3 Day Isle of Skye & The Highlands

Leaving Edinburgh, we travel past the stunning views of the Forth Bridge and enter the Highlands through Perthshire, a land of forests, rivers and mountains. We visit the quaint village of Dunkeld with its historic cathedral sitting on the banks of the River Tay. It’s then further north into the Highlands before we enter the Great Glen. At Fort Augustus, there is time to explore the shores of Loch Ness and a chance to spot Nessie. The journey continues to the famous Isle of Skye but first, we take in spectacular Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous icons. Our home for the night is the Isle of Skye, the ‘winged isle’. (Overnight: Portree)

We spend the day exploring the dramatic Isle of Skye with its amazing scenery, myths and legends. Hear tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape from the mainland against the backdrop of the jagged Cuillin Mountains. Highlights include the mysterious rock formation of the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock with its cascading waterfall and Dunvegan's impressive castle*. (Overnight: Portree)

*Summer itinerary, late March to mid-October.

We have the chance to explore the castle and gardens of Clan Donald Skye before taking the ferry to the west coast fishing village of Mallaig. Here you can board the Jacobite Steam Train to Fort William, one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world. The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct where a monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie’s campaign now stands. We head south through the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, wild Rannoch Moor then the heart of Rob Roy country before arriving back in Edinburgh at approximately 8.30pm.

Summer itinerary, mid-April to mid-October.

We head south via the Skye Bridge and through the stunning glens, we pass the Commando Memorial with views to Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Eerie Glencoe and the wilds of Rannoch Moor await before arriving in Rob Roy country to hear about the rogue who turned to a hero. Crossing back into the lowlands we arrive in Edinburgh in the early evening at approximately 5.30pm.

Winter itinerary, mid-October to mid-April.

World-famous Jacobite Steam Train (only available at the time of booking on summer departures)

Starting in Mallaig, the train travels on the west coast where you can see the ‘Small Isles’ of Rum, Eigg, Muck and the stunning white beaches used in films such as Local Hero and Highlander. The Jacobite then passes through Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his Standard to begin his ill-fated claim to the throne in 1745. We then cross over 21 arches of the impressive Viaduct with amazing views down Loch Sheil before heading to Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. The steam train was featured in a number of Harry Potter movies as the ‘Hogwarts Express’ and is an outstanding way to take in the beautiful scenery of the Scottish west coast.