Skye has a rich heritage of ancient monuments from this period, especially castles. Dunvegan Castle has been the seat of Clan MacLeod since the 13th century. It contains the Fairy Flag and is reputed to have been inhabited by a single family for longer than any other house in Scotland.

The 18th century Armadale Castle, once home of Clan Donald of Sleat was abandoned as a residence in 1925 but now hosts the Clan Donald Centre. Nearby are the ruins of two more MacDonald strongholds, Knock Castle, and Dunscaith Castle, the legendary home of Queen Scáthach. Caisteal Maol, built in the late 15th century near Kyleakin and once a seat of Clan MacKinnon, is another ruin.

From the latter part of the 18th century up to the mid-19th century, the inhabitants of Skye were devastated by famine and clearances. The "Battle of the Braes" involved a demonstration against a lack of access to land and the serving of eviction notices. The incident involved numerous crofters and about 50 police officers. This event was instrumental in the creation of the Napier Commission, which reported in 1884 on the situation in the Highlands. Disturbances continued until the passing of the 1886 Crofters' Act and on one occasion 400 marines were deployed on Skye to maintain order. The Clearances had a major impact on the population of Skye and the ruins of a cleared village can be seen at Boreraig, Strath Swordale.

In common with many Scottish islands, Skye's population peaked in the 19th century and experienced a significant decline since then in the wake of both the Clearances and then later the military losses of the First World War. By 1971 the population was less than a third of its 1841 peak recorded figure. The later years of the twentieth century saw a revival and the total number of residents grew by over 28 per cent in the thirty years to 2001.

The changing relationship between the residents and the land is evidenced by Robert Carruther's remark circa 1852 that "There is now a village in Portree containing three hundred inhabitants". Even if this estimate is inexact the population of the island's largest settlement has likely increased sixfold since then. During the period the total number of island residents has declined by 50 per cent or more.

Skye has historically been a very strong Gaelic speaking area. Both in the 1901 and 1921 census, all parishes in Skye were reported to be over 75 per cent Gaelic speaking. By 1971, only the Kilmuir parish still had more than 75 per cent Gaelic speakers, the rest of Skye ranged between 50-74 per cent. At the time, this made Kilmuir the only area outside the Western Isles which had more than 75 per cent Gaelic speakers.

By the time of the 2001 census Kilmuir had 47 per cent Gaelic speakers, with Skye overall having an unevenly distributed 31 per cent. The strongest Gaelic speaking areas are located in the north and south-west of the island (Staffin 61 per cent, Tarskavaig and Achnacloich 54 per cent,). The weakest areas are in the west and east (Galtrigill 18 per cent, Luib 23 per cent, Kylerhea 19 per cent). Other areas on Skye range between 48 per cent (Earlish) and 25 per cent (Kyleakin).

In terms of local government, Skye forms part of the Highland Council area (Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd) based in Inverness. From 1975 to 1996, Skye, along with the neighbouring mainland area of Lochalsh, constituted a local government district within the Highland administrative area. In 1996 the district was included into the Highland Unitary Authority, and formed one of the new council's area committees. Following the 2007 elections, Skye now forms a four-member ward called "Eilean a' Cheò"; it is currently represented by two Independents, one Scottish National Party, and one Liberal Democrat councillor.

Skye is in the Highlands electoral region and comprises a part of the Ross, Skye and Inverness West Scottish Parliament constituency, which elects one member under the first past the post basis to represent it. Currently this is John Farquhar Munro for the Liberal Democrats. In addition, Skye forms part of the wider Ross, Skye and Lochaber UK Parliament constituency, which elects one member to the House of Commons. The present Member of Parliament is Charles Kennedy MP for the Liberal Democrats, who is a former leader of the party and has represented the area since the 1983 general election.