Last checked: October 2026. Festive opening hours and transport change every year, so anything marked check before you go needs confirming nearer the time. Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book a tour or hotel through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend.
The sun barely clears the Cuillin in December, Portree's harbour front glows with Christmas lights by mid-afternoon, and the pub fires are lit all day. You won't get long hikes or every attraction open. You will get empty viewpoints, long nights for stars and the aurora, and a properly Highland Christmas or Hogmanay if you plan it well.
This guide covers December weather and daylight, the key festive dates for 2026, Christmas and Hogmanay on the island, what's closed when, how to get there over the holidays and what to do when it rains, which it will.
Is Skye Worth Visiting in December? The Quick Answer
- Yes, if you want a cosy, quiet trip of short scenic outings, good food, whisky and long dark nights.
- Expect highs of about 7.5°C, rain on most days and under seven hours of daylight around the solstice.
- Plan around the holiday shutdowns: no ScotRail trains on Christmas Day or New Year's Day, Talisker closed 25–26 December and 1–2 January, and many restaurants taking a break.
- Best for couples, photographers, aurora hunters and anyone who likes a fireside Christmas. Not ideal for big hill days, castles and museums (most are shut), or car-free travel over the holidays.
The calendar above is Timberbush's Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip from Inverness, the most reviewed Skye tour on GetYourGuide. It does the single-track driving in the dark for you, with time in Portree. Not every tour runs over Christmas and New Year, so check your exact dates in the calendar.
December Weather and Daylight on Skye
Met Office 1991–2020 averages for the Skye: Lusa station give December an average high of about 7.5°C, a low of about 2.4°C, around 241mm of rain and roughly 22 days with 1mm or more, which makes it one of the wettest months of the year. Snow lies on the Cuillin tops more often than at sea level, but frost and ice on roads and paths are common on clear nights.
| Date (Portree) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | about 08:40 | about 15:48 | about 7h08m |
| 15 December | about 09:00 | about 15:40 (earliest sunset) | about 6h40m |
| 21 December (solstice) | about 09:05 | about 15:41 | about 6h37m (shortest day) |
| 28 December | about 09:06 | about 15:46 | about 6h40m |
Calculators differ by a few minutes, so check timeanddate.com for your exact dates. Sunrise keeps getting later until early January, so the darkest mornings of the winter come just after Christmas.
What this means in practice: plan one area per day, start outdoor stops at first light, and save distilleries, shops and dinner for after 15:30. Our 3-day Isle of Skye winter itinerary plans each day around exactly this light.
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
Guided tours of the Isle of Skye run through December from Inverness and Edinburgh, with stops in Portree, at the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and Eilean Donan Castle, and multi-day trips through Glencoe and along Loch Ness. Browse live options below.
Key Dates for December 2026
| Date | What's happening | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early December (date tbc) | Portree Christmas tree switch-on and lantern parade, Somerled Square | In 2025 it was Monday 1 December, with the lantern parade leaving Portree Community Centre at 5.30pm. Check before you go |
| Early December (date tbc) | Portree Christmas market, Skye Gathering Hall | Held on 6 December 2025. Check the 2026 date |
| Saturday 5 December 2026 | Skye Santa Dash & Dawdle, Somerled Square, Portree | A 1.75-mile festive fun run in costume, listed by Skye Events. Confirm the date and registration |
| 9 December 2026 | New moon | Darkest skies of the month for stars and the aurora |
| Mid-December to mid-January | The Three Chimneys (Colbost) annual closure | Plan elsewhere for Christmas dinner |
| 15 December | Earliest sunset of the year | About 15:40 in Portree |
| 21 December | Winter solstice | Shortest day, about 6h37m of daylight |
| From 23 December 2026 to the end of January 2027 | Eilean Donan Castle | Winter hours run to 22 December; it's then closed over Christmas and through January (it's also closed on 4 December). Check the castle's opening-hours page. You can still photograph it from the car park |
| 24 December | Christmas Eve: trains and buses finish early | ScotRail's last trains run earlier than usual |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | No ScotRail trains; Talisker closed; most shops shut |
| 26 December | Boxing Day | Talisker closed; ScotRail's Boxing Day trains have not covered Highland routes |
| 31 December | Hogmanay | Early last trains; hotel galas and local ceilidhs |
| 1 January 2027 | New Year's Day | No ScotRail trains; Talisker closed until 2 January inclusive |
| 3 January 2027 | Edinbane Inn's last day before its winter closure | Closed 4 January to 28 February |
For the full list of what's open through the season, see what's open on the Isle of Skye in winter.
Christmas on Skye
Where to stay for Christmas
Christmas on Skye works best in a hotel that does a festive package, or in a well-stocked self-catering cottage. Restaurants open on Christmas Day are rare and usually reserved for hotel guests, so walking in for Christmas lunch isn't realistic.
Festive options we found for 2026:
- Sligachan Hotel: the hotel's own website sells two- and three-night Christmas packages beneath the Cuillin.
- Skeabost House Hotel (near Portree): a full Christmas Eve to Boxing Day programme with mulled wine and music by the fire, a Christmas Day welly walk and a three-course Christmas Day lunch at £125 per person (bookable separately).
- Toravaig House and Duisdale House (Sleat): both are part of the Sonas Collection's festive 2026 offers.
- Edinbane Lodge: a two-night dinner, bed and breakfast "Winter Getaway" between 17 and 30 December 2026. With six rooms, it sells out early. Browse stays around Edinbane if it's full.
Some hotels close over the holiday itself. Booking sites list Hotel Eilean Iarmain as closed 23–26 December and the Bosville in Portree as closed 24–27 December, so check before you go. To compare what's still free, browse Christmas stays across Skye or hotels in Portree.
For a full comparison of areas and hotels, see where to stay on the Isle of Skye in winter.
Self-catering at Christmas
A cottage gives you the most freedom, but you need to plan the food. Do your big shop in Portree or Broadford a day or two before Christmas Eve. Supermarkets close on Christmas Day and usually New Year's Day, and shelves can run thin on 24 December. Bring anything special (a turkey crown, a particular cheese, decent crackers) from the mainland if it matters to you, and fill the car with fuel before the 24th. Cottages and apartments show up in the same search for stays across Skye.
What's open and closed, 24–26 December
- Talisker Distillery: open on 24 December during normal winter hours (10:00–16:30), closed 25–26 December. Book on Talisker's own tour page on malts.com.
- Eilean Donan Castle: closed over Christmas and through January, after its winter hours end on 22 December.
- The Three Chimneys, Colbost: in its annual mid-December to mid-January closure.
- Isle of Skye Brewing Co. shop (Uig): closed 25–26 December.
- Outdoor sights: the Storr, Kilt Rock, the Fairy Glen, Neist Point and Sligachan can be visited every day. A Christmas morning walk at first light is one of the best things you can do on the island.
Traditions
Christmas in the Highlands and islands is traditionally quieter than New Year, and in parts of the Gàidhealtachd Hogmanay was historically the bigger celebration. You'll hear Nollaig Chridheil (Merry Christmas) in shops and on cards, and some churches on Skye hold services in Gaelic. If you'd like to attend a Christmas service, check local church noticeboards or community Facebook pages for times.
Hogmanay and New Year on Skye
There's no big organised street party on Skye like Edinburgh's. Hogmanay here means hotel gala dinners, ceilidhs in village halls and pubs, and house parties, and that's exactly why many people love it.
- Hotel packages: the Sligachan Hotel sells a two-night Hogmanay package. Other country house hotels run gala dinners, so ask when you book.
- Ceilidhs: village halls and hotels across Skye regularly hold ceilidh dances, and Hogmanay is a natural night for one. Watch the Skye Events listings, local Facebook groups and posters in Portree in December. Nothing for Hogmanay 2026 had been announced when we checked.
- First-footing: the tradition of being the first visitor across a threshold after midnight, ideally bringing a gift such as whisky, shortbread or coal. You'll hear Bliadhna Mhath Ùr (Happy New Year).
- New Year's Day: a quiet day. No trains run, many businesses are shut, and Talisker stays closed on 1 and 2 January. A blustery walk is the traditional cure.
If you're driving after a celebration, remember that Scotland's drink-drive limit is lower than England's, and the morning after counts. Our whisky and distillery guide for winter covers how to plan a dram without driving.
Things to Do on Skye in December
Keep outdoor plans short and timed to the light:
- Old Man of Storr at first light. Start the walk around 08:30 to reach the pinnacles as the sun rises at about 09:00, and carry microspikes if there's been a frost.
- Kilt Rock and Lealt Falls. Short stops right by the road on the Trotternish loop, good in almost any weather.
- Fairy Glen near Uig. A gentle hour-long wander among small grassy cones.
- Sligachan Old Bridge. A classic Cuillin view that needs no walking at all.
- Elgol. On a clear day, one of the island's finest views of the Cuillin across Loch Scavaig.
- Neist Point (clifftop only). Wild and spectacular in a winter swell. Stay well back from the edges and skip the steep lighthouse path in December.
- Stars and the Northern Lights. December has the longest nights of the year, and the new moon on 9 December 2026 gives the darkest skies. See our guide to the Northern Lights on the Isle of Skye.
If you're driving yourself, read driving on Skye in winter first. Single-track roads, ice and a 15:40 sunset are a tricky combination.
Rainy-Day Things to Do in December
- Talisker Distillery, Carbost. Open daily 10:00–16:30 in winter, apart from 25–26 December and 1–2 January. Book a tour on malts.com; GetYourGuide doesn't sell it.
- Torabhaig Distillery, Sleat. Open five days a week from November to March; its visit page lists Monday to Friday, so confirm before a weekend trip.
- Skyeskyns, Waternish. A working sheepskin tannery and showroom, listed as open seven days, 10:00–16:30.
- Isle of Skye Candle Co. visitor centre, Portree. Shop, café-pizzeria and the Las cinema-theatre. Check winter hours and film listings.
- Misty Isle gin shop (Portree) and the Isle of Skye Brewing Co. shop (Uig). Good for gifts. Check festive opening.
- Galleries and craft shops. Many open on reduced winter days, so call ahead.
- A long lunch by a fire. The Old Inn at Carbost, the Portree Hotel's Antlers Bar & Grill and the Edinbane Inn (until 3 January) are all classic choices. Check the Old Inn's winter dates, as it closed for part of last winter.
- Storm-watching. From the safety of a car park or a window with a view, a December gale crashing into the Minch is a show in itself.
Getting to Skye and Around Over the Festive Period
Trains. ScotRail runs no trains on Christmas Day or New Year's Day, and last trains on 24 and 31 December leave earlier than usual. Its expanded Boxing Day service in 2025 covered the central belt and the east coast, not the Kyle or Mallaig lines. A revised timetable usually runs on 2 January. ScotRail publishes its festive timetable in late November, so check before you go.
Coaches and buses. Scottish Citylink runs some Christmas Day and New Year's Day services on its main intercity routes, but check whether the Inverness–Portree or Glasgow–Skye coaches run on your dates. Local Stagecoach buses on Skye run reduced or no services on the main holidays.
Ferries. CalMac's Mallaig–Armadale crossing runs its winter timetable from 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027. In winter the route is served by the smaller MV Lochnevis, which carries fewer cars, and there are far fewer sailings than in summer, especially at weekends. CalMac usually amends sailings on 25 December and 1 January, so book and check service status.
Driving. The Skye Bridge is free and open all year, and it's the most reliable way on and off the island. Book hire cars from Inverness early for the holidays.
Tours. Some operators run festive departures from Inverness and Edinburgh, but not every day over the holidays. Timberbush's Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip and Rabbie's Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Tour from Inverness both run in December; check their calendars for 24–26 and 31 December. Our guide to Isle of Skye winter tours from Inverness and Edinburgh compares them.
With weather and holiday timetables both in play, buy travel insurance that covers disruption.
Sample Festive Itineraries
Christmas: 3 nights (23–26 December)
- 23 December: drive from Inverness over the Skye Bridge, arriving in daylight. Eilean Donan is closed over Christmas, but stop for the view. Stock up in Broadford or Portree and check in.
- 24 December: the Old Man of Storr at first light, then the Trotternish loop (Kilt Rock, Staffin, the Fairy Glen). Talisker in the afternoon if time allows, and Christmas Eve dinner at your hotel.
- 25 December: a slow Christmas morning walk at Sligachan or the Storr, Christmas lunch at your hotel or cottage, and an evening by the fire looking out for clear skies.
- 26 December: Elgol for the Cuillin view, then a scenic drive back to the bridge. ScotRail's Boxing Day trains don't reach the Highlands, so this is a driving day.
Hogmanay: 3 nights (30 December – 2 January)
- 30 December: arrive and do the Trotternish loop in the afternoon light.
- 31 December: a Talisker tour in the morning (book ahead), the Neist Point clifftop or Coral Beach in the afternoon, then a gala dinner or ceilidh for the bells.
- 1 January: a lie-in, then a blustery walk along Portree's harbour or the Scorrybreac path. Most things are shut, so it's a cosy day.
- 2 January: leave via Broadford. Talisker is still closed today, and ScotRail runs a revised timetable.
What to Pack for Skye in December
Waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, waterproof boots, a head torch and microspikes for icy paths, plus one smart-casual outfit for festive dinners. The full list is in our guide to what to pack for Skye in November and winter.
December Tours If You'd Rather Not Drive
Each of these runs in December, though festive dates vary. The first two are long day trips from Inverness that come back after dark; the third is a 3-day loop from Edinburgh.
A full-size coach with live commentary, a photo stop on Loch Ness and time in Portree to see the harbour lights. The cheapest of the three, and the easiest to find seats on in December.
Check availability
Rabbie's minibus takes up to 16, the better choice if you want a smaller group and a guide who can adjust stops to the weather. In December the last hours of the drive back are in the dark.
Check availability
The Hairy Coo's loop from Edinburgh by way of Glencoe and Loch Ness, with two nights in Inverness. Accommodation isn't included, so book your beds early for December.
Check availabilityIsle of Skye in December: FAQ
Is Skye worth visiting in December?
Yes, if you like quiet, atmospheric trips. Expect rain, short days and some closures, but also empty landmarks, festive hotels, whisky by the fire and the longest nights of the year for dark skies. Our November guide compares the two months.
What is open on Skye on Christmas Day?
Very little. Hotels serve their own guests and some take outside bookings for Christmas lunch, but shops, distilleries, most restaurants and public transport close. The outdoor sights can be visited as usual.
Is there a Hogmanay party on Skye?
There's no large public street party. Celebrations happen at hotel gala dinners, in pubs and at village-hall ceilidhs. Check Skye Events and local listings in December.
Do buses and trains run on Christmas Day?
ScotRail runs no trains on Christmas Day or New Year's Day. Scottish Citylink runs limited services on some main routes, so check the Skye routes for your date. Local Skye buses are very limited or don't run.
Does it snow on Skye in December?
Snow is common on the Cuillin and the high ground, but it rarely lies for long at sea level. Frost and ice on roads and paths are more of an issue than deep snow.
How many hours of daylight are there on Skye in December?
About 7 hours at the start of the month in Portree, falling to about 6 hours 37 minutes on the solstice, 21 December. Sunset is between about 15:40 and 15:48 all month, earliest around 15 December.
Can you see the Northern Lights on Skye in December?
Yes, it's possible on clear nights with good geomagnetic activity, and December's long nights help. Aim for dates around the new moon (9 December 2026) and use AuroraWatch UK alerts.
The Bottom Line
December on Skye is about making the most of short days and long, cosy nights. Book your festive stay early, plan each day around about seven hours of light, stock up before the holidays and keep a rainy-day plan in your pocket. Get that right and you'll have one of the most memorable Christmases or New Years of your life.
More in this series:
- Isle of Skye in November: is it worth it?
- What's open on the Isle of Skye in winter
- Isle of Skye winter tours from Inverness and Edinburgh
- Driving on Skye in winter
- Northern Lights on the Isle of Skye
- A 3-day Isle of Skye winter itinerary
- Where to stay on the Isle of Skye in winter
- Isle of Skye whisky and distillery guide for winter visitors
- What to pack for Skye in November and winter