Skye vacation rentals
Book unique vacation rentals, houses, and more on Airbnb
Top-rated vacation rentals in Skye
Guests agree: these vacation rentals are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.
Vacation rentals for every style
Get the amount of space that is right for you
Popular amenities for Skye vacation rentals
Other great vacation rentals in Skye
Your guide to Skye
All About Skye
Skye is an island on Scotland’s northwest coast whose history dates back to prehistoric times. It’s home to seven medieval castles, some of which are ruins that have succumbed to years of weathering and battles, while others, like the Armadale Castle, remain more intact. The island’s Dunvegan Castle is still inhabited today.
The Black Cuillin Hills mountain range is the dominating landscape on Skye, named for its dark-colored basalt and gabbro rocks. The steep, grass- and moss-covered mountains make for challenging hikes like the Quiraing Walk, a path that is constantly shifting due to massive landslides. The 1.4-mile Old Man of Storr hike is another of the most iconic trails on the island, where you can see this 160-foot, speared rock formation surrounded by untamed, bright green moss. All across the island, overflowing lochs create dozens of waterfalls, ranging from the towering 131-foot Eas Mor Waterfall to a series of small, grouped cascades like the Falls of Rha.
As you explore Skye’s rugged terrain surrounding your Skye rental accommodations, you can look for some of Scotland’s native highland cows and red deer. Along the coast, rare grey seals make appearances near Skye’s rocky beach shores.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Skye
Skye sees rain year-round, but summers are warm and see a bit more sunshine than other seasons. This time of year, you can visit the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, the Dunvegan Castle and Gardens, open to visitors all summer before closing in early fall. Fall’s cooler temperatures make it an ideal time to hike through Skye’s lush, grassy mountains.
Spring is cool and less rainy than autumn, and purple orchids sprout up across Skye’s highlands. These beautiful flowers dot the path along the Fairy Pools hike in spring, ending at a series of small waterfalls. Winters are cold but not extreme, and it seldom snows. On a cold day, you can explore indoor attractions such as the Skye Museum of Island Life, featuring 100-year-old cottages with relics inside them showing what life in Skye was like for villagers at the time.
Top things to do in Skye
Kilt Rock
The 180-foot, pleated Kilt Rock formation resembles the garment of the same name. An elevated lookout point near the cliffs offers a sweeping view of Kilt Rock and the dramatic Mealt Falls waterfall. The falls are nearly as tall as Kilt Rock, flowing from the nearby Loch Mealt and cascading over the basalt cliff face into the Atlantic Ocean. The combination of wind and water flow is known to make a mystical, calming sound as you take it in.
Elgol
The small fishing village of Elgol sits at the junction of the seascape and the Black Cuillin Hills mountain range. It’s home to Elgol Beach, accessible by a short, steep walk from Elgol. Black rocks covering the shore date back nearly 200 million years, meeting the deep blue Loch Scavaig waters. The grassy Black Cuillin Hills create a dramatic backdrop behind the beach, with honeycomb rock formations lining the shore. You can swim in the loch waters, but they will be chilly throughout the year.
Dunscaith Castle
The Dunscaith Castle, built sometime during the 13th or 14th century, sits on an elevated rock over Loch Eishort. It’s one of the few castle ruins in Skye that you can walk through on your own, exploring the standing remains of staircases, overland bridges, and supports connecting an overwater drawbridge leading to the castle. Many Gaelic legends refer to this castle and its centuries-long history of sieges between rival clans.
Destinations to explore
- Scottish HighlandsVacation rentals
- InvernessVacation rentals
- Fort WilliamVacation rentals
- PortreeVacation rentals
- ObanVacation rentals
- GlencoeVacation rentals
- GalwayVacation rentals
- DublinVacation rentals
- LiverpoolVacation rentals
- BelfastVacation rentals
- GlasgowVacation rentals
- Newcastle upon TyneVacation rentals
- Guesthouse rentalsSkye
- Rentals with a washer and dryerSkye
- Rentals with beach accessSkye
- Bungalow rentalsSkye
- Cabin rentalsSkye
- Rentals with outdoor seatingSkye
- Rentals with a fire pitSkye
- Tiny house rentalsSkye
- Pet-friendly rentalsSkye
- Waterfront rentalsSkye
- Kid-friendly rentalsSkye
- Rentals with a fireplaceSkye
- Condo rentalsSkye
- Apartment rentalsSkye
- Hostel rentalsSkye
- Rentals with a hot tubSkye
- Rentals with lake accessSkye
- Private suite rentalsSkye
- Beachfront rentalsSkye
- Bed and breakfastsSkye
- Events allowed rentalsSkye
- House rentalsSkye
- Rentals with breakfastSkye
- Monthly RentalsSkye
- Cottage rentalsSkye
- Family-friendly rentalsSkye
- Yurt RentalsUnited States
- Yurt RentalsUnited Kingdom
- Castle RentalsUnited States
- HouseboatsUnited States
- Holiday CaravansUnited Kingdom
- Private Island RentalsUnited States
- Farm HousesUnited States
- Farm CottagesUnited Kingdom
- Cabin RentalsAustralia
- Luxury CabinsUnited Kingdom
- Luxury CabinsUnited States
- Holiday ChaletsUnited Kingdom
- Cottage RentalsUnited States
- Holiday CottagesUnited Kingdom
- Mansion RentalsUnited States
- Villa RentalsUnited Kingdom
- Holiday BungalowsUnited Kingdom
- Bungalow RentalsUnited States
- Condo RentalsUnited States
- Holiday ApartmentsAustralia
- Holiday HousesUnited States
- Holiday HousesUnited Kingdom
- Private Holiday RentalsUnited Kingdom
- Big House RentalsUnited States
- Big CottagesAustralia
- Large VillasUnited Kingdom
- House Rentals with a PoolUnited States
- Cabin Rentals with a PoolUnited States
- Villas with a PoolUnited Kingdom
- Apartments with a Hot TubUnited States
- Holiday Cottages with a Hot TubUnited Kingdom
- Beach CabinsUnited States
- Beach CondosUnited States
- Beachfront RentalsUnited States
- Beach HousesUnited Kingdom
- Beach VillasUnited Kingdom
- Coastal CottagesUnited Kingdom
- Pet-Friendly Vacation RentalsUnited States
- Pet-Friendly Beach RentalsUnited States
- Pet-Friendly Cabin RentalsUnited States
- Dog-Friendly CottagesUnited Kingdom
- Luxury Dog-Friendly CottagesUnited Kingdom