Brothers Point, also known as Rubha nam Brathairean, is a beautiful place to visit on the Isle of Skye.
The views of the peninsula are stunning. And because very few people know about this gem, you just may have it all to yourself.
If you are traveling to the Isle of Skye, put Brothers Point at the top of your list! In this guide, we share with you everything you need to know to visit Brothers Point and have a great experience.
Our Experience
Before traveling to Scotland in summer 2016, we did some research on the best places to visit on the Isle of Skye. I learned about it on the Walk Highlands website (which is an awesome tool for discovering and planning out hikes in Scotland). So, I added Brothers Point to our list of places to visit on the Isle of Skye.
Honestly, we were not expecting much.
And then we were blown away.
It was a rainy day, not unusual for the Isle of Skye at the end of July. We had already visited several sites on the Trotternish loop. Most places were very crowded, which is also not unusual for the Isle of Skye at the end of July.
So when we walked out to the peninsula of Rubha nam Brathairean, we were shocked. Where are all of the people? This place is gorgeous. They have no idea what they are missing!
In fact, we saw a total of 6 people during the hour and a half we spent here. Four of them were just exiting the hiking trail as we started our walk, and then we passed two people when we were just minutes from returning to our car.
To have this beautiful spot on the Isle of Skye all to ourselves was an unforgettable and very lucky experience.
We want you to have the same experience. Here’s how to do it.
How to Visit Brothers Point (Rubha nam Brathairean)
Rubha nam Brathairean is located on the Trotternish Loop on the Isle of Skye. The car park is in Culnacnoc, 13 miles (25 minutes of driving) north of Portree. To get here, take A855 north from Portree. Just past the Glenview Hotel (which will be on your left), there is a car park on the left hand side of the road. It is a very small car park and can only hold a few cars.
To get to the trailhead, cross the street and walk south approximately 50 meters. The trail is a gravel and dirt driveway. Look for the sign pointing to Rubha nam Brathairean.
Hiking Stats
- Distance: 3.6km (2.25 miles)
- Time to visit: 1.5 – 2 hours
- The hike is open all year round and it is free to park in the car park.
- A good pair of walking or hiking shoes is necessary. Part of the hike takes you through a bog which may make your feet wet.
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
Car park on the side of A855
Follow the driveway to the end, pass through the gate, and then follow signs to the grass trail that leads down to the shoreline.
The views open up, revealing the very beautiful coastline.
The trail ends on a rocky beach. Walk along the beach. Out in the distance you will be able to see part of the peninsula.
Once you pass the warning sign, follow the faint trail across the grassy bog towards the peninsula.
The last section of the hike will take you along a dramatic cliff leading to the peninsula.
From here, you can enjoy the views, or keep going.
You can also walk onto the peninsula, climbing up to the highest point. The trail is narrow and follows a very steep slope, so have care here, especially if it has been raining. The views from the top are stunning.
To get back to your car, retrace your steps. And enjoy the views. Off in the distance you can see Kilt Rock and its spectacular waterfall. It is worth the short drive up the road to see it up close!
Update: In early 2018 dinosaur tracks were discovered along the tidal area of Brothers Point. Read more about them here.
Drone Video of the Isle of Skye and Brothers Point
We got very lucky with the rain. All day it had been raining, but during our time at Rubha nam Brathairean, we had dry weather. The rain would unfortunately return at our next stop, the Old Man of Storr.
Tim and Tyler took the opportunity to fly the drone here. Check out this aerial footage of Rubha nam Brathairean.
Here are some photos from the sky.
If you have any questions about how to visit Brother’s Point in the Isle of Skye, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
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