop at Eilean Donan, the castle on its island at the meeting of three lochs, then cross the toll-free Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh. The A87 runs to Broadford, the island’s second village and a good place to stock up.
Beyond Sligachan, turn onto the single-track road to Glenbrittle for the Fairy Pools, a walk of about 40 minutes below the jagged Black Cuillin. Then head north-west to Dunvegan and on to Neist Point, where a steep path leads to a lighthouse on Skye’s westernmost cliffs.
Dunvegan Castle, seat of the MacLeod chiefs, has gardens and boat trips to a seal colony. Portree is the island’s main town, with a harbour of painted houses. North of it the A855 passes the Old Man of Storr, an hour’s climb from the roadside car park.
At Staffin, take the narrow road over the ridge past the Quiraing, a landscape of pinnacles and hidden meadows, and down to Uig, where ferries leave for the Outer Hebrides. Much of Skye is single-track: use passing places to let others overtake and never park in them. Car parks at the famous sights fill by mid-morning in summer.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Eilean Donan
HistoryDornie, United KingdomA restored castle on a tidal island where three sea lochs meet.
- 230 km
Broadford
United Kingdom - 327 km
Fairy Pools
NatureGlenbrittle, United KingdomA chain of clear blue pools and small falls below the Black Cuillin, about 40 minutes’ walk from the paid car park on the single-track Glenbrittle road.
- 446 km
Neist Point
ViewsGlendale, United KingdomSkye’s most westerly headland, with a lighthouse at the end of a steep concrete path. Come for sunset and look out for whales and dolphins.
- 515 km
Dunvegan Castle
HistoryDunvegan, United KingdomThe seat of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod for some 800 years, with gardens and boat trips to a seal colony in the loch.
- 630 km
Portree
United Kingdom - 713 km
Old Man of Storr
NaturePortree, United KingdomA rock pinnacle on the Isle of Skye, about 45 minutes uphill from the car park.
- 819 km
Quiraing
NatureStaffin, United KingdomA huge landslip of pinnacles and hidden plateaus on the Trotternish ridge. The single-track road from Staffin to Uig passes the car park at the top.
- 98 km
Uig
United Kingdom
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Eilean Donan → Fairy Pools · 57 km · 0 h 47 minOn the way: Broadford.Overnight nearby, for example: Glenbrittle Campsite (5 km); Sligachan Campsite (7 km).
- Day 2: Fairy Pools → Neist Point · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOvernight nearby, for example: Kinloch Campsite (12 km); Skye Eco Bells Glamping (13 km).
- Day 3: Neist Point → Portree · 45 km · 0 h 37 minOn the way: Dunvegan Castle.Overnight nearby, for example: Torvaig (2 km); Skye Camping And Caravanning Club (16 km).
- Day 4: Portree → Uig · 39 km · 0 h 33 minOn the way: Old Man of Storr, Quiraing.Overnight nearby, for example: Skye Camping And Caravanning Club (12 km); Camus More Camping (8 km).
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Isle of Skye by the bridge?
4-day road trip of about 188 km (117 mi) with 9 stops, from Eilean Donan to Uig. About 2 h 35 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Isle of Skye by the bridge?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 35 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Isle of Skye by the bridge start and end?
It starts in Eilean Donan and ends in Uig.
Which countries does Isle of Skye by the bridge pass through?
United Kingdom.
Where can you camp along Isle of Skye by the bridge?
OpenStreetMap lists 26 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Reraig caravan site, Moyle Park Campsite and Glenshiel Campsite.
When is the best time for Isle of Skye by the bridge?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
