There is something so special about visiting the Scottish islands and it’s not difficult to see why they have become such a popular destination for visitors. Isle of Skye is one of the most visited islands in Scotland and can seem quite crowded and busy, especially during the peak months of the year. What if I told you there’s a hidden alternative? The Isle of Raasay Scotland sits right next to Skye, offering the same dramatic beauty without the tourist crowds. This small island feels remote, wild and calm. It has everything from the famous Isle of Raasay Distillery producing award-winning whisky, easy access via the Isle of Raasay ferry from Sconser, and excellent Isle of Raasay accommodation at Borodale House.
If you are looking to experience a beautiful Scottish island without the busy roads and queuing for photo spots, then look no further than the Isle of Raasay.
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How to get to the Isle of Raasay
The Isle of Raasay is located on Scotland‘s west coast, right next to the popular Isle of Skye. To get to Raasay, you have to take the ferry from Sconser on Skye’s east coast.
Getting to Sconser Ferry Terminal
It is only a 30 minute drive from the Skye bridge, which connects the bigger island with the mainland. My advice? Arrive no later than 15 minutes before the ferry departs to make sure you don’t miss it. Keep in mind that getting around the islands can take much longer than expected due to a variety of reasons from tourists deciding to turn around in not so appropriate spots to sheep deciding to cross the road incredibly slowly.
Ferry Tickets and Parking
Unless you are planning on driving around the island, I’d also recommend leaving your car in the car park by the ferry terminal and walking on. If you are driving around to explore Raasay just remember to fuel up beforehand and to purchase a ticket for the car as well.
Tickets are around £5 per person for a return journey for on-foot passengers. They can be purchased on CalMac’s website, the Isle of Raasay Ferry operators. The website is also handy for checking the status of the ferries, in case of cancellations due to weather conditions. There is a small waiting room and a public bathroom by the terminal in case you need to hide away from the rain.
Stay overnight at Borodale House
Borodale House is on the distillery grounds and is a lovely Isle of Raasay accomodation option if you wish to stay overnight on the island. It is only a 10 minute uphill walk away from the Raasay ferry terminal. The views views to the Isle of Skye are incredible.
I would dare say that the best view of Skye is the one you get whilst standing on Raasay looking back across over the neighbouring island.
Accommodation Options on the Isle of Raasay
At Borodale House you have the option of staying in one of the cosy rooms at Borodale House itself or in one of the Na Bothain luxury cabins that are launching in 2025. In the cabins you can book on a B&B basis or the “Islaand Escape” package which also includes extras like a three course meal, a distillery tour and a chocolate & whisky tasting. The rooms at Borodale House itself have a cosy and rustic feel to them and there might even be a little dram of the house whisky available in the room. Personally I think these are the best Isle of Raasay accommodation options.
Breakfast with a View
Breakfast is served in the Borodale House restaurant. The view across to Skye is incredible, so it’s worth getting up a little earlier. Try to snag one of the tables by the window. I opted for the banana & cinnamon porridge. It was such a hearty and warming treat before heading out into the wind for our long journey home. I would absolutely recommend it. I really liked that they served the porridge with slices of banana plus crunchy bits of granola and nuts.
This Isle of Raasay accomodation align perfectly with ♥ our slow travel philosophy
Tour and Tasting at Isle of Raasay Distillery
The Isle of Raasay is a perfect spot to unwind and escape the real world. There are only around 160 residents on the islands. I’d be lying to you if I said that there are lots of activities around. But one experience you absolutely should not miss? Visiting the Isle of Raasay Distillery. It’s been producing scotch whisky and gin since 2017.
Booking Your Distillery Tour at Isle of Raasay Distillery
If you stay overnight at Borodale House, your package may include a distillery tour. If not, you can buy tickets directly from their website. The standard tour is £20 per person. It includes a tasting of two whiskies and one gin.
We had Alex as our tour guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable and did such a good job at both the tour and tasting. During the tour, you get to see the production area. You’ll learn more about how both the gin and whisky is produced. All the products are bottled on the island as well, so if you buy a bottle or mini to take away then it is the first time that this particular gin or whisky leaves the island. It’s a brilliant souvenir to bring back home as a flavour memory of your trip or perhaps as a gift to family or friends.
The Gift Shop Experience
Borodale House also has a gift shop. You can purchase core range bottles or limited releases. There’s even a fill-your-own station. You get to personally fill a bottle of whisky from a cask that you can then take home. It’s a great experience and you get a completely unique bottle of whisky. It can only be purchased at the distillery.
Dinner at Borodale House Restaurant on the Isle of Raasay
Borodale House doesn’t just have great Isle of Raasay accommodation but also the lovely restaurant. We made sure to book a table in the restaurant about half an hour after our distillery tour finished. This gave us time to enjoy a little aperitif before dinner. If you would like to try a Scottish twist on the classic cocktail Manhattan, then I would recommend a Rob Roy (with whisky from the distillery itself).
Dining with Mountain Views
Once it was time to sit down for dinner, we brought our drinks through. To our delight we had gotten a table right by the window so that we could enjoy the views over the Cuillin mountains across the water over on Skye. A September evening around 18.30 turned out to be the perfect time to watch the sky change as the sun began to set as we enjoyed our three courses.
The à la carte menu had around 5 options for each course. Three courses were available for £58. You could also opt for two courses or go for one single dish if preferred. We decided to share both our starters and mains. This gave us the opportunity to try a variation of dishes. Although when it got to dessert my husband got his absolute favourite – Sticky Toffee Pudding (a British classic). It disappeared very quickly. It did, however, come highly recommended by him.
Standout Dishes
For me, it was the smoked mackerel, langoustines and spiced pear dessert that stood out amongst the dishes we tried. If they are available on the menu, make sure you don’t miss out.
Smoked Mackerel: The mackerel had wonderful flavour and just the right amount of saltiness. It was the perfect starter to intrigue our appetite.
Langoustines: They felt incredibly fresh and were served alongside parsley butter and garlic. A wonderful combination of flavours. Trust me when I tell you – the seafood on Scotland’s west coast is outstanding. It doesn’t get fresher than on the islands.
Spiced Pear Dessert: Soft spiced pear with a lovely contrasting nut brittle. An absolute delight. The restaurant also recommends pairing the dessert with their Marsala Cask Limited Release. I’ve tried it before and it’s one of my favourite whiskies from the distillery. I would also highly recommend it.
Exploring the Isle of Raasay in Scotland
Besides seeing the distillery there is of course a stunning landscape to explore across the Isle of Raasay in Scotland.
Hiking Dùn Caan (you can spot from Isle of Rasaay Ferry)
The flat-topped peak that you probably spotted when traveling over on the ferry is Dùn Caan. There is a path that takes you all the way up, but proper footwear is recommended. The path is uneven and steep at times. If your driving, there is parking at the bottom of the path near Balmeanach which is located along the road further up to the north of the ferry terminal and Borodale House. From the peak, you can enjoy some incredible views of the surroundings. Perhaps you should bring a little miniature bottle of Scottish whisky or gin to enjoy at the top.
Brochel Castle Ruins
If you’d prefer to see historic remains of the past rather than climbing hills (or do both!) you can head to the northeastern shore. Visit the Brochel Castle Ruins near Calum’s Road about 9 miles from the ferry terminal. There is parking nearby.
You are not allowed to step into the castle itself which is fenced off due to the conditions of the ruin, there is a path that leads around the base of the castle. The castle is believed to have been built in the 15th century by a Macleod chief. There is a lot of interesting history surrounding the Macleod Clan and I would definitely recommend looking them up if you want to learn more about this part of Scotland and its history. History has fascinated me since I was a child. I am always so smitten with the old buildings, ruins and castles that can be found across Scotland.
I would love to return to the island someday and try the new Isle of Raasay accommodation option of the Na Bothain luxury cabins as I think they will be fantastic. A beautiful island and there is so much more to explore than what we managed during our overnight stay.
FAQ Isle of Raasay Scotland
To get to the Isle of Raasay, you need to take the Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ferry from Sconser on the Isle of Skye. The ferry crossing takes about 25 minutes.
To see the timetable for the Sconser-Raasay ferry, check out the CalMac website. Make sure you check the timings for the correct time of year, as the summer and winter timetables are different.
Yes, there are rooms at the Isle of Raasay Distillery available in Borodale House which is connected to the distillery building and there are also luxury cabins “Na Bothain” available from autumn 2025, located right above the distillery and Borodale House buildings.
Yes, absolutely! You can take the ferry over in the morning or before lunch and have a couple of hours on the island before heading back on an afternoon ferry. Just make sure you check the timetable and plan ahead for your visit!
The Isle of Raasay Scotland is known for its whisky distillery (producing single malt since 2017), stunning views of Skye and the Cuillin mountains, peaceful hiking trails, and being a quieter alternative to the busy Isle of Skye.
If you’re looking for an authentic Scottish island experience without the crowds of Skye, the Isle of Raasay is absolutely worth visiting. It offers incredible scenery, excellent whisky, fresh seafood, and a peaceful atmosphere with only 160 residents.
You can visit the distillery and do a tour, go hill-walking or just explore the beautiful nature on the island.
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Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
