Isle of Skye Summer 2018, is there enough for the children to do?

[cowssheephens]

Has anyone been with pre-teens and it was a success and all enjoyed?
I think it would suit us, all of us walk together every weekend, they love anything to do with history etc.

Thinking about staying 2 nights in Northumberland on the way up and visit Alnwick Castle.

I'm still unsure though...will the history, walking, nature be enough for them? Where did you and your DC enjoy the most up there?

Will need to find somewhere self catering as DD has Sen and chronic disease and I need to be able to cook most meals.

So much to do, especially if they like the outdoors. Do you know where you're staying?

A boat trip is a must, lots of good ones to choose from. For kids I'd recommend the coral beach, the dinosaur museum and footprints on the beach, the submersible boat and the museum of island life. Loads more to see and do though, particularly if you want to walk/play on the beach etc

My dd is 7 and adores it there. We've been going for years but I must admit last time we went wasn't my favourite as it is now ridiculously busy (lots of European and North American tourists, partly because of movies being filmed there).

Thank you for your reply 💐.

Was it busy, busy? What time of year was it? I have six weeks off over the summer, so we can go anytime as long as we book early and find a relief to cover the milking.

I'm thinking of booking somewhere in Portree, as it's central. Where do normally stay?

Due to Sen we try and book somewhere that works for her, she hates places that are very busy and zones out but absolutely loves being outdoors and is obsessed with history.

Last time we went at the end of summer and it was insanely busy. Been going for over 10 years and have never seen anything like it...sorry! But if your daughter doesn't like crowds it may be difficult at times. There are plenty of places of the beaten track (and lots of tourists barely leave their cars) but there is no denying it is extremely busy all year round now.

We normally stay in Broadford, which isn't the prettiest place but easy access for the island and we like staying on the bay. Wherever you decide you'll need to book soon as it gets booked up months in advance.

Sorry to suggest somewhere else but we went to Arran last year and loved it..It really is Scotland in miniature and not very busy at all.

I went as a family last April. Wasn't overly busy. We felt alone at many of the places we went to. Including coral beach. We have 4DC age 11m, 4, 12 and 13 and have booked again for next april

We've booked, and yes in the summer! We are going to get up early, early most mornings and get to the visiting places hopefully before the crowds. I hope we've made the right decision.

Isle of Arran looks beautiful too, maybe next year.

Now to start a list of places we must visit.

The coral beach.
Dunvegan castle - you can see seals in the bay all round the castle
The dinosaur footprint beach
Fairy glen
There is loads to do on Skye, and when we were there it was not busy at all.
Whale watching/eagle watching boat trips from Portree too

Not much to do inside, and it rains a lot. Take hiking boots and lots of coats.

You will love it. I've only been in April. Heard midges can be worse in summer but not sure? Xx

Thanks for the list, can't wait to go now and we are considering the whale watching trip...any recommendations on who we should go with?

Yes, I've heard about the midges too, I will have to take plenty of repellent.

More than enough. We've done a week the last 2 summers on Skye.

You will love it, we have been so many times and never get bored. Whereabouts are you staying so can recommend nearby places?

These are some of my favourite things -

If you have time the glenelg ferry is the best way to arrive - skyeferry.co.uk/

Coral beach
The quirang
Faerie glen is my favourite place but does get busier these days. Good to go when it's a bit misty as it adds to the spookiness
Old Man of Storr
Boat trip is a must, I'd say one of the operators from Elgol because they give such a view of the Cuillins and the drive down is also stunning. You can get the boat out to Loch Coruisk and walk back too if you want.
Dinosaur footprints and museum at Staffin
Museum of Island Life
Semi submersible boat trip is good too (I was surprised how much I enjoyed it).

If your daughter likes history and walks, this is a brilliant walk to see the old cleared villages - www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/boreraigsuisnish.shtml

We like ashaig beach as it's one of the few sandy beaches on Skye and if you go at low tide it's great for kite flying etc. Always empty too.

I'd also recommend this place for buying fresh seafood over the bridge in Kyle - www.facebook.com/Buth-Bheag-the-wee-seafood-bar-deli-212022512144116/

Also on the mainland is Plockton, lovely village well worth the visit. Calum's seal trips are ace - calums-sealtrips.com/

Midges aren't nearly as bad on Skye than say Loch Lomond. Still worth taking some repellent but I wouldn't worry too much. I get eaten alive normally but not too bad there.

Sorry for rabbitting - I could talk about Skye all day :)

Sorry these are the boat trips from Elgol -

mistyisleboattrips.co.uk/
www.bellajane.co.uk/

There are other boat trips from Portree and elsewhere but I personally thing seeing the Cuillins from the sea makes these the best. You really don't appreciate the mountains in the full glory until you see them from that viewpoint.

The fairy pools get a lot of recommendations but it's one of the few places I've not seen properly. We went last year when a storm was brewing and the number of tourists was insane - never seen anything like it. It is meant to be worth it but it wasn't for me.

Just remembered one final place - we had lobster/prawns/oysters/langoustines etc from here - www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186585-d4374662-Reviews-The_Oyster_Shed-Isle_of_Skye_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html

It was amazing and my daughter still raves about it. Again it is busy (and parking very limited) but well worth going, even for takeaway.

Enjoy :)

We stayed up near Uig at easter time for 5 days with 3 kids, 7 and under. Loads to do, all mentioned above I think. Fairy Glen, Fairy pools, Dunvegan, dinosaur museum and footprints (that beach is absolutely stunning), 'fishing' in streams, folk museum/cottages...
Children not allowed on Tallisker tours.
I would avoid Portree as a place to stay. The habour is nice to walk around/eat but the town itself is mobbed, full of the big tourist buses and it doesn't offer much anyway. We had our worst meal there. Much better staying somewhere quieter.

Busy for the Hebrides is not "Busy" as in St Ives though. I think you will be fine OP.

A brilliant alternative for next time is Islay