3-Day Isle of Skye Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

Immerse yourself in the wild beauty of the Highlands and Isle of Skye on a three-day small group excursion from Edinburgh. In three days you'll explore some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in the Highlands, and visit the second largest west coast island of Scotland, the magical Isle of Skye.

Other tour highlights include Glencoe, the Lochaber region around Fort William, Eilean Donan Castle (set of the movie Highlander) and over the sea to Skye, where you'll stay in the picturesque harbor town of Portree.

You'll spend the entire second day on Skye, exploring the wild north of the island, Old Man of Storr, the mountain pass of the Quiraing and Skye's most westerly point at Neist.

On the third day you'll return to the mainland, before traveling through the Five Sisters of Kintail, and on to eerie Loch Ness, the central Highlands and Edinburgh.

With a maximum group size of 16 passengers, you are sure to have a memorable and personal experience on this special trip to the Scottish Highlands. You'll travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan and receive individual attention from your expert driver/guide. Traveling in a small group means you can reach out-of-the-way places to discover the real Scotland!

Winner of the Inaugural Scottish Thistle Award for Sustainable Tourism, October 2007.

Schedule details

Departure Point:

207 High St, Edinburgh.

Departure Time:

9:00am

Return Details:

Concludes at Waverley Bridge opposite Waverley Train Station at 7:00pm

Pricing information

Click the link below for a price quote on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.

Tour options:

Additional information

Inclusions:

• Breakfast
• Driver/guide
• All ferry and bridge crossings
• Discount Card offering discounts off local restaurants, shopping and attractions
• Modern Mercedes minivan with forced air ventilation for a more personal service (maximum 16 people)
• Two nights accommodation with private facilities in either a Bed and Breakfast or 3/4 star hotel

Hotel list:
A variety of superior class bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and hotels are used. These offer excellent value for money and allows the benefits of tourism wealth to be distributed amongst a number of rural businesses, rather than being concentrated into one area.

Exclusions:

• Gratuities (optional)
• Hotel pickup and drop off
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Boat Trip on Loch Ness (April to October only)
• Entrance fees (discount card offers reductions)

Additional Information:

• Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
• Minimum age is 6 years
• There are opportunities to take nature walks, it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear. Scotland can be a wet place!
• The First Edinburgh tour operator to be awarded 5 star status by the Scottish Tourist Board.
• Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
• Maximum of 2 Adults and 1 Child in one room. Family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children are not available.

Caring for the Environment:The tour operator aims to leave the legacy of Scotland's beautiful landscape for future generations to enjoy. The tour is as close as you can get to touring in your own car, but with the added benefit of reducing your carbon footprint by 75% (based on 2 persons travelling the same distance in their own car). The operator's commitment to environmental excellence has been recognised with 2 top Gold awards from the Green Tourism scheme and Keep Edinburgh Clean awards

Itinerary:

Day 1: Edinburgh - Portree
Depart Edinburgh at 09.00 and travel west passing Linlithgow Palace and Stirling with its imposing castle and views of the Wallace Monument. You pass Doune Castle, set of Monty Python's "Holy Grail" before stopping in Callander for refreshments. Crossing into the Highlands you head north towards the glorious scenery surrounding Loch Luibnaig then through Breadalbane (meaning the ‘high country of Scotland’) and up to the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. You continue through the spectacular mountain pass of Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692.

Leaving Fort William after lunch you drive past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and into the Great Glen. Travelling west on the "Road to the Isles" you head through the splendour of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. You stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, set at the junction of 3 lochs and completely surrounded by water. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, you follow the dramatic coastline north towards the island’s capital, Portree. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening where you are free to go out and explore the town.

Day 2: Portree
Today is a flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and your driver/guide's knowledge will come to the fore in developing the best day out for you on that particular day. North of Portree is the Trotternish ridge with its spectacular cliffs and rock formations, such as the famous landmark – the Old Man of Storr, the impressive sea cliff, Kilt Rock and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. Amazing natural scenery, which is best enjoyed away from the bus by taking a walk through this unique landscape.

Further west the scenery changes again with the emerald green valley of Glendale, the dramatic sea-cliffs of Neist Point (the most westerly point on the island, where you might get lucky and spot some whales or sharks!), and the 13th-century home of the Clan Macleod, Dunvegan Castle. You return to Portree in the evening.

Day 3: Portree - Edinburgh
You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting "Nessie". There is a boat trip (Summer only) available here that will get you that bit closer!

Heading south now through the Grampian mountains along Loch Laggan, famous now as "Monarch of the Glen Country" before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky Distillery. Continue onwards past Blair Castle stopping for refreshments before heading back to Edinburgh via Perth and over the Forth Road Bridge, to arrive in Edinburgh city centre by early evening.

Terms and Conditions:

If you cancel at least 15 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 14 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 per cent cancellation fee.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.