Let's discover one of the most famous features on the island: Kilt Rock Skye and the Mealt Falls. The shores North of Portree offer magnificent views of the Trotternish landslips and abrupt sea cliffs. And I will show you in this guide, that there are other worthy stops to enjoy on the way. Here is my guide with many photos:
Navigate back to the complete Travel Scotland Guide
Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls and Eastern Cliffs - Video
Let's start with a short video introducing the sea cliffs on the Easter shore of the Isle of Skye - Kilt Rock Skye, Mealt Falls and Lealt Falls
Many photos after the info to help you plan your trip
PLANNING TIPS - EASTERN CLIFFS ISLE OF SKYE
The Trotternish peninsula, North of the isle of Skye is full of stunning places to see, especially its sea cliffs. The Staffin Ecomuseum identifies several of those sites. Kilt Rock is a favorite for tourists because of its Kilt-like shape and its waterfall, the Mealt Falls.
How to get to Skye
- The isle of Skye is accessible by the Road via the Skye bridge or with the ferry from Mallaig
- The main town is Portree
- Edimbourg to Portree - 4h30 drive
- Find out more about getting to Skye on my Isle of Skye complete Guide
How to get to Kilt Rock
- Easy drive from Portree to Kilt Rock
- Take Road A855 towards Staffin - good road
- Portree to Kilt Rock - 15km - 30min drive
- Staffin to Kilt Rock - 2km
- There are other great stops to enjoy on the road and I am introducing them in this article.
The GPS coordinates of all locations in this article as well as their identification on practical maps are available on both Travel Guide eBooks: The Road Trip Guide Scotland and The Road Trip Guide: Edinburgh to Skye
These locations, along with many other beautiful places, are included in my eBook: The Road Trip Guide - Scotland.
It is a practical tool to plan your trip with practical maps, photos, planning tips, GPS coordinates...
Visiting Kilt Rock and other Cliffs
- Several sites are identified on the Coast from the Old Man of Storr to Quiraing and further North. This is called the Staffin Ecomuseum. See the map of the sites below.
- No facilities at any of the stops - Public toilets at the Staffin Community Hall
- The view of Kilt Rock Skye and the Mealt Falls is right next to the parking but you might have to wait for your turn to see it properly.
- This is an island in the North... dress for cold wind!
CLIFF 1 - Kilt Rock Skye and Mealt Falls
Let's start with the famous Kilt Rock and its waterfall. It is also called Creag An Fheilidh.
Access to Kilt Rock View
You will wonder many time before arriving there, if a place is the Kilt Rock Parking because there are other interesting stops (that I am sharing further down) but don't worry you can't miss that one, it is well indicated.
The Kilt rock view is easily accessed by anyone as it is very close to the parking via a well maintained pathway.
However being one of the top things to do in Skye, you will never be alone and might have to wait to reach the fence and get the best unobstructed view.
About Kilt Rock Skye and the Mealt Falls
The Kilt rock waterfalls, the Mealt Falls, are a 55 meter free drop into the sea. It is fed by Loch Mealt on the other side of the road. It is fairly rare to see a waterfall dropping into the sea. So, even tough there is not much water flowing, the view is quite special.
The other reason behind the popularity of this place is the shape of the cliff. The vertical basalt columns look like they form the pleats of a Scottish Kilt.
The cliffs are 60M (200ft) high. This is a typical geological formation from volcanic activity.
What do you think?
Don't miss the other view
Most visitors look at the falls and rock and head back to their car. Don't do that just yet!
You can also walk to the other side of the walking path for another great view of the sea cliffs.
CLIFF 2 - Lealt Falls - An Lethallt
A little bit South of Kilt Rock, I stopped at An Lethallt thinking it was Kilt Rock.
A short walk takes you from the parking along a narrow canyon. At the end admire the view over a beach. And when you turn around and come back you realize, the point of interest is a waterfall that is actually very close to the road. It is nested in the lush green canyon.
I think this spot deserves a short stop (even just 5 minutes to see the waterfall).
A flat 2 to 3 hour return walk takes you on the diatomite railway to Loch Cuithir for those interested in history and views of the Trotternish ridge.
CLIFF 3 - Tobhta Uachdrach
Not far North from the Old Man of Storr Skye, you will spot a small parking area on the right.
This is Tobhta Uachdrach. From there, on a clear day, you can see the peaks of Mainland Scotland.
And if you turn around you have a great view of the Trotternish Ridge and the Old Man of Storr.
CLIFF 4 - Staffin and its beach
After Kilt Rock you can continue driving up to Staffin. Before turning inland towards the magnificent view of Quiraing, turn towards the sea to admire the cliffs from the sea level at Staffin Beach and the Staffin Slipway. Here is what you could see:
The Staffin's harbour is known as the Slip. It is a great read for fishing, walking or bird watching... as well as enjoying nice views of the sea cliffs 🙂
The original Slipway was built in the early 1900 to allow for the deliveries of foods and goods.
Driving in between...
On the road between each of the sites, the views of the Trotternish ridge are spectacular. You can also see some strange rock formations...
There is another stop called Rubha nam brathairean or Brothers Point that is a dramatic headland. I seem to have missed it. It is a 1h return walk. The start is at Lay-by on A855 at Culnacnoc - 40m north of The Glenview hotel.
These locations, along with many other beautiful places, are included in my eBook: The Road Trip Guide - Scotland.
It is a practical tool to plan your trip with practical maps, photos, planning tips, GPS coordinates...
Want to see more of SCOTLAND?
Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Scotland Destination Guide.
Have you ever seen a waterfall plunging into the sea? Where?
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Love sharing? Here is another pin for you:
