3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh
Our 3 day Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh takes you into the heart of the Scottish Highlands and to the Isle of Skye, the second largest island in Scotland which is home to the most dramatic and breathtaking scenery in the country. Led by an experienced and hands-on guide, this tour takes you to some of Scotland’s most impressive places such as Loch Ness, Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle and the Quiraing Mountain pass. Travel in the comfort of a coach and spend two nights in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. This 3 day Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh is a fun, convenient, and cost-effective way of exploring Scotland, with departures throughout the week from Edinburgh.
Update: This tour is running. You can see our COVID-19 safety policy at the bottom of this page.
highlights: 3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh
Day One:
- Depart Edinburgh at 08:30 and start the drive west passing the impressive Stirling Castle.
- Visit Doune Castle, which was the set of Monty Python’s “Holy Grail” and was also used as Castle Leoch in Outlander and Winterfell from Game of Thrones.
- Drive into the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Learn about the tribal history of the area, and you might even be greeted by a Highland Cow!
- Cross into the highlands admiring the extraordinary landscapes and views along the way.
- Drive through Glencoe, one of the most dramatic mountain passes in Scotland which was the site of a famous massacre of the Macdonald Clan in the 17th Century.
- See the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and watch the Hogwarts Express (Jacobite Steam Train) which featured in the Harry Potter movies
- Continue the drive past Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain and continue the journey to Loch Ness. We’ll drive the entire length of Loch Ness, stopping to admire Urquhart Castle and to try to spot Nessie, the Loch Ness monster!
- End the day in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. You will stay here overnight and have time to explore the city in the evening
Day Two:
The Isle of Skye!
- Spend the day on the Isle of Skye! We’ll stop for morning coffee at Kyle of Lochalsh and a photo opportunity of the famous Skye Bridge.
- We’ll drive into the island, where the Sligachan River flows majestically from the Black Cuillin Mountains
- Visit Portree, which is the capital of the Isle of Skye. We’ll stop for lunch at this beautiful fishing village.
- Admire the incredible rock formations at The Old Man of Storr
- Exploring the Trotternish Peninsula and Quiraing, with geological formations dating back to the Jurassic period
- Visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most impressive castles in the world built on an island!
- Return to Inverness in the evening in time for dinner and stay overnight in the town
Day Three:
- On the final day of this 3 day Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh, you will leave Inverness and head back south through the Cuillin Hills.
- Visit the Culloden Battlefield, a historical site with an interactive visitor centre that lies at the heart of the “Jacobite Country.”
- See the ancient ruins at Clava Cairns where Diana Gabaldon found inspiration for ‘Craig Na Dun’ in the Outlander series
- We’ll then visit the Highland Folk Museum, where you’ll learn more about the Highland way of life. There’s also a cafe here where you can have lunch
- Following lunch, visit the Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery to sample some famous Scotch Whisky!
- Our final stop is at Highland village of Dunkeld. Enjoy a short walk to the towns beautiful cathedral with a 1200-year-old history.
- Return to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 18:00
Accommodation:
We offer a range of different accommodation options for your 2-night stay in Inverness. You can find further information and prices for these accommodation options on our book now page. All price ranges listed on our book now page are approximate and you will be informed of the exact cost prior to departure. You’ll pay for your accommodation directly to the provider on arrival.
Hostel
This is the most budget-friendly option, with mixed rooms or dormitories from 4-8 beds. Breakfast is not included, and towels are not provided but can be hired at reception.
Bed & Breakfast
This is a mid-level accommodation, usually in a family-run guest house. The rate includes breakfast, and you can request single, double or family rooms. All rooms include ensuite bathrooms or have private shower room facilities
Book your own
You also have an option to book your own accommodation in Inverness. Your guide will drop you off and pick you up each day from the designated meeting point, located at ‘Aspendos Mediterranean Restaurant’, 26 Queensgate, Inverness, IV1 1DJ.
Additional info:
- Our Isle of Skye tour is available with departures every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday* from Edinburgh. (Saturday departures are only available during the summer months.)
- The tour departs at 8:30 from the bus stop outside Deacon’s House Cafe, 304 Lawnmarket
- Please arrive with plenty of time before the bus leaves. Bus seats are unreserved and are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- On the booking form, you have the option to choose from one of our accommodation options or book your own accommodation.
- Tour includes driver/guide and transportation.
- The tour excludes meals, snacks and entrance fees. We recommend bringing cash since there are very few ATMs in the village we visit. (£30 per day per person is recommended)
- It is essential to bring suitable shoes and clothing for walking and for the Scottish weather, which is very often cold and wet!
Covid-19 Safety Policy
- All passengers must bring their own face mask and anti-bacterial gel in order to board the vehicle
- The tour will run at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing
- All vehicles will be cleaned before, during and after every tour
- Contactless check-in with no printing involved. Just quote your confirmation number to your driver-guide and get ready to be shown your pre-allocated seat
Full Itinerary:
Day One:
We depart Edinburgh in the morning, and head out of the city, passing iconic landmarks along the way including Edinburgh Castle and Linlithgow Palace. You’ll also catch a glimpse of Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. The journey to the Isle of Skye takes us past some of the most impressive sites in Scotland!
Doune Castle
You’ll probably recognise Doune Castle since this 14th Century medieval fortress is one of the most famous filming locations in Scotland. It features as the fictional Castle Leoch from the TV series Outlander, as Winterfell from Game of Thrones, and was also used in the filming of Monthy Python and The Holy Grail.
Your expert guide will share with you the rich history and tales from the Castle. Highlights include a 100-foot gatehouse, impressive Great Hall, musicians gallery and more.
Into the Highlands
See the highland mountains in the distance as they peek through the morning mist, and during the spring and summer, you might even meet a traditional Scottish Cow, nicknamed a Scottish Coo!
We’ll continue our journey into the Scottish Highlands, an area of incredible scenery and dramatic landscapes. See the views as we pass by iconic Lochs and magnificent waterfalls. We’ll also pass through Scottish farmland, stopping to take pictures of gorgeous Highland Cattle roaming the fields.
Loch Tulla & Rannoch Moor
The landscape begins to change as we head deeper into the heart of the Highlands. The mountains get taller, the valleys get more rugged and often the clouds hang beneath the peaks creating a mystical feeling. Although we haven’t yet reached the famous scenery of the Isle of Skye, it’s hard not to be blown away by the views. We’ll see Loch Tulla and Rannoch Moor, which both offer breathtaking views of the Scottish landscape.
Glen Coe & Glenfinnan Viaduct
Speaking of spectacular views, it doesn’t get better than the Valley of Glen Coe! This is probably the most iconic image of the Highlands, and you’ll see why. It’s also the site of a massacre that took place in 1692, a tragic part of Scottish history.
Nearby lies the Glenfinnan Viaduct, instantly recognisable as the world-famous bridge used in the Harry Potter movies! We’ll watch the Hogwarts Express (Jacobite Steam Train) crossing the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct
Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle
Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle
Welcome to Loch Ness, home to the legends of the Loch Ness Monster who goes by the name Nessie! We’ll drive through the pretty village of Fort Augustus, and along the complete length of Loch Ness.
We’ll also visit the nearby ruins of Urquhart Castle, which dates back over 1,000 years. Your guide will explain the long and rich history of this site, which played a unique role in the story of the Highlands.
Inverness
The final stop of our 3 day Isle of Skye tour is to Inverness. This is the capital of the Highlands, located along the picturesque River Ness. Arriving at approximately 6:30pm, you’ll have the whole evening to explore the city. From local restaurants to traditional pubs, there are lots of ways to spend a magical evening in Inverness.
You’ll stay in Inverness for both nights of your trip.
Day 2
We’ll leave Inverness early in the morning, ready to spend the day touring the Isle of Skye!
If you are looking at taking an Isle of Skye tour, you probably already know that this place has some of the most unique and distinctive landscapes in the world! The views are so incredible that they almost seem unreal, with mysterious moors, jagged cliffs, and out-of-this-world scenery. We’ll spend the day touring some of the most incredible spots on the island.
Old Man Storr
Highlights of our visit to the Isle of Skye include:
- Sligachan Bridge: an old stone bridge idyllically located with the Cuillin mountains in the background
- Portree: this is a small fishing village that serves as the capital of the Isle of Skye. We’ll stop here for lunch, and you’ll have a chance to take in the colourful buildings and a unique atmosphere.
- Trotternish Peninsula: this is the most northern region of the Isle of Skye dominated by a 30km ridge of hills
- The Old Man of Storr: a fabulous view that looks like it came straight out of a fantasy movie. A jagged landscape with a Loch, sea in the background, and the Cuillin Mountains behind
- Kilt Rock: a unique rockface with amazing colours that looks a little bit like a kilt 🙂 Next to it lies a 50-metre waterfall that plunges straight into the North Sea
- The Quiraing: a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you’ll find jagged rocks, high cliffs and outstanding views
- The Fairy Glen: a fairytale landscape with a mystical stone circle, featuring views down to Castle Ewen
Eilean Donan Castle
As we begin our journey back to Inverness, we’ll pass Eilean Donan Castle. Located next to the Isle of Skye, this is probably the most epic castle you will ever see! Situated on an island at the meeting of three lochs, it was used to defend the Scots against Viking invaders.
Glen Shiel & Inverness
As we make our way back to our overnight stop of Inverness, we’ll drive through the spectacular Glen Shiel landscape. Soak up the amazing views and wild scenery as we pass by Loch Ness one again, before returning to your accommodation in the evening.
Day 3:
The ruins of St Andrews Cathedral
Day 3 of our Isle of Skye tour takes us back towards Edinburgh, through Jacobite country and visiting pretty towns and villages along the way.
Culloden:
We’ll visit Culloden, a famous spot where over 250 years ago a Jacobite Rising was crushed by government forces, shaping the course of British history. Today, you can walk in the footsteps of the Jacobites, and explore the interactive visitor’s centre. We’ll also visit the nearby Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age burial ground that dates back over 4,000 years! This mystical site was a major inspiration for the author of the TV Series Outlander. See the impressive stone monuments and walk through narrow passageways.
Clava Cairns:
From here we’ll head to Clava Cairns where Diana Gabaldon found inspiration for ‘Craig Na Dun’ in the Outlander TV series. See the ancient burial chambers thought to be over 4,000 years old! The nearby Highland Museum provides an opportunity to learn about the Highland way of life, and there’s an on-site cafe where you can have lunch.
Please note that the Highland museum is closed between late October and early April. As an alternative, we visit the Ruthven Barracks.
Whisky Distillery
Scotland is famous for its whisky, and this region is filled with distilleries. We’ll visit the Dalwhinnie Distillery to taste their classic single-malt. Set in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, this is the highest distillery in the UK.
From here, we continue the drive into the heart of the National Park to the Highland village of Dunkeld. Here, we’ll take a short walk to the beautiful cathedral, with a history of over 1,200 years.
Back to Edinburgh
We end our awesome 3-day Isle of Skye tour back where we started. We’ll arrive back in Edinburgh around 6pm.
