There’s no way around it: the secret is out about the Isle of Skye. This island in Scotland is one of the most popular places to visit in the country! I loved my trip here, and had the absolute best time. But I’m not going to lie—there were a LOT of other people here. And it wasn’t necessarily easy to escape the tourist crowds. There were some places I visited that were a lot quieter, and didn’t necessarily have as many big crowds as others! So if you’re looking for ways to avoid the crowds and see some alternate places to the main tourist attractions—here you go! Four more unique places to visit on the Isle of Skye to avoid the crowds!

For Popular Hikes

Instead Of: Hiking the Old Man of Storr…

Try: Hiking the Quirang

So the first one isn’t a huge hidden gem on the Isle of Skye. The Quirang is really popular and still sees a lot of visitors. But as it’s further away from Portree and the main Trotternish Peninsula loop, if you visit first thing in the morning it will be much quieter! There are a lot of different paths around the Quirang to take that will see less crowds. Whereas when hiking the Old Man of Storr, there will be people everywhere. There’s really only one main path up (although you can loop around which will be much nicer if you have the time). I definitely preferred the Quirang!

For Gorgeous Seaside Sunsets

Instead Of: Neist Point…

Try: Coral Beach

Neist Point is definitely one of the most popular places to watch the sunset on the Isle of Skye. But to get away from the major crowds, make the 20-minute walk out to Coral Beach. This gorgeous sandy beach was one of my favorite places on Skye! There were a few other people there for sunset, but after the sun went down we had nearly the whole place to ourselves as we were camping there that evening. There are amazing views from Neist Point, but I can’t recommend seeing Coral Beach enough!

For Beautiful Blue Water

Instead Of: Fairy Pools…

Try: Loch Coruisk

One of the most visited places on the Isle of Skye are the Fairy Pools in Glenbrittle. There are lots of myths and legends surrounding the Fairy Pools, all under the stunning backdrop of the Cuillins. The water is a bright blue, with glacial run-off from the mountain range. Instead of fighting the crowds at the Fairy Pools, take the ferry from Elgol out to Loch Coruisk. Loch Coruisk is a gorgeous lake, with crystalline water. You can book a ferry for 1.5 hours at the lake, 3 hours at the lake, or even a one-way if you choose to walk back. Loch Coruisk was one of my favorite places on all of Skye so definitely set aside half a day or a full day to take the trip!

For Tragic Clan History

Instead Of: Dunvegan Castle…

Try: Trumpan Church

Dunvegan Castle is a major tourist attraction, located just outside the village of Dunvegan. There is so much to learn about in regards to the tragic history of the Scottish clans and their constant warfare. You can find out loads about the clans at Dunvegan Castle. But if you want to beat the crowds on the Isle of Skye, make the drive out to Trumpan Church! The views here are incredible. The church has its own dark history as well. In 1578, the MacDonald clan killed a party of the MacLeod clan here in retaliation for a previous massacre. They set the church on fire and everyone died, except one woman who escaped through a window (severing her breast in the process, according to the information boards…). There isn’t much to see here (besides the fantastic views across the water to the nearby islands of course!), but definitely worth a visit. You’ll see much fewer people out here than most other places on Skye.

The Isle of Skye is scenic and beautiful, and offers so much to visitors. But if you want to visit slightly quieter, alternative places to the main tourist trail, I really recommend checking these ones out! You can definitely avoid some of the big crowds by going to lesser-known places on the Isle of Skye!

For my trip to Skye, I wild camped each night at a new location. You can check out my post on the best wild camping spots on the Isle of Skye! But if you’re not into camping, keep in mind that accommodation on Skye will get booked up months in advance. I always recommend Hostelworld for booking hostels, and Booking.com for hotels. You can also sign up to and search accommodation on Airbnb here! There are no trains that run on the Isle of Skye, but if you’re looking for train connections in Scotland, I always book through Trainline. If you’re planning to fly to Skye, the nearest airport is Inverness. I use Skyscanner for booking flights! Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

The Isle of Skye is definitely one of my favorite places in Scotland. I hope this helps planning your trip to alternative spots that aren’t necessarily on the main tourist trail!

Have you visited the Isle of Skye before? What were your favorite places?!

You might like my other Scotland posts:

The Best Wild Camping Spots On The Isle of Skye

Staying In The Camasunary Bay Bothy On The Isle Of Skye

12 Tips For Planning Your Scottish Highlands Road Trip

Hiking Ben Nevis: Britain’s Highest Mountain

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