3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh with Loch Ness
Address
Edinburgh EH1 3AY, UK
GPS
55.9533456, -3.1883749
Three days to explore some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery incl. the Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands. The best Isle of Skye tours.
3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh with Loch Ness
Highlights
- Glencoe
- Eilean Donan Castle
- Quiraing mountain pass
- Isle of Skye
- Neist Point
- Five Sisters of Kintail
- Loch Ness
Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh – Glencoe – Eilean Donan Castle – Portree
At 8:30 am, we will leave Edinburgh and head west, passing Linlithgow Palace and Stirling with its imposing castle and Wallace Monument views. We will pass Doune Castle, the set of the Holy Grail of Monty Python, before stopping for refreshments in Callander.
We will cross into the Scottish Highlands heading north toward the majestic landscape surrounding Loch Lubnaig and then through Breadalbane and up to the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor, through the spectacular Glencoe Mountain Pass. We can travel past the highest mountain in Britain-Ben Nevis-and into the Great Glen after lunch.
On the path to the Isles, we will ride west through the splendor of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains protecting a pass on the way to the Island of Skye. The tour will stop to visit the iconic Castle of Eilean Donan, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, situated at the junction of three lochs, totally surrounded by water.
Next, we’ll cross the Isle of Skye bridge, following the dramatic coastline north toward Portree, the capital of the island. During the early evening, you will then be dropped off at your accommodation and be free to go out to explore the area.
Day 2: Isle of Skye
On Skye, day 2 is a very versatile day. Depending on the weather, there are several possibilities; the experience of your guide will come to the fore in preparing the perfect day out for you.
The Trotternish Ridge with magnificent cliffs and rock formations such as the Old Man of Storr, the impressive Kilt Rock sea cliff, and the beautiful Quiraing mountain pass is north of Portree-incredible natural scenery best enjoyed on foot.
The scenery moves further west again with the emerald green valley of Glendale, the spectacular sea-cliffs of Neist Point (the most westerly point on the island where you might get lucky and spot any whales or sharks!), and Dunvegan Castle, the birthplace of the Clan Macleod in the 13th century. In the evening, you return to Portree.
Day 3: Portree – Loch Ness – Edinburgh
For spectacular views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail, we’ll drive south through the Cuillin Hills and back to the mainland. For lunch and the chance to spot Nessie, we’ll carry on to Loch Ness.
Heading south now along Loch Laggan through the Grampian Mountains, now known as Glen Country Monarch until passing Dalwhinnie, home to the highest whisky distillery in Scotland.
As we head back to Edinburgh and over the Forth Road Bridge, arriving at 6 Waterloo Place at around 7:00 pm, we can pass Blair Castle and proceed through Highland Perthshire.
