Portree hotels

Hotels in Portree

Set in a sheltering natural harbour fringed by cliffs, Portree is the largest town on Skye in Scotland's wild, beautiful Inner Hebrides. The town is a lively bustling centre and the hub from which tourists embark to explore the island. Portree's fine pier was designed by Thomas Telford.

Landscape and coast

A short distance from all Portree hotels, you will encounter an island landscape of great drama and beauty. The island's name comes from the Old Norse ‘sky-a' which means ‘cloud island'. It's a name no doubt inspired by the mists that often cling to the awesome jagged ridges and peaks of the Cuillin mountains. Around these famous hills you will find lonely unspoilt moorland, sparkling lochs and some of the most breathtaking sea cliffs and coastal features. Six miles north of Portree is the monumental basalt pinnacle called the Old Man of Storr, which you can reach easily from a wooded car park. This apparently unclimbable pinnacle was first scaled in 1955 by English mountaineer Don Whillans. His achievement has only been repeated a few times since.

The Aros Centre

On the southern edge of Portree is the excellent Aros Centre, which combines visitor centre, restaurant, theatre, cinema and gift shop in one place. There is plenty to enjoy here, including some amazing wide screen video images of the spectacular scenery beyond the town, CCTV footage of local sea-eagle nests and play areas for children.

Restaurants and cafés

You can look forward to delicious local produce in Portree, with strong emphasis on fresh seafood. The Harbour View makes a welcoming and cosy place to savour these treats, with its homely ambiance, log fires in the winter and shelves piled with books and artefacts. Once you're settled you can choose from the freshest Skye oysters, seafood chowder, scallops, langoustines and lobster. Also based on the lovely harbour at Quay Brae is Café Arriba with its cheerful colour scheme and excellent array of snacks and light meals from breakfast onwards. The coffee is first-class too!