Isle of Skye Campervan Spots Guide
Skye is the most popular island in Scotland for van life. Here is the guide to the best spots, parking, and practicalities.
The Van Life Problem on Skye
Skye is beautiful but overcrowded in summer. The roads are narrow, the car parks fill by 9am, and the Fairy Pools are a traffic jam. A campervan is the best way to see it — but you need to know where to go.
Best Wild Camping Spots
- Neist Point: The lighthouse car park. Stunning cliff views. The road is narrow (single track, 8 miles) but fine for SWB vans. The car park has space for 10-15 vans. Overnight is tolerated. Sunset here is the best on Skye.
- Fiskavaig: A small bay on the west coast. The road ends at a parking area above the beach. Room for 3-4 vans. Quiet, sheltered, beautiful. No facilities.
- Elgol: The view of the Cuillin Ridge from Elgol is the most famous view on Skye. The car park is large and free. Overnight is fine (used by vanners). The road is single track for 15 miles — meet the postbus at the passing places.
- Strollamus: On the east coast, between Broadford and Portree. A layby overlooking the sea. Room for 2-3 vans. Very quiet. Good sunset spot.
- Glendale: The B884 loop road has several wide verges and passing places suitable for overnight. Near the Dunvegan Castle area. Quiet at night.
Day Parking
- Fairy Pools: The car park (£5) fills by 8am in summer. Park at the Glen Brittle campsite (£5, 1 mile walk) or on the verge (carefully — wardens ticket).
- Old Man of Storr: The car park is tiny (20 cars). Arrive before 7am or after 5pm. The verge parking on the A855 is ticketed by Highland Council. Use the Portree to Storr bus (£4 return) instead.
- Quiraing: The car park fills by 8am. Arrive at 6am for sunrise (the classic shot). The road is single track and steep — LWB vans will find it tight.
- Portree: The new pay-and-display car park on the harbour (£4/day) is van-friendly. The Morrison's car park has a height barrier (2.1m).
The Midge Problem
Skye is famous for midges. They are active May-September, most active at dawn and dusk, and worst in calm, damp weather. The west coast (Neist, Glendale) has fewer midges than the east (Portree, Broadford) due to the wind. Smidge repellent (£8) works.
Facilities
- Portree: Tesco, Co-op, fuel, launderette, public toilets, showers at the Portree campsite (£3)
- Broadford: Co-op, fuel, public toilets, the Broadford Hotel (good food, van parking)
- Dunvegan: Co-op, fuel, toilets, the Dunvegan Castle car park (free, day use)
- Fresh water: Portree Harbour tap, Broadford public toilets, the Glen Brittle campsite
The Campervan Ban
From 2024, Highland Council introduced a Traffic Regulation Order banning overnight camping on certain roads on Skye (the A855 near the Storr, the road to the Fairy Pools). These are specific locations, not the whole island. Check the Highland Council website for up-to-date restrictions.
Verdict
Skye is crowded but still worth it. Neist Point for sunset, Elgol for the Cuillin view, and the Quiraing at dawn. Arrive at key spots before 8am or after 5pm. Fill up fuel and water in Portree before exploring the west coast.
