The "sweet spot" for visiting the Isle of Skye is generally May, June, or September. During May and June, you benefit from the longest daylight hours of the year—with the sun barely setting—and the best chance of dry, clear weather for hiking the Quiraing or the Old Man of Storr. Crucially, visiting before mid-June often allows you to avoid the peak "midge season," when tiny biting insects become a nuisance in the Highlands. September is another fantastic option, as the summer crowds begin to thin, the midges die off with the first frosts, and the landscape begins to turn a stunning autumnal gold and purple. If you are a photographer, the soft, low light of October is unparalleled, though you must be prepared for more frequent rain and wind. Winter (November–February) offers profound solitude and the chance to see the Northern Lights, but many local attractions and cafes close for the season, and driving conditions on narrow "single-track" roads can be hazardous with snow and ice. Regardless of when you go, "Skye weather" is notoriously unpredictable, so waterproof layers are a necessity even in mid-summer.