Stein combines a historically distinctive village with boat trips from the settlement into the seascapes of northwest Skye. White stone buildings define the village; trips with Divers Eye depart from the historic settlement. Local history and coastal scenery thus offer two distinct perspectives to consider when planning your trip.

Village and History

Stein Village is one of Highland’s Conservation Areas and is listed in the “Ross, Skye and Lochaber” group as CON29. The Stein Inn is a Category C listed building, designated by Historic Scotland. Together with the whitewashed stone buildings, these designations give the village’s historic character a concrete frame of reference. The listings highlight different things: the Conservation Area designation applies to Stein Village, while Category C specifically identifies the Stein Inn as an individual building. This makes it possible to consider the village and a particular building separately.

The Stein Inn is considered the oldest inn on the Isle of Skye. Its menu features scallops from Skye, Scottish salmon and game, with 130 single malt whiskies to choose from. If particular dishes or the whisky selection are important to your trip planning, check the current menu in advance.

Tannery, Conservation and Coast

Skyeskyns Waternish Tannery offers tours showing how genuine sheepskins are processed using traditional, time-honoured leatherworking methods. Tannery tours take place at regular intervals during the day. Individuals and family groups do not need to book. Audio tannery tours are available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Waternish Farm is near Stein and offers coffee and cake, an illustrated talk about conservation, and a guided walk. Advance booking is required for these activities. During the summer months, the farm also offers tours that reveal hidden features and inform visitors about protecting and preserving the natural environment.

Divers Eye’s boat trips to coastal adventures depart from the historic settlement of Stein. They explore the seascapes of northwest Skye, from Coral Beach to Neist Point and onwards to MacLeod's Maidens. The trips complement the historic village with a view of the region’s coastline.

The activities have different focuses: Skyeskyns is about traditional leatherworking, Waternish Farm about conservation, and Divers Eye about seascapes. The arrangements also differ: tannery tours take place at regular intervals during the day, farm tours are limited to the summer months, and advance booking is required for coffee and cake, the talk, and the walk at Waternish Farm.

Discover more destinations: Caroy, Hallin.

Go to the main travel overview: Isle Of Skye.