Isle of Skye: Where to Stay for a True Local Experience
Oct 23, 2025
Explore where to stay on the Isle of Skye with cosy inns, wild campsites and unique spots for an unforgettable Highland adventure.
Waterfalls, mountains, highland cows... There are countless reasons why visitors are drawn to the Isle of Skye during their trip to Scotland. When visiting an island as charming as Skye, staying somewhere that offers an authentic local experience is the key to making your trip even more amazing. Whether you’re seeking a cosy B&B, an unexpected hidden gem in the heart of nature, or a wild camping spot to put up your own tent, we’ve gathered our top recommendations just for you!
The Skye Inn
Nestled in the quiet corner of Portree and still just five-minute walk away from the shore, The Skye Inn offers a perfect base for exploration. With various room options, it’s perfect for solo travelers, couples, families, friends, and even those traveling with their dogs. Guests are welcomed with cosy rooms, home-cooked meals, local beers and drams by the warming fire, and a friendly team who love to have a chat and give you an insight into all the best things to do in Skye. At the Skye Inn, you get the best of both worlds; near proximity to the biggest town on Skye as well as quiet and peaceful surroundings.
You get to stay in The Skye Inn throughout your whole stay on our 3-Day Isle of Skye & The Highlands tour from Edinburgh and 5-Day Volunteer Adventure from Inverness.
Sligachan Camping Site
It’s no question why this camping site made it to the list! Situated right next to arguably one of the most iconic views on the Isle of Skye, the Sligachan Bridge, the Sligachan Camping Site offers the perfect place for putting up your tent or parking your campervan. This site is not only breathtakingly beautiful with the Cuillin Mountains being visible on the background, but it’s also the perfect spot for a first-time camper. The camping site is to a close proximity of a wee shop and a place to grab your morning caffeine fix, and additionally, it has facilities including for example toilets, hot showers, device charging, drinking water and place to do your laundry. Though this location is not the quietest one to camp, it is breathtakingly beautiful and the perfect location for first-time campers!
The Lookout Bothy
Perched at the northernmost tip of the Isle of Skye, the Lookout Bothy is a former coastguard station turned minimalist shelter. A 3.7-mile (6 km) hike from the Kilmaluag car park brings you to panoramic sea views and a peaceful retreat. Inside, three wooden bunks – two lower and one upper – sleep up to four people, with a small sitting area and a metal worktop serving as a basic kitchen. There are no cooking facilities or running water, so you need to bring your own supplies and carry out all waste.
Bothies in Scotland are free, first-come, first-served shelters that rely on visitors to leave them clean and tidy for the next guests. Maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association, the Lookout Bothy is perfect for those seeking solitude and dramatic coastal scenery.
Kinloch Campsite Isle of Skye
If you’re heading northwest and eager to explore that area, Kinloch Campsite is an ideal place to stay on the Isle of Skye. Located near the village of Dunvegan, this family-run campsite is unique in offering easy access to the village while boasting a beautiful waterfront setting right on the shores of Loch Dunvegan. You can stay here with a tent, caravan, or motorhome. Its location in the northwest makes it a perfect base for visiting popular sites like Neist Point, the Fairy Pools, and Dunvegan Castle. Whether you enjoy spotting seals and other wildlife or exploring a historic castle and local village life, Kinloch Campsite is a great choice for your stay.
The Skye Inn in Portree offers cosy rooms, local meals and easy access to walks and sights, while Sligachan and Kinloch Campsites let you sleep under the stars surrounded by nature
The Skye Inn welcomes families and dogs, and Kinloch Campsite has tent pitches, caravans and motorhome spaces near Loch Dunvegan, with toilets, showers and a small shop on site.
Sligachan Camping Site is ideal for first-time campers, with hot showers, toilets, drinking water and nearby cafés, while Kinloch Campsite offers a quiet waterfront setting and easy access to Neist Point and Dunvegan Castle.
If you’re on a 3-day visit, staying in Portree at The Skye Inn keeps you close to shops, restaurants and main sights, while combining one night at a campsite or bothy gives a taste of Skye’s wilderness.