Portree

Portree is Skye's capital and by far its largest town, built around a natural harbour on the island's east coast, and it's where most first-time visitors end up basing themselves.

The harbour is the town's centrepiece — a row of brightly painted buildings looking out over the water, with fishing boats still working alongside the tourist traffic. Above it, the town centre is arranged around Somerled Square and Bayfield, a compact grid of shops, cafes and small hotels that makes Portree easy to explore on foot. The name itself is thought to derive from the Gaelic Port Rìgh, "the king's port", recalling a royal visit in the 16th century, though the town's own history as a trading and fishing settlement goes back further.

Where to base yourself

Staying in or near the harbour puts you within walking distance of restaurants, shops and the bus stance, and it's the obvious choice if you don't want to drive every evening. Portree also works well as a touring base precisely because of its position: it sits roughly midway along the island's main road network, with routes north to the Trotternish Peninsula, west to Dunvegan, and south towards the Cuillin all radiating out from the town, so it cuts down on backtracking compared with staying further out.

Getting there

Portree is reached by road over the Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh, or via the seasonal Glenelg–Kylerhea ferry for a shorter, more scenic crossing. There's no railway station on Skye itself — the nearest is Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland, with a connecting bus service into Portree. Traffic on the island's single-track sections can be heavy in summer, so it's worth building extra time into any journey during peak season.