7-day luxury Scotland vacation: Highlands and Isle of Skye

Highlights

• Kick off your Highlands and Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh with a beautiful train journey to Inverness, before crossing the bridge to Skye.
• Stand in the dramatic landscapes of Skye and the Scottish Highlands, as you hear stories about the human and geological forces that created them.
• Be captivated by your Scottish Tour Leader’s stories as you visit castles and towering peaks, historic homes and traditional craftspeople, and a dramatic hidden loch.
• Stay at three welcoming hotels (two nights at each): a Georgian mansion outside Inverness, a former hunting lodge on Skye and a loch-side retreat at Port Appin.
• Taste some of the finest food in Scotland with traditional meals made from quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Overview

Live the stories and traditions of Scotland on our 7-day, 6-night Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh as part of a small group (maximum 10 guests). You’ll explore the history, geology and traditions of Scotland in the Highlands of Argyll and on the Isle of Skye.

Travel from Edinburgh to Inverness to take in the sights and sounds of the Highlands, before exploring the enchanting Isle of Skye. Afterwards, journey to a loch-side hotel to discover the scenic beauty of the Appin district.

This Scotland vacation package encompasses loch-fringed coastlines, towering mountain ranges and hidden-away gems, all in the company of your Scottish guide, who will bring to life Scotland’s history, culture and geology.

You will visit castles laden with tales of conflict, clans and courage. You’ll dig deep into the local landscape, marvel at the landscape’s rugged beauty and uncover its deep-time origins.

Perhaps the biggest highlight of the tour is Skye itself. Known as the ‘Misty Isle’, this island, just off the Scottish mainland holds so much history, culture and traditions that you’ll be enthralled the moment you set foot on the island. Our Skye vacation takes you from one end of the island to the other, from hundreds of millions of years ago to the present, from peaceful ports to jagged mountain peaks, with all the richness of island life in between.

Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness - welcome to Scotland!

The first journey of your tour is by first-class train from Edinburgh to Inverness, accompanied by your Scottish guide. It’s a gentle introduction to the Scottish Highlands, with views of lochs, mountains and moors. After a mid-morning departure, you will arrive in Inverness in the afternoon, transferring to your accommodation via taxi.

You’ll receive a warm Scottish welcome at Coul House Hotel. An historic, family-run Georgian mansion, Coul House will be your base for two nights as you get some Scottish Highlands experiences under your belt. For now, get settled in, admire the countryside views and Coul House’s garden, and raise a glass to the start of your vacation in Scotland.

• Hotel: Coul House Hotel, Strathpeffer
• Group dinner

Day 2: Cromarty - folklore, fortunes and fossils

After waking to a Highlands view and a hearty breakfast, you’ll be off to the nearby famous Black Isle peninsula, working your way up to the coastal town of Cromarty. On the way, we’ll stop in the town of Fortrose, known for its ruined cathedral and, with luck, see visiting dolphins from Chanonry Point!

You’ll also hear the legend of the Brahan Seer, a 17th century prophet whose predictions brought him to an untimely end on the Point.

Travelling on to Cromarty, we’ll visit the birthplace and childhood home of Hugh Miller, a pioneering Scottish geologist, folklorist and fossil hunter, whose life and discoveries are on prominent display in his preserved cottage, which is now a museum.

We’ll take lunch in town, and after some more discovering, either take the ferry across to Tain to learn about Clan Ross, or travel back down the Black Isle to Beauly, home to the ruined 13th century priory and the renowned outfitters Campbell’s of Beauly.

Back at Coul House, we’ll feast on a traditional group dinner, then relax ahead of the Skye leg of your Scotland vacation.

• Hotel: Coul House Hotel, Strathpeffer
• Group dinner
• Daily Walking Details:  Approx. 2 miles | Negligible ascent | Approx. 2 hours

Day 3: Inverness to Skye - strongholds and incredible scenery

On the way to Skye, we’ll stop at a quintessentially Scottish landmark – Eilean Donan Castle.

Standing where three lochs meet, the castle’s fascinating history began long before BBC branding and James Bond films made it famous! You’ll have plenty of time to wander the battlements and the castle halls and take lunch, before we hit the road and cross the bridge to Skye.

We’ll travel up through Skye to its northern Trotternish Peninsula, and stop off at the Old Man of Storr, an iconic collection of rock pinnacles that is an internationally recognisable sign of the island. If time allows, we’ll also take in further sights in Skye’s north, including the equally spectacular Quiraing mountain landscapes and cliffs, that owe their origin to ancient volcanic activity.

Travelling back down to Portree, we’ll end this day by checking into your accommodation on Skye, the four-star Cuillin Hills. This award-winning hotel has an equally commended restaurant, inviting bedrooms and some of the most remarkable loch and mountain views on Skye.

• Hotel: Cuillin Hills Hotel, Portree
• Group dinner
• Daily Walking Details:  Approx. 2 miles |  Negligible ascent | Approx. 2 hours

Day 4: Straithaird - sailing to a secluded loch

Geologist Dr. Noelle Odling joins the group today for the next 3 days. You’ll embark on a real Skye vacation adventure. We’ll head to a loch that’s notoriously hard to reach – if you travel there by land…luckily, you’ll be travelling by water! Board a boat in the village of Elgol to reach the elusive loch Elgol, which has stories of its own, having hosted Bonnie Prince Charlie while he evaded government capture after the Battle of Culloden.

At the picturesque Loch Coruisk, you’ll find out about the area’s geological past and hear the story of the Highland Clearances, a key chapter in Scottish history. Afterwards, there will be a picnic lunch and time to take a short or an optional longer walk along the shoreline of this hidden gem.

After getting the boat back to Elgol, we’ll return to Portree for a free afternoon and a last dinner at the Cuillin Hills Hotel.

• Hotel: Cuillin Hills Hotel, Portree
• Group dinner
• Daily Walking Details:  Approx. 1.8 mile | 165ft ascent | 1.5 hours

Day 5: Skye to Appin - history, Hogwarts and heritage

After a last breakfast on Skye, it’s time to head off on the next leg of your Scotland vacation to Appin in Argyll. We’ll travel down to Skye’s southern coast and catch the ferry over to the town of Mallaig, before driving off to the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Famous for carrying the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, the area around the viaduct is also of great historical significance for being the landing point for Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, and the starting point of the Jacobite rising.

Having taken in the sights and the history, we’ll journey onwards, stopping for lunch in Fort William before visiting Glen Coe, the mountainous site of a notorious massacre and an area of great geological interest, as well as one Darwin visited.

The last stop before reaching your accommodation is Ballachulish Slate Quarry, where we’ll hear the story of continental collision to form the slates. Slates were once a vital industry for the area, and there is a linked story of a concerned doctor who campaigned for the area’s workers.

Finally, you’ll check into the Pierhouse Hotel on the shores of Loch Linnhe, a welcoming hotel with excellent views and a menu dedicated to quality seafood.

• Hotel: Pierhouse Hotel, Port Appin
• Group dinner.
• Daily Walking Details:  Approx. 1.5 miles | Negligible ascent | Approx. 2 hours

Day 6: Appin - unwind on the Scottish Highland's winding trails

After breakfast and views of the loch at the Pierhouse Hotel, you’ll be spending today on the Island of Lismore. Noelle will guide you through the fascinating Island landscapes, history and geology, as well as giving you a unique and first-hand account of living on the Island. Noelle is the perfect guide as you visit castles, brochs, a medieval church, and the Heritage Centre.

The journey to Lismore involves a short drive (40 mins) to Oban and a Ferry to Achnacroish with views of the dramatic mountains on the Isle of Mull.

• Hotel: Pierhouse Hotel, Port Appin
• Group dinner
• Daily Walking Details: Short leisurely walks, less than 2 miles | <165ft ascent | Max 1 hour.

Day 7: Returning home

Savour your last breakfast at the Pierhouse Hotel, then enjoy the journey back to Edinburgh via a scenic drive along the length of Loch Lomond. We’ll stop in Glasgow to catch the train back to Edinburgh, arriving at Waverley Station in the early afternoon. Alternatively, stay on in Glasgow for more adventures, or a flight home.

Note: If required for reasons beyond our control, GeoCultura reserves the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality or adapt the itinerary if required.

Activity Level and Transport

The activity level is rated as LEISURELY to MODERATE, requiring an average level of fitness (view our activity level definitions). The tour will involve walking in generally easy terrain, but will require good walking boots and a moderate level of fitness (please note, some paths may be uneven and loose underfoot). Walks are 1-3 miles long. This tour also involves boarding a passenger boat to reach Loch Coruisk, from a ramped pier.

If walking is an issue, alternative arrangements can be made during the scheduled longer walks, so please let GeoCultura know in advance.

The Tour Includes:

• The services of your expert guide and tour host who will be with the group throughout the tour, staying at the same hotels.
• Local geology expert who will accompany the group and give talks on selected days.
• All transportation costs when travelling from Edinburgh on the first day, and when returning to Edinburgh.
• Entry fees, local guide fees and activity fees, where arranged as part of the tour.
• All accommodation costs for the nights stated, assuming two people sharing a double room. Single occupancy rooms are available for a surcharge. See Single Supplement in ‘Need to Know’ tab.
• Six breakfasts, six a la carte dinners, three snack lunches.
• All service charges and most gratuities.

The Tour Excludes:

• Travel insurance. Guests should carry their own health and travel insurance.
• Extra or optional activities not described in the tour.
• Lunches not included on four of the seven days.
• Personal expenditures, any alcoholic drinks with meals, and extras at hotels such as laundry bills.
• Transportation to and from Edinburgh Waverley railway station at the start and end of the tour.
• Passport and visa fees.