As the days get shorter and sharper up here on the Isle of Skye we are bringing you an exciting series of seasonal posts, all focussing on how to bundle up and enjoy the autumn months up in our corner of Scotland.

Today we’re going to be revealing our secret tips for getting up and out in the wee hours of the morning for a sunrise hike… at ÒR (our shop nestled in the centre of Portree) we have some local knowledge on where’s best to go and we’ve hand-picked the perfect essentials…

The first secret: autumn is one of the best times of year to visit Skye. There are warm spells of golden sunshine, far less people, and even less of the dreaded midges who helpfully and honourably die off come September.

The second secret: it’s the best time of year to go out on a sunrise hike in Skye. Not only are the early mornings alight with spectacular autumn colour; said mornings are no longer at the painful time of 5am, but the magical hour of 8 o’clock in the blessed morning.

The third secret: hiking doesn’t have to be long, back-breaking or dangerous. Just a short walk to one of Skye’s famous landmarks and you’ll get to see it bathed in the ethereal glow of daybreak - and best of all with no-one else around!

What to bring?

Hat & scarf

It can get a bit chilly out there so it’s essential to wrap up warm! Some of our favourite woollen hats and scarves come from the tactile aesthetic of Donna Wilson. Her collection includes a menagerie of colourful scarves, gloves and hats and are tried and tested autumn chill resistant.

Bag

Whether it’s a short walk or a day hike, Millican daypacks do it all. Designed in the UK, they’re waterproof and made from natural and recycled plastic bottles. A Millican pack is designed to celebrate the meaning in every journey, embracing the spirt of the great outdoors and giving you a companion to last a lifetime.

Millican’s Smith The Roll Pack 18L in Tarn

Chilly’s bottle

Chilly’s bottled were designed to cut out the need for single use plastic bottles. Chilly’s bottles are designed with advanced double wall vacuum technology, meaning they keep hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours! Fill one with your morning tea or coffee and drink it watching the sunrise over the clifftops.

Chilly’s are well known for their snazzy designs. We particularly love this collab between Chilly’s and Will the Artist, who has illustrated the bottles with marine life to celebrate World Oceans Day. A fitting companion for looking out to sea on a calm morning, no?

Where to go?

You’ll want a walk on Skye that catches the very first rays of the day, so the eastern coast of the north is perfect. Try these simple and short walks (with linked instructions from Walk Highlands):

Hiking round the lunar landscape of the Quiraing

Or perhaps hike to Brothers’ Point, a headland with views of the ocean and Storr behind you

And there’s always the walk up to the Old Man of Storr itself, a very popular hike on Skye but practically deserted in the mornings - where these photos were taken!

Don’t forget to come see us in the shop where you will find a whole range of items to take out and about with you on various adventures. Happy hiking!

- ÒR x