The Isle of Skye has ancient bones. The largest island of the Inner Hebrides archipelago, it crops up on Roman maps and in epic Norse sagas, and features a few dinosaur footprints for good measure. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland, and once you witness the mist-shrouded hills, glistening lochs, and rolling moorland, you can understand why.

Many come to revel in the scenery, but if there is a sudden bout of wild weather (synonymous with this region) there are historic castles, cosy inns, craft studios, galleries, and museums to explore. And once the clouds clear, you just have to get outside for sights such as the dramatic rocky outcrop known as the Old Man of Storr, the crystal waters of the famous Fairy Pool, or the abandoned lighthouse at Neist Point, considered one of the best places to see dolphins, basking sharks, and whales.

There’s no airport on the island, with the closest ones located at Inverness (INV) and Glasgow (GLA). If you’re travelling by train from Glasgow, head to Mallaig station on the mainland and then hop on the ferry. If you’re arriving from Inverness, alight at Kyle station, which is next to the Skye Bridge, where a bus will take you the rest of the way. If you’re looking for alternatives to the Mallaig to Armadale ferry, there’s another boat from Glenelg which takes longer, but offers more breathtaking scenery. If you’re driving you’ll cross the Skye Bridge, which spans the villages of Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland and Kyleakin on the island. There’s a limited bus service on the island that links many of the villages, most starting from the main town of Portree.

As it’s one of Scotland’s most popular spots to visit, and just 50 miles long, things can feel a little cramped in Skye at the height of summer. April and May are the driest months and are a little less busy time to book a holiday cottage. This is a land of wild weather that can spring up out of nowhere, so it’s a good idea to pack plenty of warm weather gear and waterproofs. October gets the most rain, but if you don’t mind being slightly damp, the winter months offer spectacular scenery that you can enjoy all to yourself. There is an annual music festival here, featuring dance and indie bands, in May, while the island’s Highland Games take place at the start of August.

Skye Museum of Island Life

This award-winning museum is set in a series of thatched cottages, each displaying aspects of Skye’s historic past. You’ll learn how the islanders lived and worked, and view displays of the tools and machinery that 19th-century crofters used to survive. Located near Kilmuir on the northern tip of the island, there are wonderful views out to sea from the museum, with the Isle of Lewis in the distance.

The Fairy Pools

There are magical crystal-blue pools and waterfalls on the southwest of the island, near the village of Carbost. With pure springwater supplied from the nearby Cuillin Mountains, the Fairy Pools are a truly special place to explore and, if you’re brave enough, you can take a dip in the icy waters — though you might want to don a wetsuit.

The Quiraing Loop

If you suddenly get a strange sense of déjà vu when you’re faced with this wondrous landscape, don’t panic. The Quiraing, located in the north of Skye and formed by a massive landslip, has been used as a location in many films and TV series. This two-hour walk takes you through the amazing cliff faces and rugged outcrops that comprise this breathtaking region. Make sure you have your camera ready, as you’ll be witnessing terrain that has to be seen to be believed.