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5 Amazing Stops You Should Visit On The Trotternish Loop – OUR CROSSINGS
Last Updated on the 7th of August, 2025
For me, visiting the Isle of Skye and hiking to the Old Man of Storr was a dream-come-true moment.
The rocky pinnacle, created by ancient landslides and snuggled in myths and legends, was the main reason for our trip to Scotland, as the views of the Old Man of Storr rising from mossy green hills that tumble down to the sea captured my imagination many years ago.
While Man of Storr is often a star attraction of the island, there are many more incredible places you should visit, as the lush and craggy Isle of Skye, which looks out towards the Hebrides, offers vast expanses of untouched wilderness.
One of the best ways to take in the rugged beauty and unique geology, as well as see some of the top tourist attractions, is to embark on a loop drive around the Trotternish Loop.
In this guide to Trotternish Loop, we provide the best places to see, things to do and more.
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What is the Trotternish Loop
The Trotternish Loop is a very scenic, 50-mile circuit around the northeast corner of the Isle of Skye, where ancient landslides have formed otherworldly landscapes.
The drive offers jaw-dropping scenery and connects many of the island’s sought-after attractions; therefore, it cannot be missed. Famous landmarks on this unforgettable route include Fairy Glen, Old Man of Storr, Flora McDonald’s grave and Quiraing.
Regardless of whether you choose to travel clockwise or anti-clockwise, the scenic loop drive starts in Skye’s largest town, Portree, from where you have to travel northeast on the A855 to reach Bride’s Veil Falls.
As one of the most popular destinations in Scotland, the Isle of Skye gets very busy during the summer season, and so does the Trotternish Loop.
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All the attractions on the list are in the order that you are going to see them as you embark on the road trip in the colourful town of Portree and follow the loop anti-clockwise.
If you only have a day on the island, it’s not possible to see everything, but it would be just enough to go for a drive around the Trotternish Loop.
#1. Portree
Located on the east coast of the Isle of Skye and surrounded by rolling hills, Portree is the largest town on the island with stunning views of the colourful harbour from the top of the hill, locally known as the Lump.
As the hub for visitors to Skye, the town makes for a great base for exploring the island. Many of its pubs and cafes serve fresh local seafood, and there are plenty of restaurants offering traditional Scottish meals and drinks.
You will also find art galleries selling local jewellery, knits and crafts, grocery stores with essential supplies and a good few historic buildings, including the 19th-century St Columba’s Church.
If you wish to see the surroundings differently, you can hop on a boat and see local wildlife such as whales, seals and dolphins.
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#2. Lealt Falls
Your first stop along the loop will be the Lealt Falls.
From the car park, a short and easy walk winds to the newly built Lealt Falls Viewing Platform, from where you can look into the depths of the gorge and see the Lealt waterfall finding its way down the gorge.
On a good day, you can see the beautiful nature of the Isle of Skye, a guarantee for nice pictures.
If the weather conditions are in your favour and you are feeling adventurous, there’s a little footpath that winds down the rolling hill to the water’s edge and the ruins of the old salmon bothy.
- Location: Lealt Falls, 12 Stormy Hil,l Portree
- Parking & Facilities: no parking charges and no toilet facilities
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#3. The Old Man Of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is located in the Trotternish area of northern Skye. It is an iconic natural phenomenon which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
While you get to see the rising pinnacles from the road, it is still worth braving the climb to the Storr viewpoint, as on a good day, you’ll be able to enjoy views of the islands of Rona and Raasay and the Torridon mountains.
The hike itself is relatively short, albeit steep in places. The total distance is around 6 km, and depending on how often you stop for photos, it takes 1.5 – 2.5 hours for a round trip.
- Location: The world-famous landmark can be found a 10-minute drive from the island’s capital, Portree.
- Entrance fee: Free entry, but you have to pay parking fees
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#4. Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Kilt rock is a dramatic basalt cliff which rises up to 90 metres above the sea and resembles a Scottish kilt.
The basalt columns have been formed due to volcanic activities millions of years ago and are stacked on top of each other, creating a striking natural phenomenon.
What’s more, there’s a 60-metre waterfall that plunges over the rugged cliff and straight into the ocean below, providing spectacular photo opportunities.
Don’t forget to check out the other side of the car park too, as it has some stunning coastal views too.
*Fun fact – On a clear day, you can look out over the Sound of Raasay and see the Isle of Rona.
- Location: located on the A855 road
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#5. The Quiraing
Originally created by a massive landslip that has formed jaw-dropping scenery of hidden plateaus, high cliffs and pinnacles of rocks, the Quiraing is part of the Trotternish Ridge and well worth a visit.
Some of the rocky shapes are so distinct that they’ve been given names such as the Needle, The Table and the Prison.
You can stop by the Quiraing Lookout for the stunning views over the escarpment, but the best way to immerse yourself in the natural spectacle is by embarking on the Quiraing Walk, as it offers some of the best views on the island.
The hike is 4.2 miles long, requires around 375 metres of ascent and descent and should take around 2-3 hours to complete.
Even if you don’t have the time in your schedule to walk the full length, it is well worth walking the first hundred meters for the views and photos.
- Parking fees: £5 for an all-day ticket, payable by card
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#6. Skye Museum of Island Life
For a journey back in time, stop by the award-winning Skye Museum of Island Life.
It is located on the west coast of the Trotternish peninsula, in Kilmuir, and you can visit the village smithy, the old Croft house and the weaver’s house and see how people lived 100 years ago.
On the site, you’ll find seven well-preserved traditional thatched cottages filled with an array of crafting tools, artefacts, precious pieces of history, as well as stunning views.
- Address: Kilmuir, Isle of Skye, IV51 9UE
- Opening times: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
- Admission: Adults £6.00, Children under 15 free
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Other noteworthy Attractions on the Trotternish Loop Drive
So far, we noted all the main attractions and sights on the loop drive that can be easily seen within a day. If you are lucky to have more than a day on the island, there are a few other places worth considering, depending on your interests.
- Staffin Dinosaur Museum | Established by Dugald Ross in 1976, the museum is a great place to visit if you wish to see a wonderful collection of dinosaur fossils. It also offers tours of the infamously challenging-to-find dinosaur footprints of Staffin Bay.
- Duntulm Castle | While there isn’t much left of the fifteenth-century castle, it’s still worth the stop as the castle is located just off the main road and offers wonderful views across the headland.
- Brothers Point | a rugged headland which marks the easternmost point of the Isle of Skye, is well worth a visit as it has a dozen dinosaur tracks you can see at low tide! The easy out-and-back route takes around an hour to complete, with some sharp cliffs to watch out for.
- Bride’s Veil Falls | A tumbling waterfall can be easily seen from the road, but it’s well worth embracing the short yet rewarding walk to the top of the falls to catch a glimpse of the old Man of Storr. An unofficial car park to stop
- Fairy Glen | Formed by an ancient landslip, the wonderful glen is made up of little round hillocks and ponds which make you think you’ve stumbled upon fairyland.
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Nearby Attractions on Skye
The Trotternish Peninsula is just a small portion of the island.
Skye is well known for its breathtaking and unique landscapes that have mythic allure, but there are lots of other cultural and natural attractions that you should see.
Once you have completed the whole loop of the peninsula, you can move on to explore other parts of the island to soak in the tranquil beauty and even visit a castle or two.
Our recommendations:
- Drink whiskey | No visit to the island would be complete without a stop at the whiskey distillery – you are in Scotland after all! Stop by the Talisker Distillery to sample one of Scotland’s most renowned single malt whiskies.
- Visit Sligachan | You can’t leave Skye without seeing its atmospheric stone bridge, backdropped by the soaring Black Cuillin mountains.
- The Fairy Pools | Embark on a hike to explore a series of natural pools in the River Allt Coir’ a’ Mhadaidh at the foot of the charming Black Cuillin hills.
Things to Know Before Planning Your Trotternish Loop Itinerary
The Trotternish Loop is a fantastic place to explore, but there are a few things you need to know before you embark on a loop drive.
- Beware of livestock | Livestock is abundant on the peninsula, so keep an eye out for sheep and cattle. Be careful if you see them in the middle of the road
- Driving direction | We recommend driving the loop anticlockwise because most of the sights are on the eastern side of the peninsula, and this way, you’ll get
- An early start | is a must as the roads won’t be as busy and it’ll be easier to find parking at the main tourist attractions
- Roads on the loop | The roads around the peninsula are in fairly good condition and easy to navigate, although some single-lane roads have plenty of potholes as they receive less maintenance.
- Speed limits | Keep in mind that speed limits are indicated in Miles Per Hour (mph)
Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Trotternish Loop Travel Guide and that it will prove useful for planning your trip to Scotland’s beautiful Isle of Skye.
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Now, over to you!
Have you been on the Trotternish Loop? Let us know in the comments!
Let us know if you are plotting a visit to the Trotternish Loop and have travel-related questions!
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