7 Day Isle of Skye, Mull, Iona and Highlands Tour from Inverness

7 Day Isle of Skye, Mull, Iona and Highlands Private Tour

Explore the stunning and dramatic scenery of the Isle of Skye, Mull, Iona and the Scottish Highlands with a seven day private tour from Inverness. The tour itinerary includes Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, Kilt Rock, Quiraing, Dunvegan Castle, Glenfinnan, Fort William, Glencoe, Oban, Kilmartin Glen, Inveraray Castle, Tobermory, Duart Castle and Iona.

7 Day Isle of Skye, Mull, Iona and Highlands Tour from Inverness

Day 1 – Begins from Inverness where we follow the banks of Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle to explore its medieval history. After passing through Glen Moriston and Glen Shiel we arrive at Eilean Donan Castle where we discover its historic past before we cross the bridge to Skye. Our journey through the Isle of Skye takes us to the old bridge at Sligachan and its great view of the peaks of the Black Cuillin before our arrival in Portree where we will overnight for the next two days.

Day 2 – Begins from Portree with a journey to the Trotternish Peninsula for stunning views of the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock before we take a drive up the old cattle pass road to the Quiraing. Looking down onto the village of Staffin below and across the sea to the north west Highlands, the Quiraing is one of the highlights of the whole trip to the Isle of Skye. Continuing around the peninsula we visit the Museum of Island Life at Kilmuir. The afternoon takes us across to Dunvegan Castle, home of the clan Macleod, one of the Hebrides most powerful clans. As well as being one of the oldest continually inhabited castles in Scotland, Dunvegan also has wonderful gardens to explore before we return to Portree.

Day 3 – Begins from Portree with a drive to Armadale to catch the mid-morning ferry (30–40 minutes) across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig on the Scottish mainland. We then follow the 'road to the Isles' to Glenfinnan to explore the Jacobite monument, museum and viaduct. After a visit to Fort William, the mid-afternoon takes us south into Argyll, with a viewpoint stop at Castle Stalker before we arrive in Oban where we will overnight for the next two days.

Day 4 – Begins from Oban heading south to explore the wonderful Kilmartin Glen, home to an array of Neolithic and Bronze Age standing stones, cairns and stone circles. After passing through Lochgilphead we follow the banks of Loch Fyne towards Inveraray where we explore this picturesque town and visit Inveraray Castle, ancestral home of the clan Campbell. The mid-afternoon takes us north towards Loch Awe where we have a viewpoint stop at the ruins of Kilchurn Castle before our return to Oban.

Day 5 – Departing from Oban we take a 45 minute morning ferry across to Craignure in the Isle of Mull. It is then a short drive to explore the stunning Duart Castle, ancestral home of the clan Maclean. The mid-afternoon takes us north to Tobermory where you have some free time to explore this picturesque harbour town where we will overnight for the next two days.

Day 6 – Begins from Tobermory with a scenic two hour drive through the Isle of Mull to catch the ferry (15 minutes - pedestrian only) across to the beautiful Isle of Iona. We have around four hours on Iona where you can explore Iona Abbey, the museum and the ancient churchyard, along with time to enjoy the stunning scenery and coastline of this wonderful Hebridean island before we return on the afternoon ferry across to the Isle of Mull and back to Tobermory for our overnight stay.

Day 7 – Begins from Tobermory with a short drive south to Craignure for the mid-morning ferry back across to Oban followed by a drive north to explore the stunning landscapes around Glencoe. Along with a visit to a reconstructed traditional 17th-century turf house, we also have stops at the River Coe and Loch Achtriochtan as we explore one of Scotland's most impressive glens. The afternoon takes us on our return journey north-east along the Great Glen to Inverness including time to explore the Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus.

Places we visit on the Isle of Skye, Mull, Iona and Highlands Tour

   Urquhart Castle

   Loch Ness

   Eilean Donan Castle

   Black Cuillin

   Portree

   The Quiraing

   Kilt Rock

   Dunvegan Castle

   Glenfinnan

   Kilmartin Glen

   Oban

   Inveraray Castle

   Kilchurn Castle

   Glencoe

   Fort Augustus

   Tobermory

   Isle of Iona

   Iona Abbey

Places we visit on the Isle of Skye, Mull, Iona and Highlands Tour

Urquhart Castle

Loch Ness

Eilean Donan Castle

Black Cuillin

Portree

The Quiraing

Kilt Rock

Dunvegan Castle

Glenfinnan

Oban

Kilmartin Glen

Inveraray Castle

Glencoe

Fort Augustus

Tobermory

Duart Castle

Isle of Iona

Iona Abbey

Private Tour Price (per tour)

May to mid-September:    £5700

(Off-season tours in April)

Tour Information

Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(7 Days)

FAQs

Which days does this tour start on?
This tour is available on Monday to Friday start days from Inverness.

What's included in the tour price?
Tours are exclusively for your private group only (up to 3 persons) and prices are per tour. I only offer private tours and do not combine individuals or separate groups – if your group size is less than 3 the advertised tour price still applies. Prices include ferry tickets, all taxes and an experienced driver/guide (John Alasdair Macdonald).

What's excluded?
Your accommodation costs, entrance fees and meals.

Where should I book accommodation?
I recommend that you book accommodation in Portree (Day 1 and 2), Oban (Day 3 and 4) and Tobermory (Day 5 and 6) to make the most of your trip. Whilst I do not book accommodation for you I am happy to help with advice on where to stay and eat. The tour quote will include a list of accommodation recommendations and suggestions for overnight locations.

Can the tour itinerary be customised?
The tour itinerary is based on experience, previous clients feedback and timings. However, I have a little flexibility and the tour itinerary can be adapted (in advance) to suit specific requests if possible. Please let me know any requests through the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.

Can I extend the tour?
To explore more of the Scottish Highlands, the itinerary for Day 1 (East) and/or Day 2 (North) of the 3 Day Highlands Tour can be added as extensions to the Isle of Skye and Highlands tour. The tour price would be increased by £620 for each additional day. Please request any tour extensions through the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form for the standard tour.

What about the ferry sailings?
Ferry sailings are generally reliable in the summer months, but delays and cancellations can occasionally occur. While we cannot be responsible for additional accommodation, food or other costs that clients may incur due to ferry delays and cancellations, we will make every effort to adapt the tour to minimise disruption. Please note that no refunds will be given for tour and itinerary changes due to ferry changes and cancellations.

What will the weather be like?
The Scottish Highlands and Islands are renowned for changeable weather and even in the summer months we are likely to experience some wet and windy weather conditions on tours. As such we always recommend a light waterproof jacket for all tours and decent footwear that you do not mind getting a little bit muddy or wet.

View the full list of FAQs here