3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh
-
-
-
-
-
Warning: key_exists() expects parameter 2 to be array, boolean given in /home/customer/www/touristengland.com/public_html/wp-content/themes/schwan/front_and_back/general.php on line 202
-
-
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 16-seater minibus 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.
highlights: 3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh
Day One:
- Depart Edinburgh at 07:30 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.
- Stop for breakfast at Kilmahog, a traditional Scottish Woollen Mill. 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.
- Pass by the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which featured in the Harry Potter movies
- After lunch in Fort William continue the drive past Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.
- Visit Loch Ness, and take an optional boat cruise. See the ruins of Urquhart Castle which are located next to the Loch.
- 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!
- Cross the bridge and enter the Isle of Skye
- 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
- Visiting Kilt Rock, with impressive waterfall and dramatic cliff scenery
- Visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most impressive castles in the world built on an island!
- Return to Inverness in the evening and overnight stay 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
- Visit the Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery to sample some famous Scotch Whisky!
- Stop at the pretty town of Pitlochry for lunch in a traditional pub
- Journey to the seaside town of St Andrews, which boasts a cathedral, world-renowned university, and beautiful sandy beaches. No other Isle of Skye tour visits this town!
- Pass by the Forth Bridges, the oldest metal bridge in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Return to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 19:00
Accommodation:
Our Isle of Skye tour includes 2-nights in Inverness. Our basic tour price does not include accommodation, and on our booking page you have the option to let us book your accommodation, or you can choose to arrange your accommodation independently.
We offer three different types of accommodation in Inverness. We reserve the accommodation in your name, and the payment is then made directly by you to the accommodation provider (ideally in cash, wherever possible). Prices vary according to season and booking date, and we work hard to offer the lowest rates possible.
Hostel (£25-£28 per person per night)
This is the most budget-friendly option, with shared rooms or dormitories from 4-12 beds. Usually, breakfast is not included, although sometimes hostels offer a basic continental breakfast.
Bed & Breakfast (£40-£60 per person per night)
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. Reservations for a single room are charged at an additional £10-£20 per night.
Hotel (£60-£150 per person per night)
We usually arrange 3* hotels, which are subject to availability which varies according to season. You can email us at info@touristengland.com with your requirements and travel dates, and we’ll be happy to provide more information.
Additional info:
- Our Isle of Skye tour is available with departures every Monday & Friday from Edinburgh
- The tour departs at 7:30 from 310 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PH
- Tour includes driver/guide and transportation.
- On the booking form, you have the option to choose from one of our accommodation options or book your own accommodation.
- The tour excludes meals, snacks and entrance fees.
- It is important to bring suitable shoes and clothing for walking and for the Scottish weather, which is very often cold and wet!
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. The journey to the Isle of Skye takes us past some of the most impressive sites in Scotland, and our small 16-seater minibus can visit locations that other larger tours cannot reach!
The Kelpies
Our first stop of the day is The Kelpies. These giant statues of two horse heads stand at 30 metres tall and are an unmissable part of the Scottish skyline. They are a throwback to the vital role that horses once played in powering industry and agriculture in the region. We’ll get a chance to admire the magnificent structure, as well as take a look inside the visitor centre.
Doune Castle
You’ll probably recognize 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.
Kilmahog Woollen Mill
A friendly Hairy Coo!
We’ll stop for breakfast at the tiny village of Kilmahog where they serve up traditional meals, including the Scottish national dish Haggis. This charming location used to be a wool mill and still retains its original waterwheel and other lovely features.
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!
Into the Highlands
We’ll continue our journey into the Scottish Highlands, an area of incredible scenery and dramatic landscapes. Stop to take in the views at Loch Lubnaig, see the waterfalls at the Falls of Dochart and visit the pretty village of Killin. 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 stop at 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 recognizable as the world-famous bridge used in the Harry Potter movies!
Fort William & Ben Nevis
We’ll arrive at Fort William, the second largest town in the Highlands, in time for lunch. Eat in one of the many cafe or local pubs, with free time to explore the town. The area is especially famous for its Scotch Whisky.
Following lunch we’ll continue north, stopping at the Commando Memorial Site to admire the views of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain!
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 stop at the pretty village of Fort Augustus, where you can go on a boat tour and try to spot Nessie 🙂 And if you prefer to stay on dry land, why not have a walk along the shores of the Loch?
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. 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 special 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! Located 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 landscape 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.
Cairngorms National Park
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, arriving at the Victorian town of Pitlochry in time for lunch. There are plenty of traditional pubs and cafes to have a bite to eat, as well as a world-famous Whisky ice cream to taste! Other highlights of the town include the impressive dam and Salmon Steps.
Magical Woodland & St Andrews
As we get closer to our final destination of Edinburgh, we’ll make a stop at a magical woodland named The Hermitage. Look forward to spectacular gardens with enormous trees and impressive waterfalls. We’ll venture inside to see the cave and step into Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors.
From here, it’s onto St. Andrews, a pretty seaside town which boasts a world-class university, ancient cathedral and medieval ruins. It’s also the home to famous golf courses and sandy beaches that stretch out onto the North Sea.
Back to Edinburgh
We end our awesome 3-day Isle of Skye tour back where we started. After passing the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge, we’ll arrive back in Edinburgh around 7pm.
