A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Isle of Skye vs. Loch Lomond National Park for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isle of Skye and Loch Lomond National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a stunning, diverse, and dramatic island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park is a relaxing, scenic, and serene national park. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Isle of Skye and Loch Lomond National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Isle of Skye than Loch Lomond National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Isle of Skye is more touristy than Loch Lomond National Park and is known for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. Also, Isle of Skye is famous for The Old Man of Storr. Loch Lomond National Park is well known for becoming the first designated national park in Scotland in 2002.

How is Isle of Skye different from Loch Lomond National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Loch Lomond National Park and Isle of Skye. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Isle of Skye is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Isle of Skye has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Foodies will appreciate the seasonal local ingredients that many restaurants use. Both the land and sea offer ingredients that inspire delicious dishes. You can choose from Michelin star restaurants, local cafes, and cozy inns. The food is fresh and well made.

Loch Lomond National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some traditional Scottish food to sample but in general for the best food, head to one of the nicer hotels in the area.

Is Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye is a great island for the beach. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Isle of Skye attract visitors from all over. Some of the best beaches in Scotland are found on the Isle of Skye. The rugged coastline feels pristine and undiscovered. Some of the best beaches include Coral Beach, Talisker Bay Beach, Rubha Shlèite Beach, and Camasunary Bay.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is an amazing island to visit for hiking. Also, Loch Lomond National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for the nearby hiking options.

Around Isle of Skye visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Hikes on the island range from family-friendly to some of the most challenging in Scotland. The setting is dramatic and beautiful and the hikes are a varied as the landscape. Some of the most popular hikes include the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Quiraing.

Loch Lomond National Park offers some nice hiking trails. You can choose from relaxing walks or more strenuous hikes and options run along the shoreline or into the surrounding hills and forests. Some of the more popular hikes in the area include Ben Lomond, Conic Hill, and Callander Crags.

Is Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Families?

Loch Lomond National Park is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Isle of Skye is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Loch Lomond National Park is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a wide range of diverse activities for kids around the park. They can explore the maze at the Lodge Forest Visitor Center, get up close with animals at Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, or Loch Lomond Pony Trekking, or have an adventure at Doune Castle. Other highlights for the kids include Wellsfield Farm and the Maid of the Loch Paddle Steamer.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Isle of Skye. Kids who love the outdoors will enjoy many of the kid-friendly hikes in the area. Favorites include the Old Man of Storr Hike and the Brother’s Point Hike. Other fun family-friendly places to visit include the Isle of Skye Fairy Glen, the Fairy Pools, and Slipway Beach.

Is Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Couples?

Isle of Skye and Loch Lomond National Park both very good destinations for a couple.

Isle of Skye makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful hikes and impressive castles, this island makes a stunning romantic getaway. There are beautiful viewpoints and coastal backdrops that make for a perfect couples getaway.

Couples visit Loch Lomond National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many waterfront accommodation options that make for a beautiful and peaceful couples retreat. The nature and serenity is perfect for couples who want to get away from it all.

Is Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye is a great island for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Loch Lomond National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Isle of Skye. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

Plenty of backpackers visit Loch Lomond National Park. There are some camping options available for backpackers and those who want to experience nature in its fullest.

Is Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Loch Lomond National Park is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Loch Lomond National Park. You can reach the park by train, but transportation option within the area are generally limited.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Isle of Skye. There are local bus routes on the island that are operated by Stagecoach.

For even more information, also check out Is Isle of Skye Worth Visiting? and Is Loch Lomond National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Loch Lomond National Park or Isle of Skye?

How long in Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Isle of Skye due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Isle of Skye, and 2-4 days is enough time in Loch Lomond National Park.

Families should spend more time in Loch Lomond National Park than Isle of Skye. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Loch Lomond National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Isle of Skye than Loch Lomond National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Isle of Skye that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Isle of Skye than Loch Lomond National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Isle of Skye.

One day in Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the scenic island of Isle of Skye. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

In Loch Lomond National Park, many people enjoy the that this scenic national park offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Isle of Skye. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. Most people visit for the hiking. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Loch Lomond National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park?

Isle of Skye is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here. It offers something for everyone.

You'll find around the relaxing destination of Loch Lomond National Park. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Isle of Skye or Loch Lomond National Park?

Isle of Skye is a popular choice for travelers. Most people visit for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Loch Lomond National Park is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 3-Day Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isle of Skye and Loch Lomond National Park, we can see that Isle of Skye is more expensive. And not only is Loch Lomond National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Loch Lomond National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Loch Lomond National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Isle of Skye would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Isle of Skye than you might in Loch Lomond National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isle of Skye Expensive? and Is Loch Lomond National Park Expensive?.