4 Day classic Isle of Skye and Inverness tour

4 Day classic Isle of Skye and Inverness tour

We are a family run small group tour business and have real passion for providing exceptional tours for all of our international guests.
The Scottish people love a great story and our guides pride themselves in being some of the finest Scottish story tellers. Not only do they have a real passion for the history of Scotland, but also a knowledge of Scottish culture and how our ancestors lived over the centuries.
We also understand what people want to see and go out of our way to ensure that our itineraries capture all of the best that our country has to offer.

Itinerary

Day 1: 4 Day classic Isle of Skye and Inverness tour from Edinburgh

Pass By: Stirling Castle, Castle Esplanade Upper Castle Hill, Old Town, Stirling FK8 1EJ Scotland
Shortly after leaving Edinburgh we pass Stirling Castle. From the bus you will see this exceptional castl which sits atop a volcanic plug. It's been the home of all of our Scottish monarchs including Mary Queen of Scotts.

Stop At: Doune Castle, Castle Hill, Doune, Stirling FK16 6EA Scotland
Stopping at Doune Castle we will give you time for a quick photograph of this iconic castle which has been used in many film / TV productions; including Outlaw King, Pilot episode of Game of Thrones, Monty Python's Holy Grail. For our Outlander fans, you will have the chance to walk in the footsteps of Jamie Fraser as this castle was used in the TV show Outlander as Caslte Leoch.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Kilmahog Woollen Mill, Callander FK17 8HB, UK
Time to meet some locals...our opportunity to introduce you to three of Scotlands finest Highland cattle. These Highland bovine are an iconic sight - pretty photogenic too!
Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Loch Lubnaig, Callander, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park FK178HF Scotland
As we continue on our journey, we will be passing over the Highland Line and on to southern Highlands of Scotland. Almost immediately the scenery out the window starts to change as the hills make way for mountains.
The first Loch we pass on our tour is the wonderful Loch Lubnaig. This stunning stretch of freshwater is nestled between two striking mountains. The shape of this loch gives it the name Lùbnaig meaning crooked in Gaelic.


Stop At: Glencoe Visitor Centre, PH49 4HX Scotland
As we travel on through the southern Highlands we notice that as every mile passes, the mountains and glens (valleys) get more dramatic; when we find ourselves in Rannoch Moor and the Northern Highlands. A little further along the road and we drop down into Glencoe. Known as the ‘weeping glen’ our guide will furnish you with the sad story of the Macdonald clan massacre in 1692.
You will have a chance to dine on lunch at the newly refurbished Glencoe Visitor Centre.

Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Ben Nevis, Fort William Scotland
Soon we will be passing alongside Ben Nevis, the highest mountain not only in Scotland but the whole of the United Kingdom.

Stop At: Glenfinnan Lodge 830 Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glenfinnan PH37 4LT Scotland
Glenfinnan is our next destination. This is an area of extreme importance relative to the turbulent history of the Jacobites. In this location in 1745 a man known as Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied the nation in the last Jacobite rebellion of which our guide will tell you details of this infamous story. But for some of our fellow travellers find this will equally important for another reason - Glenfinnan is the location of the famous Harry Potter Bridge (twill he Glenfinnan Viaduct).
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: CalMac Ferries Mallaig, Ferry Terminal,, Mallaig PH41 4QD, UK
From Glenfinnan we travel on what is known as the ‘road to the isles’ leading to Mallaig and over the sea to Skye. The ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye is the best way to reach the island. This journey over the sea with all of the incredible views will inspire you and have you ready for the dramatic scenery the Isle of Skye has to offer.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Black Cuillin, Scotland
On disembarking the ferry, we will travel through the south part of the Isle of Skye which will lead us the centre of the island, close by the dramatic Cuillin mountains. In this area, our guide will be delighted to tell you all of the legends and folklore steeped in this area.
From here we will be arriving in the hub of island life in the town of Portree where you will be spending the next 2 nights at your pre-booked accommodation. Here you will find a number of restaurant and pub options.
Duration: 20 minutes

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Isle of Skye

Stop At: Fairy Pools, Road to Glenbrittle Glenbrittle, IV47 8TA Scotland
On day 2 we will leave Portree and head to the Fairy Pools. We recognise that this one location is by far the most famously renowned feature of the island. Unlike other companies, on this tour we will always make a point of visiting the Fairy Pools.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Pass By: Dun Beag, Struan Scotland
Our travels to Dunvegan will take us along the glorious east coast of the island passing Dunbeg Broch; the remains of an ancient fortress built over 2000 years ago. We will then be stopping at Dunvegan for some lunch.

Stop At: Neist Point, Glendale Scotland
After this, we will head towards Neist Point at the most westerly headland on Skye – it’s an iconic destination, with stunning cliff scenery, a fine lighthouse, an outlook to the Outer Hebrides, and the chance to walk over to this 110 year old Stevenson lighthouse.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Fairy Glen, Scotland
From here we will head north towards the town of Uig and visit the nearby Fairy Glen. This unusually quaint and attractive spot is well known for it’s quirkiness and some captivating fairy stories.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Quiraing Viewfield Road, Portree IV51 9ES Scotland
The road thereafter just gets more interesting as we approach the rather precarious Quiraing, thought to be one of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland.
As part of the Trotternish ridge it has been formed by a massive landslip which has created high cliffs, hidden plateaus and pinnacles of rock. Cameras to the ready! Interestingly, this area has been used in a number of films which include Macbeth, The BFG, Stardust, The Land that Time Forgot, Snow White and the Huntsman and Transformers: The Last Knight.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kilt Rock, Scotland
Moving down the Trotternish Ridge we will be heading towards Kilt Rock - It is said to resemble a kilt, with vertical basalt columns to form the pleats and intruded sills of dolerite forming the pattern. Closer by is the Mealt Waterfall, which freefalls off the cliff for 60m into the Sound of Raasay below.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: The Old Man of Storr, Scotland
The Old Man of Storr is our next port of call, still on the Troternish ridge and just 6 miles north of Portree. It can be seen from miles around and is the highest point on the ridge. Composed mainly of lava flows, is the most easily recognisable landmark om the island and one of the most photographed.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Portree Harbour, Off the Sound of Rassay, Portree Scotland
We will then return to Portree in the early evening.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: The adventure continues as we head for Inverness

Pass By: Skye Bridge, Route A87, Kyle of Lochalsh Scotland
This is our most flexible day. Crossing the Skye Bridge and returning to the mainland we begin a spectacular journey towards Inverness.

Stop At: Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8DX Scotland
Our first stop is Eilean Donan Castle, perhaps the most iconic image of Highland Scotland and used as the backdrop for countless famous movies. It is perfectly situated on a tiny island, surrounded by water and incredible scenery
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Pass By: Loch Cluanie, Invergarry Scotland
The road the takes us along side the icreadable Loch Claunie

Stop At: Fort Augustus Locks, Caledonian Canal,, Fort Augustus PH32 4AU, UK
Lunch at Fort Augustus - we will spend time at the most southerly tip of Loch Ness and see the canal lock system, built by Thomas Telford in the early 1800’s.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Loch Ness, Scotland
Next stop famous Loch Ness – Scotlands most legendary loch – best known for the many sightings of a monster.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Nessihunter - Steve feltham, Inverness IV2 6TR, UK
Plenty of Nessie spotting as we explore the less crowded eastern shore of Loch Ness. Photo stop at Dores, which is home to the real Loch Ness living legend Steve Feltham. He has dedicated the last 28 years to Nessie.
On to Inverness for a quiet night in or a late night out. You will be staying close to the city centre where many of the pubs and restaurants offer live traditional music and great value meals. Our favourites include Hootenanny and Gellions.
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: The last day of our adventure

Stop At: Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor IV2 5EU Scotland
You will be collected from your accommodation in the following morning and we will visit the battlefield of Culloden where were at last defeated by the British Government. It’s a powerfully emotive place where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Clava Cairns, Balnuaran of Clava, IV2 5EU Scotland
Close by to Culloden we will show you an extraordinary place of discovery where some 4000 year old stone circles and burial mounds reaching back to the Bronze Age are to be found. Clava Cairns became a bucket list destination overnight, after it was suggested that Outlander’s fictitious stone circle, Craigh na Dun was inspired by the site. This however is the real deal and many suggest it has a truly spiritual atmosphere.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Highland Folk Museum, Aultlarie Croft Kingussie Road, Newtonmore PH20 1AY Scotland
Next stop is the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. This is the UK’s very first outdoor museum and is simply one of a kind. You will get a real flavour of how Highland people lived from as early as the 1700’s, right up to the 1950’s. There’s even a replica 300 year old settlement which was also used as a location set in the Outlander series.
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

Stop At: Dalwhinnie Distillery, General Wade's Military Rd, Dalwhinnie PH19 1AA, UK
Moving south on our return to Edinburgh, we will be travelling through the Cairngorms National Park and have time available to visit a distillery in the area for all those who wish so to do.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Hermitage Woodland Walk, Just off A9 at Dunkeld, Dunkeld Scotland
Our final stop after here will be a gently walk through Big Tree Country to the famous waterfall and salmon leap at The Hermitage.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Forth Bridge, North Queensferry KY11 1HP Scotland
As we return to Edinburgh we cross the River Forth and you’ll have a photo opportunity of the Forth Rail Bridge. It amazed the world when it was completed in 1890 and has become an enduring symbol of Scotland’s engineering heritage, which continues today with a third great bridge across the River Forth.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.