Quiraing Travel

Set off early from Portree heading north along the A855. After about 30 minutes you'll reach the Quiraing car park — the highest point on the Trotternish Ridge at approximately 400 metres elevation. From the car park, start the 6.8km circular hike clockwise: first you'll encounter The Prison — three basalt fortresses standing side by side. Climb the scree slope to reach The Needle — a solitary stone spire piercing the sky. Continue ascending to The Table — a hidden flat grassy meadow within the ridge, where Vikings are said to have herded cattle and even played shinty matches. As you crest the ridge, the landscape transforms dramatically — before you lies the Rubha Hunish peninsula and the endless Atlantic Ocean, with the lonely leaning Tree becoming a photographer's favourite icon. On the return leg, take in the full panorama of the Quiraing landscape from beside the car park. In the afternoon, drive south to tick off the Old Man of Storr (3.8km out-and-back trail) and the Kilt Rock basalt cliff + Mealt Falls, returning to Portree before sunset.

Spend the morning strolling through the colourful harbour town of Portree — rows of pink, yellow, blue and green cottages reflected in the calm waters of Portree Bay, with Somerled Square serving as Skye's social heart. Enjoy freshly caught seafood breakfast at Sea Breezes on Quay Street by the harbour, then browse independent bookshops and woollen goods stores. In the afternoon, continue north along the A855 to Flodigarry — check in or visit this 19th-century country house hotel overlooking Staffin Bay, enjoying Highland venison by the fireplace. In the evening, walk to Rubha Hunish — the northernmost headland of Skye. A 4km out-and-back trail crosses heather moorland and grassland, ending at a clifftop viewpoint overlooking the Minch strait. On clear days you can see Harris and the Outer Hebrides; lucky visitors may spot dolphins or pilot whales. On the way back, stop at Duntulm Castle ruins — a 15th-century MacDonald clan fortress perched on a basalt promontory, abandoned in 1732 after a nurse allegedly dropped the heir from the cliffs.