Short answer: The Trotternish loop is a day drive of roughly 50 to 60 miles from Portree round the northern peninsula of Skye, on the A855 up the east side and the A87 back via Uig. Stops are the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, the Quiraing and the Fairy Glen. In a campervan, start early for parking, avoid the Quiraing hairpins in a big van, and sleep at campsites in Portree, Staffin or Uig.
The Trotternish loop in a campervan at a glance
Trotternish is the long finger of land north of Portree, and it holds most of the Skye landscapes you have seen in photos. The loop is short enough for one day, but it is a full day once you add walks, and the roads are slower than the mileage suggests. Much of the A855 north of Portree is single track with passing places.
| Detail | Trotternish loop |
|---|---|
| Length | Roughly 50 to 60 miles, depending on detours |
| Days | 1, or 2 if you want the long walks |
| Start and finish | Portree |
| Direction | Anti-clockwise: A855 north via Staffin, back on the A87 via Uig |
| Best for | Short hikes, big landscapes, a Skye day in a small van |
| Van-size watch-outs | Single-track A855; Quiraing hairpin road; small car parks at the Quiraing and Fairy Glen |
Driving time without stops is around two hours, according to Everything Edinburgh's itinerary. The legs between stops are 15 to 30 minutes each.
Stops in order
| # | Stop | From the last stop | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portree | Start | Skye's largest town. Fuel, food, harbour |
| 2 | Old Man of Storr | About 15 min | Car park below the rock. About 1.5 hours return walk. The busiest stop on Skye |
| 3 | Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls | About 15 min | Large car park, short walk to the viewpoint |
| 4 | The Quiraing | About 15 min | Single-track hairpin road from near Staffin. Small car park; arrive before 9am |
| 5 | Skye Museum of Island Life | About 20 min | Check opening times |
| 6 | Fairy Glen | About 20 min | Narrow road off the A87 above Uig. Small parking area |
| 7 | Back to Portree | About 30 min | On the A87 |
If you go clockwise instead (Uig first), you reach the Quiraing road from the Uig side, which Everything Edinburgh suggests for anyone who would rather not drive the hairpins.
Van-size warnings
Quiraing road: the minor road up to the Quiraing car park is single track with hairpins along the hillside. In a large motorhome, or if you are towing, we would skip driving up and see the Quiraing on foot or from the Uig side. We could not find official size limits for this road, so check local signs before you commit.
- Fairy Glen: skye.co.uk describes the road as a narrow, winding single-track road with passing places, about 1.5 miles inland. Do not park on the verges. In a bigger van, park in Uig and walk up (about 30 minutes).
- Parking: the Quiraing car park is much smaller than the Storr's. Early morning or evening is the only realistic time to find space in a van in summer.
- Passing places: never park in one for photos. Highland Council says it is illegal and you may get a fixed penalty notice.
Where to sleep
Use campsites. Highland Council is clear that stopping overnight in a motorhome outside a formal site is not wild camping under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, because it happens in a motor vehicle. skye.co.uk specifically asks people not to stay overnight at the Fairy Glen, which has no toilets, water or waste disposal, and points to the campsites in Uig instead. Portree is the natural base, with Uig and Staffin as quieter options at the north end. Book ahead in summer. Our wild camping guide explains the rules in more detail.
Fuel, water and supplies
Fill up and shop in Portree before you set off; the loop is short, but there is very little on it. Fill water and empty waste at your campsite. skye.co.uk keeps a directory of public showers on the island, which is handy if you are between sites. See our water, waste and toilets guide for the basics.
A ready-made Trotternish route is coming to Roam after the NC500, with stops ordered and parking notes for your van's size. It is not built yet; join the waitlist to hear when it is.
Related routes
Skye pairs well with the NC500, which you can join at Lochcarron on the mainland. For more ideas see all UK campervan routes.
Questions
How long does the Trotternish loop take?
About two hours of driving without stops, but plan a full day with the Storr and Quiraing walks. Two days if you want the longer Quiraing circuit.
Can a motorhome drive the Quiraing road?
It is single track with hairpins and a small car park. Smaller campervans manage it with care; in a large motorhome or towing, we would avoid it and approach from Uig or on foot. Check signs on the day.
Can you park overnight at the Fairy Glen?
No. There are no facilities and overnight stays disturb livestock and residents. Use the campsites in Uig.
Which way round should I drive it?
Most itineraries go north from Portree on the A855 to the Storr first, which gets you there early before the car park fills, then return via Uig on the A87.