Portree City
Main town on Isle of Skye, Scotland
Portree’s colorfully stacked houses face a working harbour on Skye; anglers, climbers, and photographers come for Cuillin views, seafood taverns, and access to nearby sea stacks and mountain trails.
54°F
Why Visit Portree?#
On the Isle of Skye, Portree works well as a base for exploring dramatic landscapes while offering a compact, friendly harbor scene. Colorful houses cluster around the harbour and local pubs serve fresh seafood and Gaelic music nights, giving a strong sense of island culture. Close access to the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing makes it convenient for photographers and walkers. Small boat trips and craft shops add maritime character.
Best Things to Do in Portree#
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Portree Bucket List#
Portree Harbour - Colorful harbourfront with fishing boats, seafood restaurants, and views across the bay.
Aros Centre (visitor info) - Local visitor centre offering maps, guided-walk information, and island cultural exhibits.
Portree Old Town - Compact streets with independent shops, cafés, and a friendly local atmosphere to explore.
Horgabost viewpoint - Nearby coastal viewpoint offering quiet panoramas and good photography opportunities near town.
Local distillery tours - Small-scale whisky and gin distilleries offering tastings and insights into island production.
Walk to Kilt Rock viewpoint - Short scenic walk to Kilt Rock cliffs and nearby waterfall viewpoint along the coast.
Trotternish day tour - Drive north to the Trotternish Ridge for Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr.
Skye boat trips - Short harbour excursions for wildlife watching, coastal caves, and dramatic sea cliffs.
Best Time to Visit Portree#
Portree on Skye is best late spring through early autumn when roads are clearer and hill routes are drier; summers are cool and busy. Winters are mild, wet and very atmospheric but often windy.
December - February
2-8°C (36-46°F)
Windy, wet and moody landscapes-dramatic light and empty trails, but frequent rain and strong winds limit high-mountain walking.
March - May
4-12°C (39-54°F)
Unpredictable weather yet blooming hills and fewer crowds-excellent for photographers and hikers willing to take layers and occasional rain.
June - August
10-16°C (50-61°F)
Cool, often drizzly summers with long daylight-great for scenic drives and boat trips; bring warm layers and waterproofs despite tourist buzz.
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1747 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (185 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (187 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Heavy rain (212 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (219 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (200 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Portree#
Portree has no rail link - most visitors arrive via Inverness by car or coach. Coaches from Inverness are reliable; renting a car gives flexibility to explore Skye’s many sights and remote roads.
Inverness Airport (INV): Inverness is the nearest airport to Portree on the Isle of Skye. From Inverness airport you can hire a car (the A87 route) or take a scheduled bus; driving takes about 2.5-3 hours. Car rental prices typically start around £35-60/day; coach fares to Portree are roughly £15-30 depending on operator and time of booking.
Glasgow (GLA) / Edinburgh (EDI): Larger airports with more international flights. From Glasgow or Edinburgh you can take a direct bus or train partway then a connecting bus to Skye; travel times are 5-6 hours+ depending on connections.
Train: There is no rail service to Portree. The nearest mainland railheads are Inverness (with services from Glasgow/Edinburgh) and Kyle of Lochalsh (end of the line), though Kyle has a limited connection onward by road. Trains to Inverness are frequent from central Scotland.
Bus / Coach: Stagecoach and Citylink operate scheduled coaches from Inverness (and Glasgow/Edinburgh) to Portree. Expect journey times of ~2.5-3 hours from Inverness and ~5-6+ hours from Glasgow; fares typically range from £15-40 depending on advance booking and season.
How to Get Around Portree#
Portree is best accessed from Inverness by coach or by driving via the Skye Bridge/A87. For local travel, renting a car gives maximum freedom; buses and taxis work for day trips but check schedules carefully.
- Coach (Inverness-Portree) (£15-30) - Regular coach services run from Inverness to Portree; they are the simplest public transport option for non-drivers. Book in advance at peak season; coaches follow the A835/A87 and can take 2.5-3 hours depending on stops.
- Car / Rental (£35-70/day) - Renting a car is the most flexible way to explore Skye, reach viewpoints early/late and visit remote peninsulas. Roads are single-track in places - be prepared to give way and use passing places. Fuel and parking can add to costs.
- Local bus (£2-6) - Local buses circulate the island and connect smaller settlements to Portree; services are useful for short hops but may be infrequent outside summer. Timetables should be checked ahead for planning day trips.
- Taxi (£10-70 (short to long trips)) - Taxis provide point-to-point transfers, useful for early departures or late arrivals. Expect higher fares for longer island journeys; share with others if possible to reduce cost.
- Bicycle (£10-25/day) - Cycling is possible for fit riders and offers a great way to see the island near Portree, but be aware of hills, weather and traffic on narrow roads. Hire options exist seasonally.
- Walking - Portree town centre and nearby coastal walks are easily explored on foot; many iconic viewpoints require short to moderate hikes from parking areas.
Where to Stay in Portree#
Portree centre - £25-70/night
Portree has a handful of hostels and family B&Bs. Budget options book out quickly in summer and during high season.
Portree Youth Hostel - Basic, centrally located hostel
Portree guesthouses (various) - Several affordable B&Bs and guest rooms
Harbourfront / West Street - £80-160/night
Portree’s mid-range hotels and boutique B&Bs offer comfortable rooms, good meal options, and easy access to local tours and ferries.
The Royal Hotel Portree - Comfortable rooms, central location
The Isles Hotel / local mid-range inns - Classic island hotels and pubs
Hills above Portree - £160-300+/night
Cuillin Hills and a few country-house hotels offer the most luxurious stays on Skye; expect panoramic views and higher rates during summer.
Cuillin Hills Hotel - Hillside location with sea views
Skeabost House Hotel (Skye luxury nearby) - Country-house luxury within short drive
Where to Eat in Portree#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Portree’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Portree#
Portree offers a selection of independent shops selling outdoor gear, local food products, and artisan crafts aimed at visitors. You’ll also find small grocery stores and galleries in the town centre; for a broader retail range you’ll need to travel to the mainland.
Nightlife in Portree#
Portree’s nightlife is informal and centred on pubs, hotel bars and occasional live music rather than large nightclubs. Evening life suits those looking for a friendly pub, a seafood dinner or live acoustic sessions rather than late-night partying.
