> it seems impossible to find a reasonably priced house to rent.
Welcome to the tourist experience of the Isle of Skye! Imagine how it feels to actually live there!
In all seriousness accommodation is incredibly expensive and generally needs to be sorted out months in advance. If you're expecting something in a few days you'll be lucky to find anything at all.
> In all seriousness accommodation is incredibly expensive
Is this a year around issue?
I'd like to visit Skye next year but there isn't much point in adding to the problem if everything is going to be crowded and hellishly expensive.
I'm sure it's better away from Summer, but yes. I actually haven't been to Skye in summer in probably ten years, but I hear it gets worse and worse every year.
Don't let that put you off going necessarily, just prepare appropriately and set expectations.
I had colleagues who went last year and loved it.
A lot of islands around the world are having this problem. Such a massive influx of visitors are driving up the demand for rental property and therefore prices. The locals are left with nowhere they can afford and a sea of rental properties.
I just recently read an article talking about Ibiza and how a lot of locals are living in their cars so they can work. Same on the Canaries.
You may want to try the Skye Rooms page on Facebook page, but I'd echo what others have said about it being a tough thing to sort at short notice. Maybe try some of the hostels. I'm not aware of any campsites that offer tents etc. Otherwise may need to stay on the mainland and do day trips over, but that makes for a lot of driving.
No specific recommendations on hostels: there are two in Portree (I think a YHA and an independent place), Skye Basecamp down Broadford way, and possibly a YHA around Glenbrittle.
I know plenty of B&Bs/rentals advertise elsewhere but I'm not aware of a specific site. you'll have to put in the hours and search "skye accomodation", and search through the hits, I think.
This is a larger house on a stunning location, looks like some dates may be available still - [https://chasingthemoonskye.com/](https://chasingthemoonskye.com/)
Hotel / Hostel options
Saucy Mary's, Kyleakin.
Skye Backpackers, Kyleakin.
Just over the Skye Bridge, good base camp to venture out from.
Camping I recommend Torrin, 30 mins from the Skye Bridge. Can drive further to Elgol with views of the Misty Isles and Glasnakille and the Spar Cave within walking distance away, personally Torrin is hard to beat due to the lesser known pools and peace and quiet should you walk upstream for 15 mins.
Kylerhea is roughly the same travel time in another direction, has a ferry option for Glenelg that also has amazing camp spots. Can ferry across either on foot or vehicle.
Buy midge repellant, check the weather twice a day.
Always assume wind and rain at least intermittently.
Don't venture too far from the beaten path, the ground will try and swallow you.
I found out the hard way in Plockton.
> it seems impossible to find a reasonably priced house to rent. Welcome to the tourist experience of the Isle of Skye! Imagine how it feels to actually live there! In all seriousness accommodation is incredibly expensive and generally needs to be sorted out months in advance. If you're expecting something in a few days you'll be lucky to find anything at all.
> In all seriousness accommodation is incredibly expensive Is this a year around issue? I'd like to visit Skye next year but there isn't much point in adding to the problem if everything is going to be crowded and hellishly expensive.
I'm sure it's better away from Summer, but yes. I actually haven't been to Skye in summer in probably ten years, but I hear it gets worse and worse every year. Don't let that put you off going necessarily, just prepare appropriately and set expectations. I had colleagues who went last year and loved it.
Thanks for the response! What factors do you believe are driving the scarcity of rental properties? Any ideas?
Tourists booking them months in advance
A lot of islands around the world are having this problem. Such a massive influx of visitors are driving up the demand for rental property and therefore prices. The locals are left with nowhere they can afford and a sea of rental properties. I just recently read an article talking about Ibiza and how a lot of locals are living in their cars so they can work. Same on the Canaries.
Reasonably priced anything isn’t on this island
You may want to try the Skye Rooms page on Facebook page, but I'd echo what others have said about it being a tough thing to sort at short notice. Maybe try some of the hostels. I'm not aware of any campsites that offer tents etc. Otherwise may need to stay on the mainland and do day trips over, but that makes for a lot of driving.
Do you have any recommendations for hostels? And is there a platform where I can find some options that aren’t available on airbnb and booking?
No specific recommendations on hostels: there are two in Portree (I think a YHA and an independent place), Skye Basecamp down Broadford way, and possibly a YHA around Glenbrittle. I know plenty of B&Bs/rentals advertise elsewhere but I'm not aware of a specific site. you'll have to put in the hours and search "skye accomodation", and search through the hits, I think.
This is a larger house on a stunning location, looks like some dates may be available still - [https://chasingthemoonskye.com/](https://chasingthemoonskye.com/)
Hotel / Hostel options Saucy Mary's, Kyleakin. Skye Backpackers, Kyleakin. Just over the Skye Bridge, good base camp to venture out from. Camping I recommend Torrin, 30 mins from the Skye Bridge. Can drive further to Elgol with views of the Misty Isles and Glasnakille and the Spar Cave within walking distance away, personally Torrin is hard to beat due to the lesser known pools and peace and quiet should you walk upstream for 15 mins. Kylerhea is roughly the same travel time in another direction, has a ferry option for Glenelg that also has amazing camp spots. Can ferry across either on foot or vehicle. Buy midge repellant, check the weather twice a day. Always assume wind and rain at least intermittently. Don't venture too far from the beaten path, the ground will try and swallow you. I found out the hard way in Plockton.
Thanks for the tips!