The Isle of Skye is well known for its dramatic landscapes and scenic walks, but there’s another side to the island that many visitors miss.
Beyond the postcard views, Skye is home to a vibrant community of makers, adventurers, and locals offering immersive and meaningful experiences. From crafting your own kilt knife to meditating with horses, these activities allow you to meet people who live here and connect with the island in a more personal, hands-on way.
Here are some of the most unique and memorable experiences you can have on Skye, ones that will leave you with stories (and sometimes skills!) to take home.
Forge a Knife at Fox’s Hollow Blacksmith
Fox’s Hollow Blacksmith offers a truly one-of-a-kind opportunity to step into the world of traditional metalworking. Their Sgian Dubh Course allows adults (18+) to craft their own ceremonial Scottish kilt knife from raw materials, guided by a professional blacksmith in a working forge.
This isn’t a quick demonstration; it’s a full-day experience where you’ll learn real techniques, from forging and grinding to shaping and finishing your blade. The result is not only a beautiful handmade item you can take home with you, but also a deeper appreciation for Scotland’s craftsmanship traditions.
Where: Carbost
More info: Fox’s Hollow Blacksmith Facebook
Try Archery and Axe Throwing at A.C.E Target Sports
For something completely different, A.C.E. Target Sports, located near Portree, offers a fun and challenging range of activities, including archery, axe throwing, air rifle shooting, and clay target shooting.
Sessions are led by qualified instructors in a safe outdoor setting, making this an excellent option for couples, families with older children, or groups of friends seeking an active and memorable experience.
Also a great option on a rainy day in Skye!
Where: Near Portree
Book online: A.C.E Target Sports
Whisky Distillery Tours: Talisker, Torabhaig & Raasay
If you’re a whisky lover or simply curious about Scotland’s national drink, Skye offers three very different distillery experiences, each worth visiting in its own right.
- Talisker Distillery, located in Carbost, is the oldest and most famous on the island, known for its bold, peaty single malt. The distillery is set right on the shores of Loch Harport, offering stunning views alongside its informative tours and tastings. Book Tours Here.
- Torabhaig Distillery, located in the Sleat Peninsula, is one of Scotland’s newest distilleries. Built in a renovated 19th-century farmstead, it combines traditional distilling methods with a modern approach, offering smaller, more intimate tours. Book Tours Here.
- Isle of Raasay Distillery requires a short ferry ride from Skye, but it’s worth the trip. You’ll find a beautifully designed visitor centre, innovative whisky expressions, and gin tastings too. Book Tours Here.
Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially during the busy summer season.
See Pedal-Powered Weaving at Skye Weavers
Tucked away in the beautiful village of Glendale on Skye’s west coast, Skye Weavers is a working weaving shed powered by foot-pedalled looms.
Visitors are welcome to see the looms in action and browse the onsite shop full of beautifully woven items, including scarves, blankets, wraps, and garments made from Skye Wool, a range crafted using fleeces sourced from local farms. This experience offers a rare opportunity to witness weaving in the Scottish Highlands and to take home a locally made product deeply rooted in the landscape.
When: April to October, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am–5 pm and by appointment in winter
Where: Glendale, northwest Skye
Website: www.skyeweavers.co.uk
Take a Skyeskyns Tannery Tour
At Skyeskyns in Waternish, you can take a free behind-the-scenes tour of one of the last traditional sheepskin tanneries in the UK, and the only remaining one in Scotland.
Learn about the ancient process of tanning and finishing sheepskins, all done by hand using time-honoured techniques.
After the tour, you can browse the beautiful shop or relax with a hot drink at the cosy YURTea&Coffee pop-up café next door, open in the summertime.
Where: Waternish, north Skye
Website: Skyeskyns
Conservation Talks and Farm Walks at Waternish Farm
Waternish Farm offers a deeper, more thoughtful way to engage with the landscape through morning and afternoon experiences focused on conservation and working land practices.
You can join them for coffee and cake with an informal talk, or book an afternoon session that includes a private walk and a more in-depth conversation about how the farm is managed with sustainability in mind. While children are welcome, the sessions are designed primarily for adults.
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Booking required: [email protected] or 01470 592793
Website: Waternish Farm
Glass Art Workshops at Storr Glass Studio
If you’re drawn to creative activities, consider booking a session at Storr Glass Studio in the Trotternish Peninsula. This purpose-built studio offers workshops in fused glass, copper foiling, and stained glass, suitable for both beginners and more experienced makers.
Working with glass is incredibly satisfying, and you’ll come away with a finished piece that reflects both your effort and the inspiration of Skye’s natural beauty.
Workshops are only held at weekends and not all the time, so planning and booking is essential if you’d like to do one.
Where: Trotternish, North Skye
Website for booking: Storr Glass Studio
Explore the Outdoors with Skye Ghillie
A “ghillie” is a traditional outdoor guide or attendant in the Scottish Highlands, and the Skye Ghillie offers immersive outdoor experiences that connect you with the island’s wilder side.
Choose from activities like foraging walks, fishing, bushcraft, wild swimming, and family adventures, all with a deep respect for nature and a wealth of local knowledge.
This is a great way to experience Skye away from the roads and trails, led by someone who knows the land intimately.
Website: Skye Ghillie
Take a Croft Tour at Island at the Edge
At this working croft in Edinbane, you can meet friendly Highland cows and rare-breed Hebridean sheep, and learn about traditional wool processing techniques like spinning and knitting.
The tour is led by Yasmin, who shares her passion for crofting life and traditional skills. It’s a down-to-earth, hands-on experience that gives insight into the heritage and hard work behind crafting and every handmade item.
Where: Edinbane
Book: Island at the Edge Airbnb Experience
Paddleboarding with Skye & Lochalsh Paddleboarding
See Skye from a whole new perspective on a guided paddleboarding session with Skye & Lochalsh Paddleboarding.
Their tours cater to all ability levels and are a peaceful but fun way to explore the local coastline.
Any experience level is welcome! Plockton, located just off the Isle of Skye, is their home turf, as it’s the only East-facing harbour on the West Coast, making it a more sheltered area to learn and enjoy the environment.
Website: Skye & Lochalsh Paddleboarding
Tour the Isle of Skye Smokehouse
Run by Calum, a passionate artisanal smoker, the Isle of Skye Smokehouse offers a fascinating tour of the traditional smoking process in a cleit-inspired smokehouse with a peat roof.
You’ll learn how salmon is cured, smoked, and hand-sliced, followed by a tasting that lets the quality speak for itself. It’s a great way to understand a key part of Scotland’s food heritage in a small group setting.
Where: Just north of Broadford
Book: Skye Smokehouse Airbnb Experience
Website: Isle of Skye Smokehouse
Outdoor Activities with Skye Adventure
While Skye Adventure are often known for their guided hiking in the Cuillins, they do much more than that. If you’re craving an adrenaline rush, Skye Adventure also offers guided outdoor activities including coasteering and canyoning.
You’ll jump into sea pools, climb rocky ledges, and navigate Skye’s rugged terrain with experienced guides who prioritise safety and fun. This is ideal for adventure seekers who want to experience Skye’s wilder side up close.
Website: Skye Adventure
Watch Sheepdogs at Work with Skye Collies
Located in Uig in the north of Skye, this sheepdog demonstration is a must-see for animal lovers and anyone curious about traditional crofting skills.
You’ll see expertly trained border collies work with their handler to herd sheep with precision and intelligence, all while learning about the strong bond between crofter, dog, and sheep. It’s amazing to watch!
Where: Uig
Book: Skye Collies Airbnb Experience
Relaxing Meditation with Horses, Suladale
This unique experience combines guided meditation and therapeutic coaching, all set in the company of horses. Set on a peaceful croft in Suladale, this session is designed to help you reconnect with yourself, the natural world, and the present moment.
You don’t need any horse experience; the focus is on mindfulness, emotional wellbeing, and relaxation. A truly restorative way to ground yourself during a trip to Skye.
Where: Suladale (North Skye)
Book: Meditation with Horses Airbnb Experience
Exploring the Coastline with South Skye Sea Kayak
South Skye Sea Kayak offers small-group kayaking experiences exploring the dramatic coastline of Sleat and beyond.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced paddler, their trips are tailored to your level and include plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, visit hidden beaches, and enjoy views of Skye from the sea. It’s a peaceful, memorable way to explore the island.
Website: South Skye Sea Kayak
Learn Meditation in a Yurt
Discover accessible and effortless meditation and leave with a skill you can continue to use to connect and ground yourself wherever you are. Courses are taught by Rev. Jo Royle, an interfaith minister, in person in Skye and Lochalsh; please check her website for the next available dates or to arrange something privately at the yurt, or your own accommodation.
Jo also holds elopement and vow renewal ceremonies in beautiful locations across Skye!
Where: A Yurt in a beautiful setting in the south of Skye
More Info: Rev Jo Royle’s website
Skye Mountain Bike Adventures
If you’re keen to explore the rugged landscapes of the Isle of Skye in a more exhilarating way, Skye Mountain Bike Adventures offers an unforgettable experience on two wheels. Led by a local guide, these tours take you off the beaten path and into Skye’s lesser-known wild terrain, including moorland trails, forest tracks, and coastal paths.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider, Iain tailors each adventure to suit your fitness level and biking experience.
You’ll get not only expert guidance but also fascinating insights into the local environment, history, and wildlife. Routes vary from leisurely scenic rides to challenging technical descents, all offering incredible views and the kind of peaceful immersion in nature that Skye is famous for.
Where: Various trail locations across Skye, tailored to the weather and group
Who: Suitable for a range of experience levels, age 14+
When: Book in advance — custom tours available year-round
More Info: Skye MTB Adventures
These experiences offer a more personal way to explore the Isle of Skye, one that goes beyond the usual sightseeing and brings you closer to the people, traditions, and landscapes that make this island so special.
Whether you choose to forge your own knife, walk with a crofter, or paddle through stunning sea lochs, each activity offers something lasting: a story, a memory, and a deeper connection to the island.
Sonja x
