Portree harbour is small, tidal, and backed by a row of painted buildings in deep red, yellow, and blue that have appeared in approximately every article ever written about Skye. The reality is better than the photographs, the water is clear, the fishing boats are real, and the seafood restaurants just above the slipway (The Harbour, Sea Breezes) serve directly from what comes off the boats.
Portree is the island's main town and makes a good base for both north and south Skye. The town itself is modest, a square, a few shops, a supermarket. But the walk around the headland from the harbour, past the cliffs and back, is one of the nicest 30-minute walks on the island.