11 Best Sunset Spots on the Isle of Skye (+ Photos)

In 2021, the Isle of Skye was voted as one of the best destinations on the planet for gawping at sunsets (source).

So in this quick sun-spotting guide, I’ve brought you the 11 most beautiful places to see the sunset on the Isle of Skye.

Expect clifftops, beaches, foothills, mini villages, and loads of reasons to say things like “aaah, this is beautiful, we should watch sunsets more often.”

Bring a blanket, pack your picnic, and come join the sun-based fun!

Here are the best places to watch the sunset on the Isle of Skye.

1. Neist Point Lighthouse

This cliff-ridden behemoth is pretty much universally-considered to be the best place to see sunset on the Isle of Skye.

As you already know, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

And this lighthouse is the most westerly point on the Isle of Skye. So, naturally, it’s a good place for watching the sun go down.

A white-and-yellow lighthouse set at the end of a lumpy bunch of bright-green bumps, it’s perched over some of the best cliffs on the Isle of Skye.

Park at the nearby car park, tackle the short walk to the lighthouse, and you’re at the most famous sunset-watching spot on the entirety of the island. Take a camera (or a partner, for a romantic evening). Massively recommended!

2. The Viewpoint of Neist Point Lighthouse

I promise this isn’t an accidental re-entry.

Around 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) north of the lighthouse, there’s another viewpoint.

While the entry above is a viewpoint of the sea from the lighthouse, this is a viewpoint of the lighthouse, the cliffs, and the sea.

It’s a good alternative to the above for three main reasons:

Firstly, I think the view is better. Secondly, it’s super close to a small parking lot, so you don’t need to do any walking to get there (perfect if you’re not the most mobile person, or if you’re just really lazy). Thirdly, this viewpoint, in my experience, is a little less busy than the one I’ve just covered above.

So, overall, if you want the Neist Point sunset experience without being surrounded by lots of other people, this is a good pick.

3. Talisker Beach

After Neist Point, Talisker Beach is the next-most-famous place to see sunset on the Isle of Skye.

While our previous entry was perched at the top of some cliffs, this one’s sitting at the foot of them (not the same ones, just to be clear).

Talisker Beach is one of the most famous beaches on all of Skye. Vast and popular, it sits in a neatly-ringed bay, and loads of rocky outcrops loom over it. The northern part of the bay has a massive waterfall, and it’s conveniently situated at the end of a (single-track) road.

You won’t find a more accessible perfect-for-sunset beach on the very western shores of Skye. So if that’s what you’re looking for, this is your best bet.

It’s an especially good option if you’re with kids. This is one of the most child-friendly beaches on the island, and it’s wide and open… so your little ones can run around free (well, not after it’s dark, obviously).

4. Duntulm Viewpoint

Our first option on the northern part of the island.

The most northerly ‘finger’ (look at a map and you’ll see what I mean) of the Isle of Skye, this area is known as ‘the Trotternish peninsula.’

It’s home to many of the island’s most famous places including the Quiriang, the Old Man of Storr, and the Fairy Glen.

At the northern tip of the Trotternish peninsula, you’ll find the tiny settlement of Duntulm. Just to the west of Duntulm, there’s an official viewpoint area, with a few wooden benches and some small hills.

Take some sandwiches, park yourself on a bench, and enjoy one of the most underrated places for sunset on the Isle of Skye. You’ll see a semi-circular bay, some distant low-level hills, and a couple of lonely houses.

5. Rubha Hunish

Around 4km (2.5 miles) north of Duntulm, you’ll find Rubha Hunish.

This weirdly-named place is the northernmost point on the island, and it’s a bunch of lumpy cliffs that jut out into the sea.

The view here is pretty similar to the view you get from Duntulm viewpoint. But it’s a little more dramatic, much more isolated, and always more quiet.

It’s a bit of an effort to wander to (and an even bigger effort to wander back from, after the sun’s gone down). But if you want to hike here (it’s worth it), park up at the small parking lot just past the phone box on the A855.

If you have time, get here nice and early. It’s Skye’s best location for spotting birds and marine life… combine that with a nice sunset, and you have a solid few hours of view-packed fun.

6. Uig Tower

Another option on the Trotternish peninsula!

Northwest of Portree, around halfway up the western side of the peninsula, there’s a little village called Uig. It’s most famous as the access point for the Fairy Glen, but it’s also an underrated spot for finding sunsets on the Isle of Skye.

Because the village sits right beside the shore, basically anywhere can be good.

But my favorite spot is Uig Tower, which is set on a mini hill overlooking the small harbor. If you want your sunset to include a little snapshot of rural life (and a small smattering of homes) you’ll love it.

7. Camus More Campsite

Sitting halfway between Duntulm and Uig, you’ll find Camus More Campsite.

If you want to watch the sunset from the confines of your tent (without wild camping), this is definitely your best option.

Peaceful and remote, the bayside views here are great, and (best of all) you won’t need to venture from your tent to get them. No matter whether you’re here for sunsets or not, this is one of the best campsites on the Isle of Skye.

The view from here is mainly of the sea (you’re too far from other lumps of land to see much else). So it’s not particularly dramatic or unusual, but it’s still super-pretty.

8. Trumpan Church

If you’re hunting for a quiet and underrated spot, this is one of your best options. Tourists rarely head to the little peninsula just north of Dunvegan.

And that’s understandable, because you won’t find anything famous here.

But here’s what you will find: the tiny historical relic of Trumpan Church. And as you’ve probably worked out by now, it’s a great sunset spot.

The scenery isn’t super dramatic, but you get panoramas of the sea (obviously!), Isay Island, and some other parts of Skye. And most importantly, it never gets busy. A good choice for an isolated sunset session!

9. Elgol Beach

Alright, we’re now heading to the southern stretch of the island, the least-explored part of the place.

Elgol is another little village on the Isle of Skye (you’ve probably noticed that little villages are a bit of a theme here).

Just west of the center of the village, you’ll find Elgol Beach, a unique and unusual rocky shoreline that’s never very busy. If you want a beachside sunset with very few other people, this is your best option.

From here, you get views of little islands, other parts of Skye, and some low-level mountains in the distance.

10. Camasunary

Here’s a very adventurous option… and another super-quiet solution to your sunset strife.

Camasunary is a bay just a little north of Elgol—and it’s the best choice for anyone who wants to watch the sun fall behind the iconic and intimidating shape of Skye’s Cuillin mountains.

It’s the most exciting option on our list, but it’s a real challenge to get there. The walk from the roadside to here is around 4.5km (3 miles), and it’s along a sometimes-boggy and often-faded path.

So if you come here for sunset, you won’t be able to wander back in the dark.

And that means your only option is… to pitch up your tent and do some wild camping. For a really adventurous experience and a really adventurous sunset, you won’t find better than this. If this is your type of fun, I can’t recommend it enough.

And as a nice bonus, you’ll get to wake up on an isolated beach. Perfect!

11. Kyle of Lochalsh Viewpoint & Picnic Place

Last up, something a little different. This place isn’t actually on Skye.

But bear with me here—it gives a great view of Skye. And it’s a great spot for watching the sun fall behind the island.

Skye is connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge. And just before the mainland part of the bridge, there’s a small settlement called ‘Kyle of Lochalsh’ (what a strange name, I know).

Anyway, just to the west of the village, there’s a picnic spot, and it sits on the brough of a little hill.

Because it’s elevated, this picnic spot is a perfect place for watching a sunset. On a clear day here, you get distant peaks, a close-by bridge, passing cars, mini ships, views of endless parts of Skye, and plenty more.

It’s vastly underrated… and it means you can get an excellent Skye sunset without even stepping foot on the island.

Before You Go

And just like that, the sun is setting on this quick guide (nice segue Paul). So pick up your flashlight and make your way home!

For more adventures and inspiration on Scotland’s most popular island, stroll on over to my guide on the best hikes and walks on the Isle of Skye. And for more sun-based fun, here are the best places to see sunrise on the Isle of Skye.

Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Travelness, and thanks for being you. See you again soon!