The best place to stay on Skye
Planning Your Stay at Glenview
Glenview sits in an area of Skye where almost everything people come to see lies within a short drive. The Trotternish Ridge runs right above us, a 40km long line of cliffs and slips that shapes Skye’s northern peninsula. You don’t need to walk the full length to appreciate it; even the drive north or south gives you a sense of its scale, and from Glenview it’s simple to reach the two sections most people explore first: the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr.
Beyond these famous places, the North End of Skye gives incredible access not just to views, but history. We’re not far from the Staffin Museum, containing a small but important selections of finds from Skye’s ancient past.
Within just a few miles of Glenview, you’ll find dinosaur footprints , remains of iron age forts, the Skye Island Life Museum, Duntulm Castle and too many other places mention. You could spend a week exploring the north end of Skye itself, with all the curious finds that exist here. For this guide we cover the main sites guests come to see.
Brothers point - 2 mins
Just across the road from Glenview is the start of the walk to Brothers Point. Most guests discover it early in their stay because it’s so simple to get to, and for many it’s one of the most memorable parts of their visit. The path follows a steep (sometimes muddy) path down towards the cliffs and the sea, opening up into wide views over the coastline.
On low tides you can see the dinosaur footprints on the shore. In 2018, researchers from the University of Edinburgh found over 50 footprints of large Sauropods and Theropods.
This is a short walk, and you may be lucky enough to explore the shorelines in peace – this is a great place to search for real evidence of Jurasic life.
The Kilt Rock - 4 mins
Kilt Rock is one of the simplest viewpoints to fit into a day because it’s so close and there’s parking on site.
Most visitors stop here on their way to or from the Quiraing or the Storr. The cliffs have a clear pattern that gives them their name, and on windy days the waterfall can sometimes blowing back upwards.
People usually spend a short while here for photographs, taking in the cliffs and coastline before continuing on to other places.
B&B near Staffin
staffin Village & Staffin Beach - 5 mins
Staffin Beach is only a short drive from Glenview and is easily accessible place to visit. The sand here makes it a good choice for families or picnics on warm days, with plenty of space for children to run around and explore without the steep drops you find in other coastal areas. When the tide is low, it’s another place where you can see dinosaur footprints and clearly make out their impressions in the rock.
The beach is close to the village, so it’s a convenient place to pick up supplies from the local shop before heading out or home. Many guests stop for lunch at Columba 1400, which is just up the road. In the evenings, the Hungry Gull is a popular option for dinner.
self catering is near storr
The old Man of Storr - 9 mins
South of Glenview is the Old Man of Storr, formed by the same geological forces that shaped the Quiraing. The landscape here has been developing for around 58 million years. The pinnacle itself is what remains after layers of lava, ancient landslides, ice and long-term erosion removed the surrounding material. What you see today is the exposed core of a much larger landslip, a 50-metre column left behind as everything around it gradually wore away.
It’s one of the busiest attractions on Skye, but staying so near gives you an obvious advantage. You can reach the trailhead in minutes, go early before the crowds arrive, or time your visit between other activities.
The whole area around the Storr is impressive, with wide views over the sea and the islands of Rona and Raasay, and when the weather is mixed you can often fit in a quick ascent during a gap in the clouds when others have to pass it by.
From Storr you can see all the way south to the Cuillin and east to mainland Scotland. Despite larger crowds in summer, the views from the top are hard to beat.
B&B near the quiraing
The Quiraing -13 mins
The Quiraing is a short drive north of Glenview and is one of the most famous landscapes on the island. Towers, shelves, steep drops and strange formations have been made in the backdrop from movies like the BFG and Macbeth.
What people appreciate most about staying near it is how easy it becomes to choose your timing. Early morning sunrises are calmer and quieter, and you can set off without worrying about parking or long queues. Later in the day, the weather often shifts quickly, and being this close means you can wait for a break in the clouds and head up at just the right moment.
Some guests go twice — once in bright weather for the views, and once when the mist rolls in to see the place in a completely different mood. The convenience of returning whenever you feel like it changes the whole experience.
self catering is near storr
Skye's North End & UIG - 20mins
The northern tip of the island has a different atmosphere from the more visited areas around the Storr and the Quiraing. It feels open and exposed, with wide stretches of coastline and views across the Minch that change constantly with the weather. This area is fantastic for wildlife watching, seabirds and sealife is often spotted here (whales were sighted in summer 2025).
If you drive to the far north from Glenview, the first place that usually captures people’s attention is Duntulm Castle. The ruins sit on a headland overlooking the sea, and although the structure is now unstable and fenced off, the setting is still powerful. This was once a stronghold of the MacDonalds, and you can understand why they chose such a position when you stand there and look out across the water. This was the perfect place to bring ships ashore below and defend from rival clans.
Further along the road, not far from the castle is a memorial to Flora MacDonald, an important hero in Highland history who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the Jacobite uprising. Her story is known across Scotland, but seeing the place she lived gives it a more grounded sense of reality. You’re surrounded by a landscape that feels unchanged in many ways since her time. If you’re not familiar with her story, it’s worth taking a moment to read about it.
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Flora MacDonald was an extraordinary woman who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape, was arrested and taken to London, later sailed to America, and eventually returned home to Skye. Her life touches several chapters of Highland and Atlantic history, and seeing the places connected to her gives it a more tangible sense of who she was.
Skye's North End & UIG - continued
When the road begins to bend towards Uig, there are a few worthwhile stops on the way. One of them is the Rha Waterfall, hidden in a small gorge just off the roadside. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, but once you step in under the trees the sound of the falls takes over. The whole area is enclosed and sheltered, and feels like you are disappearing into another realm of Skye.
In the hills above Uig, is the Fairy Glen. It’s a tiny landscape of small grassy mounds, ponds and oddly shaped ridges that look like a miniature version of the Quiraing. Most visitors enjoy wandering around it without any set route, taking in the unusual shapes and the quiet atmosphere (in off season!). Because the area is small, it’s easy to explore even when time is limited, though this site can be busy in summertime so best visited earlier or later in the day.
Uig itself is where many visitors head for an evening meal. The options are fewer than in Portree, but what’s available is good quality and easy to book online (We recommend booking when you your know your travel dates). After a day of walking or exploring the far north of the island, ending the day with dinner there makes sense before heading back to Glenview. Places like the Uig Hotel, The Ferry Inn and The Galley Cafe all provide good options.
We look forward to welcoming you to Staffin and Skye!