How to Spend Two Days on the Isle of Skye (the Alternative One)

If you've found this list, hopefully you'll discover some new places on the Isle of Skye.

Thousands of people visit the Isle of Skye every day, and so often, they are visiting the same places as everyone else. Although I'm not going to claim this list is full of unknown and hidden gems where you'll be completely alone, there are a lot of spots on this list that I think a lot of people never get to visit on their Skye trip.

Make sure you check out my other list with a more classic list of how to spend two days on the Isle of Skye. It's got the places that most people have on their Skye bucket list (and for good reason, because some of these spots are incredible).

Day 1 on the Isle of Skye: Broadford, and then the Isle of Raasay

As with my other list, the likelihood is you'll only arrive on the Isle of Skye around midday if you are coming from off the island. Although most people are heading up to the north end of Skye first thing, I really recommend staying south on the island and visiting some of my favourite spots around the Broadford area.

If you need a morning pick me up after arriving on the island, there are a couple of spots in Broadford I'd highly recommend. Firstly is Lean To in Ashaig, just 6 minutes drive from the Skye Bridge. This quirky little spot, based in a coverted shipping container and a repurposed croft house, serves some of the best coffee on Skye in my opinion, and their incredible toasties are also worth making a trip for too.

Another spot in Broadford that I love is The Coffee Bothy. If cake is your thing, you'll be sure to find a delicious cake to suit your taste buds here. It's also one of the friendliest wee cafes on the island, so I would say it has to be on your list of places to visit.

Now I know what you might be thinking. Surely the whole point of visiting the Isle of Skye is to actually explore Skye. Why are you sending me to another Scottish Island Heather?!

The thing is there is something so magical about adding a visit to Raasay to your Skye adventure. I remember the first time I visited the Isle of Raasay in 2018 (way before Heather and the Highlands existed). It was the first time I had been somewhere that felt totally quiet and removed from the rush of modern day life. Growing up in Glasgow, it made me feel like I was truly escaping and seeing the beauty of all the Highlands and Islands had to offer.

Depending on the time of day you arrive, you can visit Raasay Distillery for a tour or just a tasting. I also love heading across to Raasay as a foot passenger so that I can just wander and soak up the atmosphere of the island. I would say that some of the best views of the Isle of Skye are from the Isle of Raasay, so if you want to see fantastic views of the Cuillins, Raasay is the place to be. If you want to read more about how I'd spend a day on the Isle of Raasay, check out this blogpost.

Day 2 on the Isle of Skye: The Sleat Peninsula

To me, the Sleat Peninsula is one of the most underrated areas on the island. It's often called the Garden of Skye, and I really believe this is such a true statement. A couple of years ago I shared a whole guide to this incredible part of the island with lots of helpful tips and places to visit, so be sure to check that out.

One of my favourite ways to spend a day in a new place (especially if the weather allows) is to head out for a decent walk. One of my favourite walks I've discovered over the years in this part of the island is the Point of Sleat walk, which takes you to the southernmost point on the island. It can be quite a tricky walk at times, but the views over the Sound of Sleat to the Small Isles in the distance. At the very end of the walk, you'll also discover Camas Daraich Beach, probably the most beautiful beach I've ever found on Skye. It really makes the walk down to the beach feel like you've found a hidden beauty.

Another fantastic walk on the Sleat Peninsula is to visit Dun Scaith Castle near Tarskavaig. We visited just after New Year in 2022 and it was so interesting to learn more about this ruin and the stories about this castle. If history and castles are your thing, this one might just be for you.

The Sleat Peninsula is also one of my favourite destinations on Skye for foodie spots. There are some really great little cafes, honesty boxes and high end restaurants. One of my favourite places to visit in Sleat to enjoy some of the best flavours of the season is Kinloch Lodge. It's a family run boutique hotel that's been serving some of the best flavours on the island for over 50 years. We visited a number of times over the years to celebrate my mohter-in-law's birthday and it such a special place to make you feel at home. I've written about Kinloch Lodge a number of times over the years (once in March 2023 and again in January 2025) so be sure to check those out if you want to find out more.

Although most people leave Skye via the Skye Bridge, I also think there are two alternative routes that would really add something exciting to your island adventure. First, is by heading off the island from the Armadale ferry terminal on the Sleat Peninsula to Mallaig on the mainland. It's a beautiful way to see mountians of Knoydart, Lochaber and Skye all in one place. It's also where you can see the end point of the Jacobite Steam Train depending on the time of day you are in the village.

Another way to head back to the mainland (and my personal favourite way) is via the Glenelg Ferry from Kylerhea. This little ferry is the last manually operated turntable ferry in the world, making it a really unique way to leave head over the sea from Skye.