Isle of Skye — The Dream Island

The Isle of Skye is Scotland's most dramatic island — a place of otherworldly beauty, where black Cuillin peaks rise from the Atlantic, waterfalls plunge into turquoise pools, and the mist creates landscapes that seem like they're from another planet. Skye (Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, "the winged island") has been connected to the mainland by a bridge (free) since 1995, but the atmosphere remains unchanged: wild, lonely, magical.

The highlights:

• Old Man of Storr — Scotland's most famous rock needle: a 50-meter-high basalt pillar, surrounded by rugged rocks, often shrouded in clouds. The hike (4 km, 1.5 hours) starts at the A855 and is of moderate difficulty. Even more impressive in fog than in sunshine
• Fairy Pools — A chain of crystal-clear, turquoise shimmering pools at the foot of the Black Cuillins near Glen Brittle. Brave souls swim (water temperature: 8–12 °C year-round). The path is easy (2.5 km), the view unrealistically beautiful
• Quiraing — A massive landslip landscape on the east coast: rugged rock towers, hidden plateaus, and panoramas that look computer-generated. The circular walk (6.8 km, 2–3 hours) is one of the best walks in Britain
• Neist Point Lighthouse — The westernmost point of Skye with a lighthouse on a cliff. At sunset, one of the most photogenic places in Scotland. Dolphins and whales can be seen from here
• Portree — The "main village" of Skye with colorful houses at the harbor, good restaurants, and the best fish & chips on the island

Practical: Skye is surprisingly well-developed — B&Bs, hotels, and some excellent restaurants (The Three Chimneys is one of the best restaurants in Scotland). But: Extremely crowded in summer! The single-track roads get clogged, parking lots at the highlights are overcrowded. Book accommodation months in advance.