scottish tours isle of skye

• 1 Day Isle of Skye with Fairy Pools Tour
• 2-Day Isle of Skye with Fairy Pools Tour
• 3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Tour
• 1 Day Glasgow, Loch Lomond, and Stirling Tour
• 1 Day Dunfermline, St Andrews, and Dundee Tour
• 1 Day Stirling and Trossachs National Park
• 1 Day Loch Ness and Highlands Tour
• Best of Skye from Portree
• 1 Day Fairy Dust Trail from Portree
• Train to Skye from Kyle of Lochalsh
• Half a Day Tour of the Isle of Skye from Portree
• Winter Isle of Skye Tour from Portree
• Invergordon Shore Excursion
• Portree Shore Excursion
• Greenock Shore Excursion
• Edinburgh Shore Excursion
• Tour di 3 Giorni: da Edimburgo all’isola di Skye e Highlands
• Private & Bespoke Tours Information
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Welcome to Tour Skye

Tours of Scotland & Shore Excursions

Scotland Group Tours

At Tour Skye we offer day trips and bespoke private tours of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Using a fleet of small group vehicles, ensuring that your experience is friendly, flexible and fun. Our Tour guides are hand picked for their historical knowledge and passion for our world famous Scottish scenery.

What Our Customers Say

I can't recommend this tour enough. It took us to so many beautiful places, I can't believe all we were able to see in one day. Gordon, our amazing guide, entertained us with story after story about the places we were visiting, and life in Scotland. We never felt rushed or uncomfortable. Perfect in every way!

Donna, North Carolina

My boyfriend and I did this tour and we absolutely loved it. There was a good balance between being in the car and being out of the car, and also ample free time. Gordon our tour guide was unreal. He is very funny, and very knowledgeable about the area and the people. We had a ball. Would highly recommend to anyone who is limited in time but still wants to see all the sights and really get a taste of what the area is about.

We did the ISLE OF SKYE AND FAIRY POOLS TOUR departing from Inverness and it was perfect in every way. Every view was worth a picture and out guide Rob made it twice as good with fun an interesting stories from Scotland's history and old folklore. A must do!

We had an amazing tour with Gordon. His humor, knowledge of the area, and driving made the tour our favorite excursion in Scotland. I would advise anyone who wants to tour Skye to book this trip! Fairy Ponds were well worth it, even in the cold, and you have to meet the COOOOS!

Ryan M, Washington DC

THE 10 BEST Isle of Skye Tours & Excursions

Isle of skye tours.

• Cultural Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Private Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Photography Tours
• Walking Tours
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness

2. Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Small-Group Day Tour from Inverness

3. 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles

4. Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh

5. Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness

6. 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh

7. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

8. Skye In A Day From Portree Visiting The Most Scenic Spots

9. Isle of Skye Private Tour from Portree

10. Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness

11. Isle Of Skye Self Guided Driving Tour

12. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Inc Accommodation from Edinburgh

13. Isle of Skye, The Highlands and Loch Ness - 3 Day Tour from Glasgow

14. Isle of Skye Tour From Inverness

15. Full-Day Private Guided Shennachies Road to Isles and Skye Tour

16. 4-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

17. 5-Day Highland Explorer and Isle of Skye Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

18. 5-Day Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness From Edinburgh

19. [1-Day] Executive Isle of Skye Tour from Inverness + EXTRAS

20. 2 Day Isle Of Skye Self Guided Driving Tour from Portree

21. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

22. 5-Day Isle of Skye, Inverness and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh

23. 5-Day Best of Scotland Tour from Edinburgh

24. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Glasgow

25. Wildlife Watching Safari by Vehicle & Walks / Photography workshops with a Guide

26. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Tour Including "Hogwarts Express" Ride

27. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Tour from Glasgow

28. Isle of Skye Full Day Private Tour from Inverness

29. Isle of Skye Day Tour

30. Scotland in 5 Days Including Jacobite Steam Train from Edinburgh

What travelers are saying.

• The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness
• Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Small-Group Day Tour from Inverness
• Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness
• Isle of Skye, The Highlands and Loch Ness- 3 Day Group Tour from Edinburgh
• 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh
• Misty Isle Boat Trips
• Seaflower Skye
• Isle of Skye Seafari Experience
• Go to St Kilda
• Bella Jane Boat Trips & AquaXplore
• SeaSkye Tours
• Skye Cruises
• Skye Minibus Tours

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Isle Of Skye Tours & Trips

Find the right tour package for you through Isle Of Skye. We've got 22 trips going to Isle Of Skye, starting from just 2 days in length, and the longest tour is 13 days. The most popular month to go is June, which has the most tour departures.

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22 isle of skye tour packages with 1,486 reviews.

• Coach / Bus

3 Day Isle of Skye

It was amazing, probably the most beautiful landscapes I've seen in my life! I already want to go back! Our guide, Niel was awesome, very funny guy with a lot of stories to tell and a real scottish spirit. I highly recommend it and I'm so happy it has been recommended to me.

• Christmas & New Year

4-Day Isle of Skye & West Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

The tour of the Scottish highlands were breathtaking to say the least and the destinations were well picked by our wonderful guide Bruce M., making this a very memorable trip.

• In-depth Cultural
• Sightseeing

Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness (B&B)

I really wish I could give this 5 stars, but a failure by the company to ensure the bus had operational tires and a proper spare tire caused us a 6 hour delay in the tour when the driver had to call for help in Oban and the tires came from Edinburgh! The tires should have been taken care of before we ever got on the bus. The spare should have been a quality tire and not some rusted no good tire. The driver knew he needed new tires before we left but did not attempt to take care of it until the next day. This caused us to miss 6 hours of touring as we were stuck. All of us on the tour should be compensated for this failure. Aside from that catastrophe, our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable giving us lots of history and facts about the towns and area. The places we saw were wonderful and unforgettable! The hotels for the most part were lovely (one did not have air conditioning which would be horrible had it been a hotter night). We were unable to do the steam train as it had unexpected maintenance but they did refund us for that. I cannot say for certain I would use this company again as I am very upset about the tire situation for both safety and the missed sites as a result. If the company reaches out for compensation I will update my review.

• €75 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Isle of Skye and a Steam Train Journey

Eddie the driver is enthusiastic and helpful. Since we are going through the Scottish land, it didn’t matter if he didn’t pronounce accurately! He tried taking us to places. However, the size of the bus seem to have him turned away! Re the coming Orkney tour on 8th July, please confirm if the driver means 2pm at the waiting room of Inverness train station. Marked ‘waiting room’ in blue. I have to be at the train station by 5.45pm on 14 July latest to catch the night train to London on 6.45pm

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Isle of Skye & Outer Hebrides

I would have liked to stop at glencoe to walk around for a couple of hours. The tour was fast paced allowing us to see many things in a short period of time

5-Day Iona, Mull & the Isle of Skye Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

Our guide Andrew was fantastic, very informative with a good dose of levity thrown in. I would recommend RBbies Tours to anyone

Isle of Skye & Hebridean Hopper

Rich, our guide was amazing! There were some great people on the bus which made every stop really enjoyable! We really loved the islands and the highlands and were sad to leave it behind, BUT we have made some cool friends. It was totally worth it. Rich has awesome pub and restaurant recommendations and his knowledge about Scotland and its history are out of this world! So ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars from Suus and Dieuwke

• Train & Rail

Highlights of Scotland

Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles

Thank you our guide, Sandy, leading us to travel safely around Isle of Skye and Inverness. We enjoyed so much!

• Hiking & Trekking

Walking the Isle of Skye

Northern Legends: Ireland, Scotland & Iceland

Isle of Skye & The Highlands (B&B)

Perfect organization, our guide was excellent and entertaining; would do the tour again immediately, you get a n good overview

3-Day Isle of Skye Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

Bruce is the Best! His excitement for this Beautiful country is very captivating. He is very personable to everyone’s needs!! We’ve employed many and he is a keeper!! He is at the top!!

Loch Ness & Isle of Skye

3-Day Isle of Skye Small-Group Tour from Glasgow

Fraser was a very friendly, courteous, informative tour guide, careful driver in fact we all loved him. What can we say!! The hotel staff were very friendly, particularly the girls in the dining room. Breakfast was excellent and dinner very good..... haggis/black pudding with honey. Yummy! Felt it was a bit expensive to upgrade to hotel and also for a single supplement. The rooms were clean and beds comfy. The bus was nice except there are no cup holders or trays, not even a mesh pocket for bits and bobs!!! All in all, we five ladies had a great time. Christine, Jean, Helen, Irene and Nora

What people love about Isle Of Skye Tours

It was great! An amazing first date with the Highlands and Isle of Skye, as our guide put it. :) This tour lets you get a good idea of what Isle of Skye is like and it's a great short escape to a place that feels like driving around in a postcard or National Geographic documentary. Our guide, Neil, was also truly wonderful. You get great value for what you paid and the tour is really well organised. I would 100% recommend this tour and I'm pretty sure I'll be back at MacBackpackers for some of the other tours as well.

Sensational tour . Kevin our tour guide and bus driver extraordinaire was fantastic . His extensive knowledge of Scottish history was amazing . He paints the scenes of how Scotland and Scottish people evolved how they lived and held onto their proud heritage . The accomodation that was organised was fantastic The scenery and hospitality was overwhelming

This was a trip I will always remember. Each day brought a different aspect of Scotland’s history to life and the landscapes were incredible. Our guides were amazing. Very knowledgeable, engaging, and focused on the needs of the group. I would highly recommend this tour and the guides that took us from the Bronze Age to today through stories and experiences.

Isle Of Skye Tours starting in:

• Edinburgh (11)
• Fully Guided (21)
• Explorer (15)
• Family (15)
• In-depth Cultural (7)
• Small Group (7)
• 3 Day Tours (7)
• 7 Day Tours (7)
• Spring 2024 (13)
• Summer 2024 (14)
• Fall / Autumn 2024 (15)
• Winter 2024 / 2025 (8)
• Spring 2025 (9)
• Summer 2025 (3)
• Fall / Autumn 2025 (2)
• April 2024 (9)
• May 2024 (12)
• June 2024 (14)
• July 2024 (13)
• August 2024 (14)
• September 2024 (14)
• October 2024 (11)
• November 2024 (8)
• December 2024 (8)
• January 2025 (7)
• February 2025 (7)
• March 2025 (8)
• April 2025 (2)
• May 2025 (2)
• June 2025 (3)
• July 2025 (1)
• August 2025 (1)
• September 2025 (2)
• October 2025 (1)
• November 2025 (1)

Other Regions in Scotland

• Northern Scotland (46)
• Scottish Highlands (35)
• The Hebrides (9)
• Central Scotland (7)
• Orkney Islands (6)

Travel Styles

• Singles and Solo (13)
• For Couples (8)
• Seniors (14)

International Versions

• Deutsch: Isle Of Skye Rundreisen
• Français: Circuits en Île de Skye
• Español: Circuitos por Isla de Skye
• Nederlands: Isle Of Skye Rondreizen

Highlands and the Isle of Skye

3 day/2 night tour, price from $665 pp.

Enjoy a scenic train journey through the heart of the Highlands to reach Inverness for a two-night stay. Join a local guide for a tour to mysterious Loch Ness and take a monster-spotting cruise to visit the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle. 

The highlight is a full-day tour to the Isle of Skye to discover the beauty and history of this magical island, forever linked to the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Cross “over the sea to Skye” to see ancient castles, dramatic landscapes, towering mountains, and picturesque seaside towns. 

This scenic adventure starts when you settle into the reserved seats on the morning Inter7City service bound for Inverness. The journey along the Highland Main Line makes a stop in Stirling, where passengers from Glasgow will change trains to join us. 

Departing from Perth, enter Highland Perthshire, where we experience an ever-changing landscape of soaring trees, fast-flowing rivers, and attractive villages. Leaving Pitlochry, we enter the Pass of Killiecrankie, the scene of a famous Jacobite Battle, then pass Blair Castle, the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Atholl.  

As we ascend through Glen Garry, keep a careful watch as deer, and soaring eagles can often be seen along this picturesque section of the route. At Druimuachdar summit (452 m/1,484 ft), we reach the highest point on the UK rail network. 

The Cairngorms National Park is famed for its natural beauty, and as we travel through the Spey Valley, the peaks of the Cairngorms Mountain Range provide a spectacular backdrop to our journey. 

On arrival in Inverness, make the short walk to our city center hotel in the heart of the Highland Capital. 

There is time to relax before heading to Inverness Bus Station, where we join a local guide for an afternoon tour to Loch Ness. Discover the legend of “Nessie”, the Loch Ness Monster, before hopping aboard a cruiser for a sail across the deep and mysterious waters of the loch.

Overnight: Redcliffe Hotel, Inverness or Similar (2 nights)

Loch Ness is our companion on the first leg of our journey as we wind our way along its brooding banks, stopping in Invermoriston for a photo beside the dramatic waterfall and Thomas Telford bridge. 

Equally impressive is the Five Sisters mountain range that we’ll see as we travel through Glen Shiel. 

History awaits at our first stop as the unmistakable turrets of Eilean Donan Castle hove into view. Standing grandly at the head of Loch Duich, you’ll have time to explore the battlements made famous by 007 and Highlander. 

There’s more adventure as we use Eilean Ban as a stepping stone to arrive on the Isle of Skye. Passing the islands of Scalpay and Pabay, breathtaking scenery is around every corner, with a stop at Sligachan Bridge to admire the imposing Cuillin Hills.

Then it’s on to Portree, with its pastel homes snuggled along the harbor front. Lunch comes courtesy of the local fishermen, with sizzling chips the perfect accompaniment to the freshest of catches. 

No trip is complete without seeing the natural wonders of The Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, after which we cross the water again back to the mainland. 

Our return journey to Inverness includes stops at picturesque Kyle of Lochalsh, Loch Carron and Achnasheen before we head to the Black Isle to bring an unforgettable day to an end. 

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy free time for sightseeing and shopping in Inverness City Centre. 

Enjoy panoramic views over the city from the Inverness Castle Viewpoint or discover the captivating story of tartan and learn how a kilt is made at the Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre. 

Later this morning, join a guide for a walking tour of Inverness City Centre. During the 90 minute walk, discover how the city has developed into today’s thriving community from its humble beginnings. Learn the history of Inverness Castle and see the River Ness. Your guide will also introduce you to some fascinating hidden gems too. 

Later make your way to Inverness Railway Station to catch the afternoon train back to Edinburgh or Glasgow. 

Accommodation

• 2 nights hotel accommodation
• Location: Inverness (2)
• Scottish/Continental breakfast (2)

Visits, Admissions and Experiences

• Tour of the Isle of Skye with local driver/guide
• Tour to Loch Ness including loch cruise
• Walking tour of Inverness
• Admission to Urquhart Castle and Eilean Donan Castle

Tour Essentials

• Return standard class train tickets between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Inverness
• Seat reservations (where available)
• Customised tour itinerary and Official Guide
• Service charges and taxes
• Admission charges unless stated above
• Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
• Gratuity to your driver/guide

Departs from 

Waverley Railway Station Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 1BB

Check-in: 08:05 hrs Tour Departs: 08:35 hrs Tour Returns: 18:27 hrs

Child details

Child discount applies to children aged 3 to 15 years inclusive.

We’re sorry but children aged under 3 years cannot travel on this tour.

Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement. 

Price Notes

IMPORTANT: Once booked this tour cannot be changed or cancelled

Accommodation The price of this tour includes hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom.

Train Times The times shown above are for guidance only. The train times for your journey will be shown on your tickets and itinerary.

Product code 

Contact Us Now  for a bespoke quotation from your personal travel consultant

• Phone: 011 44 141 258 1818 WhatsApp: 0736 736 1818
• Email: [email protected]
• Scottish Tours is a trading name of Stagcove Ltd. Registered in Scotland SC165266.
• Registered Office: 272 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JR

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Isle of Skye

A legendary landscape.

Skye . She doesn’t do things halfway.

Here, weathered stone rings whisper of ancient rituals. Castles sigh over their own ruinous state, welcoming your admiration over all they’ve endured. The landscapes yawn out before you as if consuming the entire world.

There is nothing beyond the Isle of Skye. Or that’s how it feels, at least.

Footprints long since washed away still make up the land you see before you. The influence of so many over time , from the Scots to their invaders, from travellers to the animals who call this land home. It’s a landscape of unfathomable beauty, of sheer rock peaks and powerful moments that stay with you long after you’ve gone.

Explore Isle of Skye tours

Why you'll love Skye

The Winged Isle

Skye’s unusual beauty attracts directors, poets, and geologists. Its unique rock types are carved into a landscape that’s as surreal as it is stunning.

You’ll gaze at rocky outcrops, crescent shaped mountains, and physics-defying cliffs. And no matter why you visit, you’ll find this island mystical.

The largest town in Skye has a population of 2,491 people. It’s famous for being a colourful, cultural centre for the people of Skye. You can find gifts for your family, you can splash out on fine dining, or you can spend your time watching the flows of the ocean.

Neist Point

The most epic lighthouse you could imagine. It clings to a jagged, winding headland, and shines bright in luminous white.

But don’t get too distracted by the lighthouse. Because if you keep a lookout to the sea, you may catch a glimpse of a herd of minke whales.

Frolicking Fairies

Skye is awash with folk tales of mischievous fairies. Dip your feet in the fairy pools and walk amongst the grassy knolls of the fairy glen.

If you’re game, try visiting the little stream under Sligachan Bridge where the trickling water is rumoured to provide eternal beauty.

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Isle of Skye, The Highlands & Loch Ness

3 day tour from edinburgh.

Our stunning 3-day Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh takes you through the Highlands to places such as Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Glenfinnan before travelling over the bridge to the Isle of Skye.

An Island of fairy folklore, single track mountain passes, secret glens, craggy rock formations and crystal-clear pools and waterfalls.

The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations and was voted the world’s 4th best island destination according to National Geographic.

Coach Air Filtration Eliminates Viruses

Guaranteed To Go Book Now

Small Group Tours Max 16 Persons

Tour Duration 3 Days – 2 Nights

Tour Itinerary

Tour information, tour route map.

On our Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh we travel via Glasgow to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. We’ll make our first stop at the charming village of Luss which sits on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Sparkling lochs, tumbling waterfalls and majestic Munros takes us to Rannoch Moor and Glencoe. We’ll stop at Scotland’s most famous glen and hear about the infamous Glencoe Massacre of 1692, when the MacDonald’s were slaughtered by the Campbells.

At Glenfinnan we’ll climb up to the viewpoint for stunning views of Glenfinnan and Loch Shiel. You’ll see the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct curve through the glen as the route to Harry Potter’s Hogwarts.

We’ll get off the beaten track for views over Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail before travelling over the bridge to the Isle of Skye.

Your friendly driver-guide has the flexibility to ensure you see the best of the island whatever the weather. Skye never disappoints – there is just so much to see.

You can’t miss Skye’s Mountain range, the Black Cuillins, which adorn calendars and paintings the world over. The sparkling crystal-clear waters of the Fairy Pools lie at the foot of the Cuillins and make for great photos, or even a spot of wild swimming!

We’ll have time to explore Portee and enjoy some lunch before we head to the Trotternish Peninsula. The awe-inspiring scenery never seems to stop, and we’ll get spectacular views at the Quiraing, Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock before we reach the famous landscape of the Old Man of Storr.

We cross the Skye Bridge on to the mainland and Eilean Donan Castle*. The castle sits on an island at a point where three great sea lochs meet, surrounded by majestic highland scenery. Eilean Donan was used in many films including Highlander and James Bond epic, The World is Not Enough.

The village of Fort Augustus lies at the southern end of Loch Ness and is lunch stop. You can enjoy an optional cruise on Loch Ness or take a stroll along the Caledonian Canal.

Our journey continues through the Cairngorms National Park, passing Blair Castle to Pitlochry for our final refreshment stop of the day. We return to Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh via the Queensferry crossing ending our 3-day Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh.

3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh Tour Highlights

Day 1 Glasgow, Luss, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Fort William, Glenfinnan, Glen Garry, Glen Shiel, The Five Sisters of Kintail  and Loch Duich.

Day 2  The Fairy Pools (if accessible), The Faerie Glen, The Cuillin Mountains, The Quiraing, Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls, The Old Man of Storr & Portree.

Day 3 Eilean Donan Castle, Fort Augustus, The Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness & Cruise, Cairngorms National Park, Grampian Mountains, Blair Castle, Pitlochry & Queensferry Crossing.

De parture & Return

Departs/Returns:  Bus Stance opposite Howie’s Restaurant, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3B

Tour Check-in  07:45 |  Tour   Departs  08:00 |  Tour   Ends 19:00

Note: You can start this tour in Edinburgh and end the tour in Glasgow or vice versa. Please select your preferred drop off location on the booking form.

Late Arrivals

In the event you are late for any reason in arriving at your departure point and as result miss your tour, you will not be entitled to a refund.

We regret that we do not carry children under the age of 5 on our scheduled tours.

What’s Included

What to Bring

In Scotland we can get 4 seasons in 1 day, so we suggest bringing suitable clothing for all conditions, including a waterproof jacket and layers of clothing.

Shoes that are suitable for short walks on uneven paths and rough terrain. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and your camera to capture fantastic memories you’ll make on tour with us!

Most attractions & eating establishments we visit accept card payments, however we recommend bringing some cash with you.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel this tour 15 days or more prior to departure – you will be refunded 90% of the tour price.

Cancellations made less than 15 days prior to departure – no refund will be due.

Cancellations must be made in writing. For further information please refer to our terms and conditions .

Please have a look at some customer experiences with Discover Scotland Tours.

22/03/23 – Helen and Whitney-May

This was just the most wonderful experience and I would like to commend you and Jerry (our tour guide) on what will likely be the absolute highlight of our trip to the UK (we still have a little while here but you’re going to be hard to beat!) A million thank you’s for this experience. It was all round amazing, from every annoying enquiry I sent last minute to the office, through to the on-the-ground offering. The carefully researched commentary, lovely bus, caring on time guest service levels provided by Jerry and well, the scenery -though not your making 🙂 –  was next level heavenly. I cannot recommend your tour more highly! Warm regards.

17/03/23 – Taylor

We LOVED our tour with Discover Scotland! Our guide Michael was amazing we could not have ask for anyone better. We enjoyed our whole trip from the bus rides hearing stories, history, songs and much more about Scotland, to our quick picture stops, all our longer spots where we had time to explore, and our free time in Kyleakin.  We felt like our interests were heard by our guide and we were given options and suggestions to do things we would enjoy.  The only thing we wished we could change was staying longer. We are very thankful for our guide and discover scotland for everything. Thanks for everything

02 /11/ 22 – Sergio

I had a wonderful time with Discover Scotland Tours. We had an amazing tour guide also our driver named Jerry! The tour had plenty of photographic stops from day 1. Driving through the Highlands into the Isle of Skye and to Loch ness the group and I could feel the magic Scottish atmosphere. Thank you Jerry for taking care of every single one of us and thank you Discover Scotland Tours for this fantastic experience.

10/10/22 – Vanessa

We had an amazing time! John our guide was perfect! I can’t say enough good things about him! He obviously loves his job and the island.  I appreciated how you kept in touch with me leading up to the tour and how responsive and clearly  you answered my questions. I will most definitely recommend John Black and your company to everyone willing to hear me go on about what an amazing experience we had. Thank you for everything and with some luck we will be making more plans with your company.

19/08/22 – Kylie + Corbin

Our 3-day Isle of Skye tour with Scott was unforgettable! Despite road closures to start the trip, Scott maintained positivity that radiated throughout the group. Each day brought adventure and memories that we will always cherish. It’s easy to see that Scott loves people and Scotland as he went out of his way to make sure everyone got to see and do what they set out to. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience and guide!

02/08/22 – Angelina

My friends and I recently went on the Isle of Skye, Highlands, and Loch Ness 3-day tour from Edinburgh, and it was the highlight of our vacation! Our tour guide, John Black, was quite the character. Throughout the whole trip, he was super cheery and always cracking jokes. His personal anecdotes, vast knowledge, and captivating story-telling provided us with a unique glimpse into the Scottish people, culture, and history. John was extremely accommodating for everyone on the tour, making frequent stops for bathroom breaks and food throughout the day. The bus itself was very comfortable, with AC and plenty of space for everyone, and had great views no matter where one sat. Our accommodation was booked through Discover Scotland as well, at Winklebeech bnb in Kyleakin. It had a quaint and homey vibe, and the owner was super welcoming. She was also extremely accommodating to our dietary restrictions and even offered us some bug spray after seeing all of our midge bites! The rooms were tidy and comfortable, with all the necessities one may need. We managed to hit all the destinations on the tour, and it ran very smoothly with no delays. We were especially in awe with the Isle of Skye- It’s a must-see for everyone who visits Scotland! Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend Discover Scotland Tours and would visit again in a heartbeat!

28 /07/22 – Roxanne

We had a wonderful time and it was through this tour that Scotland came alive for us. Our Tour Leader made a point of getting to know each of us. In between the gorgeous countryside and  the historical background Michael provided, he played songs told amusing stories and made it us feel like we were all part of one family. There were lots of stops for the bathroom and food as well. He was patient answering all of our questions and was respectful of the country’s we came from. We loved this tour and will be talking about it for quite some time. Also good value for our money.

11/07/22 – Darryl

We were very happy with our three day tour. This being our first, and probably only trip to Scotland, we appreciated the variety of things we saw and the general information about your country.

We were especially impressed with our tour guide, John Sheedy. In addition to being an all-around nice guy, he was very attentive to everyone’s needs and well prepared with interesting stories. Having grown up on the isle of Skye was a bonus. John conveyed his genuine love and pride of Scotland and made our trip fun and comfortable.

01/07/22 – Jessica

Mark and I had THE BEST weekend. It’s my first time in Scotland, and although it was a whirlwind, I’m excited to get back and spend more time in certain places. Accommodation was great, Garry was FANTASTIC. So warm and bubbly and knowledgeable and fun.  We’re both quite introverted and I was overwhelmed and missing my children and we never once felt pressured or intruded on, but also Garry made us both feel so seen and included, I was so grateful for how he handled us. Lots of stops, would be good to have a bit more time in some places, but I also really liked ticking lots of things off my list. It was also really relaxing, I slept on the bus all the time – as a parent it was just so lovely to not have to worry about ANYTHING.  Garry added a few fun things in that I wasn’t expecting which was so great! Lots of Harry Potter stops! A DINOSAUR FOOTPRINT! I just loved every minute.  I would do it again in a heartbeat. I hope you add some northern Scotland tours! Let me know if you do.

10/06/22 – Gráinne

My tour was the Isle of Skye, the Highlands & Loch Ness 3 day tour with Gary. The itinerary was great. Loved all the stops. Loads of time at each stop , didn’t feel rushed. Our tour guide, Gary, was fantastic. He had loads of fun facts and quips and kept us all motivated even though the weather was against us. Will definitely recommend Gary and the tour to anyone!

Where does the tour stay overnight?

Situated on the east coast of Skye is the fishing village of Kyleakin and this is where we stay for both nights of our tour. During peak season some of our passengers may be allocated accommodation in the villages nearby to Kyleakin.

The village has some restaurants for evening dining and a shop should you require any necessities.

What about my accommodation?

Your tour excludes accommodation. During the tour booking process you will be asked if you are booking your own accommodation or whether you wish us to reserve this on your behalf?

Booking my own accommodation

If booking your own accommodation this should be in the village of Kyleakin where most of our customers will be staying. The nearby villages of Breakish or Broadford is fine, however some accommodation providers are situated on roads that even our small coaches cannot get down, so please check with us first at [email protected]

Please contact us to let us know the name of the accommodation you have reserved.

I want Discover Scotland Tours to book my accommodation

We’ll reserve your accommodation and let you know the name of where you are staying. You pay the accommodation provider directly.

Some accommodation providers don’t accept credit cards and only take cash. We will inform you of this when we confirm your named accommodation.

Accommodation Guide Price

We provide a guide price as each establishment has their own pricing structure. We allocate accommodation on a first come first served basis. An exact cost will be confirmed once you have booked and we can confirm what is available.

All B&B’s we book on your behalf have private bathroom facilities. Most rooms are en-suite while others have a private bathroom outside the bedroom.

B&B Double/twin room: £120.00 – £150.00 per room per night based on 2 people sharing.

B&B Single occupancy: £105.00 – £130.00 per room per night

Hostel We do not reserve hostel accommodation but we can provide guidance on where passengers may wish to book. There is an option to request information on hostels at the time of booking.

How much luggage can I bring?

This is limited to one piece of luggage (like an airline cabin bag) with a maximum weight of 15kg per person. For guidance, measurements should be no more than 65cm x 45cm x 30cm / 25in x 18in x 12in. You are allowed one small carry-on bag for onboard personal items.

If you require to store luggage while on tour you may choose  to use luggage facilities. You’ll find these in both Glasgow and Edinburgh Train Stations and Edinburgh Bus Station.

Will we be dropped off and picked up at our accommodation?

Yes while on Skye, your Tour Leader will drop you off each evening and collect you at a agreed time each morning.

Above all, please ensure you are ready in plenty of time each morning.

Will I be able to pay by credit card while on tour?

In the Scottish Highlands many businesses do not accept card; particularly in rural areas where mobile signals are not very strong. Your driver will also take cash payment for any optional extras. Therefore, it is best to bring cash with you.

There are cash machines on route should you require to take out money while on tour.

Can I reserve a specific seat on the mini coach?

Seats are chosen on a first come first serve basis, we are unable to take requests for specific seats. Our mini coaches all have panoramic windows so the beautiful Scottish landscape can always be enjoyed, no matter where you sit.

If you suffer from motion sickness, then you may be affected by the roads in Scotland. They can be twisty and narrow. It’s best to come prepared with a travel sickness preventative, whether that be medicinal, wristbands or another option, to ensure it doesn’t impact your overall enjoyment of the tour.

Other tours

Isle of Skye, The Highlands & Loch Ness

Isles of Mull, Iona & The Highlands

Isles of Mull, Iona & Skye Island Hopping

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Scottish Isles & Glens

Starting from $3,745

• The Experience
• 12 Days In 2024
• 13 Days In 2024
• 12 Days In 2025
• 13 Days In 2025

Explore Scotland's coasts and islands

Trip details.

Tour start Glasgow

Tour end Edinburgh

Available Promotions for this tour

Kick up your Kilt

Booking window

01 Apr 2024 - 21 Apr 2024

01 Apr 2024 - 31 May 2024

Ring of Brodgar

This stone circle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

Isle of Skye

Admire the rugged coastlines and ancient ruins of this Scottish island.

Orkney Islands

These islands encompass dramatic vistas, Neolithic sites, tall sandstone cliffs and seal colonies.

Inverewe Gardens

Enjoy a garden of Eden in the unlikeliest of places, with 2,000 exotic plant species from around the world, including towering California redwoods, a "Savage Garden" of carnivorous plants, and rhododendrons from China, India, and Nepal.

Loch Ness Cruise

Cruise across this lake known for sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, also known as "Nessie".

Urquhart Castle

Admire the beautiful ruins of a Scottish icon by land — and from the dark waters of Loch Ness.

Discover the ruins of a 5,000-year-old village, unearthed by the sea more than a century ago.

Mount Stuart House and Gardens

This innovative Victorian and Georgian building will enthrall you. With dazzling design inspired by astrology, art, and mythology, it features an early telephone system and a Victorian elevator.

Dunrobin Castle

Looking like it came out of a fairytale with its magnificent spires, Dunrobin Castle in the Highlands has been continuously inhabited for over 700 years.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Our July 27th to August 12th departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.

Day 1 Glasgow Arrival

Day 2 isle of bute | mount stuart house, day 3 loch lomond | eilean donan castle, day 4 isle of skye | dunvegan castle | portree, day 5 inverewe gardens | gairloch or ullapool, day 6 dornoch | dunrobin castle | orkney, day 7 orkney sights | ring of brodgar | skara brae | st magnus cathedral, day 8 italian chapel | inverness, day 9 urquhart castle | loch ness cruise | sheepdog demonstration, day 10 whisky tasting | scottish evening*, day 11 edinburgh panoramic tour | edinburgh castle, day 12 tour ends in edinburgh, where you’ll stay.

Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel Glasgow, Scotland

The 4-Star Novotel Glasgow Centre is conveniently located in the heart of the vibrant city. This...

Balmacara Hotel Scottish Highlands, Scotland

This traditional Highland hotel is beautifully located on scenic Loch Alsh, with views of the Isle...

The Royal Hotel Ullapool, Scotland

One of the premier luxury hotels in the Scottish Highlands, the Royal will delight the most...

Ayre Hotel Kirkwall, Scotland

The Ayre Hotel is one of Orkney's finest hotels and is situated in the principal town of Kirkwall...

Columba Hotel Inverness, Scotland

This grand hotel has a great location in the heart of Inverness, yet in a ...

Crieff Hydro Hotel Perth, Scotland

Crieff Hydro Hotel is on a 900-acre estate with a Victorian spa, 18-hole golf course and over 60...

Novotel Edinburgh Centre Hotel Edinburgh, Scotland

5 minutes' walk from Grassmarket, Novotel Edinburgh Centre features a hot tub and swimming pool....

Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

• Full daily breakfast and many meals*
• An evening of Scottish entertainment
• Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
• Welcome drinks with your group
• Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
• All entrance fees to attractions
• Comprehensive travel itinerary

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

• A travel backpack
• Travel adapter
• Rain poncho
• Luggage strap and tags
• Documents wallet

From our travelers

This holiday tour of Scotland was the second time I traveled with CIE. The best by far! I wouldn’t contemplate booking with any other company. Our brilliant tour guide Graham was so friendly and knowledgeable.

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Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel, Glasgow

The 4-Star Novotel Glasgow Centre is conveniently located in the heart of the vibrant city. This family-friendly hotel is set amongst the hustle and bustle of Glasgow, making getting around town easy. Guests can rejuvenate after busy city days in the state-of-the-art fitness centre, or in the sauna and stream room. The hotel offers a choice of Standard, Superior and Executive rooms.

Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel

• 24-hour Front Desk
• Business Center
• Coffee Shop
• Disabled Facilities
• Dry Cleaning
• Fitness Center
• Wifi in Public Areas (Complimentary)
• 24-hour Room Service
• Coffee & Tea-making Facilities in Room
• Complimentary Bottled Water
• In-Room Wifi (Complimentary)
• Iron/Ironing Board
• Private Bathroom
• Room Service
• Work Desk & Lamp

Balmacara Hotel, Scottish Highlands

This traditional Highland hotel is beautifully located on scenic Loch Alsh, with views of the Isle of Skye and the hills of Wester Ross. All rooms are tastefully decorated, and many enjoy stunning views. A delicious full English breakfast is served in the 1930s-style coffee lounge. The hotel is close to the Isle of Skye Bridge and Eilean Donan Castle.

Balmacara Hotel Exterior

• Cable/Satellite Television
• Daily Maid Service

Double Room

Restaurant With a View

The Royal Hotel, Ullapool

One of the premier luxury hotels in the Scottish Highlands, the Royal will delight the most discerning of guests and offers 55 en-suite rooms, many with breathtaking views over Loch Broom and the others over rugged mountain landscapes.

The Royal Hotel

Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall

The Ayre Hotel is one of Orkney's finest hotels and is situated in the principal town of Kirkwall. We aim to provide a friendly & professional service to make your stay in Orkney as comfortable & enjoyable as possible. With homemade food using local produce and the best of Orkney and World Beers, Whiskies and Gins, our restaurant & bar i the perfect place to unwind or try anything

• Luggage Racks

Twin Bedroom

Columba Hotel, Inverness

This grand hotel has a great location in the heart of Inverness, yet in a quiet area with splendid views of the River Ness and Inverness Castle. Inside its historic exterior, the Columba Hotel houses bright, airy rooms. Each has a TV with satellite channels and facilities for making tea and coffee. The hotel's décor combines traditional comfort with contemporary style and amenities. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.

Columba Hotel

Crieff Hydro Hotel, Perth

Crieff Hydro Hotel is on a 900-acre estate with a Victorian spa, 18-hole golf course and over 60 indoor and outdoor activities. The resort is in the beautiful Strathearn Valley just a one hour drive from both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Crieff Hydro Hotel

• Babysitting
• Exercise Classes
• Swimming Pool

Novotel Edinburgh Centre Hotel, Edinburgh

5 minutes' walk from Grassmarket, Novotel Edinburgh Centre features a hot tub and swimming pool. It offers spacious, modern rooms with LCD TVs. Princes Street is a 10-minute walk away. Each room provides a 26-inch LCD TV. Rooms also feature free Wi-Fi,a private bathroom, minibar, and tea/coffee facilities. Guest can relax in Novotel’s sauna, or exercise in the modern fitness centre. Elements Restaurant serves international cuisine in stylish surroundings. The naturally lit Elements Bar offers light meals and a range of drinks.

Novotel Edinburgh Centre Hotel

• Laundry Facilities
• Mini Refrigerator
• Soap/Hair Products

See what people are saying about this trip

Cie tours customer.

Good itinerary, good accommodation, great food.

Everything was very well planned. Lots of variety in the activities. Good food and nice places to stay. Fiona was a wonderful and entertaining guide.

Jean Marie Brooks

The trip met our expectations if only we could have gone to orkey. this mig.

Food was usually very good. Scenery was outstanding.

Ms. Kirsten Eva Sehested

Lovely time in a beautiful country, fantastic tour..

Worth the money. It would have cost me triple this to do it myself and I’d have been exhausted from all the driving.

Deborah Kathryn Maier

Beautiful scotland.

This is the first group tour I have taken. It was great to have someone else do the driving and plan the stops. I was pleased with the itinerary. The tour guide was able to answer questions beyond the commentary he was providing. He obviously loved his country and his job. I was surprised by the mountains we saw and the numerous waterfalls. There were sheep everywhere. Everyone was friendly and the pubs and eateries where we stopped for lunch had great food and good service. Breakfast and dinner were provided most days. The choices were excellent and CIE encourages the meals be sourced locally. That means the food tasted so fresh with great flavor. I had no idea I would be getting such wonderful food options.

How can we help you?

The Inclusive Advantage

Get more without spending more. CIE Tours includes every experience and most meals so you won't be hit with hidden expenses.

Scotland Tours from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and London

• Scotland Tours
• Skye, Orkney and the...

• Eilean Donan Castle
• Orkney Coastline
• Cuillin Hills, Isle of Skye
• Ring of Brodgar
• Highland Perthshire
• Sands of Morar

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Skye, Orkney and the Highlands - 8 day tour

Skye, Orkney and the Highlands 8 day/ 7 night tour

This comprehensive tour of Scotland's Highlands and Islands is the perfect balance of discovery, travel and hospitality. A relaxed two-night stay on both Skye and Orkney provides the perfect opportunity for in-depth sightseeing of these legendary isles. Back on the mainland, there is much to enjoy including bustling Inverness, ancient Kilmartin Glen and even, on some departures, the Jacobite Steam Train, the real Hogwarts Express! 

Oban - enjoy an overnight stay in this bustling fishing port known as Scotland’s seafood Capital

Isle of Skye - explore the majestic scenery of this famed island including the stunning Cuillin Hills and the lunar landscape of Trotternish

North Coast 500 - experience amazing seascapes as you travel along Scotland’s Route 66

Orkney Islands - visit iconic pre-historic sites including Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar

Culloden Moor - discover the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite rebellion  

Movie locations - Harry Potter, Stardust and Made of Honour

Guest house accommodation included  

  Book Now

Full Tour Itinerary

Select Day:

Day 1 - Edinburgh - Inveraray - Oban

Departing from Edinburgh, we travel westwards across Scotland to reach Glasgow,

Scotland’s largest city. Soon we enter the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park , a natural wonder waiting to be discovered. Loch Lomond is a real highlight - Britain's largest lake and one of Scotland's loveliest. It has 30 islands, including one inhabited by a colony of wallabies! We’ll make a stop in the pretty village of Luss so you can take a stroll by the "bonnie, bonnie banks".

The Argyll Forest Park is famed for its ancient trees, tranquil lochs and mountains. Look out for Ben Arthur, affectionately known as "The Cobbler” - it’s one of Scotland’s most popular climbs.

Soon our coach starts our ascent of the "Rest and be Thankful” mountain pass. You’ll soon realise why this road has such an unusual name when you look down on General Wade's original road that winds its way through Glen Croe to the summit!

The 3rd Duke of Argyll built the "new" town of Inveraray at the head of Loch Fyne. The town sits in the shadow of Inveraray Castle , and, as we will discover, this pleasant town retains much of its 18th Century charm.

From Lochgilphead, we enter Kilmartin Glen . This mysterious Glen has one of the most concentrated areas of prehistoric sites in Scotland, including a linear cemetery – a line of burial cairns stretching over 2 miles. Nearby is Dunadd, a hill fort that dates from the Iron Age. Dunadd was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada, so this part of Argyll has played an important part in the creation of modern Scotland!

Soon we arrive in the bustling, beautiful port of Oban, our stop for tonight. This attractive seaside town is known as Scotland's seafood capital, so why not head to a local restaurant to sample some freshly landed delicacies? 

Overnight: Oban

Day 2 - Oban - Glen Coe - Isle of Skye

We bid farewell to Oban and make our way to the Connel Bridge. As we cross Loch Etive look out for the Falls of Lora below. Glen Coe is arguably Scotland's most famous Glen partly because of its awe-inspiring beauty and, more sinisterly, because of the infamous massacre that took place here in 1692. The sad tale will be told as we make a short diversion to explore this special place for ourselves.

Fort William's glorious setting on the banks of Loch Linnhe has made it a popular tourist destination since the arrival of the steamships in the mid-1900s. The town sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis, which, at 4,406 feet, is the tallest mountain in the UK.

On selected tours* we leave our coach in Fort William and board the famous Jacobite Steam Train for an unforgettable trip on the scenic West Highland Line.

Chuffing out of the station, we follow the banks of Loch Eil to reach Glenfinnan, where the train crosses the famous Viaduct featured in the Harry Potter movies as part of the route to Hogwarts.

Look out for the Glenfinnan Monument , built to commemorate the ill-fated Jacobite up-rising of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745.

The scenic journey continues with beautiful views of Lochs Eilt, Ailort and nan Uamh before reaching the silver sands of Morar (made famous in the popular film Local Hero) and Mallaig.

After some free time to explore this historic fishing port, we board a ferry to cross “Over the sea to Skye”.

A short drive brings us to our island home for the next two nights.

* Departures from 6 May to 26 September 2024

All other departures will include a cruise on Loch Ness and a visit to Urquhart Castle instead. The journey between Mallaig and Fort William will be undertaken by road.

Overnight: Isle of Skye (2 nights)

Day 3 - Isle of Skye Excursion

Good morning! After breakfast, we join our fellow travellers to explore Scotland’s most romantic island - Skye!

Our first treat is the jagged peaks that make up the Black and Red Cuillin . These untamed mountains are famed the World over for their challenges to climbing enthusiasts. We’ll make a stop so you can capture the scene from a popular viewpoint.

Enjoy time for lunch in Portree, the largest town on the island. It’s set around a picturesque natural harbour which makes a great spot to enjoy some freshly cooked fish and chips!

Next, we travel northwards to explore the fascinating geology of the Trotternish Peninsula. Here we’ll find the volcanic landscape of the Trotternish Ridge which includes impressive pinnacles known as the Old Man of Storr and The Quiraing. We’ll also see Kilt Rock with its striking waterfall freefalling 60 metres to the sea below!

Afterwards, return to your accommodation with time to relax before heading out for dinner.

Day 4 - Isle of Skye - Eilean Donan Castle - Inverness

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Isle of Skye and return to the mainland. We stop to visit picturesque Eilean Donan Castle . This is, without doubt, one of Scotland's most iconic sights. The castle stands on a little island situated at the confluence of Loch's Alsh and Duich. We'll have time to discover the castle for ourselves during our stop here.

There are wonderful views at every turn as we travel through Glen Shiel. Look out for the soaring peaks of the mountain range known as the " Five Sisters of Kintail ". They make a magnificent sight.

From Invermoriston we follow the banks of enigmatic Loch Ness to the little village of Drumnadrochit. There’s an extended stop here so you can relax in this pleasant Highland village. Alternatively, you can take the opportunity of visiting Urquhart Castle , once one of the largest fortresses in the Highlands and take a short monster-spotting cruise on Loch Ness.

Later we will make our way to Inverness our home for tonight.

Overnight: Inverness

Day 5 - Inverness - North Coast 500 - Kirkwall (Orkney Islands)

From Inverness, we join the famous North Coast 500 route and make our way across the Black Isle across the Cromarty and Dornoch firths. From here we drive along the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery. This is some of Europe's oldest landscapes and here we have the chance to see wildlife such as Golden Eagles and red deer .

We board the ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago. On our arrival, it is a short drive to the famous Italian Chapel where few will fail to be moved by the dedicated workmanship of the Italian prisoners of war who crafted this place of worship from a humble Nissan hut. Their story and many others will be told as we view Scapa Flow, the scene of momentous events during both World Wars.

The Viking stronghold of Kirkwall is our home for the next 2 nights.

Overnight: Kirkwall (2 nights)

Day 6 - Exploring the Orkney Islands

Orkney is home to many outstanding historic treasures and today will be a unique day of discovery. On our itinerary today are visits to Maeshowe, a magnificent tomb built almost 5,000 years ago and the Ring of Brodgar , a stone circle that once comprised of 60 megaliths. Today with 27 stones still standing, some over 5 metres tall, it takes little imagination to visualise the extent of this historic monument.

Uncovered by a storm in 1850 Skara Brae is one of the best-preserved groups of Stone Age houses in Western Europe and our visit will reveal the stone furniture, hearths and drains that present such a remarkable picture of Neolithic life.

The day will finish with a visit to beautiful St Magnus Cathedral , one of Europe’s great architectural achievements and over 800 years old.

Day 7 - Kirkwall - Dunrobin Castle - Inverness

We have a relaxed start today with free time in Kirkwall before joining the coach for the drive to South Ronaldsay where we board the ferry back to mainland Scotland. On arrival at Gills Bay, we join the scenic coastal route for our journey southwards to Inverness.

Just outside Golspie lies magnificent Dunrobin Castle , the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses. This grand chateau-like castle is the home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland and it has a commanding position overlooking the Moray Firth. We’ll make a stop so you can visit this splendid castle and tour some of its 189 rooms and take a stroll through the extensive gardens.

Later we’ll make our way to the Black Isle and across the Kessock Bridge into Inverness .

Day 8 - Inverness - Culloden Moor - Edinburgh

After breakfast, we travel the short distance to visit tragic Culloden Moor . It was here that the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was routed by Government troops in a bloody battle in 1746.

Cairngorms National Park is Britain’s largest and contains five of Scotland’s six highest peaks. The park provides a stunning backdrop to our travels through the Spey Valley then we descend through the Drumochter Pass to reach the pleasant Victorian tourist town of Pitlochry where we will stop for refreshments.

The dramatic scenery of Highland Perthshire gives way to rolling farmland as we reach the "Fair City” of Perth then we join the motorway for our journey through the ancient Kingdom of Fife. The final part of our drive offers wonderful views of the Forth Bridge as we make our way into Edinburgh.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can i expect on this signature multi-day tour.

For the discerning traveller a Signature Multi-day Tour offers amazing value for money, comfortable accommodation, well-paced sightseeing and luxury travel.

All of this combines to create the definitive Scottish experience.

Each tour is hosted by a professional driver/guide, who has been chosen for their extensive knowledge as well as their driving skills. And being locals you are sure to get that extra insight. If you should have any problems during your stay, they’ll go out of their way to help.

You will want to see as much as possible, but you don’t want to be rushed. Our tours are carefully planned to strike the right balance, and as well as comfortable mini/midicoach travel many feature memorable railway or ferry journeys.

Having somewhere pleasant to stay after an exciting day of discovery is an important part of your holiday experience. Comfortable guest house accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, tv and other amenities is included in the price of all tours.

A tasty Scottish breakfast is included each morning of your stay.

Can you tell me more about the optional extras on this tour?

To give you maximum flexibility the cost of admission fees and other optional extras are not included in the tour price. This gives you complete freedom to choose as the mood takes you. On this tour there are optional visits to:

Eilean Donan Castle Loch Ness Cruise Italian Chapel Maeshowe Skara Brae Dunrobin Castle Culloden Moor Visitor Centre

Following the link above will give you more information on these attractions including current admission prices. At some locations a special discount is offered to tour participants, your driver/guide will give you more information if this applies. Credit/debit cards are not always accepted so you should plan to have sufficient cash with you should you wish to make any visits.

What is the journey on the Jacobite Steam Train like?

Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world this memorable trip will take you past a list of impressive extremes.

Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, it visits Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig; passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis!

The train will cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument. The train may pause on the viaduct, time permitting, to allow you to take in the magnificent view.

Standard class tickets are included in the cost of the tour. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to upgrade these tickets to First Class.

What type of room should I choose?

There are different bedrooms types to choose from, here is what you can expect:

Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds Double room - two people sharing one large bed Family room - three people sharing a room sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person)

Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.

What meals are included ?

A full Scottish breakfast is included from day 2 onwards.

This hearty meal can consist of fruit juice; a choice of cereal; bakery basket; cooked items such as eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomato and, maybe, a taste of haggis! plus tea or coffee. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available.

Lunch and dinner are not included in the price.

During the touring day there will be a stop where you can enjoy lunch in a local pub or restaurant. Your driver/guide will be happy to suggest a conveniently located restaurant where you can enjoy good food for dinner. 

View all Frequently Asked Questions...

Accommodation

• 7 nights guest house accommodation
• Location: Oban (1); Isle of Skye (2); Inverness (2) and Kirkwall, Orkney Islands (2)
• Scottish/Continental breakfast (7)

Visits, Admissions and Experiences

• One-way journey on the Jacobite Steam Train or cruise on Loch Ness with a visit to Urquhart Castle

Tour Essentials

• Transportation by luxury air-conditioned mini/midicoach
• Live commentary in English
• Services of an experienced driver/guide
• Service charges and taxes
• Admission charges
• Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
• Gratuity to your driver/guide

Departure information

From 1 Parliament Square Royal Mile/High Street Edinburgh EH1 1RE

Check-in: 08:15 hrs Tour Departs: 08:30 hrs Tour Returns: 19:00 hrs

Child details

Concession discount applies to adults aged 60 years and above; students and children aged 3 to 15 years inclusive.

We’re really sorry but children aged under 3 years cannot travel on this tour.

Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement. 

Price Notes

Accommodation The price of this tour includes guest house accommodation with an en-suite bathroom. 

Luggage Allowance One medium sized suitcase/bag per person (maximum weight: 15 kilos)

Jacobite Steam Train Monday departures from 6 May to 26 September 2024 include a one-way journey on the Jacobite Steam Train. 

Admission Prices In order to give you maximum flexibility admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour. 

FAQs Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.

Product code   HEX 00764

Blogs and Guides - discover insider tips and ideas

Customer reviews overall rating:.

This tour is a great way to see the country and relevant islands in the company of very experienced and accommodating tour guides. Their historical and practical knowledge of the areas visited was excellent. The scenery was breathtaking and the routes taken from place to place showed the countryside at its most spectacular. If you want lochs, sea, hills , history, this tour is for you!

Andrew was an amazing tour guide!! Very knowledgeable about everything and could very easily answer any questions we had. The tour itself was also fantastic and had the perfect amount of stops and perfect amount of time spent at each place. I would highly recommend this tour to lots of people.

Very nice tour and good quality service! Only comments: it was really hot this summer and the airco in the bus didn't work well; a bit more practical information in advance would be nice (for instance after 5 days we had to change to another bus and guide).

8 day tour from £ 1500.00

6 day tour from £ 1495.00

5 day tour from £ 950.00

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Isle of Skye Tours

One of our most popular tour destinations the magical and mythical Isle of Skye.  Commonly touring via the beautiful Scottish Highlands, visiting Scotland’s most iconic castle; Eilean Donan, the idyllic village of Plockton together with the breath taking vistas of the Quiraing upon the Isle of Skye.  

Explore the unique geological features of the Isle of Skye in particular those found upon the Trotternish peninsula; visiting sites such as the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock.  Discover the traditional clan mode of life present on the island for centuries and their close ties with the mythological world at sites such as Fairy Glen and Dunvegan Castle. 

As with all suggestions all our tours are completely personalised so a tour of Skye may often be combined with elements and places from our other tours, please take a look at our other tour pages to see what places and ideas may be of interest to you.  Travel to Skye commonly involves touring through scenic and historic highlights of the Scottish West Coast.  Please have a look at the West Coast section in our tours and let us know if there are any places which you especially wish to be included in your tour.

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Isle of Skye: 9 Top Things to See & Do

On the  Isle of Skye , dramatic coastline rubs shoulders with jagged mountains making this one of the most popular places to go in Scotland . But it’s not all about the stunning landscapes.

• Explore this iconic Scottish island on an  Isle of Skye tour  designed by local experts

1. Explore the spectacular Trotternish peninsula

North of the fishing town of Portree , the Trotternish peninsula is one of the most scenic regions on Skye. Here you’ll find rocky spires, crumbling mountains, and chiselled cliffs that drop into the sea.

The highlight of this jaw-dropping area is the Old Man of Storr . This towering pinnacle of rock overlooks the mainland and is set against the rugged buttresses of the Trotternish Ridge.

Make the short, but at times steep, hike up to the Old Man of Storr and on a clear day your reward will be epic sea views. Keep your camera handy for capturing this striking scene.

Venture north from the Old Man and you’ll reach the Quiraing . Formed by an ancient landslide, the landscape is dotted with otherworldly rock formations. If the weather’s good, go for a hike to get up close to the unusual terrain.

Don’t miss the Fairy Glen either, a scenic valley shrouded in local folklore on the peninsula’s west coast.

• See the nation’s most magnificent sights on these popular Scotland tours
• Related: 10 Best Scottish walks – Where to go walking in Scotland

2. Visit picture-perfect Portree

On the island’s east coast, sits the bustling town of Portree. With its seaside location and colourful harbourfront, the island’s capital is well worth a visit.

For a view over Portree, head to a small hill known as “The Lump”. Or stroll along the Scorrybreac path, a coastal circuit with gorgeous panoramas over the nearby Isle of Raasay.

While the beautiful surroundings are sure to draw your eye, the town itself has plenty to offer.

There are great places to eat, which showcase the island’s local larder. Plus, a few of Skye’s artisan makers are based around here, so you’ll also be spoiled for choice when it comes to souvenirs. 

For a slice of island culture, drop into a traditional pub for a live music session. Or, check if the theatre is hosting any events during your stay.

• Related: Why Scotland is perfect for your next romantic getaway

3. Try local whisky at Talisker Distillery

With over 140 grain and malt distilleries, Scotland has the world’s highest concentration of whisky producers. While other Scottish regions do have more distilleries, Skye has one of the most characterful.

That’s Talisker Distillery, the oldest on the island, which you’ll find on the shore of Loch Harport. Its picturesque location aside, the distillery is known for making a whisky that’s powerful and spicy, with flavours of the sea.

Take a tour of the distillery to see how this single malt is made. After you’ve been shown the impressive copper stills and smelled the aged oak casks you’ll get to try this famous tipple for yourself. This is an especially good thing to do if the weather’s not at its best.

You might also want to check out a couple of the other distilleries nearby. These include Torabhaig Distillery and the Isle of Rasaay Distillery.

• Learn about local whisky on these Scotland tours with distillery visits

4. Delve into clan history at Dunvegan Castle

Top of your list in western Skye should be Dunvegan Castle . Home to the chiefs of clan MacLeod for centuries, it offers captivating insights into Skye’s history. Don’t miss the castle gardens, a secluded park once kept by the clan chieftains.

If you have time, head to Coral Beach at the northern end of Loch Dunvegan. The short walk from Claigain is worth every step, and when the visibility is good, you’ll be rewarded with views of the Outer Hebrides .

Or, take the road to Neist Point Lighthouse, which towers over dramatic cliffs at Skye’s most westerly point.

If all that’s worked up an appetite, treat yourself to a memorable meal at The Three Chimneys restaurant. As one of the best places to eat in the Highlands, making a reservation is essential.

If you're planning to explore northwest Skye, Dunvegan village on the shores of Loch Dunvegan is an excellent place to base yourself.

• Explore Celtic history on one of these Scotland castle tours
• Related: Scottish clans & ancestry – Top sites to visit in Scotland

5. See dinosaur footprints at An Corran beach

As well as mystical mountains, the Trotternish peninsula also has a striking coastline. The east coast in particular is home to some of the island’s must-see natural attractions.

For instance, you won’t want to miss  Staffin and An Corran beach . Just north of Staffin village are the black sands of An Corran beach. It's here you’ll find dinosaur footprints from the Jurassic period, nearly 200 million years ago.

Visit the nearby Staffin Dinosaur Museum , if you want to learn more about the footprints and see other fossils.

Top tip: Head south from Staffin to admire the geometric basalt cliffs at Kilt Rock . The cliff’s hexagonal columns resemble kilt pleats, which is why they’re named after the country’s most iconic item of clothing.

• Related: The best and most beautiful beaches in Scotland

6. Marvel at the Cuillin mountains

From mainland Scotland, the Cuillin mountains are Skye’s most distinctive feature. Formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, these jagged peaks dominate the island’s skyline. On a clear day, you’ll get amazing views from picturesque Eilean Donan castle  on the mainland.

While they’re an awesome sight from a distance, they’re even more inspiring up close. One of the best places to see them is the Fairy Pools , a crystal-clear river with a series of tumbling waterfalls.

For a different perspective, take to the water on a boat tour of Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillin. You’ll depart from the tiny village of Elgol, which overlooks these stunning mountains.

The region’s landscape is so dramatic it inspired writers and artists such as J. M. W. Turner and Sir Walter Scott.

• Soak up natural wonders on a tour of the Scottish Highlands

7. Check out the beautiful Sleat peninsula

Known as the "garden of Skye", the gently rolling hills of this southern region sit in stark contrast to the rugged drama of the Cuillin and Trotternish.

Easily accessible from the mainland, Sleat is one of the first places you'll come to when you cross the Skye Bridge. And there’s plenty for you to see and do here.

Why not start by checking out the ivy-draped ruins of Armadale Castle? Here, you’ll uncover the history of the MacDonalds, the other major clan on Skye. Then, head to nearby Torabhaig Distillery to try another local whisky.

For more beautiful views and hiking opportunities, venture to the Point of Sleat, Skye’s southernmost tip. From here, you can see the Small Isles, Ardnamurchan and the wild mountains of Knoydart.

8. Take a wildlife boat tour

Scotland is known for its wildlife, including seals, dolphins, sharks, whales and otters. With its miles of coastline and deep sea lochs, Skye is one of the best places in the country to take a sea life tour.

Portree is a popular departure point for tours. But trips from Dunvegan, Edinbane, Elgol and Uig will also give you the chance to witness Skye’s wildlife.

A boat trip isn’t just a great opportunity to see wildlife. You’ll also get a different perspective on this breathtaking part of the world.

9. Bring home your own piece of Skye 

The principle of “take only photographs, leave only footprints” might apply when you’re exploring Skye’s natural landscapes. But this doesn’t mean you can’t bring home a souvenir to remember your trip.

The island has a thriving community of artists and craftspeople. Many either exhibit in galleries across the island or have their own shops. Picking up a locally-made souvenir is a great way to remember your Skye getaway.

Some of our favourite local makers include Edinbane Pottery, Skye Weavers and the Isle of Skye Candle Company.

When is the best time to visit the Isle of Skye?

The Isle of Skye is beautiful year-round, so there’s no bad time to visit. When to travel depends on the kind of experience you’d like to have and the activities you want to try.

June , July and August are the peak season for visitors to Skye. During these summer months, the temperatures are at their warmest. What's more, the sun doesn’t set until around 9 PM in June, so you'll have plenty of time for taking in the scenery.

That said, you’ll find some of the top natural attractions and their car parks can be busy at this time of year. To get more of these places to yourself head there in the evening or first thing in the morning.

While still popular,  spring and autumn  tend to be a little quieter. Come in April , May or September and you can explore when the days are still relatively long and the temperatures are mild. Plus, attractions usually have the same opening hours as in the summer months.

To catch the last of the longer days before the clocks go back for winter, time your trip to Skye for  October . And though temperatures will be chillier than earlier in autumn, there will be fewer visitors around.

If you want to have more of the island to yourself, head to Skye between November and March . During winter, you could even see the Cuillin mountains dusted in snow. Spend your days making the most of the weather before retreating to a cosy pub for a hearty dinner.

• Take your pick from summer and winter tours of Scotland
• Related: Best time to visit Scotland – Your complete guide

How do you get to the Isle of Skye?

Although Skye is an island, it’s well connected to the mainland. In fact, you can even drive there. This makes Skye the perfect addition to a Scottish road trip, which includes other top sights like Loch Ness and Glen Coe .

From the mainland village of Kyle of Lochalsh, cross the Skye Bridge to arrive on southeast Skye near the village of Kyleakin.

Alternatively, there are a couple of ferry routes to choose from. One of these is the sailing from the mainland town of Mallaig to Armadale on southern Skye.

The other is from Tarbert on the Isle of Harris to Uig on Skye’s Trotternish peninsula. This is ideal if you want to make your trip to Skye part of a Scottish island hopping tour .

• Related: Best road trips in Scotland – A local expert’s view

Where to stay on the Isle of Skye?

Towns and villages such as Dunvegan, Portree, Broadford and Armadale, are all great places to stay on Skye. And while it’s not on the island, Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland side of the Skye Bridge is another good choice. From there you can easily visit Skye on day trips. 

Wherever you choose, we recommend booking in advance, especially in spring, summer and autumn when there are more visitors on the island. Or, explore Skye with Nordic Visitor, and you’ll stay in handpicked accommodation booked for you by a dedicated travel consultant.

How many days should you spend on the Isle of Skye?

With its natural beauty, fascinating history, and diverse activities, Skye is a fantastic place to travel slowly and deeply.

A full day is enough to get a brief flavour of the island, but a 1-day tour could feel rushed. 

Instead, we recommend spending at least 2 or 3 days here as part of a trip to Scotland. This way, you can enjoy the best of the Isle of Skye’s things to see and do at a more leisurely pace.

Stay for longer than 3 days and you’ll have even more time for off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Discover the best of Skye with Nordic Visitor

Now you know where to go and what to see on the Isle of Skye, it’s time to start planning your escape. Jaw-dropping scenery, captivating clan history, and renowned Scottish whisky await.

Book with Nordic Visitor and we’ll take the hassle out of arranging your trip. We’ll organise your accommodation, local transport, and optional activities. 

If you want the freedom to go at your own pace, opt for a self-drive tour of Scotland . Or pick a private trip to travel with your very own guide. You could also explore with like-minded travellers on a guided small group tour .

Whatever you prefer, our Edinburgh-based travel experts will ensure you have the trip of your dreams. Contact us to start planning your Scottish getaway.

Born and raised in Scotland, Catherine has a background in trip organisation and design. When not travelling, or writing about travels, you can find her rock climbing and exploring remote corners of Scotland. Her top travel experiences include cycling along India’s Brahmaputra River, wandering the souks of Marrakech, and mountaineering in the Alps.

Getting there

We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours.

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SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS & ISLE OF SKYE

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Isle of Skye, Scotland: An Enchanting Island Gem

Posted: February 14, 2024 | Last updated: March 22, 2024

Visiting Isle of Skye, Scotland: An Enchanting Island Gem

The Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful destinations on Earth. Located off the coast of Scotland, this island is one of the Outer Hebrides and is 50 miles (80 km long). 

Famous for its scenic beaches, rugged landscapes, and historic castles, the Isle of Skye has so much to offer. It’s also a popular spot for hikers and nature lovers, as endless wildlife-watching opportunities exist here.

To reach the Isle of Skye, cross the Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh or take the ferry from Mallaig. As the island is in the Scottish Highlands , you’ll need to fly into Scotland first, to Aberdeen, Edinburgh , or Glasgow. 

The Best Time to Visit the Isle of Skye, Scotland

The most popular time to visit the Isle of Skye is during the summer months of July and August. During this time, temperatures are at their highest, and you have a better chance of having pleasant weather.

However, the Isle of Skye can get very crowded since school is out during this time. This can be a problem, especially as many roads are single-lane and narrow.

May, June, and September are better times to visit, as they’re much quieter. Temperatures are still pleasant this time of year, and the island is far less crowded. 

Things to Do on the Isle of Skye, Scotland

This guide will take you through things to do, restaurants to try, and day trip opportunities to ensure you have the best time. Explore the rugged coastline, mystical landscapes, and quaint villages of the Isle of Skye, delving into its rich Gaelic history and folklore.

The Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is a must for any Isle of Skye itinerary . It’s a unique rock formation found on the Trotternish Peninsula, and you can hike to the top of it. It’s a 3.8 km (2.4 miles) return hike from the parking lot, which takes an average of 1.5 hours. However, you don’t want to restrict yourself on time, as you’ll be treated to epic views of the Sound of Raasay. Make sure you do the hike on a clear day.

Visit Portree, the Capital

The colorful town of Portree is an excellent home base for your trip to the island. Although small, it’s the island’s capital, so plenty of amenities exist, including shops, cafes, and accommodations. It’s also a great place to pick up a souvenir or two.

The town’s location is beautiful, as lush green hills, the Sound of Raasay, and Loch Portree surround the town. If you have a car, you’ll also have easy access to some of the island’s main attractions.

Take a Sound of Raasay Boat Trip

You can take a boat trip from Portree to the Sound of Raasay. A ‘sound’ is essentially a body of water that isn’t fully open to the sea, and it’s a great place to spot wildlife (bring binoculars if you can).

If you’re lucky, you can spot seals, dolphins, eagles, whales, and other marine life, including orcas. There are a couple of companies to choose from once you get down to the harbor, or you can book a tour online.

Drive the Quiraing Pass

Driving the Quiraing Pass is a fantastic experience for those renting a car. This mountain pass is 856 ft (261 meters) above sea level and offers stunning views of the Trotternish Peninsula.

However, this road is only suitable for confident drivers due to its one-lane road and narrow passing places. Make sure to drive it on a clear day, too, so you can appreciate the views and the road surface isn’t wet. 

Once you get to the top, there’s a viewpoint where you can park. 

Views from Neist Point

Neist Point is one of the best places to visit on Skye ! Here, you’ll find the Neist Point Lighthouse on the island’s most Western tip. This lighthouse has been around since 1909 and is surrounded by some of Skye’s most rugged landscapes. 

The walk down to the lighthouse takes around 45 minutes, or you can admire the views near the parking lot. If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot marine life here, with basking sharks and whales known to make an appearance off the coast. 

Relax at The Fairy Pools

One of the most unique places on the Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools are gorgeous. It is found in Glenbrittle and has several crystal-clear water pools that flow from the Cuillin Mountains.

You have to pay for parking, but other than that, the site is free to visit. It’s a 15-20 minute walk to reach the first set of pools. If you’re brave enough, you can jump in for a swim, but be careful, as the waters can be frigid.

Restaurants on the Isle of Skye, Scotland

Indulge in the hearty flavors of traditional Isle of Skye cuisine, where fresh seafood like succulent scallops and flaky haddock take center stage. Explore the island's culinary heritage with classic dishes such as stovies, a comforting mix of potatoes, onions, and meat slow-cooked to perfection, offering a taste of Scotland's rich gastronomic tradition.

The Old School Restaurant  is one of the best places on the island to sample local produce. It’s located in Dunvegan and offers a fantastic dining experience, complete with a pre-dinner room, open fireplaces, and a varied menu. The menu highlights include the beer-battered haddock, langoustine, and sticky toffee pudding.

The Oyster Shed is a perfect choice if you're a seafood lover. It’s found in the small village of Carbost, and the menu changes daily depending on the catch. Popular options at this eatery include oysters, lobster, smoked salmon, mussels, and crab. There’s even a seafood platter if you’re after a bit of everything. 

The Stein Inn is the oldest pub on the Isle of Skye, dating back to 1790. It’s located on the shores of Lochbay, so it offers stunning views of the Outer Hebrides. Here, you can try a variety of Skye-inspired dishes, including shellfish and over 120 Scottish whiskies. It’s also possible to stay overnight in a sea-view room.

You’ll find Cafe Sia & Siaway in the town of Broadford. A highlight of this place has to be its wood-fired pizzas, which are also available for takeaway. The ice cream milkshakes are another delight, as well as the real-fruit smoothies. Of course, there are plenty of other tasty dishes on offer too. 

Another popular spot in Broadford is Deli Gata , known for its charming setting, signature sandwiches, cream cheese bagels, and soups. Many tasty sweet treats are available, including scones, coffee and walnut cake, lemon drizzle, and chocolate orange cake. So much to choose from! 

Day Trip: Fort Augustus + Loch Ness (1.5 Hours)

If you head over the Skye Bridge, you can easily visit Fort Augustus. This charming village is located on the Caledonian Canal and is a must-visit.

Fort Augustus is also found on the Southern tip of Loch Ness, one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions. This colossal freshwater loch is famous for being home to the Loch Ness Monster, with daily boat trips around the lake. 

If you don’t mind driving further, Drumnadrochit is just 30 minutes away. Here, you’ll find the Loch Ness Centre, a popular tourist attraction, which will take you through the loch’s history and mysteries. 

Day Trip: Fort William (2 Hours)

Often referred to as the UK’s outdoor capital, Fort William is another fantastic place to visit. The United Kingdom’s tallest mountain towers behind the town, so Fort William is naturally known as the ‘Gateway to Ben Nevis.’

Thanks to its location on the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is incredibly scenic. There are also many things to do, such as visiting the West Highland Museum, taking a tour of Ben Nevis Distillery, or picking up a souvenir from Treasures of the Earth.

However, Fort William is most popular with hikers as there are some fantastic trails in this area, including one that leads to Steall Falls.

Day Trip: Glenfinnan Viaduct (2 Hours)

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, don’t miss out on visiting Glenfinnan Viaduct. This is the famous bridge from the Harry Potter movies, where the Hogwarts Express takes its students to Hogwarts from Kings Cross Station. 

You can see the famous Jacobite Steam Train (aka Hogwarts Express) go over the bridge if you time your visit right. You’ll need to research the train times in advance and then get to the viewpoint before it crosses. 

Just be aware that this area can get very crowded during the peak summer season, as everyone comes to see the train. Try to avoid visiting on a weekend. 

Visiting the Isle of Skye, Scotland

As you can see, the Isle of Skye, Scotland, is the perfect destination for nature lovers. Whether you’re looking to go hiking, search for wildlife, or head out on a boat trip, this beautiful island has something unique for everyone to experience. Vacationers should allow at least 3-4 days for their visit. If you want to take day trips from the island, consider visiting for a week so you are not rushed. 

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Rannoch Moor and the Black Mount during the winter months

© Julian Elliott Photography

Rannoch Moor

Isle of Skye & Glencoe Photography Tour | 17 - 24 January 2026

A seven-night, eight-day winter photography tour of the Isle of Skye and Glencoe.

Join me for a fabulous photography tour and workshop based on the Isle of Skye and Glencoe in Scotland during the Winter of 2026. The photo tour is centred in the very heart of Glencoe and Portree on the Isle of Skye. We will use our two bases to photograph the stunning mountain scenery of Glencoe as well as the surrounding Scottish Highlands landscape and lochs up on the Isle of Skye.

During January, the area around Glencoe will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Snow will be on the high peaks and with any luck will be on the ground around Rannoch Moor. The Isle of Skye is similar and if we’re lucky we may even get an aurora borealis above the island.

Our stay is based firstly in the village of Onich, 5 miles north of Glencoe. Double rooms are provided with breakfast. Then we will move northwards to the Isle of Skye where our stay will be based in the Portree Hotel which is a central point on the island.

Highlights of the Isle of Skye and Glencoe photo tour, other than the endless mountainous scenery, will be Rannoch Moor, Buchaille Etive Mor, Lochan na h-Achlaise and the Black Mount as well as other places such as Castle Stalker and and the Fort William area. And up on the Isle of Skye will will cover locations such as the Old Man of Storr, the Trotternish Ridge and Elgol.

During January the average time of sunrise is 0850am whilst sunset is around 400pm. During our photo tour of the Isle of Skye and Glencoe, we will have breakfast before heading out to catch the sunrise.

After sunrise, we continue until lunchtime either into the landscape or in woodland before breaking for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll head back out again this time concentrating on photographing the landscapes. The day will finish with sunset then we’ll head back to our base to eat dinner in the evening.Isle of Skye.

17 January 2026

Pick up at Glasgow Airport (GLA) at 930am. From here we will drive to our hotel in Onich to start the photo tour of Glencoe. We will endeavor to make the best of the light during the day and capture the stunning scenery around us.

18 – 20 January 2026

During the next two days, we will again make the best of the scenery of the Scottish Highlands around the Glencoe area. In the late morning, we’ll start the drive northwards to the Isle of Skye where we’ll check into our hotel in Portree.

21 – 23 January 2026

We’ll have three whole days to take in the otherworldly landscapes of the Isle of Skye. This island otherwise known as the Inner Hebrides has become world renowned for its stunning scenery. We’ll have access to places such as the Trotternish Ridge, the Old Man of Storr (a 1-hour hike up), and Elgol.

24 January 2026

If we get the weather then we’ll head out to do one last sunrise then head back to Glasgow Airport (GLA) for a drop-off time of 630PM. This will give us plenty of time for us to take the long drive back and stop for lunch on the way.

In January temperatures can reach well below freezing and especially so on Rannoch Moor. You’ll need to ensure that you have clothing that will keep you warm from the inevitable cold and wind chill that we will be experiencing during our days out.

Make sure you bring good quality footwear as well as warm socks. Wind chill is likely to be a factor as if we are standing around waiting for the most opportune light then you’ll need to make sure you have the appropriate clothing such as a down jacket to deal with this. Don’t forget the all-important base and mid-layers too. A good pair of trousers to ensure that your legs are kept warm. I usually put my Paramo Cascada trousers on to help against the cold. Lastly, make sure a good quality hat and gloves are part of your wardrobe.

Good, sturdy walking shoes that are waterproof are perfect for the terrain that we’ll be working in. Places such as Rannoch Moor can be wet and muddy underfoot and so make sure your feet are protected. On the Isle of Skye be prepared for the rocky beaches and hike to the Old Man of Storr.

A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) and medium zoom (24-70mm) are the lenses we’ll be using the most. A longer zoom (100-400mm) will be useful to cover most compositional eventualities that we may need to isolate. It’s likely the most used lens will be in the 24-70mm range as a super wide-angle can create the pancake effect on the mountainous landscape, so make sure this focal length is covered. 

Although not essential, it’s a great idea to bring a laptop computer with you so you can discuss imagery with myself. 

What’s included in the tour?

• Double room single occupancy accommodation with ensuite bathrooms
• Transport during the tour
• Pickup from Glasgow Airport (GLA)
• Tuition from Julian Elliott

What’s not included

• Meals not mentioned
• Transport to Glasgow Airport

From £2595 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — January

Contact details

• +44 () 7749356942
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Glasgow Airport
• Photography

Tour prices

From £2595 Per Adult

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour company information

Julian elliott photography.

Small-group photography tours concentrating on both landscape and travel photography. I offer personalised tuition with small groups in stunning locations across the world including Glencoe and the Isle of Skye in Scotland as well as in Italy, Vietnam, and Asia. As a professional travel photographer, I offer a raft of experience having traveled in over 40 countries. I get clients to the right location in order to take full advantage of the best light available. The small group format enables me to maintain a flexible itinerary giving clients better access to locations more quickly.

Social Channels

Visit Julian Elliott Photography

Opening times

Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm. Please contact me either through my website or using WhatsApp as I may be traveling in an area without internet access.

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