Lady’s 7 Reasons You Should Visit the Isle of Skye in Winter

Scotland’s Isle of Skye is magical. With enchanted fairy pools and spectacular waterfalls, the landscape here is the stuff of legends. And while most visitors travel to the island during the summer months, this place is just as good (if not better) in the colder parts of the year. Which is why I want to share A Lady in London’s top reasons to visit the Isle of Skye in winter.

Isle of Skye in Winter

This is my fourth trip to the Isle of Skye, and my second in winter. I can personally vouch for how good this season is for visiting, from the snow-capped mountains to the beautiful sunrises.

But what about the weather, you say? As with much of Britain, the weather on Skye is unpredictable at the best of times.

Even in summer you’re not guaranteed warm weather and sunshine, so it’s just as well to visit in winter when there are a lot of other benefits to being here.

And as I learned from three years of weekly visits to the Scottish Borders, there’s no such thing as bad weather in Scotland, only the wrong clothing.

Where to Stay on Skye in Winter

I’ve traveled here to speak about experiential travel and social media for brands at a conference. After arriving from Inverness, I have some time to explore the island before leading a panel and running workshops.

The conference is at the Sligachan Hotel, and they’ve put me up for the two nights I’m here. I like the location in the middle of the island, not to mention the stylish decor in my room and stunning views of the Cuillin Hills out my windows.

The hotel is right next to the iconic Sligachan Old Bridge and has lots of walking paths near it for easy exploration. It’s also ideally located by a stop for the bus from Inverness, so it’s particularly convenient for visiting Skye without a car.

1. Spectacular Sunrises

I arrive at night, and my exploration starts as soon as I wake up in the morning. One of the great things about the Isle of Skye in winter is that sunrise takes place late enough that I don’t have to set an early alarm for it.

On my first morning in Skye, I open the curtains at 8am and my eyes fill with the deep pinks and purples of an amazing sunrise.

I grab my camera and start taking pictures of the snowy Black Cuillin ridge, awed by the way the light hits the peaks as the sun comes up.

The following morning I’m just as lucky. There’s another purple sky to photograph, and I head out to do it at the Sligachan Old Bridge.

According to legend, it arcs over enchanted waters. I take pictures of the mythical scenery as the sky brightens to pink.

2. Winter Light

Another of the best things about the Isle of Skye in winter is that there’s beautiful light. Winter light is famous for its soft, warm qualities and is great for enjoying views and taking pictures.

It also makes the scenery look better for more of the day than in the summer, when stronger light can cast harsh shadows.

The aforementioned sunrises are just the beginning of the winter light I enjoy on Skye. I also see it at the Fairy Pools, an area with colorful waterfalls in Glen Brittle.

There’s more to take in on the shores of Talisker Bay, too. I head over with fellow travel bloggers Nell and Luke from What if we walked?. They live on Skye and generously show me the area around the bay.

The walk to the water is refreshing, and the light on the cliff with the waterfall that pours into the sea is stunning.

And that’s to say nothing of Allt Dearg, an old shepherd’s cottage beneath the Black Cuillin peaks. The surrounding area looks beautiful in the winter light.

3. Winter Scenery

In addition to light, a benefit of visiting the Isle of Skye in winter is the seasonal scenery. I see this most prominently in the Cuillin Hills, which are atmospheric with their dusting of snow.

They’re far more dramatic than in the summer and make for more interesting subjects for photography.

But it’s not just up high that the scenery gets good in the winter. There’s more beauty on the ground.

On both of my mornings in Skye there’s thick frost blanketing the landscape. When the sun hits, it glitters like diamonds before melting into a shimmering dew.

The frost also makes for beautiful scenery to admire and take pictures of. It lends a Narnia-like air of enchantment to the island.

4. No Crowds

And a big reason for that enchantment is that I practically have the whole island to myself.

One of the great things about visiting the Isle of Skye in winter is that not many other people do. Fewer crowds means less waiting around to take photos and more peace to soak up the scenery.

Areas like the Fairy Pools get so many visitors in the summer months that overtourism is becoming a problem.

But in the winter there’s barely anyone around. It makes visiting more enjoyable and being in Skye’s natural surroundings more serene.

The same goes for shops and galleries in places like Portree. Many of them stay open during the winter months and are less crowded than during peak season.

5. No Midges

Another big reason to travel to the Isle of Skye in winter is that there are no midges. These small flying insects plague much of Scotland from late spring to late summer, and their bites are surprisingly fierce.

In winter the midges are blissfully absent, allowing me to focus on enjoying my trip instead of constantly (and usually unsuccessfully) swatting them away.

6. Good Deals

Another great reason to visit the Isle of Skye in winter is that there are deals and discounts at this time of year.

Low season means lower prices on everything from accommodation to transport, and there’s usually more availability and better last-minute deals than in the summer.

7. Responsible Tourism

As if all that isn’t enough, coming to the Isle of Skye in winter is a great way to practice responsible tourism.

With overtourism and overcrowding becoming increasing problems on Skye, visiting in the low season is a good way to help spread visitor impact across a wider part of the year.

With all the other benefits of a winter trip, it’s an easy way to enjoy Skye and be mindful of the environmental impact of travel at the same time.

Visit the Isle of Skye in Winter

I hope I’ve managed to pique your interest in visiting the Isle of Skye in winter. It’s such a great time to be here, and a magical season to experience the natural beauty the island is known for.

Whether you watch the sunrise, hike the hills, kayak the seas, or cozy up by a fire, it’s worth a special trip.

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