Holiday in Isle of Skye

What makes Isle of Skye special as a destination?

The Isle of Skye is the wildest, most dramatic, and most mystical island in the Scottish Highlands – a place where nature has created sculptures that exceed any human imagination. The largest island of the Inner Hebrides lies off the northwest coast of Scotland and has been connected to the mainland by a bridge since 1995. Yet despite this connection, Skye feels like its own world: rugged, wind-swept, mysterious, and with a beauty that leaves one speechless. The Old Man of Storr is Skye's landmark – a 50-meter-high rock needle that towers over the island like a stone guardian. The hike to the foot of this surreal formation leads through a lunar landscape of rock towers and green slopes overlooking the Sound of Raasay. Even more surreal is the Quiraing, a rugged rock landscape in the north of the Trotternish Peninsula, where landslides have created bizarre table mountains, needles, and hidden plateaus. The Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillins are crystal-clear rock pools where the water collects in all shades of blue and turquoise. In sunshine – yes, it does exist on Skye – they appear like enchanted bathing spots from a fairy tale. The hike there takes only 30 minutes and is also manageable for less experienced hikers. The Black Cuillins themselves are a rugged mountain range considered the most challenging in Britain, attracting climbers from all over the world. Portree, the tiny capital of the island, enchants with its pastel-colored houses by the harbor and cozy restaurants serving freshly caught fish and local whisky. Dunvegan Castle, the seat of the MacLeod clan for 800 years, is one of the oldest inhabited castles in Scotland. From Germany, you fly to Inverness or Glasgow and then drive for another three to four hours through increasingly dramatic landscapes. The best time to visit is from May to September, but Skye's true magic unfolds in dramatic weather, when mists sweep through the mountains and the light constantly changes.