Places to Stay Near a Train Station in Isle of Skye

Arriving by train and leaving the car at home suits this corner of Scotland well. BritStays currently lists 14 places to stay near a train station across the Isle of Skye area. Every one carries the Near a Train Station tag, so the real choice is about what kind of base you want and what else you need from it.

What's on offer

This is mostly a hotel list. Of the 14 stays, 12 are hotels, with just one caravanning option and one camping option. If you picture yourself in a tent or a touring van, you have very little choice, so treat those as the listings to book first.

Across the set, the most common extras are:

• Parking: 5 stays
• Pet Friendly: 4 stays
• WiFi: 4 stays
• Bar and Restaurant: 2 stays each
• Toilets and Near a Bus Stop: 1 stay each

The numbers are small, so a single specific need, such as bringing a dog, can narrow your shortlist fast.

Choosing an area

The listings cluster in a handful of places. Seven are listed under Isle of Skye itself, three are in Mallaig, two in Plockton, and one each in Kyle and Arisaig.

Mallaig has the widest choice outside the main Skye listings. The West Highland Hotel and Marine Hotel are both tagged near a train station. Morar Hotel stands out here for having a bar, a restaurant and a pet-friendly welcome all in one place.

Plockton is small but well suited to couples who want a relaxed evening without going far. Plockton Hotel has a bar and restaurant on site. The haven is the other option there.

Kyle and Arisaig each have a single listing: Skye Bridge Hotel in Kyle and Arisaig Bunkhouse in Arisaig. A bunkhouse can be a sensible, sociable choice for walkers and groups of friends, though it's worth checking room arrangements before booking with children.

Among the stays listed under Isle of Skye, you'll find Lochalsh Hotel, Kings Arms Hotel, Duirinish Lodge and White Heather Hotel. White Heather Hotel lists indoor areas, which is handy on wet days.

Families, couples and dog owners

Families who want more space than a hotel room might look at Duirinish Holiday Lodges, which offers WiFi, parking and a pet-friendly policy. Reraig caravan site is the only listing showing toilets as a facility, alongside WiFi and pets welcome.

Couples after a good dinner and a drink without a drive should look at Plockton Hotel and Morar Hotel. They're the only two in the set listing both a bar and a restaurant.

Dog owners have four pet-friendly options: Morar Hotel, Reraig caravan site, Duirinish Holiday Lodges and Kyle Hotel. Kyle Hotel also has WiFi and parking. With only four choices, book early and confirm any limits on size, number of dogs or rooms.

Things to do once you're there

Arriving by train doesn't mean you can't explore. The area has a good spread of museums, several with a railway or heritage theme:

• Kyle Station Museum and Mallaig Heritage Centre suit train enthusiasts and curious families alike.
• The Skye Museum of Island Life and the Museum of Crofting Life give a feel for traditional island life.
• The Gavin Maxwell Museum, Deer Museum and Staffin Dinosaur Museum offer something different for a rainy afternoon.
• Gairloch Outdoor Museum is also among the attractions listed.

For landmarks, the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools are the famous names. Castle lovers can choose from Dunvegan Castle, Duncraig Castle, Dunscaith Castle, Caisteal Leòdhais and Kinloch Castle. Inverewe Garden is an option if you enjoy gardens.

Not all of these will be easy to reach without a car. Before you commit to a car-free trip, check how you'd get to the places that matter most to you. Only one stay in the set is tagged near a bus stop.

When and how to book

With just 14 stays, and only a few offering parking, pet-friendly rooms or on-site dining, the best options can go quickly. Here's what helps:

• If you need something specific, like a dog-friendly room, a pitch at Reraig caravan site or dinner at your hotel, book that first and plan the rest of the trip around it.
• Ask the stay directly how far it is from the station and whether the walk is manageable with luggage. BritStays doesn't publish distances for these listings.
• Book your train and your room together, so a late arrival doesn't leave you stranded.
• If you plan to hire a car for part of the stay, choose one of the five stays with parking.
• Allow flexibility in your plans for weather, particularly if your itinerary relies on outdoor landmarks.