The gold cave on the Isle of Skye is one of the most secluded and unknown spots on the island. It wasn’t on Google Maps until recently, and most locals have never heard about it. It might not be as spectacular as Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa, but because it’s so hard to find, it’s also practically empty. In fact, I’m willing to bet there are less than a hundred people who find this cave each year. Not that I want everyone flocking there with this post, but if you do want to find it, this is your guide.
Direction to the Gold Cave on the Isle of Skye
The cave is located roughly 5 miles north of Uig. To get there, you’ll need to find the town of Kulmuir. This is on the west end of the A855 highway loop running around the Trotternish (northern) peninsula. Your turnoff is just south of the Skye Museum of Island Life. Click here for the exact point. Turn down the road toward the sea and then take the first right. Drive to the end to arrive at a parking area outside a farm here.
Walk straight through the field toward the fence, then make a left. Follow the cliff, passing through the gate in the fence, until you get to this point here. From there, you’ll be able to see a small trail leading down to the rocks below. Walk along the rocks to the right and after a minute you’ll come to the Gold Cave.
If you’re brave and the conditions are good (it’s not raining), it is possible to climb down to the water and get to the entrance of the cave. I’m also assuming that at low tide it’s possible to get into the cave itself while staying dry, but when I was there the water was just a couple inches too high. Do take caution. Don’t make this a spot which is banned because of someone’s mistake. But never let it be said I’m not adventurous myself.
The Gold Cave might not compare to Fingal’s Cave, but it’s one of the best caves that the Isle of Skye has to offer, and that’s saying something. The granite rock formations are definitely unique to this portion of the world. As to why it’s called the Cave of Gold, it’s might be from the gold coloring of the rocks outside. Or it might be something deeper inside. Next time I’ll have to time my visit with low tide and find out for myself.
The walk takes about 20 minutes, so plan an hour for this hike. These directions might sound complicated, but it’s really not that hard to find.
Respect the Right to Roam
Please note that you will be walking across private property. Scotland has a law called Right to Roam. This basically gives the right to walk across other’s property, quite in contrast to what you would find in the USA where the landowner just might pull a gun on you. But this Scottish law has another factor. You can only do it responsibly. So what does that mean? Well, basically common sense. Don’t leave trash, don’t ruin anything, don’t disturb the livestock, don’t BBQ on the ground, and for Heaven’s sake, don’t defecate on the ground. I have to bring up that last point as locals on the island have mentioned how many times they see it.
Basically, just follow the Golden Rule. Try to treat others the way you would want them to treat you. And if you need a little more of a guiding compass for responsible tourism, check out The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland: Tips, tricks, and what the Icelanders really think of you
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Further Reading
If you’re visiting Scotland and looking for more to do than just visiting the Isle of Skye, here are some other activities you might enjoy.
- A Day of Adventures with Nevis Range in Fort William, Scotland
- What It’s Like to Take the Hogwarts Express in Scotland
- Is a Day Tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness Worth It?
- Edinburgh Excursions: Spending an Afternoon at Go Ape Peebles
- 10 Activities for The Perfect Day Trip from Edinburgh
- Explore the Isle of Lewis and Harris to See Scotland’s Best
- A Cruise is the Best Way to Explore Loch Ness
- My Amazing Week on the Hebridean Hopper with Haggis Adventures
Here’s some extra reading to save hundreds on your next vacation or stage of your journey.
- 5 Steps to Book Cheap Flights
- Hostels: To Book or Not to Book
- Is Workaway Worth it for the Traveler?
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