Edinburgh | Isle of Skye | Small Group Tour

Enjoy 3 days to explore some of the most dramatic and beautiful places in the Highlands and the romantic island of Skye. Highlights also include Glencoe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Stay 2 nights in the picturesque harbour town of Portree on the Isle of Skye.

Day 1: Edinburgh | Road to the Isles

Depart Edinburgh and travel west, passing Linlithgow Palace and Stirling with its imposing castle and views of the Wallace Monument. You pass Doune Castle, set of Monty Python’s “Holy Grail” before stopping in Callander for refreshments. Crossing into the Highlands you head north towards the glorious scenery surrounding Loch Lubnaig then through Breadalbane (meaning the ‘high country of Scotland’) and up to the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. You continue through the spectacular mountain pass of Glencoe, the scene of the great massacre of the Clan MacDonald in 1692. Leaving Fort William after lunch you drive past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and into the Great Glen. Travelling west on the “Road to the Isles” you head through the splendour of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. You stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, set at the junction of 3 lochs and completely surrounded by water. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, you follow the dramatic coastline north towards the island’s capital, Portree. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening where you are free to go out and explore the town and enjoy dinner on your own.

Day 2: Isle of Skye

Today is a very flexible day. There are many possibilities and, depending on the weather; your driver/guide’s knowledge will help you enjoy the best day out. North of Portree is the Trotternish ridge with its spectacular cliffs and rock formations, such as the famous landmark – the Old Man of Storr, the impressive sea cliff, Kilt Rock and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. Amazing natural scenery, which is best enjoyed away from the bus by taking a walk through this unique landscape. Further west the scenery changes again with the emerald green valley of Glendale, the dramatic sea cliffs of Neist Point (the most westerly point on the island, where you might get lucky and spot some whales or sharks!), and the 13th-century home of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle. You return to Portree in the evening. (B)

Day 3: Skye | Edinburgh

This morning you will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness where you'll have time for lunch and the possibility of spotting “Nessie” with an optional Loch Ness boat cruise (weather permitting). Then, heading south through the Grampian mountains along Loch Laggan, famous now as “Monarch of the Glen Country”, we pass Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland’s highest whisky distillery, and continue onward past Blair Castle. There will be a stop for refreshments in one of the Perthshire villages before heading past Perth, over the Firth of Forth, and back to Edinburgh. An arrival time of 7:00 pm is planned. (B)

Guaranteed departures!

Tour departs daily from May 01, 2023  to March 31, 2024
Hotel names to be advised three weeks prior to departure.