Isle of Skye (Scotland) (2007) The Island can be dissected into North-South areas.  The main highway (A87) runs on the North side and so not surprisingly, the North is more crowded, more touristy, and where you'll run into the large tour group buses.  South is much more tranquil. 

Hiking.  There is good hiking on both North and South.  We did a hikes in the bogs in the South and the to the Old Man of Stowe in the North.  See it all in slide show.

Restaurants: Talking to locals led us to three lovely restaurants that are well off the beaten path (they are well known but they are all on the "South" side and so there will be no tourist buses):  The Old School Restaurant in Dunvegan (on the main highway.  The Three-Chimneys: a quaint  Michelin rated establishment on a 1-lane country road (most definitely off the beaten path).  It is so called because there are three chimney stacks, where the more common in the area is two.  It is booked well in advance.  In fact we couldn't get in, but we saw it and think it's worth mentioning here for others.  And lastly ....  (more to be added)

There are two things we would do differently in a future trip to Isle of Skye.  First,  check the 5-day weather forecast.   Second, call Three Chimneys for reservation before we leave home.  Getting good weather & a 3-Chimneys reservation may be challenging :-)

A castle and lochs on the way to and back from Isle of Skye

(click on photos to enlarge)

Road from Portree to our B&B

Bay near our B&B

View from our B&B to the bay