Portree, Isle of Skye for Day Cruise Ships

Eilean Donan castle– one of Scotland’s most iconic castles. Sitting on its little tidal island where three sea lochs meet, it dates back to the 13th century. You’ll recognise it from countless films, postcards, and calendars – it’s one of the most photographed castles in the world. With its stone bridge and dramatic mountain backdrop, it really captures the romance of the Highlands. Made famous by Sean Connery in the film Highlander.

The Skye Bridge is the modern gateway to the Isle of Skye, sweeping gracefully across the Sound of Sleat to link the island with the mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh. Opened in 1995, its elegant arc spans 500 metres and has become a landmark in its own right. Once controversial for its tolls, the bridge is now free to cross and stands as a symbol of Skye’s connection to the wider Highlands. With stunning views of the Cuillin mountains on one side and the mountains of Kintail on the other, the crossing offers one of the most memorable approaches to the island.

⸻ Sligachan sits at the meeting point of Skye’s great landscapes, where the rugged Black Cuillin and the gentler Red Cuillin face each other across the glen. A stone bridge from the 1820s spans the river, one of the island’s most photographed spots. The clear waters of the River Sligachan are tied to legend: it is said that anyone who dips their face in the stream for seven seconds will be granted eternal beauty. Surrounded by towering peaks and sweeping moorland, Sligachan is both a natural gateway to the Cuillin mountains and a place of myth and striking scenery.

The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear waterfalls and blue-green pools lying at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains near Glen Brittle. Fed by mountain streams, the water is so pure that on bright days it glows turquoise, inviting brave swimmers into its icy depths. The name comes from local legend, as the pools are said to be enchanted by the fairies of Skye. Surrounded by dramatic peaks and moorland, the Fairy Pools are one of the island’s most magical and photographed locations, combining wild Highland beauty with a sense of otherworldly charm.

The Old Man of Storr is the most famous landmark on the Isle of Skye, a dramatic pinnacle of rock rising from the Trotternish Ridge. Shaped by ancient landslides millions of years ago, the jagged cliffs and needle-like formations dominate the landscape and can be seen for miles around. Standing at 55 metres tall, the Old Man is steeped in legend: some say it is the thumb of a giant buried in the earth, others that it is the remains of an ancient warrior turned to stone. The surrounding landscape of sweeping slopes and dark crags makes it one of Scotland’s most photographed natural wonders. With ever-changing light and mist rolling across the ridge, the Old Man of Storr offers an unforgettable view and has become a symbol of the raw, rugged beauty of Skye.

The Trotternish Ridge dominates the northern half of Skye, a dramatic 30-kilometre escarpment created by enormous ancient landslides. It is the island’s most famous landscape feature, home to icons such as the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and Kilt Rock. The ridge rises in sweeping slopes and jagged cliffs, creating a skyline that can be seen for miles. Its unique geological formations make it one of the most remarkable landslip landscapes in the world. With constant changes in light, cloud, and mist, the ridge offers some of the most breathtaking views in the Highlands, from the Cuillin mountains to the Outer Hebrides.

The Quiraing The Quiraing is a landscape like no other, a surreal world of twisted rock pinnacles, cliffs, and plateaus formed by massive ancient landslides. Located on the Trotternish Ridge, it is a favourite spot for walkers, photographers, and film crews alike. Features such as the Needle, the Prison, and the Table create a natural playground of dramatic shapes and hidden hollows. Constantly shifting light and sweeping views over the sea to the Outer Hebrides give the Quiraing an almost otherworldly atmosphere. It is one of the most unforgettable landscapes in Scotland.

Kilt Rock Kilt Rock is one of Skye’s most striking sea cliffs, its name coming from the way the basalt columns resemble the pleats of a Scottish kilt. Rising sheer from the sea to about 90 metres, the cliffs are crowned with rugged basalt and sandstone, giving them their distinctive striped appearance. From the viewpoint, visitors also see Mealt Falls plunging dramatically over the cliff edge straight into the sea below. The combination of towering cliffs, crashing waterfall, and sweeping sea views makes Kilt Rock one of the island’s most iconic natural spectacles.

Lealt Falls Lealt Falls is a dramatic two-stage waterfall on the Trotternish Peninsula, tumbling through a deep gorge before rushing out towards the sea. The viewpoint offers sweeping vistas of cliffs, coastline, and the Isle of Raasay beyond. Nearby are the ruins of an old diatomite works, once part of Skye’s industrial past. The falls combine natural beauty with a touch of history, making them a favourite stop along the Skye coastal route. ⸻ Mealt Falls Mealt Falls plunges 55 metres from the cliff edge directly into the sea below, one of only a handful of waterfalls in the world to do so. It sits beside the famous Kilt Rock cliffs, where vertical basalt columns resemble the pleats of a Highland kilt. The sight of the waterfall tumbling into the waves against a backdrop of sheer cliffs and wide seascapes makes Mealt Falls one of Skye’s most photographed natural wonders.

⸻ Portree is the capital of the Isle of Skye and the island’s main town. Its name, from Gaelic Port Rìgh meaning “King’s Harbour,” recalls a visit by King James V in 1540. The town curves around a sheltered bay, famous for its row of brightly painted houses along the harbourfront – one of the most photographed sights on Skye. With narrow streets filled with cafés, seafood restaurants, craft shops, and galleries, Portree is both a cultural hub and a working harbour. It serves as the gateway to the island, with views stretching across to the Isle of Raasay and the Cuillin mountains.

Talisker Distillery, founded in 1830, is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye and one of Scotland’s most celebrated whisky producers. Nestled on the shores of Loch Harport near Carbost, it draws pure water from nearby springs and is known for its powerful, peaty single malts with a distinctive maritime character. Often described as having “the taste of Skye,” Talisker whiskies capture the rugged spirit of the island with smoky notes, sea salt, and peppery warmth. The distillery has become a pilgrimage site for whisky lovers worldwide, combining heritage, craft, and stunning coastal scenery. You can choose to go in and tour it but there is an entry fee.