Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Experience Tour
3 nights / 4 days tour of Skye and the Scottish Highlands
This small-group tour from Edinburgh and Glasgow allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life as we embark on a spectacular journey through the Scottish wilderness, learning about the area’s unique culture and history along the way.
Discover the Scottish Highlands and Island of Skye on our tour
On this trip, you will be able to enjoy a trip on the Jacobite Steam Train from Mallaig to Fort William (not included) as well as the best of what the Highlands has to offer such as Glencoe, Loch Ness, and the Cairngorm National Park. You will see the highlights of Skye such as the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Glen on our Skye tour. For the history buffs among us, you can learn about the Clan MacLeod at their home at Dunvegan Castle on Skye, as well as other sites of interest in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 at Culloden Battlefield.
It is also a fantastic tour for those interested in the Outlander series and the Jacobite era of Scottish history, as we visit significant landmarks associated with this time such as Culloden Battlefield and Glenfinnan. You can add a one-day Outlander Filming Locations tour with us if you are fans of the show.
All our tours include a knowledgeable guide, bottled water and light refreshments in the vehicle. The tour does not include entrance fees, accommodation, meals, and alcoholic drinks.
Isle of Skye Tour Highlights
- Glencoe
- Loch Ness
- Eilean Donan Castle
- The beautiful Isle of Skye
- Culloden Battlefield
- Jacobite Steam Train for those who wish to experience it.
Itinerary
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Edinburgh Pick Up: We will meet you at Chamber Street in Edinburgh at 8 am. We meet next to the National Museum of Scotland steps.
Glasgow Pick Up: We will meet you at 266 George Street in Glasgow for a prompt departure at 9.15 am. 266 George Street is a very central location in Glasgow and where most tours depart from in Glasgow.
We will start our journey by making our way to Inverness. On this journey, you will experience the beautiful Highland Perthshire with a stop at the Hermitage in Dunkeld where you will have the opportunity to stretch your legs and see the beautiful Douglas Fir Trees and waterfalls in this magical place. We will then continue to the Perthshire town of Pitlochry where you can enjoy a spot of lunch in the iconic Victorian tourist town. While you are here you can enjoy some of the shops including the Heathergems Factory.
After lunch, we will continue the journey making 3 more stops on the way. The first of these stops will be at Queen’s View which is not too far from Pitlochry. It is a stunning spot which on a clear day, you can see the Glencoe Mountain ranges in the distance. Our next stop will be at the Culloden Battlefield just outside the city of Inverness where you can learn about the Jacobites who played an integral part in shaping the Highland culture. And the last stop of the day but certainly not the least will be at the Clava Cairns which are 4000-year-old standing stones and burial cairns.
The day will end with you being dropped off at your Inverness Accommodation. Please note that accommodation is not included.
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Check out of accommodation at around 9 am (time to be exactly defined depending on where you are staying). We will then start the beautiful journey to Skye.
On this trip, we will make a stop at the ruins of Urquhart Castle which sits on the shores of Loch Ness (entrance not included). Not only can you dip your hands in the infamous Loch but the castle has prime and very expansive views for Nessie spotting.
We will then continue our journey making a scenic stop in Glen Shiel and then again at Eilean Donan Castle where you can enjoy some lunch in their cafe or just get your camera ready to take shots of one the most photographed castles in Scotland.
Once we have finished lunch, we will continue towards Skye, going over the Skye Bridge. We will make 2 stops on the island on arrival. You will make a stop at Neist Point where you will enjoy a walk down to the viewpoint of the lighthouse. You will then enjoy a visit to the Dunvegan Castle and Gardens, the home to the Chief of the Clan MacLeod.
We intend to arrive in Portree for around 6 pm. You will be dropped off at your accommodation in the town where the day will end. Please note that accommodation is not included.
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You will be collected from your accommodation at 9 am (time to be exactly defined depending on where you are staying).
You will then enjoy a full day on Skye which includes short photo stops at the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls, Kilt Rock, Flora MacDonald’s Grave at Kilmuir and the Quiraing. Some of the stops are not worthwhile in bad weather conditions but your guide will discuss this with you ahead of time and may alter the itinerary to suit. We will also continue to Uig where you can enjoy a visit at the Skye Brewery and a short trip to the Fairy Glen (walking involved and weather dependent). We will then return to Portree where you can enjoy some free time to shop and enjoy what the town has to offer.
The day will end on arrival back into Portree at around 3 – 4 pm.
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Check out of accommodation at around 9.30 am and we will make our way for the absolutely breathtaking (and more of the off the beaten path stop) at Cill Chriosd. The road here is gorgeous and on route, there will be the chance to make a few scenic and photographic stops. You can then enjoy the ruins of the church before we head towards the Armadale Ferry Terminal, where we will catch the ferry to Mallaig. It is a short ferry crossing and once in Mallaig, you can enjoy you this picturesque fishing port before catching the Jacobite Steam Train (not compulsory).
*Please note that during the Winter schedule, the Jacobite Train is not in service and adverse weather may affect the ferry crossing at short notice.
For those taking part in the Jacobite Steam Train Experience:
Please note for those taking the Jacobite Steam Train (not included in tour price), you will need to purchase your tickets in advance. You will need to book the “one-way” option from Mallaig to Fort William at 14.10 pm.
For those not taking part in the Jacobite Steam Train Experience
Once we have dropped off those taking the train to Fort William, we will make the same journey in our vehicle. On this journey, you will see the awe-inspiring scenery of Loch Shiel and Loch Nan Uamh. You will also see the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie (where he raised his father’s standard). You may even have time to see the Silver Sands of Morar.
For all guests:
Once in Fort William, we will meet back with those who decided to take the train and begin our journey back to Glasgow and then on to Edinburgh. Enroute we will pass by Glencoe, Loch Tulla and Loch Lomond where we will have a few short photographic stops.
The tour will end in Glasgow at around 7 pm and Edinburgh around 8 pm traffic depending.
Tour ends.
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- Each tour day lasts 7-8 hours
- Tours are capped at 8 people. If you have more than 8 people in your group, please contact us to check availability.
- Tour is confirmed on a 50% deposit and the remainder needs to be paid one month prior to the tour.
- Accommodation is not included in the tour price. We can assist in organising this for you if you prefer. We would need to know how you would like the room to be organised and the type of accommodation required ie double room / twin room / ensuite required / hostel accommodation / bed and breakfast and so on.
- This tour is not suitable for those with mobility restrictions.
- You will be transported in a clean and comfortable vehicle with air conditioning
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- Cash, credit card, or Historic Scotland Explorer Pass for entrance fee.
- Please bring comfortable outdoor weather clothing suitable for walking.
- A copy of your confirmation email.
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The paid activities which are not included in our tour price are:
1) Jacobite Steam Train (summer timetable only) Early booking advised to avoid disappointment.
2) Dunvegan Castle (summer timetable only)
3) Lunch – usually around £10 – £15 per person depending on what you order. Bringing a packed lunch is perfectly acceptable should you wish to explore a little on your own whilst the others in the group are eating.
4) Dinner – usually around £10 – £15 per person depending on what you order
7) Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre
9) All accommodations are not included, please see our welcome pack one you have booked for suggested accommodations.
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Departing from Edinburgh.
Please see following map:Departing from Glasgow
Please see following map:
Slàinte Scotland Tours
Slainte Scotland / Clyde Coast Tourism Ltd
74 Davaar Road
Greenock
PA16 0RD
Scotland
