Like many Scottish isles (and there are a crap ton of them), Skye is a place where the peat is as thick as the accents and the drams flow like water. I mean, okay, you could say that about pretty much all of Scotland, but Skye is home to some of the most flavorful libations this side of Europe. And trust me, I’ve tried a lot of them. I don’t know if I’d rank the Isle of Skye distilleries at the top of the list, but I do believe they’re a worthwhile stop while you’re there.
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Where To Stay On the Isle of Skye
Direct your attention to Hame Hotel, a guesthouse with a bar and lounge. Hame has a cozy, homey feel – warm, inviting, and perfect for weary travelers in need of some good ol’ R&R. And maybe that “homey” feel shouldn’t come as a shocker since a few reviewers said the interior gave an IKEA vibe to it. (And if that doesn’t give away details about my home decor…)
The area isn’t anything stunning, but it has some nice views of a lake (or loch, since we’re in Scotland). Overall, Hame doesn’t have any “wow” factor, nor is it some 5-star, bougie hangout. That being said, it pretty effectively mimics that “home away from home” atmosphere.
PHOTO CREDITS: HAME HOTEL VIA HOTELS.COM
PLANNING A TRIP TO ISLE OF SKYE SOON?
Below are some of the best tours, hotels, and more to kickstart your plans! Before you go, check out our tips for packing light and ways to save money on travel to make the practical side of the trip a little easier.
Popular Tours & Activities in Isle of Skye:
- Skye Hiking Day Tour from Inverness
- Isle Of Skye Self Guided Driving Tour
- Skye Wildlife Photography Workshop
Top Places to Stay in Isle of Skye:
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A Brief History of Isle of Skye Distilleries
Before we embark on our tipsy tour of the Isle of Skye distilleries, a little context is in order. Liquid gold has been distilled on the Isle of Skye since the 19th century. They’ve collectively weathered storms, both literal and metaphorical, and have perfected the art of brewing Scotch that can make even the most discerning whisky snob shed a tear of joy.
Skye’s modern distilling story really kicks off with Talisker, founded on the shores of Loch Harport in 1830. For generations, it was the island’s lone licensed single malt whisky distillery before Torabhaig fired up its stills in 2017, bringing a much younger face to Skye’s smoky, peaty drinking scene. If thatโs your kind of travel research, you might also enjoy exploring interesting wines and liquors from around the world.
Today, Skye’s booze stops are a bit more varied than one centuries-old whisky operation. You’ll find everything from full-blown distillery tours and guided whisky tastings to casual shop samples and locally distilled gin scattered around the island, plus our bonus place, Raasay Distillery, just a short ferry ride away.
I’ve marked the stops on the map below so you can see where everything is located and, more importantly, figure out how many distilleries you can reasonably squeeze into your Isle of Skye itinerary, especially if Skye is part of a bigger UK road trip itinerary.
Raasay Distillery: Not Technically One of the Skye Distilleries, but Still Pretty Rad
Best for: Full distillery tours, tastings, and making a day of it.
Get ready for a little field trip for this one! The Raasay Distillery is on the Isle of Raasay – a smaller island between Skye and the mainland. To get there, take a 25-minute ferry from the Sconser Ferry Terminal, then after a 10-minute walk, a haven of impeccable whisky and luxury accommodations awaits you. (You know, if you’re thinking of spending the night.)
The staff is friendly and enthusiastic about the whole distilling process, perfect for making a fun and memorable tour. And if you feel a bit nervous about looking like an amateur when it comes to the tasting, don’t sweat it! Just swirl the glass, inhale the aromas, and make profound-sounding remarks like, “Ah, yes, I’m getting notes of heather and a subtle hint of rebellion.” Remember, if you’re confident enough, the imposter syndrome will never catch you.
If island hopping is becoming a theme, you may also want to look into ferries to Islay for another whisky-heavy Scottish detour.โ
Insiders Only at Praban na Linne Distillery, the Makers of Gaelic Whiskies
Best for: Whisky and gin tastings, shopping, and a quick stop.
The small and not widely-known Praban na Linne Distillery is a bonafide locals favorite. With good reason, too – their warm, friendly staff and smooth, light whisky make for a killer two-punch combo.
That being said, I’m not kidding when I say it’s small. You probably won’t spend more than 30 minutes or an hour here. Think of this one as more of a tasting-and-shopping stop than a traditional distillery tour.
My opinion? Stop by if you’re in the area – Torabhaig Distillery is right nearby – or if you want to hit all of Skye’s distilleries. But I wouldn’t call it an “absolute must” just because it’s more out of the way. I.e., you might spend more time driving there than actually exploring the place.
That Old Sea Dog, Talisker Distillery
Best for: Distillery tours, standalone tastings, and serious whisky nerding.
Talisker is Skye’s oldest distillery, having been around since 1830. It sits right next to Loch Harport and has adopted the marine theme full force; you can practically taste the sea breeze in every sip. They have daily tours in season, guided by enthusiastic staff, and the tours include tastings of three different drinks.
Some reviewers mentioned that the drams and bottles alike are a bit pricey, probably because they’re mainly aiming for that tourist crowd. And surprise, surprise, they also have a gift shop loaded with marine-themed merchandise and souvenirs. And I say, no shame here. Nothing wrong with a memento of your travels… even if it does cost an arm and a leg.
Take note! Most of the negative reviews I read were from people who didn’t book in advance and couldn’t get in. So, be sure to book your ticket at least six weeks ahead of time! This is the most popular distillery on Scotland’s biggest island, so you can’t be surprised they’re busy.
But of course, the gift shop’s open to anyone, even if you can’t get in on the tour. So… consolation prize?
If Talisker leaves you craving more peaty Scotch, a visit to Laphroaig Distillery on Islay makes a pretty natural next stop.
Head to Torabhaig for a Fresh, New Take on Distillery Tours
Best for: Small-group distillery tours with tastings.
Compared to Talisker, Torabhaig Distillery is pretty much a young pup. It’s only been around since 2017, but that also means the whole place is still shiny and new. The tours are also very informative and hands-on without being overpriced. Torabhaig may be the new kid on the block, but it’s already causing a stir in the whisky world.
Plus, the staff get bonus points for being very dog-friendly. If you’re bringing your pet along on the journey, you can rest assured that they’ll faun over your dog and give them a kingly (or queenly) treatment.
And one more bit of good news: this place is wheelchair-accessible. It’s especially worth mentioning since distillery tours aren’t always designed with accessibility in mind. Maybe that can’t be helped if the place is over a century old – so it’s nice to see the “younger generation” of distilleries be so progressive.
Isle of Skye Distillers: Gin, Tastings, and Something a Little Different
Best for: Casual gin and whisky tastings without a full distillery tour.
When you want something different, the Isle of Skye Distillers brings some gin-fueled chaos to the Skye booze circuit. Its Misty Isle Gin put it on the map, while the Gin School let visitors choose botanicals, run a miniature still, and leave with their own personalized bottle. Sadly, regular classes don’t seem to be on offer right now.
Things are changing here anyway. Along with gin and vodka, the company is expanding into whisky production, while the current visitor experience is mostly about sampling and shopping rather than touring. Come for the gin, stay for the samples, and try not to leave with enough bottles to require a second suitcase.
Planning Your Isle of Skye Distillery Trip
Distilleries on Skye may not come in Islay-level quantities, but between historic Talisker, newcomer Torabhaig, unique locally distilled gin, and a quick hop over to Raasay, there’s more than enough booze-fueled mischief to work into a Skye trip. Just remember to book the full distillery tours ahead where they’re offered, consult the map above before plotting your route, and perhaps nominate a driver before the drams start multiplying.
And don’t make the mistake of coming to Skye just for the whisky. Enjoy getting to the Isle of Skye by ferry and hunt down some seriously atmospheric castles on the Isle of Skye. You could build the highlights into an Isle of Skye day trip if you’re short on time.
Still thirsty for more Scottish debauchery? Work Skye into a bigger Scotland road trip itinerary, hop over for an Islay day trip packed with whisky and weird little stops, or continue your highly educational drinking research at some of the best places to taste whisky in Edinburgh. Because apparently “research” is what we’re calling it now.
