The Complete Guide To Elgol | Skye’s Coastal Gem
We’ve just spent a day in Elgol, a gem on the Isle of Skye that I fell a little in love with. It’s the perfect day trip destination, especially if you want to avoid the crowds but love boat trips, seafood, and coastal trails, wrapped up in some of the island’s most breathtaking views. This is how to visit Elgol and the surrounding Strathaird Peninsula.
Written by: Lesley Stewart | June 2025
There are parts of the Isle of Skye that always grab headlines: Storr, Quiraing, Fairy Pools, and Kilt Rock. But it’s the quieter corners that truly stay with you. And quiet hamlet Elgol is one of those places.
Tucked away at the end of a winding single-track road from Broadford, on Skye’s lesser-visited Strathaird Peninsula, first-time visitors to the island often skip this remote village. And yet, for those who make the effort, Elgol offers one of the most rewarding day trips on the island.
Think cinematic mountain backdrops, glassy lochs, boat trips to one of the wildest spots in Scotland, and a real sense of peace.
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I’ve visited Elgol more times than I can count, usually with my hiking boots, camera in hand, and an unhurried itinerary.
I’ve arrived to find the Cuillin mountains cloaked in low-hanging mist, but also on days when the sea has turned to glass and dolphins played in the bay. I’ve chatted with local skippers, picnicked on the rocky beach, and sent clients here who often declare it their favourite Skye stop.
Elgol has that effect: much like Waternish and Carbost, it’s quietly extraordinary.
In this guide, I’ll help you plan your visit to Elgol and the wider Strathaird Peninsula with tips on what to do, see, and where to find the best eats.
Whether you’re curious about where to stop on the way, need practical info on parking and food, or want to know how to take that unforgettable boat trip to Loch Coruisk, this is everything you need to know about visiting Elgol, Skye.
Visiting Elgol, Skye: Quick Summary
These are the best things to do in Elgol, Skye’s lesser-visited southern peninsula (you’ll find all the details below!):
Take a boat trip to Loch Coruisk with Misty Isle.
Pier & beach stroll.
Soak in the mountainscapes.
Visit Loch Slapin.
Visit Torrin Pools.
Swims and SUPs on Loch Scavaig.
Visit Spar Cave.
Hike Blà Bheinn.
Sample local seafood.
Indulge in sweet treats.
Where is Elgol, Skye?
You’ll find sleepy community Elgol on the Strathaird Peninsula, on Skye’s southern end. This remote village is literally the end of the road, the very last stop on a scenic 15-mile drive from Broadford.
Be warned: The road is single-track and slow, taking longer than you might expect to drive. Plus, the scenery along this journey is some of the best of Skye, and you’ll want to pull over and take photos. My top tip? Embrace the journey as much as the destination.
Is Elgol Worth Visiting?
Without hesitation, yes, Elgol is worth visiting. This quiet corner of Skye offers some of the island’s most dramatic scenery: towering Cuillin peaks, wild sea lochs, and an increasingly rare sense of space.
Elgol only sees a fraction of the visitors that crowd the island’s more northern hotspots. It’s a little coastal haven Rubha Hunish - raw, peaceful, and all the more powerful for its solitude.
Elgol is the kind of place where the road stops, and you’re left with the feeling that the rest of the world has paused with it.
Whether you’re sailing to Loch Coruisk, photographing seals on the skerries, or just standing still, watching the clouds drift over the mountains, Elgol invites you to slow down and take it all in.
I’ve visited in every season, in rain, mist, and late evening sun. Each time, I leave feeling restored and quietly amazed that somewhere so wild can feel so personal. If you want to see a different side of Skye - emptier, quieter, and arguably more moving -Elgol is absolutely worth the journey.
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Things to do in Elgol, Skye
1. Take the Misty Isle Boat to Loch Coruisk
If you do just one thing in Elgol, make it this. The boat ride to Loch Coruisk is an unforgettable experience.
There are two tours to choose from, but my favourite is this option run by the family-owned Misty Isle, the journey takes around 45 minutes each way, cutting across sea lochs and passing the base of the Black Cuillin. Expect to see seals (guaranteed), seabirds, and occasionally dolphins or basking sharks.
Boats run daily (weather permitting) from April to October. You must book ahead in peak season. I’ve had days where every boat was sold out by 10am and we missed the trip, so book online or call ahead to chat through the various tickets and timings.
2. Walk along the coast & explore the harbour
While many travellers come to Elgol just for the views (and they’re reason enough), walkers are in for a real treat.
This corner of Skye is wild, under-explored, and perfect for those who like their hikes with a bit of drama. That said, it’s also exposed, tidal, and often without signage, so come prepared, especially if you're venturing off the main paths.
For an easier, short stroll, explore Elgol Harbour and wander along the rocky beach. It won’t take long (Elgol is a tiny hamlet), but the scattering of traditional white cottages is incredibly charming, and there are little waterfalls on the hillside trail are small but very pretty.
If there’s one thing I loved in Elgol, it was the sleepy pace. I spent a good half hour using the signpost to figure out the nearby mountains and watching the boat trips leaving from the pier; compared to busier parts of Skye it’s very, very chilled here.
Go rock pooling along the beach and spot crabs and other marine life, and cross the boulders and rocks a little way along the shoreline.
The views of Loch Scavaig are stunning with the Cuillin in the distance, this is one of the best vantage points on the island for appreciating just how epic and jagged the Cuillin range really is. On calm days, the loch becomes a mirror for the mountains, and when the mist rolls in, it takes on a brooding, cinematic vibe that feels otherworldly.
While foodies like me will appreciate the freshness of the locally-caught scallops and lobster served from The Creel seafood van.
3. Stop and soak in the viewpoints
The drive from Broadford to Elogol is one of the most scenic drives on Skye, and honestly, I never tire of it.
The road begins innocuously from Broadford but quickly climbs into some of the island’s most photogenic terrain. Here are a few places I always recommend stopping:
Loch Cill Chriosd: A shallow loch backed by the Red Cuillin, framed by reeds and ruined churches. It’s especially photogenic in golden hour light.
Blà Bheinn (Blaven) viewpoint: Just past Loch Slapin, you’ll get a commanding view of this jagged Cuillin outlier - arguably one of Skye’s most dramatic peaks. There’s also a picnic bench area in the Blà Bheinn car park, which is a secret spot that’s super beautiful.
Torrin: A good place to stretch your legs or explore the nearby beach at Camas Malag.
Beinn na Caillich: This is the best wide-angle view of the coast, especially when the sea is calm and the Cuillin are showing off. One of my most memorable Skye sunsets was spent here with a flask of tea.
4. Visit Loch Slapin
As you wind your way toward Elgol, you’ll pass alongside the sweeping curve of Loch Slapin, a sea loch edged by mountains and backed by the imposing form of Blà Bheinn.
It’s one of those places that catches you off guard and the kind of view that makes you instinctively pull over.
The water here is usually calm, often reflecting the ever-changing skies above, while the Cuillin rise on one side and Blà Bheinn looms dramatically on the other. I’ve stood here in winter silence and on golden summer evenings, and every time, it feels quietly majestic.
Whether you’re a photographer chasing light or a traveller needing a pause, Loch Slapin is an essential stop en route to Elgol.
5. Go swimming in Torrin Pools
Just before you reach the shores of Loch Slapin, keep an eye out for a wee gem that’s often missed - the Torrin Pools.
Tucked beside the single-track road near the village of Torrin, these crystal-clear rock pools are carved by a freshwater stream. Set against a dramatic backdrop of the Cuillin hills, it’s a gorgeous spot for a leg-stretch or just to take landscape photos.
It’s also a fantastic place to go wild swimming on Skye, and other than a few campervans and some wandering sheep, you’re likely to have Torrin Pools to yourself. I’ve dipped in a few times myself and trust me when I say that the water is bracing but fresh, and it always feels like a proper island wake-up call!
If you go, walking shoes are a good idea for the short walk down from the road (it can be muddy). Be mindful that conditions can vary with rainfall, and only go swimming if it’s safe.
6. Adventures on Loch Scavaig
From the harbour at Elgol, you’ll look straight across the deep, dark waters of Loch Scavaig - one of the most dramatic sea lochs on Skye. This is the gateway to Loch Coruisk and the fjord-like inlet slices into the base of the Black Cuillin, creating a natural amphitheatre of towering peaks and moody skies.
On the Elgol shoreline, there’s a rocky little beach that’s perfect for rockpooling and a coastal wander (you’ll find details of those above). However, if you’re feeling adventurous, this is also an incredible spot for wild swimming, SUPs and sea kayaking.
7. Spar Cave
Not technically in Elgol but just a 10-minute drive back along the road, Spar Cave is one of Skye’s true lesser-visited places. This tidal sea cave, glittering with calcite formations, feels like stepping into a secret world. The walk is short (about 1.5km round trip from the road), but timing is everything—the cave is only accessible at low tide and even then, it’s slippery and dark inside.
I’ve visited Spar Cave a few times, and honestly, I hesitated whether or not to include it in this list. The beach and cave are as dramatic as they come, with spectacular sea cliffs and age-old coastal rocks that showcase years of ancient history in their waves and lines.
However, Spar Cave is not for the faint-hearted. It should only be visited at low tide (I cannot stress the importance of this enough). You’ll need seriously grippy shoes and a seriously illuminating head torch or flashlight for the cave itself. Finally, be prepared to get wet, and have hiking boots for the treacherous downhill cliff ’trail’.
Because of the obvious issues, only experienced outdoor folks should visit and should do so carefully. I’ve decided not to share the start point, but if you do visit, please never go alone and pay close attention to the tide times.
8. Hike Blà Bheinn
If you're an experienced hillwalker looking for a challenge near Elgol, Blà Bheinn (Blaven) is one of Skye’s most rewarding trails.
Standing at 928 metres, it’s the only Munro on the island that sits outside the main Cuillin ridge, offering extraordinary views across Loch Slapin, the surrounding mountains, and—on a clear day—all the way to the Small Isles.
However, this is not a casual walk. We hiked this mountain a few years ago and found the terrain pretty challenging. The route involves a steep, rocky ascent with some light scrambling, exposed sections, and a rugged approach path. It’s absolutely not recommended for inexperienced walkers or those unfamiliar with mountain navigation, particularly in poor weather.
But if you’re well prepared and confident in the Scottish hills, summiting Blà Bheinn delivers one of Skye's most breathtaking panoramic views.
9. Sample local seafood
The Creel is a fantastic seafood van at the harbour, a charming takeaway options that offers seafood platters, mackerel pate, and a range of seafood subs. All the seafood is caught locally by the owner’s husband, an Elgol fisherman, and is perfect for taking on your boat trip to Loch Coruisk.
For something a little more formal, head to Coruisk House, a hotel with a restaurant that’s open to non-residents. Dinner is on the expensive side (£90 per person for the set menu), but the food here is supposed to be excellent, with a focus on local ingredients and seafood(expect creel-caught langoustines and lobsters from Elgol, hand-dived scallops from Sconser, and wild venison from Edinbane).
Other dining options nearby include The Elgol Bistro (open seasonally, usually Easter to late September), your best casual sit-down option. It’s relaxed, friendly, and all about local produce; expect fresh seafood when it’s available and home baking with a sea view. It's open Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm to 9pm.
10. Indulge in homemade cakes & coffee
Make time for a stop at Amy’s Place, a charming family-run tea room in Torrin, perfectly placed for a pause on your way to or from Elgol. Despite its “broom-cupboard-sized kitchen”, this cosy café turns out an ever-changing spread of homemade cakes (including gluten-free and vegan options), hearty soups, and sandwiches.
There’s excellent coffee, locally made gifts tucked into every corner, and panoramic views over Torrin Pool toward the towering form of Blà Bheinn. The café is dog-friendly, warmly welcoming both walkers and their four-legged companions, and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:30am to 4pm.
Practical Tips for Visiting Elgol
Plan extra time for the drive: As I’ve mentioned already the road to Elgol is single track and slow, and takes longer than you might expect to drive, so allow at least 40 minutes each way.
Book boat trips in advance: The Misty Isle boats are popular, especially in summer. Booking ahead (online or by phone) is essential.
For photographers: Morning light is soft over Loch Scavaig, but golden hour and sunset here are magical, especially when the Cuillin are in view.
The weather: Bring a waterproof jacket, even in summer. Low clouds can sweep in fast, especially over the Cuillin. Also, Elgol’s harbour and coastal paths can be uneven or muddy - do yourself a favour and bring boots, outdoorsy trainers or walking shoes!
Services: You’ll find community-run public toilets at Elgol (50p by card).
Car parking: Elgol’s parking is limited but straightforward. You’ll find a small free car park at the harbour - ideal if you’re here for a few hours or planning to hop on a boat. And a small car park just above the harbour. Both fill up quickly in peak summer months (especially around midday when the boat trips are busiest), so I always recommend arriving either in the morning or later in the afternoon for better chances.
WHERE TO NEXT:
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