Skye Trail Accommodation: Wild Camping & Hostels
Where to sleep on the Skye Trail — wild camping under Scottish access law, hostels in Portree and Broadford, campsites and bothies.
Hiked by Lee
Self-guided
Last verified
Unlike TMB or Bernina, the Skye Trail has no mountain huts. Your choices are wild camping, campsites, hostels/B&Bs and occasional bothies — often mixing all three in one week.
Also read: Complete Guide · Itinerary · Cost guide
Accommodation types
| Type | Cost | My experience |
|---|---|---|
| Wild camping | Free | Ridge night (Day 2), valley storm (Day 4) |
| Hostel dorm | £20–50 | Flodigarry, Portree, Broadford |
| Campsite | £10–15 | Elgol recharge; some seasonal closures |
| B&B / hotel | £60–100 | Upgrade after injury / storms |
| Bothies | Free (donation) | Spotted on trail — not relied on |
Wild camping — the default
Scotland's Outdoor Access Code allows responsible wild camping in most open country:
- Camp lightweight, away from buildings and roads
- Leave No Trace — pack out all waste
- Avoid camping in enclosed fields of crops or livestock
- Midges swarm when wind drops — tent essential
My wild camps:
- Trotternish Ridge — exposed; sheltered behind rock formation; wind tested tent
- Valley near loch (Day 4) — storm night; used hiking pole as tent prop
Hostels & hubs
| Town | When you'll need it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inverness | Pre-trek (Day 0) | Bus hub to Skye |
| Flodigarry | End of Day 1 | Dorm; midges brutal outside |
| Portree | Day 3 recovery | Laundry, gear shop, pizza, pubs |
| Broadford | Finish (Day 5) | Celebration fish & chips |
Book ahead in peak season (July–August). I found last bunk in Portree after knee flare-up — don't assume walk-in space.
Campsites
Useful middle ground between wild camp and hostel:
- Sligachan area — facilities, near iconic hotel pub
- Elgol — coastal; I recharged here Day 5 before Broadford push
Some sites close off-season — Day 1 camping near Flodigarry was closed, forcing hostel.
Bothies
Open shelters exist across Scotland. Treat as emergency or bonus, not your booking plan — no guarantee of space, fuel or cleanliness.
My night-by-night
| Night | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Inverness | Hostel (private room) |
| 1 | Flodigarry | Hostel dorm |
| 2 | Trotternish Ridge | Wild camp |
| 3 | Portree | Hostel dorm |
| 4 | Valley near loch | Wild camp (storm) |
| 5 | Broadford | Hostel dorm |
Booking checklist
- Inverness pre-night
- Flodigarry / north coast hostel (Day 1 backup if camp closed)
- Portree hostel — book before ridge day in case you need recovery
- Broadford finish night
- Tent tested in wind before ridge camp
- Midge repellent + head net
Hostel vs wild camp decision
| Choose hostel when | Choose wild camp when |
|---|---|
| Injured or exhausted (Portree Day 3) | Ridge weather window is perfect |
| Midges are unbearable | You want sunrise on the ridge |
| Laundry / drying needed | Campsite closed |
| Social reset with other hikers | You're on budget |
Related planning
- Packing list — tent, midges, liner for hostels
- Food guide — cook vs pub nights
- Difficulty — when to bail to a bed
- Getting there — Inverness start
Next guide
Skye Trail Food Guide: Resupply, Cooking & Pub Stops
What to eat on the Skye Trail — wild camp cooking, Portree resupply, Sligachan pub lunches and food budget for 5–6 days on Skye.
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