Is tourism killing Skye? We visited during the busiest month of the year to find out

Skye is full. At least you'd be forgiven for thinking that if you have been following the news in recent years.

Barely a month goes by without another overtourism story emerging from the Inner Hebridean island. Last year a news story emerged that the local police were warning people not to come if they didn't have accommodation booked, and pictures often emerge of heavy traffic around the island's most popular spots. 

In a brand new Telegraph Travel documentary, which you can stream above, we travelled to the Isle of Skye at peak season to find out if it has really been loved to death. This is what Skye looks like, from the inside.

The resident

Henrik Micski

Henrik is part of the Minginish community group and is working on a project to expand the car park at the island's popular Fairy Pools.

"In the last four years the number of tourists coming here has really, really boomed. On a rainy day like today we’ll still get around a thousand people at the Fairy Pools. In some respects it’s too crowded, with regards to the number of cars parked on the side of the road. It's at a point where the crowds need to be managed.

"People who live in the village down the road from the Fairy Pools have to plan how they’re going to get to work. Sometimes fire trucks can't get past, which has a knock-on effect. It needs to be managed, which we’re trying to do by building this new car park.

"There are a lot of people who arrive with unsuitable footwear. Just a little bit of extra research and better planning is needed when people are coming here on holiday. I think people need to be a little bit more prepared because the image that you see on social media isn’t necessarily the true picture.

"We want the tourism. We need the tourism for the economy. We just need to manage it."

The tourism official

Alistair Danter

Alistair Danter is the project manager of Skye Connect, the island's tourism management cooperative. 

"Popular tourist destinations the world over have simialr problems to ourselves. I think what we have here is some iconic locations, which have been promoted significantly through social media and films. As a result of that there is a perception in the public mind that that’s all there is on Skye, and that’s what they’ve come to Skye to see.

"It’s funny some of their names. The Fairy Pools, the Fairy Glen. They’re actually created names in the last ten or fifteen years. Historically they would have had Gaelic names. The thing about these iconic locations is that they are all on single track roads, and there is a massive influx of people all going to those areas. One of the things I’d say Skye Connect wants to do is make Skye a great place to live, as well as visit."

The local

Anne Martin

Anne Martin is a Skye local and an internationally renowned Gaelic singer.

"There are definitely times in my day when, driving down the road, I think goodness gracious me - Skye is full. The roads can be busy, but hey ho.

"This is a living, breathing community and we’re always assuming that the customer is always right. But actually, a lot of tourists come here and they don’t know what to expect. I think we need to be more articulate in helping them to identify what they might experience while they’re here.

"That should be all about our history, and our culture, and our language - because without all of that, it would be a very different Skye."

The Ecomuseum manager

Angus Murray

Angus works as the programme manager for the Staffin Community Trust, working on the development of a new Ecomuseum in the area.

"Locally there are some places that come across as overly busy, some have limited parking and things like that. We are trying to encourage visitors not just to see one or two places while they’re here, but to really get to know the place and get to know the human story. There’s a thriving crofting community in Staffin, it’s probably the strongest community of Gaelic speakers  in the whole of Skye. There’s a lot of history and it’s a very interesting place to be.

"Skye is a big island. If you go up on the ridge, you’re not going to see anyone. If you want to explore less-visited places around here, there's a loch three-and-a-half miles up the road and you'll get it all to yourself. It’s a fun place to live. Sometimes it’s hard to go out for dinner because it’s so busy, but that’s about it."

Watch the rest of the series

Venice

What we found in Venice were “respect wardens” patrolling the streets, locals who have been forced to squat in abandoned homes, rhinoceros-sized cruise ships drifting past the city and - whisper it - some pockets of blissful solitude (yes, in August). 

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is another city struggling from the weight of its own popularity. What we found were Game of Thrones tours, a traffic-clogged entrance to the city and locals who have been asked "what country am I in", but - hidden from view - we also found some pockets of wonderful authenticity.

Have you been to Skye? Do you think it has been ruined by tourism? We want to hear your thoughts. Comment below to join the conversation.