The best Airbnbs on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands
Photograph: Airbnb | The best Airbnbs on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands
Photograph: Airbnb

The best Airbnbs on the Isle of Skye, Scotland

Immerse yourself in the wild heart of the Scottish Highlands with these unforgettable homes

Talia Gilliham
Contributor: Frankie Lister-Fell
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Skye is no longer just a holiday in Scotland; it’s a bucket list destination. The remote location was even named one of the best islands in the world in 2026. Intrepid travellers are flocking to the otherworldly terrains of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr, while embracing a new wave of modern Scottish architecture: the modern bothy. Here, true luxury means floor-to-ceiling glass windows and wood-burning stoves. We’ve handpicked the best Airbnbs on the Isle of Skye. 

Best Airbnbs on the Isle of Skye at a glance

Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, our writers have based our list on expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

How to drive to the Isle of Skye

It’s no secret that travelling to the Isle of Skye is a bit of a mission. But it really is absolutely worth it.

Renting a car is probably the best way to explore the island. So here are our top tips on how to enter this glorious place.

  • The Skye Bridge: Most visitors arrive via the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh. It is free and provides a dramatic entrance to the island.
  • The Mallaig-Armadale Ferry: For a more cinematic arrival, take the CalMac ferry from Mallaig. It’s the route the Jacobite Steam Train (the Harry Potter train) passengers take.
When is the worst time for midges in the Isle of Skye?

July and August are peak season for midges. If you're visiting then, bring Smidge repellent and avoid damp, windless areas at dawn and dusk.

When is the best time to visit the Isle of Skye?

The end of spring is often thought of as the best time to visit. There’s dry weather and the least midges. Plus, the days are exceptionally long, with light until 11:00pm.

But if you want to see the Northern Lights, we recommend you visit between November and February. Because of the low light pollution, Skye is one of the best places in the UK to see them.

Best Airbnbs on the Isle of Skye

1. Best for couples: Airbnb overlooking a loch in Carbost

Location: Fiscavaig, near Carbost

This well-designed home (seriously, it was even on Grand Designs) is the perfect abdoe for couples who want to explore Scotland’s wild side but still cosy up in a nice home after a day of exploring. This low-impact, well insulated house overlooks Loch Bracadale on the west coast of Skye. Its striking, leaning silhouette is made to mimic the traditional agricultural sheds of the Hebrides. Inside you’ll find a mezzanine with a king-size bed. There’s an open-plan living area warmed by a Morsø wood-burning stove and a cozy reading nook. Plus, the EV charging statiopn and Swedish waterless toilet adds to its serious eco-credentials.

Time Out says: Fiscavaig is famed for its rugged coastline and sea-eagle sightings. Visit Talisker Distillery for a smoky single malt after a day in the Atlantic wind

Sleeps: Two people. One bedroom

Price: From £240 per night. Six night minimum

➡️ Discover the best things to do on the Isle of Skye

2. Most luxurious: Stone house with fireplace near Broadford

Location: Broadford

This meticulously renovated bothy was crafted by professional artisans using ancient local materials. It sleeps two and is packed with bespoke details, from door handles made of roe deer antlers to a striking copper king-size bed draped in furs. Outside, there’s a private fire pit and BBQ area, complete with custom armchairs fashioned from old whisky barrels, looking over a secluded sea bay.

Time Out says: Set on the sheltered Lusa Estate near Broadford. You have miles of uninterrupted views across the water to the Scottish mainland, with a direct beachside location where you can spot white-tailed eagles daily. Head into Broadford town to grab ultra-fresh local seafood from Cafe Sia or take a short drive to the legendary, highly-photographed Eilean Donan Castle just across the Skye Bridge

Sleeps: Two people. One bedroom

Price: From £355 per night

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3. Best with a sauna: Spa-like cottage in Achachork

Location: Achachork

Hiking and whale watching is all fun and games but the Scottish Highlands can be intense on the body. What better way to recharge after exploring than with a steam in the Finnish sauna? This cottage has spa-like amenities you can use without even leaving the house. There’s a deep standalone soaking tub, a walk-in rain shower and incredibly, your own private Finnish sauna and cross-trainer gym on the upper floor. There’s also a soaring double-height cathedral ceiling and massive patio doors that flood the lounge with light. 

Time Out says: Located in the peaceful crofting township of Achachork, you are a short drive from the colourful harbour town of Portree. Make sure to book a table well in advance at Scorrybreac for a phenomenal, Michelin-recommended dining experience

Sleeps: Two people. One bedroom

Price: From £220 per night. Four night minimum

4. Best views: Cabin with balcony in Breakish

Location: Breakish

Built into the hillside to minimise visual impact, this earth-covered home offers a unique, subterranean luxury. It may cost you a pretty penny, but look at those views! It’s exceptionally well-insulated, making it a cozy bunker during the Atlantic storms, with a large glass front that frames the Quiraing ridge.

Time Out says: You're in northern Skye, putting you in prime position for early morning hikes at the Old Man of Storr. The Quiraing is the most spectacular landslip in the UK and a must walk for any Skye visitor

Sleeps: Two guests. Two bedrooms

Price: From £650 per night

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5. Best for families: Home with telescope in Snizort

Location: Snizort

Sleeping up to eight guests across four bedrooms, 57° North is exceptionally well-appointed for multi-generational trips. It features an expansive open-plan kitchen and dining area heated by state-of-the-art solar hot water and underfloor systems. The views over Loch Snizort are spectacular, and thoughtful touches like ultra-blackout blinds for the midnight summer sun and luxury Scottish Soap Co. toiletries elevate the stay to five-star status. The smart TV, celestron telescope, board games and library of books will keep the kids entertained. 

Time Out says: Positioned peacefully in Snizort, you are only a 10-minute drive from the town of Portree, giving you easy access to essential supermarkets, great pubs, and the excellent coffee at Birch Cafe

Sleeps: Eight guests across four bedrooms

Price: From £500 per night

6. Best for groups: Home with a fireplace over Loch Snizort

Location: Geary, Waternish Peninsula

Renovated by the award-winning local architects at Dualchas, this home sleeps four guests and boasts phenomenal, uninterrupted views across Loch Snizort to the Ascrib Islands. The living space centres around a crackling Morso wood-burning stove and authentic Ercol furniture and the huge sliding doors lead straight out onto a private sun deck. There’s two bedrooms - one with two single beds and one with a double. 

Time Out sasy: Located in the tiny crofting township of Geary on the Waternish Peninsula, this is an area officially voted as having some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. Take a quick drive to the fishing village of Stein to dine at Loch Bay, Skye's legendary Michelin-starred seafood restaurant

Sleeps: Four guests. Two bedrooms

Price: From £195 per night. Seven night minimum

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7. Most affordable: Cabin with fire pit in Glendale

Location: Glendale

Glendale is the artisan heart of north west Skye, home to weavers, potters and silversmiths. This hand-crafted studio pod is an unfussy base to explore the area. It has everything you need, plus a fire pit, but won’t break the bank. This high-end glamping pod has a large picture window designed specifically for watching the sunrise over the Macleod’s Tables. It’s compact, sustainable and features a private firepit for stargazing in some of the UK’s darkest skies. 

Time Out says: Walk 20 minutes down the road to reach Loch Pooltiel where you can go wild swimming and spot otters. Then head to Neist Point Lighthouse, which is the most westerly point on Skye and a prime spot for whale watching

Sleeps: Two people. One bedroom

Price: From £75 per night

8. Best on western Skye: Luxurious home with views

Location: Dunvegan

Is it possible to find an Airbnb that is both cozy and modern? Well we think we’ve found it with this, quite frankly, insanely beautiful minimalist home in western Skye. From the bedroom, wall to ceiling windows mean you have the best views into the rugged countrsyide. The exterior is clad in black timber to withstand the Atlantic elements, while the interior is incredibly warm, leaning heavily on soft oak textures and high-end luxury linens. The open planned kitchen, dining room and living room is the ideal spot to chill with your loved one. There’s an indoor fireplace, Sonos sound system, a library of books and a record player. Remember to pack your binoculars. 

Time Out says: Spend the morning exploring the historic Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, before picking up incredible sourdough and pastries from Dunvegan Bakery (the oldest bakery on Skye)

Sleeps: Two people. One bedroom

Price: From £480 per night

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9. Most remote: Cabin with a garden in Staffin

Location: Staffin, Trotternish peninsula

Located near Staffin in the north of the island, you are completely insulated from the heavier tourist traffic of the main southern towns, with views looking out towards Staffin Bay. This spacious, ultra-modern bothy uses large patio doors and massive windows to frame the spectacular Quiraing mountains. There’s a fully equipped modern kitchen for you to cook up a storm, an en-suite power shower and an incredibly cool record player setup complete with a curated vinyl collection to soundtrack your stay.

Time Out says: The landscape is the undisputed star here. You are just a 16-minute drive to the trailhead of the Quiraing, and only a short trip to the rejuvenating Staffin Sea Sauna for a blast of hot-and-cold therapy

Sleeps: Two guests. One bedroom

Price: From £220 per night

10. Best for stargazing: Glamping pod with outdoor bath in Staffin

Location: Staffin

We love a glamping pod. It’s usually a great way to get up close to nature in some of the UK’s sought after spots without having to shell out a fortune. This adorable Airbnb in Trotternish Ridge is wildly romantic and comes with the usual modcons and luxurious touches, hello Harris Tweed furnishings. There’s an outdoor bathtub, indoor rainfall shower, a hammock and a decking where you can admire the stars from. Scottish weather can be ubnpredictable. Did we mention the outdoor bath is housed under a glass roof? 

Time Out says: Tucked away on a private croft in Culnacnoc, offering completely uninterrupted, front-row views of the imposing Trotternish Ridge and the surrounding farmland. You are perfectly positioned to tackle the iconic Quiraing hike, or you can take a short drive down the coast to discover the famous Staffin Dinosaur Footprints on the beach

Sleeps: Two guests. One bedroom

Price: From £180 per night

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11. Cosiest: Cabin with bath near Breakish

Location: Breakish

When you think of the Scottish Highlands, warm lighting and dark wooden interiors might come to mind. This gorgeous cabin near Breakish does just that, utilising vibrant wood cladding to create a deeply warm, atmospheric space. It features a custom-built king-size four-poster steel bed, underfloor heating and a massive window. You can admire panoramas of the island of Pabay, the Isle of Raasay, and the Applecross without leaving your duvet. The sleek Corian-topped kitchen and Bluetooth mirror speaker in the shower complete the high-end feel.

Time Out says: You are a stone’s throw from the Skye Bridge and the Red Cuillin mountains. Be sure to stop by the legendary Red Skye Restaurant nearby for locally sourced island fare

Sleeps: Two guests. One bedroom

Price: From £400 per night

More essentials and insider tips for visiting Scottish Highlands

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