r/Skye • u/Megs3161 • 17d ago
Visiting: Drive or tour?
Hey there, My partner and I are taking a trip to Scotland in April and we are planning to visit sky for at least a couple of days.
I’ve been looking into tours, but was also considering driving and just being able to spend some more quality time in a few specific locations.
What are your thoughts or recommendations on taking a tour group versus solo adventuring? If you’re thinking of a group, what to a group do you recommend? How do you feel about Scotland’s Wild?
Thanks!
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u/portlandhusker 16d ago
As a tourist who is here now, I cannot believe how many people subject the residents and other tourists to the camper vans. They’re a massive inconvenience for the rest of us, I must say. Just rent a car and be respectful. Pull over and let the locals pass. Don’t park in no parking areas. Take your time and enjoy the beauty!
Also, book restaurant reservations in advance because you won’t really be able to walk into any restaurant of your choosing on any given night. (Might be better in a slower season though).
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u/philipb63 16d ago
Firstly, April is a great time to visit the Misty Isle. Neither the midges or camper vans will be out in force and you'll get to enjoy the attractions at a less crowded time. Most of the restaurants will be on summer hours by then but it's always good to book ahead for dinner anyway.
I'd 100% recommend a car (and absolutely NOT a camper van), there's so much to see & do on Skye and it's a 72 mile long island so having the flexibility to tour & visit at your own pace is going to be the best.
As others have said (and although our housing crisis is another subject) there's wonderful hotels, BnB's and AirBnB's to stay. Consider Portree as a base if you like to be in the center of things, for more wild & remote there's the Trotternish Peninsula or the bit less well known Waternish Peninsula.
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u/allisonpinklp 13d ago
I did both - tour in 2023 and then earlier this year we rented a car and explored. The tour was great but didn't give us the flexibility in what/when/how long we wanted to see. I'd definitely recommend renting a car!
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16d ago
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u/Dingwallian 16d ago edited 16d ago
Campervans are the bane of our lives. Especially on single track roads like neist point. Also a little known fact is that it’s illegal to camp anywhere but a campsite in a campervan, we just don’t have the infrastructure to support enforcing it.
There’s also absolutely tons of accommodation options. It doesn’t need to be a van. I live in one of the most remote parts of the island and there are 3 hotels within 10 mins from me.
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u/MirfainLasui 16d ago
This this this.
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u/philipb63 16d ago
"We saw 100s of campervans on our trip" - yes, we're well aware you did!
Probably shopped at Aldi or Tesco on the way so as to avoid paying those sky(e) high island prices too? /s
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u/MirfainLasui 16d ago
Or cleared out the small supermarkets on the island so when I made my way over for my weekly shop, I just had empty shelves...
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u/jaymastajay 16d ago
Coming from someone who is born and raised in an EXTREME tourist town, trust me when I say I get it. But people who vacation (the tourist) are our lively hood and keep us afloat as much as we may hate it. They make us our money. And I’m sure you love to vacation/ take holiday just as much as the next person. So I’m sorry for providing a suggestion based on my own experience. And also, it’s really not that bad. I had a small van. Not a huge camper that took up the whole road. So fuck you. Thanks.
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u/Hefty-Egg3406 3d ago
As a hiker, the campervanners are an absolute scourge. They are annoying locals and drivers who aren’t used to a larger vehicle + smaller roads are a hazard for pedestrians and cyclists. They aren’t part of the camping community and typically arent getting in the dirt with the rest of us.
The van community is now a quaint idea of the past. It’s overcommercialised and not supporting the local community at all.
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u/Megs3161 16d ago
Thank you! Did you feel you were able to get around the roads ok? We would probably just tent a little car. I’ll definitely try and check out Neist point!
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u/jaymastajay 16d ago
Yes the roads are fine. They are narrow but there are “passing places” everywhere that allow easy driving. The scenery was beautiful as well everywhere we went
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u/MirfainLasui 16d ago
Just to counteract the previous posters point: as a local, please don't rent a camper van, they are the bane of the people who actually live and work here's lives! And if you do go for a camper van please don't do what it sounds like they did and park up in random places, please use official campsites.
In terms of driving or a tour, driving on Skye can be stressful and difficult if you're not used to it (largely because of the aforementioned camper vans), but driving does give you more control and let you spend more than just a few minutes at each spot.
If you are a confident driver and feel like you'll be able to do winding single track roads at (or close to) the 60 mile limit that they have, then driving is a good choice to see exactly what you want to see. But tours are good if you don't want to have to stress about the roads and the endlessly frustrated locals, you can just sit back and relax and enjoy it.