Na rudan as fheàrr ri dhèanamh san Eilean Sgitheanach sa gheamhradh

Top Things to do on Skye in the Winter

We love the Isle of Skye in winter! The epic mountainous landscape and beautiful Hebridean waters surrounding our magical island look amazing during the winter time. Yes, the weather can be cool, windy and wet, but our climate is still generally milder in the winter than other parts of Scotland such as Edinburgh and Aberdeen. As the old saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather – only unsuitable clothing. So pack your waterproof coat, a warm jumper and boots, and read our tips for the best things to do on the Isle of Skye in winter!

SEALL Live Music Events

SEALL is a brilliant rural performing arts charity that puts on events all through the year. On the Isle of Skye in winter, SEALL provides daytime and evening events focusing on live music performances from leading Scottish artists, and jam sessions at village halls. During November, SEALL’s Festival of Small Halls brings hugely talented musicians from traditional and contemporary musical genres to the Isle of Skye. Visit their website to buy tickets.
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Armadale Castle

Visiting Armadale Castle is the best thing to do on the Isle of Skye in winter. A beautiful woodland garden centred around an atmospheric castle ruin – the former seat of the famous Macdonalds of Sleat – it also has the best licensed café in south Skye and a fantastic gift shop stocked with homewares, clothes, books and accessories. The Stables Café is open Thursday to Sunday, while the shop and gardens are open every weekend (but sometimes has to close temporarily if gales are forecast). Both the gardens and café are dog-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend and enjoy an easy walk with stunning sea views over to the snow-capped mountains of Knoydart. Then warm up by the fire at The Stables with a glass of mulled wine or locally-roasted coffee, and refuel with a meal of delicious home-cooked local produce. We recommend Armadale’s own sustainable venison chilli or venison pie! Tucked up in a leather armchair, surrounded by Clan Donald crests and antique wood-panelling in this historic listed building, you won’t want to leave – so just as well that The Stables is open from 11am to 11:00pm in the winter time! To make the most of your visit, book a winter stay with us at Armadale Castle’s Isle of Skye accommodation. Our cosy cabins, heritage apartment and comfortable cottage provide the perfect base to explore the Isle of Skye in winter – or to just cosy-up on the sofa gazing at the stunning views. We have dog-friendly accommodation options, too. Winter offers are available.
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Las at the Isle of Skye Candle Co.

Formerly known as the Aros Centre, Las is Skye’s incredible cinema and theatre venue. Las hosts events including stand-up comedy, live music and films, and it also has a great café serving top coffee and some of the best pizzas on the Isle of Skye – plus, it has a well-stocked gift shop. In the winter, you can cosy up alongside the locals and spend several hours here. Bonus: Las is on the edge of Portree, so you can fill the rest of the day wandering around the Isle of Skye’s main town with its wonderful shops and eateries – you can read more about our top Portree recommendations in our Top Things to do on the Isle of Skye post.

The Northern Lights

When the weather on the Isle of Skye turns cold in the winter, the long nights give a brilliant opportunity to see the Northern Lights shimmering in the clear skies. These dancing colours are a breath-taking phenomenon! Known as ‘Na Fir-chlis’ – ‘the nimble men’ – in our native Scottish Gaelic, your best chance of getting a good view is in the north and west of the island. Our top tips for viewpoints are Neist Point, Waternish – where you’ll also find SkyeSkyns shop and tannery – Duntulm, and the Quiraing. Make sure to wrap up warm in a plaid scarf from the Armadale Castle Gatehouse Shop!
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Image by Thomas Ulrich from Pixabay

SkyeSkyns

An absolute must for things to do on the Isle of Skye in winter, SkyeSkyns tannery and shop is located in Waternish, a really beautiful part of the island. SkyeSkyns make beautiful sheepskin rugs and homewares, including from local and native sheep flocks. They’re a truly local business, so shopping here helps support our island communities. The Waternish shop stocks SkyeSkyns own products, plus Scottish knitwear and accessories. It’s open seven days a week, all year round. Tannery tours are free, and there’s no need to book. You can even grab a coffee while you shop! If you can’t make it to Waternish, SkyeSkyns has a small boutique and coffee bar in central Portree.

Torabhaig Distillery

Located just ten minutes from Armadale Castle in Sleat, Torabhaig is a fabulous distillery overlooking the Sound of Sleat and nearby ruin of Knock Castle (also known as Caisteal Chamuis). Open all year although closed at weekends during winter, the distillery is only the second licensed whisky production operation on the Isle of Skye! Housed in an historic steading built from stone taken from the ruined castle next door, you can book a tour, enjoy the on-site shop and get a tasty light lunch of home baking in the café. While you’re parked at the distillery, why not hike along the shore to explore the ruined castle – formerly owned by the Clan Donald – or take a leisurely walk down to the sandy beach below the whisky warehouse?
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Beaches of Sleat

You’ve got your waterproof coat, your warm jumper and your boots –maybe you’ve got your dog with you too, and you’re looking for things to do on the Isle of Skye in winter? While you’re in Sleat visiting Armadale Castle and the wonderful dog-friendly Stables Café, you should also visit one or two of our amazing beaches. Easily accessible and with epic views of the Cuillin mountains, we recommend going to Gillean beach at Bàgh Tharsgabhaig and Tokavaig beach at Òb Ghabhsgabhaig. Gillean beach has areas of sand at low tide, and beautiful views to the mountains and the Isles of Soay and Canna. Tokavaig also has a great view of the Cuillins, and it’s home to the ruin of Dunscaith Castle. A former seat of the famous Clan Donald, legend has it that a Viking warrior queen lived here and taught mighty Celtic heroes how to fight! Today the ruined castle is inaccessible, but with its derelict drawbridge arch creating a window over the sea, it is very beautiful and well worth a visit. Please remember to park respectfully and without blocking gates and tracks, as this is a working agricultural community. If you’re feeling more adventurous and have more time, winter is the best time to visit Camus Daraich beach at Point of Sleat. Parking considerately at the road end, walk west until you reach the remote, off-grid crofting township of Point, then turn south on a rough path until you stand on the golden sands of Camus Daraich beach. The magnificent sea views to the Isle of Eigg and beyond, and the clear blue waters of the bay, make this one of the top things to do on the Isle of Skye on a fine winter’s day. Afterwards, you can visit the Stables Café at Armadale for the best local food and drink. Just remember that in mid-winter on Skye, it will be dark by 3:30pm – so make sure you have a fully-charged torch and appropriate clothing if you plan to go for a hike.
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Winter Walks on the Isle of Skye

With shorter daylight hours and changeable weather, you may not want to go for a long or strenuous walk. Luckily there are other options! We suggest exploring these walks if you’re looking for things to do on the Isle of Skye in winter:

  1. The Marble Line: located just outside the village of Broadford on the road to Elgol, this restored footpath takes you on a tour of the abandoned narrow gauge railway line that once served the marble quarries of Torrin. With fascinating remains and amazing views to the surrounding hills and the Cuillin mountains, this popular walk is a great winter option. You can start in Broadford, or if the roads are quiet, park respectfully on a large gravel area at the roadside in Suardal.
  2. Talisker Bay: best avoided in summer due to very limited parking and too many visitors during peak season, Talisker is stunning in the winter. Parking responsibly at the road end, this relatively easy path takes you to a stony beach with roaring waves breaking below towering sea cliffs. A bracing winter walk on the Isle of Skye!
  3. Neist Point: one of the most popular things to do on the Isle of Skye, the path to the lighthouse at Neist Point is less busy during winter and very worthwhile for the glorious sea views to the Outer Hebrides – it looks good even on a rainy day. Although steep in places, the path surface is generally ok here, but do go prepared for winter weather.
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Eating Out on the Isle of Skye in Winter

When the weather is bad, the daylight hours short, and you’re looking for things to do on the Isle of Skye in winter, it’s a good idea to make the most of the island’s best restaurants:

  1. Stables Café

If you like classic pub grub, the Stables is the place to go. Open Thursday to Sunday during winter 11:00 – 23:00, this cosy heritage café is located at Armadale Castle in Sleat – the heart of famous Clan Donald territory. Located in one of the most beautiful buildings on the Isle of Skye, you can relax by the fire and tuck into options including a local venison pie, mac and cheese, fish and chips, or some homemade soup and home baking. The Stables Café also has a well-stocked bar with Scottish gins, beer and whisky – and great non-alcoholic options. The friendly local staff team here offer the best Highland hospitality on the island! Bonus tip: visit in November and December for Christmas events including a festive market, ceilidhs, and Christmas dinner parties.

2. Old Inn at Carbost

Located by the shore on Loch Harport in north-west Skye, the Old Inn has been serving good local food and drink for many decades. A favourite with the yachting crowd, walkers and locals alike, you can be sure of a merry welcome and an occasionally raucous atmosphere! Traditional live music often features, and it can get very busy at times. A Skye classic, the Old Inn was made for winter visitors with its cosy vibe and hearty fare.

3. The Three Chimneys

Probably Skye’s most famous restaurant, and with good reason! Local produce, innovative menu options and a beautiful atmosphere bring people from all over the world to The Three Chimneys. You’ll need to book well in advance.

4. Kinloch Lodge

Another Skye classic, Kinloch Lodge is owned and run by the Macdonald family. Established by famous Scottish cook Claire, Lady Macdonald, and her husband Godfrey, Lord Macdonald of Macdonald, Kinloch Lodge remains a family affair and offers delicious, thoughtful Scottish food in a country house setting. We thoroughly recommend a visit during winter, when the views from Kinloch Lodge down the Sound of Sleat are at their moody best. Like The Three Chimneys, you’ll need to book well in advance.

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If you embrace the changeable weather and short hours of daylight, a visit to Skye in winter will be well rewarded. With fewer visitors and a slower pace of life than in the summer, you won’t be short of activities if you plan in advance using our helpful guide of things to do on the Isle of Skye in winter. Although several shops, cafés and restaurants do close for winter, the selection we’ve described here could fill several days for intrepid winter travellers – we look forward to seeing you at Armadale Castle!
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