Isle of Skye Photography Guide – 15 Stunning Locations

The Isle of Skye is a photographer’s dream destination and one of the most beautiful places we have been lucky enough to visit in both the UK and worldwide!

Packed with sweeping mountain landscapes, majestic rock formations and glistening waterfalls it is home to some of the best photography spots in Scotland! 

There are so many picture-perfect Isle of Skye photography locations that we spent an entire two weeks here exploring Neist Point Lighthouse, The Fairy Pools, Fairy Glen, The Quairaing and many more magical beauty spots. 

In this Isle of Skye photography guide, you will find 15 of the most breathtaking Isle of Skye photography locations on the island, complete with information on accessibility and photography tips. 

You will also find a map showing all of the points of interest so you can plan your adventure exploring all of the things to photograph on the Isle of Skye! 

So let’s jump into the best Isle of Skye photography spots!

1. Neist Point Lighthouse

Neist Point Lighthouse is one of the most famous Isle of Skye photography locations and it was in the top three most dramatic landscapes we saw on our month-long road trip in Scotland.

Perched on the most westerly tip of Skye on a beautiful rugged cliff edge, the views are simply breath-taking. We have seen some stunning lighthouses in both North Wales and the South of England and Neist Point remains one of our favourite lighthouses we have captured on our travel around the UK.

The lighthouse was first lit in 1909 and still lights up today.

And if you are lucky you will get to share your visit with whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks which are often spotted from the cliffs frolicking below.

Neist Point Lighthouse has many vantage points that are all within a short ten-minute walk of the car park so not too far. Although be aware the walk down is very steep. 

Give yourself plenty of time to explore and find your perfect spot to watch the sunrise or sunset but be aware that much of the ground up to the lighthouse are steep cliffs with no hand rails so extra caution is needed. Especially when the wind blows!

Location & Visiting Information

• Neist Point is a one-hour drive from the town of Portree.

• There is a huge car park which is free to park.

• Sunset from here is stunning if you can get the weather to cooperate. We waited almost 4 hours and finally, the light peaked through!

Photography Tip

Don’t be tempted to just stay at the top near the car park. The grounds surrounding the lighthouse have many beautiful vantage points. 

Taking the photograph from the car park means that the top of the lighthouse will be touching the horizon which is not ideal in landscape photography. 

By walking down the path and getting a lower vantage point it means the horizon will break in the middle of the lighthouse which will make for a more attractive composition in your photograph.

2. The Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is both the most famous landmark and the most epic photography locations in Scotland.

Set on the side of a mountain the great stony rock formations protrude from the ground.

According to folk legend, the largest stone is the end of a giant’s hammer that he struck to the ground before laying to rest.

You can see the stones from miles away even before arriving at the town of Portree making this one of the most popular things to photograph.

We underestimated the walk up to the top arriving on a rainy day and whilst it is just a short 2km walk from the car park, the hike includes over 300m of elevation gain and is an even further distance to reach a higher vantage point. 

So ensure you wear a decent pair of hiking shoes and bring snacks!

Location & Visiting Information

• The Old Man of Storr is just 15 minutes drive from the town of Portree.

• Parking costs £6 for up to 6 hours which should be more than enough time to get up and down and take a few photos. The machines take card or coins.

• This place is particularly good for sunrise photography although it looks pretty spectacular at any time of the day

Photography Tip

Once you do reach the famous hammer stone be sure to walk another 100 meters uphill to get the best photo spot looking over the rocks and the Loch below!

The view is quite dramatic!

3. Sligachan

Sligachan is one of the top Isle of Skye photography spots on the island and with its perfect combination of glistening waters and mountain backdrops, it’s easy to see why.

The backdrop really reminds us of some of the incredible views and landscapes in Snowdonia National Park in Wales but with its own charm.

If you’re driving between places on the Isle of Skye in the same disorganised fashion as we did then you’re likely to come across Sligachan many times. 

It’s situated at a crossroads in the middle of the island.

It is most famous for its bridge with one heck of a dramatic backdrop and is usually at the top of a photographer’s list of things to photograph on the Isle of Skye.

This backdrop is Sgur Alasdair, one of the most impressive mountains to photograph in the Black Cullins and a breathtaking Isle of Skye location!

If you’re not satisfied by just the bridge there is also a quaint and highly photogenic cottage about 500 yards up the road.

Location & Visiting Information

• Sligachan is located just 15 minutes drive from the town of Portree

• Parking is free and right next to the bridge which is very handy when you have a tight itinerary or it’s raining as it so often does! There is space for around 20 cars so get there early.

• There is a hotel next to the bridge which would serve as a comfortable base camp should you want to stay the night and wake up and catch the early morning light in your photos. 

• The bridge is very easily accessed as it is right by the side of the road.

Photography Tip

Use the river in front of the mountain range to make an interesting foreground.

There is also a bridge which will make a great subject but unfortunately for us, there were too many people walking across it.

If you want an alternate shot then you can walk up the road and find a picturesque path with a mountain backdrop👇.

4. The Quiraing

This was easily our favourite Isle of Skye photography spot and we ended up heading there three times in our two-week trip!

It is known as the Icon of Scotland and it’s so easy to see why. It is simply breathtaking!

Not only is the Quiraing the perfect photography spot dotted with gorgeous vantage points but there is also a circular hike of 4.5 miles which lets you explore the whole area.

Taking you up and over the various pinnacles and spiky rock formations the hike takes around two hours and boasts some stunning views along the way. 

Location & Visiting Information

• The Quiraing is just 15 minutes from the town of Portree.

• There is a large car park with space for around 100 cars and costs £3 per car for up to 3 hours, or £5 for up to 6 hours. The machines take coins or contactless card.

• There are no toilets so be sure to go before you head here. 

• Wear walking boots or shoes with grip. Some sections do require some climbing up and down a few rocks which would have been difficult had I not been in boots.

Photography Tip

The Quiraing is stunning at any time of the day but the lighting at sunrise seemed to be the best option for that perfect landscape capture.

5. The Fairy Pools

We spent over three hours here camera in hand!

We often found ourselves taking photographs on very cloudy days whilst in Scotland. But this always made for a dramatically stunning capture!

We can easily see why this gorgeous beauty spot attracts tourists in their thousands to the beautiful Isle of Skye!

Location & Visiting Information

• The fairy Pools are just 35 minutes drive from the town of Portree

• There is a designated car park which costs £6 to park regardless of time spent and you are handed a map by a very nice parking attendant

• The walk is pretty easy although there are a few stepping stones which can be difficult to cross if there is very heavy rain. 

• The midges are an issue here, especially during May – September. Be sure to cover yourself in repellant and cover-up, Steffan even wore a head net for most of our walk around the pools much to my amusement!

Photography Tip

If you have brought your waders with you there are many places in the stream where you can stand and get a very unique shot using water as a foreground.

6. Elgol

Elgol is a small fishing village in the south of the island and along with its rocky beach, you have a view of the rear of the Black Cullins on the other side of the shore making for quite a dramatic landscape.

It’s a lesser-known Isle of Skye photography/beauty spot but in our opinion, it should not be missed if you love beautiful coastal views!

This place ended up being one of our favourite views of Skye along with the fact it had a quaint and friendly atmosphere.

This is also a popular place for boat trips allowing you to see some of The Isle of Skye’s wildlife. 

There are sea eagles, seals, puffins, dolphins and whales to be seen and trips cost around £22 – £80 per person depending on which tour you choose.

Location & Visiting Information

• Elgol village is just over an hour from the town of Portree.

• There are spectacular views and highland coos along the way so plan for a lot of stops.

• There are public toilets a tea shop along with hot dog stalls all right by the beach.

• Parking has limited spaces but is free. On a busy day, it may be tricky to park so plan to arrive before everyone else.

Photography Tip

Both sunrise and sunset are amazing times to take pictures outside so we are certain you would get some lovely shots at either of these times.

Elgol seems to be a popular place for sunset photography. But we prefer the light to be hitting our subject so head there for sunrise if you want to photograph details in the mountains.

7. Highland cows

At some point, you’re bound to come across one of these majestic creatures and The Isle of Skye is home to many of them. 

Although the cows are not technically an Isle of Skye photography spot they are usually at the top of visitors’ “must-see” lists when visiting Scotland and the islands.

They were certainly very high on our list and after a few googles and none the wiser we hoped we would see them on one of our many drives and thankfully we got lucky!

As we were driving from Portree towards Sligachan we noticed crowds of people by the side of the road.

There was a lot of heavy braking and horn hooting going on which drew our attention.

Then we realised that just over the fence there were about a dozen highland cows happily grazing by the side of the road.

They weren’t afraid of people. You could walk up and pet them if you wanted to. 

But we preferred to take shots from a distance.

Location & Visiting Information

• Highland coos can be found in many locations across beautiful Scotland but on the Isle of Skye they can be found in and near the little villages of Duirinish and Plockton. 

• Please do not feed the cows – wildlife and farm animals usually have very specific diets and whilst we may think it fun to feed them we can often be doing more harm than good

Photography Tip

Bring your telephoto lens to get up close and personal with the Coos.

We stood on the other side of a barbed wire fence but managed to get some great close-ups this way.

8. The Fairy Glen

A delightfully magical little spot hidden away in the Trotternish Peninsula, The Fairy Glen reminded us of a scene straight from the Lord of the Rings or a mystical fairyland and is one of the most well-known Isle of Skye photography spots!

Gren grassy hills, majestic Castle Ewan and glistening ponds dotted along the pathways make for such a beautiful scene.

The Fairy Glen even has an easy 2km circular walk on a well-marked path which was a delight on those misty Scottish mornings.

Location & Visiting Information

• Fairy Glen is just 30 minutes from the town of Portree.

• This location could easily be combined with a trip to the Quiraing or The Old Man of Storr as it is close by.

• There is a small amount of parking so get there early to beat the crowds. Charges are £2 for two hours or £3 for three hours.

• It’s just a short five-minute hike up to the castle on a well-marked path but you can easly spend an hour exploring.

Photography Tip

It was pouring rain when we visited, so much so, that we couldn’t get our camera out. Hence the old phone photograph we dug out from the Facebook archives!

So for this spot (and other Scottish spots), we recommend a rain cover for your camera. 

9. Mealtfalls (Kilt Rock waterfall)

Mealtfalls also known as Kilt Rock Waterfall is a 55m plunging waterfall that dramatically cascades over Kilt Rock and straight into the Atlantic Ocean below! 

The waterfall is fed by the nearby Loch Mealt and water flow is strong all year around thanks to the consistent Scottish rainfall even in the summer months.

We arrived early morning and had the falls all to ourselves and quickly realised why this was both the famous waterfall on The Isle of Skye and also a very popular Isle of Skye landscape photography spot! 

Be sure not to leave as soon as you have seen the waterfall as a walk along the cliffs offers some stunning panoramic views of the rugged Scottish coastline.

Location & Visiting Tips

• Mealtfalls is a 25-minute drive from Portree and a visit here can be combined with Fairy Glen, the Old Man of Storr or the Quiraing if you are short on time.

• There is a large car park that  is chargeable from 8 am-8 pm and costs £3 for 2 hours or £6 for the day.

• The viewpoint to the falls is a short 2-minute walk from the car park so very easily accessed

• Bring layers as it can get very chilly with both the wind chill and waterfall spray even in the summer months.

Photography Tip

For a perfect shot of the waterfall, you will have to hang right over the edge of the fence to get a shot.

For this spot, we would recommend using a drone (if you own one). This will mean you can use the best vantage point and gain the most dramatic view of the waterfall.

10. Portree

Portree is the capital and largest town on the Isle of Skye located in the centre of The Isle of Skye

With its bustling port, colourful houses and cute cafes Portree makes for both a suitable base to visit the surrounding sights and also worth a trip in its own right if you are staying further afield.

We chose to camp at the well-known Kinloch campsite at the far end of Skye during our two weeks on the island yet we loved visiting the little town of Portree on more than one occasion. 

Enjoying a warm cup of coffee and watching the boats come and go from one of the wooden picnic benches was our perfect way to spend the morning after being up early for photography. 

Whilst the town is not the most obvious spot for Isle of Skye photography you will be sure to find a few hidden gems as you wander around capturing the essence of this little island and the daily life.

Location & Visiting Tips

• There are a handful of car parks in the town that are chargeable and if they are full during peak months then there are lots of available parking spos within a short walking distance of the centre

• Portree hosts a wide range of accommodation options so if you are looking to stay centrally on the island with lots of amenities then this could be a great option

Photography Tip

There is lots of stuff going on around the harbour in the morning with the fishing boats going out and the general morning hustle and bustle.

This type of thing makes for great photos where you will really capture the essence of the place!

11. Loch Slapin – The town of Torrin (The beautiful road leading to Elgol)

Loch Slapin was a hidden gem we simply stumbled upon as we made our way to the gorgeous little coastal town of Elgol.

But it deserves its mention in its own right as the scene is nothing short of breathtaking. 

Given you can only access Elgol via one road in and out you will not miss the beautiful Loch and the imposingly majestic mountain on your way through.

There is also a perfectly picturesque cottage in the mountains shadow making for the perfect subject. 

As this is a much lesser-known Isle of Skye Photography spot you may even find you have it all to yourself as we did!

Location & Visiting Information

• There are plenty of spots to pull in as you drive to Elgol and even land where you can set up a tent or have a spot to eat.

• Loch Slapin is just one hour from Portree and just another 15-20 minutes to Elgol.

• Given its just a spot at the side of the road, there are no facilities but the drive to Elgol is only another 10-20 minutes if you want a bite to eat.

Photography Tip

On a calm day, the whole mountain range will reflect in the Lochs water.

We were lucky enough to see it ourselves. Also, there is a house on the mountain side which makes for a great little subject.

12. Broadford Harbour

Broadford Harbour was another stunning location that we discovered quite by accident. 

After spending a miserable week camping on the far point of Skye and our tent having collapsed and blown down we had admitted defeat and booked into a little hotel right on Broadford harbour in the colourful village of Broadford.

The view from our bedroom window across the harbour was simply stunning.

And a walk up and down the cobbled beach provides lots of lovely views of little fishing boats, wildflowers and rainbows in the distance.

Location & Visiting Information

• Broadford is just 35 minutes from the town of Portree.

• Broadford is a great base on the island and has lots of shops, cute accomodations, supermarkets and eateries so it is worth spending a night or two here and exploring the area.

• Access to the beach is easy as there is lots of parking at the nearby supermarket and it’s just a short walk from there.

Photography Tip

The fishing boats make for a great subject.

You can use the ropes and chains on the ground to lead the eye to your subject/subjects 

13. Loch Leathan

Loch Leathan is often overlooked as an Isle of Skye photography spot given it’s overshadowed by the more impressive and well-known Old Man Of Storr. 

However, Loch Leathen not only makes for the perfect backdrop to your Old Man photographs, but is a gorgeous scene all by itself.

Location & Visiting Information

• Loch Leathan is just 15 minutes from Portree and can be combined with a trip to the Old Man of Storr.

• There is a small stony island in the middle along with as small fishing boats dotted around.

• Parking can be found at the Old Man of Storr or along the road adjacent to the loch.

Photography Tip

Getting a photo of the whole loch with the old man of Storr in the background is a great shot of the area.

There is also a small waterfall not far from the loch where you can capture this and the Old Man in the corner.

14. Ord

Ord is a real hidden gem nestled on the Northwest Coast of Skye around an hour from the town of Portree. 

It is a stunningly peaceful little coral beach that felt undiscovered offering gorgeous views across the waters to the Cuillin ridge and whilst it’s not usually on the standard Isle of Skye photography hit list, we thought it was certainly worth a mention.

Only a little can be found online about Ord which makes it all the more special.

And whilst it’s not yet a tourist hot spot it’s the perfect place for a quiet walk, a morning of photography or a day near the water.

Location & Visiting Information

• The bay can be accessed via a single-track road for about 4 miles and there are places to park when you reach the water.

• There is a lovely walk along the bay and over the jagged rock which is around 2 miles long where you will find lots of lovely views.

Photography Tip

This is a location best visited during low tide when the most beautiful views of the coral beach are on show.

15. Kinloch Campsite

Kinloch campsite was where we decided to pitch up our tent and spend two weeks camping on the rugged isle of Skye completely oblivious to Scotland’s independent weather system, gale force winds and heavy rains even in August! 

That said the views from the campsite were worth our sleepless nights. 

Whilst a campsite may not seem like the obvious isle of Skye photography spot it is in a very privileged position making for some gorgeous photos.

It has the most magical sea shell beach with gorgeous landscape views across the waters of Loch Dunvegan and watching the sunset here was one of our favourite things to do on Skye. 

If you don’t wish to camp there may be access to the loch from the road leading up to the campsite.

But if not It is worth adding a few nights here just to experience the magic of the sun setting over the Loch!

Location & Visiting Information

• Kinloch campsite has lots of parking and space for both tents and caravans /motorhomes

• It is located in the village of Dunvegan where you can find lots of eateries and facilities.

• It is around 35 minutes from the town of Portree.

Photography Tip

Get down onto the beach at sunset for some great shots of the three mountains on the other side of the harbour.

You can use the rocks and seaweed on the beach in your foreground. But beware of the midges!!

Map of Isle of Skye Photography Locations

Planning your trip to The Isle of Skye

How to get to the Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is situated off the West Coast of Scotland and connected to the mainland by a bridge, or you can get the ferry if you want a more exciting way of crossing the small strip of the Atlantic Ocean.

Getting to The Isle of Skye by plane

If you plan on flying in then, it’s worth noting that the nearest International Airport is Glasgow (4 hours 50-minute drive to the Isle of Skye) and the nearest Local Airport is Inverness (2 and half hour drive to The Isle of Skye). There are connecting flights between the two airports.

Car Hire to explore The Isle of Skye

There are many car hire companies at the airports as with most, but it’s worth booking in advance for both speed and ease.

It is possible to hire a car on Skye in the town of Portree if you plan on getting there via public transport, but again, it’s worth booking in advance.

– Drive from Glasgow 

It is 216 miles from Glasgow to Portree on Skye, and it will typically take 5-6 hours to drive.

–Drive from Inverness 

It is 112 miles from Inverness to Portree on Skye; usually, it will take about 2.5 hours.

Car Ferry to the island

There are three main ferry ports on Skye, which are all operated by the company Calmac.

• Mallaig (mainland) to Armadale (Skye)
• Sconser (Skye) to Raasay
• Uig (skye) to Lochmaddy (North Uist) or Tarbert (Harris)

Train

Although there are no railway lines on the Isle of Skye, two train stations on the mainland are very close and connect to local bus routes.

• Glasgow to Mallaig – then the Ferry to Skye.
• Inverness to Kyle – then a bus to the Island.

National Buses

The Bus Company ‘City Link’ presently offers coaches from both Glasgow & Inverness to Skye.

You can find full details of bus routes from Glasgow or Inverness to Skye online. In the summer, it can be worth booking online to ensure you get a seat.

The Isle of Skye Bridge

Though Skye is an island, there is a road bridge spanning the sea between two villages which we used ourselves.

If you are driving following the directions from a Sat Nav, be aware of travelling from the south.

Some devices will take you to Mallaig, where there is the ferry to Skye, as my brother found out when coming up to join us!

Check your route carefully to ensure it takes you slightly longer using the free road bridge unless you fancy hopping on the ferry!

Where to stay on The Isle of Skye

There are many hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, and campsites in and around Skye, and lots of Air B & B choices.

As the island is not huge and there is usually only one main route to spots, there is no right or wrong place to stay, and wherever you choose, you can guarantee it will be beautiful! 

For camping, we just loved Kinloch Campsite as it had incredible facilities and some of the best views we had seen at a campsite.

We also loved Broadford as a base and found some lovely hotel options there too.

If you prefer to have amenities such as supermarkets close by then one of the towns would be your best option.

How long should I spend on The Isle of Skye?

We spent an amazing two weeks on the Isle of Skye and that gave us plenty of time to explore the many Isle of Skye photography spots at both sunrise and sunset.

However, If you have less time, then you can certainly fit all of the main sights in.

It will just need a little prior planning and with cmbining two or three locations per day.

But if you are happy with a busy itinerary then you could hit all of the spots in four to five days.

What is the weather like on The Isle of Skye?

When we read that The Isle of Skye possesses a mico climate, we scoffed a little.

But believe me, the weather here changes like the wind and is far more temperamental than any we experienced on our month-long trip to Scotland.

Take waterproofs, hats, cool clothing, and boots and keep them in your car because who knows that the weather will be like an hour to an hour.

Other things to do on Skye

If you are looking for other things to do on Skye in between photography missions and hiking then here are three other popular things to do when visiting The Isle of Skye

• Take a wildlife boat trip to spot Sea Eagles on a RIB boat
• Visit a whiskey distillery for a tour and to purchase some local bottles to take back home
• Head off whale watching – Setting off from Portree you have the possibility to see whales, seals, dolphins, puffins and orcas depending on the time of year

Tips for landscape photography on The Isle of Skye

• The weather is everything for photography and whilst you can make the most of the moody weather for some truly atmospheric shots, try and plan around any heavy showers that seem to fall sporadically throughout the day.

• Aim to have enough time on The Isle of Skye to see the main photography spots twice, in the morning and the evening. Each has its magic and often we found that we preferred the opposite time of day to what is generally recommended online!

• Allow time to just drive around the island with no real destination in mind. The Isle of Skye has truly breathtaking landscapes and so many of the views worth shooting are just between the main sights so try and allow stop-off time. 

• Don’t forget to pack a hood or if all else fails a bin liner to throw over your camera in the event of unforeseen rain showers. The weather can often change very quickly and getting your camera equipment soaked through is no fun!

Where to go after The Isle of Skye?

We visited the isle of Skye as part of a month-long road trip around the highlands of Scotland and there are so many incredible options on where to head next after the isle of Skye. 

Here are a few of our favourites and you can check out our full Scotland photography spots guide here.

• Glenfinnan Viaduct
• Glencoe
• Loch Lomond
• Finnich Glen
• The Cairngorms
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Ben Nevis
• Loch Ness

If you are planning on combining your trip to The Isle of Skye with a road trip in Scotland be sure to check out our favourite Scotland photography spots here!