7 Reasons Why You Simply Have To Visit Our Pretty Little Town

If you’re planning to visit Skye, it’s decided; you simply have to visit Portree. Sitting right in the middle of the island, Portree (Port Rìgh in Gaelic) is Skye’s pretty little capital and also our home, where you’ll find both ÒR stores (and all of us!). So we can safely say we know a thing or two about Portree!

7 reasons to visit Portree, Skye

Shopping (at ÒR of course)

It can get a little rainy on Skye from time to time… what is the answer to a wet and dreary day you ask? Get into Portree and come shopping with us! ÒR has two cosy shops in town: our original site on Wentworth Street, and our bigger shop just off the square on the Green. Come on in and say hello!

ÒR stocks art, crafts, jewellery, homeware, outdoor gear, books, independent zines and lots more, all handpicked by us from our favourite independent Scottish designers.

Strolling the Portree harbour & bay

Portree was firstly a fishing village and our harbour is one of the prettiest you’ll see: multi-coloured cottages line the waterfront, and little local boats bob around on the water. You can stroll around here or sit out eating fish & chips, taking in the salty sea air.

Taking a boat trip

The harbour acts as a jumping off point for local cruises as well. Go out from Portree for wildlife and seafood jaunts, with the chance of seeing seals, sea eagles, dolphins, otters, and even whales around the waters of Skye!

Stopping for coffee

As Skye’s central hub, Portree is the perfect place for a coffee pit-stop on your travels. With cafes dotted throughout our little streets, diving into one of them and getting a warming cappuccino is another popular answer to what to do in Portree when it’s raining.

Walking the Scorrybreac circuit

If you’d like to do some easy hiking when you visit Portree, try the Scorrybreac circuit. It’s a shortish, beautiful coastal walk directly out of Portree, giving you a great opportunity to spot wildlife like seals and sea eagles, and picturesque views back on our lovely harbour too.

Climbing up the Lump

Affectionately called the Lump by locals, this is a wooded area that rises up above the harbour, and is where the Isle of Skye’s Highland Games is held every year. If you’re around in August you can catch the Games, but at any time of the year it’s a peaceful garden-type walk. Right at the top is the Apothecary’s Tower - legend has it, the tower was built to signal to boats that medical help was on the island. A short walk to the top and you are met with stunning panoramic views of Portree and the bay.

Exploring the rest of Skye…

Portree is within easy driving distance of the iconic Old Man of Storr, the dramatic Cuillin Hills, the Quiraing, Sligachan glen, the magical Fairy Pools… (the list goes on), so is an ideal base for visiting the rest of the island. There’s a number of accommodation choices here, including hotels, B&Bs and self-catering, so use Portree as your gateway to the whole of Skye!