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Broadford
Broadford sits on the A87 along the south-east coast of the Isle of Skye, spread around the shore of its own bay, with Beinn na Caillich rising to the west. The village has a supermarket, cafés, and a petrol station, useful in a part of Skye where services thin out quickly. Pabay lies just offshore, low and green across the water. You reach the village about 13 kilometres after crossing the Skye Bridge from Lochalsh. To the south-west, the B8083 runs past Torrin to Elgol. It’s a single-track road with passing places, so give yourself extra time. Weather changes fast here. Check the forecast before you head up Beinn na Caillich or out along the shore.
What should you know before visiting Broadford on Skye?
Broadford stretches along the shore of Broadford Bay on the A87, about 8 miles from the Skye Bridge, beneath the steep scree dome of Beinn na Caillich. Its Gaelic name, An t-Àth Leathann, refers to the broad bay rather than a river crossing. About 1,170 people live here. Roads from the Skye Bridge, Portree, and Elgol meet in the village, so you’ll almost certainly pass through. You’ll find a hotel, a distillery, and a café among the places to stay, eat, and drink, all within a short walk of each other.
- The B8083 to Elgol leaves the village for around 14 miles of single-track road, so give yourself extra time and use the passing places.
- Beinn na Caillich, at 732 metres, rises about 2.5 miles west of the village. The ascent is very steep scree, so keep it for a clear, dry day.
- Citylink bus 917 takes about 2 hours 30 minutes from Inverness, and the 152 runs 26 miles north to Portree in around 45 minutes. The petrol station on the A87 is worth using before longer drives.
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Broadford is the Isle of Skye’s second-largest settlement (after Portree), sitting on the eastern shore of Broadford Bay and located on the A87 — the island’s main road link to the mainland.
Food and drink in Broadford, Skye
Small-batch gin and whisky are the focus at Broadford Distillery, where hosts pair local stories with guided samples during each tasting. Many visitors leave with a bottle, so agree on a driver before you book a session. Gasta is a small café in Broadford on the Isle of Skye, serving well-made coffee, fresh cakes, and a short menu of light lunches. It suits families and dog walkers. Set above the bay with sea views, Broadford Hotel has a well-regarded restaurant and dog-friendly rooms. Cosy cottages sit alongside the hotel rooms, so you can eat where you sleep after a long drive across Skye. On Broadford’s coastline, House of Juniper pairs an on-site restaurant with dry and steam saunas, and its cabins and rooms look out to sea. Pets are allowed there too, which matters if you’re travelling with a dog and want dinner without leaving it behind.
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Beinn na Caillich (732 m) rises just west of Broadford; it’s a familiar local hike and lookout, offering wide views across Broadford Bay toward the Cuillin and the mainland.