Four day Classic Isle of Skye and Inverness tour

The cost of accommodation is not included in the tour price.

Simply choose the type of accommodation from the options when you book your tour and we will make your reservation.

Day1

We will be departing from the bustle of Edinburgh to start this classic tour. Leaving Edinburgh we will be travelling north west on the motorway (freeway) and soon reach a less busy area as we reach the outskirts of Stirling.

Our first short photo stop will be at Doune Castle which has been famously featured as Castle Leoch in the TV show Outlander. Cameras to the ready to catch some images. It's then onto the picturesque town of Callander, situated on the banks of the River Teith in the heart of the Trossachs. We will have time here to stop for refreshments and facilities.

As we continue north the glorious mountains and tranquil lochs will provide us with a dramatic backdrop on our journey to Glencoe. This is probably one of the most well known of Scotland’s glens with an important story to tell. This narrow valley is also where the bloody massacre of the Macdonalds took place in 1692. Our guides will be able to enlighten you with tales from this part of the country and why it will never be forgotten.

We will have time to stop at the Glencoe National Nature Reserve Visitor Centre and enjoy some panoramic views whilst refuelling on some tasty food at the café.

In the afternoon we will travel further north west passing by Forth William. During this section of the journey we should be able to catch sight of Ben Nevis – the UK’s highest mountain.

From there we will be following the Road to the Isles which will lead us on to the town of Mallaig. On the way we will visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct where the Hogwarts Express train thundered over the bridge in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets film. It features also on subsequent Harry Potter films – The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire.

When we reach Mallaig we will get ready to take the *ferry leading us over the sea to Armadale on the Isle of Skye.

*Please note there’s a £10 supplement per person for ferry crossing. This is a seasonal ferry and subject to timetable variations at times. Alternative routes may be taken.

When we reach the Isle of Skye, we will be travelling to the town of Portree and taking you on to your selected accommodation.

Day 2

This day is dedicated to one whole day exploring on the Isle of Skye.

Our day begins with a scenic journey alongside the dramatic *Trotternish Ridge and includes stops at the Old man of Storr and Kilt Rock. After a walk at the Quiraing, amongst the unique and unusual rock architecture, we drive on to reach the magical of Fairy Glen. It’s a delightful miniature Highland landscape and legendary home of the 'wee people'.

Next we drive to the most westerly point on Skye and walk to Neist Point lighthouse. From here we will have marvellous views over the ocean to the Outer Hebrides.

Our final stop of the day will be to visit and walk beside the crystal clear water of the magical Fairy Pools. You will have impressive views of the Black Cuillins from this area. This is a beautiful spot to take some fantastic pictures to show your friends or even dip your toes in the water if you’re brave enough.

We return to Portree in the early evening where you can select from one of the local dining options for food and refreshment before returning to your accommodation.

*we will visit all of the areas listed and not necessarily in this order – allowing for weather advantages on the day.

Day 3

We will have a leisurely start to the day. Once you are collected from your accommodation and ready for the road, we will resume our adventure with a fond farewell to the Isle of Skye as we cross the Skye bridge taking us back over to the mainland. In just a short while we will reach Eilean Donan castle where we will stop and take some time to explore. Being one of Scotland’s most iconic castles, it’s definitely one to be visited and photographed. It’s simply gorgeous and has appeared in countless famous movies.

On leaving the castle, the journey towards Loch Ness follows some incredible scenery. We will be following a route through Kintail and passing the Five Sisters– a high mountain ridge rising steeply from Glen Shiel to a max height of just over 3 and a half thousand feet. The Five Sisters are recognisable by their five distinctly pointed summits. This area is known for its exceptional scenery and is protected against any inappropriate development.

Our next stop will be at the famous Loch Ness – best known for it’s sightings of a mysterious monster. You will have the opportunity to do your own monster spotting on the shores of the Loch. We will be stopping in Forth Augustus which is situated at the most southern tip of Loch Ness. Here you will have the chance to walk by the shores of the loch or along the Caledonian canal and lock system. There will be plenty of time here to enjoy the canal side and marvellous views of the loch. There are a number of dining and shopping options in this area.

Our journey to Inverness will continue along the south side of Loch Ness. We might be lucky enough to see something happen in the loch or to even knock on the door of a man who has some inside information to share with us. Steve Feltham is a real Nessie hunting legend who has made his name known to many people worldwide. Steve has been searching for the Loch Ness Monster for the last 28 years.

On to Inverness for a quiet night in or late night out. You will be staying close to the city centre. On arrival in the city we will get you checked into your accommodation for the evening and provide you with some suggestions of places to eat and drink whilst in Inverness. We think that you’ll find it to be a warm and friendly small city with lots to offer. Many of the pubs and restaurants have live traditional music and great value meals. Some of our favourites include the Waterfront, McGregors and Hootananny Inverness.

Day 4

After collecting you from your accommodation on day 4 we will be sharing with you tales from the catastrophic battle between Jacobites and Government troops at Culloden Battlefield. You will be able to set foot on the site of the last pitched battle on British soil and appreciate the true scale of the battle. From this experience you will find out why this battle that lasted only one hour changed the way of life of the Highlands and Islands for ever.

Not too far from Culloden we will next visit Clava Cairns. We will delve even further back and discover the importance of the prehistoric 4,000 year old stone circles and burial mounds here. This is a hugely significant and exceptionally well preserved site which has undoubtedly been the inspiration for Craig na Dun in Diana Gabaldon’s popular Outlander books.

Leaving Clava Cairns, we will head due South and through the Cairngorm National Park. The views in this area are simply stunning. You'll hear some more about the wonderful wilderness of this area and why it has become such and important part of the Highlands.

Next stop is the Highland Folk Museum. You will get a chance to experience how Highland people lived and worked from the 1700s up until the 1960s. Furthermore, this outdoor museum displays over 30 historical buildings. Some of which have been built from scratch on site and others moved here from other places nearby. There’s even a replica highland township from the 1700’s which was used as a filming location for the hugely successful TV series ‘Outlander’, based on the popular books by Diana Gabaldon.

You will have time for lunch at the Folk Museum and the opportunity to the explore the area at your own pace. If the idea of visiting a Whisky Distillery is of interest to you then your guide will offer you this as an option.

Finally, our last stop on day 4 will be a gentle walk through big tree country to the famous waterfall and salmon leap at The Hermitage. This part of the country is quite sublime with a range of some towering Douglas Fir trees set beside a series of waterfalls of the river Braan.

On the final leg of our return journey to Edinburgh, we will cross over the River Forth and get a birds eye view of the famous Railway Bridge. This bridge amazed the world when it was finally completed in 1890 and has become an enduring symbol of Scotland’s engineering heritage.

When we arrive back in the city, it’s time to pick up our bags and bid our fond farewells.