Major city · United Kingdom
BroadfordAn t-Àth Leathann
Stay 1 night in Broadford only as a Skye stopover or supply base; skip it as a destination — Portree has more to do and more beds.
Broadford is the junction village of Skye: all island roads meet here, so you will pass through it whether you plan to or not. It has a Co-op, a fuel station, a handful of restaurants and a straggle of B&Bs, hostels and small hotels along the A87. Most travellers use it for one night before or after the Skye Bridge, or as a base for the Cuillin, Elgol and the Sleat peninsula. It is not a sightseeing town.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (midges, full ferries and B&Bs), Nov–Mar (many places shut)
- Airports
- INV · GLA · EDI
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Broadford999 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance, coastguard999
- EU emergency number112
- NHS non-urgent (24 h)111
- Police non-urgent101
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Broadford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyBroadford is a small, low-crime village and safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance, coastguard · 112 EU emergency number · 111 NHS non-urgent (24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportINV Inverness (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 2 h 30 min by road via the A82 and A87, or Citylink bus 917 from Inverness).
- Getting aroundThe village straggles along the A87 and you can walk the centre, but Harrapool, Breakish and Skulamus are 1–3 miles out and need a car, bike or bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main course£14–24 (≈ US$19–35)
- BeerPint of beer in a hotel bar£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bunk, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
- High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£320 (≈ US$450)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- INV Inverness (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 2 h 30 min by road via the A82 and A87, or Citylink bus 917 from Inverness) · GLA Glasgow (Citylink bus 915 runs about twice daily from Glasgow Buchanan Street via Glasgow Airport; about 6 h 30 min to Broadford) · EDI Edinburgh (No direct bus; rail to Inverness or Glasgow then onward, or drive about 5 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest May (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Broadford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
20 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
16 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
14 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
16 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
17 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
18 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
20 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
20 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
20 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village straggles along the A87 and you can walk the centre, but Harrapool, Breakish and Skulamus are 1–3 miles out and need a car, bike or bus. Citylink 915 and 917, Stagecoach 52 and 55 cover the island and the mainland links. Fuel and the Co-op are here; fill up before Elgol, Raasay or the far west.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min each way
B8083 west from Broadford, about 14 miles; no useful bus, so drive or taxi
Dead-end road with Cuillin views over Loch Scavaig; go early, the lane is single-track with passing places.
Armadale and the Sleat peninsula
goDoor to door: About 30 min by car
A851 south, about 16 miles; Stagecoach 52 connects with the Mallaig ferry
Ferry to Mallaig for the Road to the Isles; book summer sailings.
Portree
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car, 50–60 min by bus
A87 north via Sligachan; Citylink 915/917 or Stagecoach 52
Skye's main town for restaurants, shops and harbour; better base if you want more than one night.
Uig
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min by car
A87 north through Portree; Citylink 915 continues to the ferry terminal
Only worth the drive if you are catching a ferry to Harris or North Uist.
Carbost and the Talisker distillery
goDoor to door: About 45 min
A87 north then the B8009 west; no direct bus, so drive
Distillery tours need booking; combine with a walk at Fairy Pools if the weather holds.
Kyleakin and the Skye Bridge
goDoor to door: About 15 min
A87 east, about 8 miles; Stagecoach 55 and Citylink 915
Bridge is toll-free; Kyle of Lochalsh has the nearest railway station.
Dunvegan Castle
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
A87 north to Sligachan, then A863 west; drive only
A long half-day from Broadford; better done if you are staying in the west.
Colbost (Three Chimneys area)
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
A863 and B884 west to Duirinish; drive only
Too far for a day trip from Broadford; treat it as a separate west-Skye stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre (Main Street and Torrin Road)
Walk to the Co-op, restaurants and the shore. Broadford Hotel, Dunollie Hotel, Skye Basecamp and several B&Bs.
Harrapool and Lower Harrapool
East side of the bay along the A87; Hebridean Inn, Claymore and The Sprig. Quieter, still walkable.
Breakish and Skulamus
Breakish is east towards the airstrip; Skulamus sits at the A851 junction for Armadale. B&B-only, car useful.
Sleat (Kinloch Lodge, 10 miles south)
Upmarket lochside option off the A851; only worth it if you are heading to the Mallaig ferry.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or hotel double room1 × 1 night × £150 | £150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £95 | £190 |
| Citylink 915 Glasgow → Broadford, one way2 × £45 · check | £90 |
| Armadale → Mallaig ferry, one way2 × £10 · check | £20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £47 |
| Trip total≈ £259 per person per day, bed included | £517≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Skye excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Fish and chips (takeaway) | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Restaurant main course | £14–24 (≈ US$19–35) |
| Pint of beer in a hotel bar | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Petrol, per litre | £1.40–1.60 (≈ US$2–3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Midges are fierce from June to August, especially near water at dusk: bring repellent.
- Book the Armadale–Mallaig ferry in summer; turning up without a booking means a long wait.
- Many restaurants and hostels close from November to March: check before you book a winter night.
- Fuel stations on Skye are sparse; Broadford's Asda Express is one of the few, so fill up here.
- Mobile signal is 4G only; 5G has not reached this area.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance, coastguard
- 999
- EU emergency number
- 112
- NHS non-urgent (24 h)
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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BroadfordAn t-Àth Leathann
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chun an seòladh seo, mas e do thoil eTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance, coastguard999
- EU emergency number112
- NHS non-urgent (24 h)111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies on Skye; the nearest US consulate-general is in Edinburgh and most others are in London or Edinburgh.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Citylink 915 Glasgow → Broadford: about £45 (≈ US$60), about 6 h 30 min (check)
- Armadale → Mallaig ferry: about £10 (≈ US$14) per foot passenger, about 30 min (check)
- Taxi Broadford → Portree: £45–60 (≈ US$60–80) (check)
Say or show
- Halò — Hello (hal-oh)
- Tapadh leat — Thank you (tah-pah let)
- Mar sin leat — Goodbye (mar shin let)
- Mas e do thoil e — Please (mas eh do hull eh)
- Càit a bheil an aiseag? — Where is the ferry? (katch a vayl an ash-ak)
- Dè a' phrìs? — How much is it? (jay a preesh)
Gaelic is spoken by a minority; English works everywhere.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Broadford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (midges, full ferries and B&Bs), Nov–Mar (many places shut) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for INV and GLA: last Citylink 915/917 departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village centre, Harrapool, Breakish and Skulamus.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Beinn na Caillich, Elgol road, Armadale ferry) and eat pages with last orders.
- Midges, ferry-booking and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.