Skye, The Highlands and Inverness
This great value 3-day tour to the Highlands and Isle of Skye gives you the flexibility to book your own accommodation.
Skye, The Highlands and Inverness - 3 day tour
About this Tour
Skye, The Highlands and Inverness Tour
3 day/2 night tour
This budget-priced tour will give you a real taste of Scotland in just three days. See famous sights including Glen Coe, The Great Glen and Culloden Moor. The main attraction is the magical Isle of Skye, and here you’ll experience the soaring Cuillin Hills, Portree and the dramatic Trotternish Peninsula. Back on the mainland, see iconic Eilean Donan Castle and visit emotive Culloden Moor. There’s just so much to enjoy!
Glen Coe - discover the sad tale of this magnificent valley
Glenfinnan - stop to watch the real Hogwarts Express cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct
Isle of Skye - enjoy an in-depth tour including the Cuillin Hills, Portree and Trotternish (featuring The Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and The Quiraing)
Eilean Donan Castle - see this iconic Scottish castle
Highland Folk Museum - experience how life was lived in the Highlands 300 years ago
Movie locations - Harry Potter, Quest for Fire and Black Angel
Transport only – accommodation not included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Edinburgh - Fort William - Inverness
Leaving Edinburgh behind, we drive through the Forth Valley to reach the historic city of Stirling, where you should catch a glimpse of Stirling Castle and The Wallace Monument. Along the way, be transfixed by stories from your guide of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.
Our first stop is at Doune, where you can visit 14th-century Doune Castle. It has had a starring role in Outlander (Castle Leoch), Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Game of Thrones. Soon we’ll enter the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, where we’ll meet some of our famous Scottish Highland Cows (Hairy Coos)!
Follow in the footsteps of James Bond (Skyfall) and Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), as we stop in beautiful and haunting Glen Coe, the most magnificent and famous valley in Scotland.
At Fort William, we’ll make a diversion along the picturesque “Road to the Isles” to watch the Hogwarts Express (Jacobite Steam Train) cross the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct.
The last part of our journey today takes us along the banks of Loch Ness, so keep your camera ready, just in case! We’ll stop to enjoy the view over Urquhart Castle, which overlooks the deepest part of the loch.
On arrival in Inverness, you’ll be dropped off in central Inverness. Make your own way to the accommodation that you have arranged (2 nights).
Overnight: Inverness (not included)
Day 2 - Isle of Skye Excursion
After breakfast at your accommodation, make your way to the pick-up point, and we’re off to the magical Isle of Skye! Our journey starts by crossing the Kessock Bridge and making our way across the Black Isle. We’ll travel through some of the most remote communities on mainland Britain to reach the spectacular scenery of Loch Carron.
We stop for photographs of the famous Skye Bridge with Skye’s Cuillin Mountain range in the background. It makes a wonderful introduction to the “winged isle” as the Vikings called Skye.
Once on the island, we’ll make our way, following the Black Cuillin Mountains, to Portree, the island’s main town. Along the way, enjoy stories of the faeries and giants that are so important in the folklore of the island.
Enjoy time for lunch in Portree before setting out to explore the dramatic Trotternish Peninsula, with iconic rock formations which have made this area the perfect setting for recent movies such as B.F.G, Prometheus and Stardust. Highlights this afternoon will include the Fairy waterfalls, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, The Quiraing and Uig.
We return to the mainland and stop to photograph picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, which makes for an iconic image of your time in Scotland. We’ll return to central Inverness later this evening.
Day 3 - Inverness - Cairngorm National Park - Edinburgh
Join the rest of the group in central Inverness, then make the short drive to Culloden Moor, where you’ll hear the story of this infamous battle, which in 1746, brought the end of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hopes of becoming King.
Next, we visit Clava Cairns to see the amazing Bronze Age standing stones and burial chambers, thought to be over 4,000 years old. Diana Gabaldon found inspiration here for ‘Craig Na Dun’ in her Outlander books.
We travel through the beauty of the Cairngorms National Park to visit the Highland Folk Museum. Here we’ll have the chance to see authentic Highland blackhouses and discover all about Highland life in the 18th century. The museum was used as a location for the Outlander TV series and makes for a fascinating visit.
After a break for lunch, we’ll stop at Dalwhinnie Malt Whisky Distillery. You’ll have the opportunity to discover how Scotland’s national drink is produced in the heart of these beautiful surroundings after our distillery tour, enjoy a tutored tasting, and visit the distillery shop.
Our journey continues through the heart of the Grampian Mountains to reach the pretty little village of Dunkeld, the final stop on our tour. Take time out to visit Dunkeld Cathedral, which is attractively located on the banks of the River Tay. This cathedral boasts a history stretching back over 1,200 years.
Later, we depart for Edinburgh, arriving back in the city centre around 90 minutes later.
Details
What's Included
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Live commentary in English
- Services of an experienced driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
What's NOT Included
- Accommodation
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure Information
1759 Regent Road
Edinburgh EH8 8DR
Check-in: 08:15 hrs
Tour Departs: 08:30 hrs
Tour Returns: 18:30 hrs
Child details
Concession discount applies to students and children aged 7 to 15 years inclusive.
We’re really sorry but children aged under 7 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Accommodation
Please note that accommodation is NOT included. Passengers are responsible for booking their own accommodation in Inverness for two nights. There will be a central set down/pick-up point in Inverness.
Luggage Allowance
One medium sized suitcase/bag per person (maximum weight: 15 kilos)
Admission Prices
In order to give you maximum flexibility admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
FAQs
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
COO 02909
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From £257.00
Skye, The Highlands and Inverness
This great value 3-day tour to the Highlands and Isle of Skye gives you the flexibility to book your own accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Transport Only Tour?
If you are an AirB&B fan or you like the idea of flexibility in your accommodation arrangements, then this Transport-Only tour is for you.
This great-value tour is led by an experienced and enthusiastic driver/guide who will provide you with engaging commentary.
Transport is by comfortable air-conditioned midicoach.
This tour is based in Inverness for two nights, and you will be responsible for arranging the accommodation for your party.
The tour will drop and pick-up from a central point in the city. You will need to make your way to and from your accommodation.
Your driver/guide will advise you of the departure time each day.
Can you tell me more about the optional extras on this tour?
To give you complete choice admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour. The tour itinerary has been designed to provide sufficient time for you to visit these attractions:
Doune Castle
Culloden
Dalwhinnie Malt Whisky Distillery
If you click on the links above they will provide you with more information on each attraction including current admission prices. In some cases a special discount is offered to tour passengers, your driver/guide will provide details if this applies.
Please note that credit/debit cards are not always accepted so it is recommended that you carry sufficient cash with you should you want to make a visit.
Tell me what the visit to a whisky distillery will be like?
A visit to a traditional whisky distillery is a feast for all the senses. After a warm welcome you’ll normally have a short audio/visual presentation on the the history of the distillery and the traditional methods used in the distilling process.
Next is a tour of the distillery where you you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation.
Your tour will end with a tutored tasting of a malt whisky and the opportunity to buy a souvenir of your visit in the distillery shop.
Where does my tour depart from and return to?
Our tours depart from a central location in Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile/High Street which is easily reached by public transport.
Full information on the departure time and place of your tour will be shown on your tour confirmation.
Can I reserve specific seats on the coach?
Seating on this tour is on a first come, first served basis and cannot be pre-booked.
If you are travelling as part of a group please make sure that all members of the party arrive at the departure point together.
What's the luggage allowance on this tour?
For safety reasons there is a luggage allowance of 15kg (33lb) per person in a medium sized bag (maximum size 63-67cm high/ 25-26in) and a small day-pack for your essential items.
Click here for helpful tips, packing list and details of left luggage facilities.
Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
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Rating: (5 /5) 22 Jan 2023
Beautiful way to see a lot of Scotland in a short amount of time. We loved our knowledgeable tour guide/historian/storyteller, Rose, and she planned the trip exceedingly well. We had to change a couple of routes due to force majeure, but she was very well prepared. Definitely knows the lay of the land.
Michelle from Simi Valley, US
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Rating: (5 /5) 27 Sep 2019
Totally recommended! Easiest way to have a taste of Scotland without driving by yourself on the left side of the road. Our guide, Brian, was full of stories and tips! We had FUN and made new friends!
Sofia from ,
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