6 Day Grand Isle of Skye and Highlands Private Tour
Explore the stunning and dramatic scenery of the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands with a six day private tour from Edinburgh. The tour itinerary includes Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, Kilt Rock, Quiraing, Dunvegan Castle, Glenfinnan, Fort William, Glencoe, Oban and Kilmartin Glen.
Day 1 – Departing from Edinburgh we travel north over the Firth of Forth towards the Central Highlands. We explore the beautiful village of Dunkeld before our drive northwards takes us to the Cairngorms National Park. Arriving near Inverness by the mid-afternoon, we visit Culloden Battlefield and the Clava Cairns before our overnight stay.
Day 2 – 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 3 – 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 4 – 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 5 – 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 6 – Begins from Oban with a drive north to explore the dramatic landscape and the breath-taking views around Glencoe and Rannoch Moor, including a short tour down Glen Etive for even more amazing scenery. The afternoon takes us on a beautiful journey by the Trossachs on our our return to Edinburgh.
Tour Highlights
• Dunkeld
• Culloden Battlefield
• Clava Cairns
• Urquhart Castle
• Loch Ness
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Black Cuillin
• Portree
• The Quiraing
• Kilt Rock
• Dunvegan Castle
• Glenfinnan
• Fort William
• Oban
• Kilmartin Glen
• Inveraray
• Rannoch Moor
• Glencoe
Tour Highlights
Culloden Battlefield
Clava Cairns
Urquhart Castle
Loch Ness
Eilean Donan Castle
Black Cuillin
Portree
The Quiraing
Kilt Rock
Dunvegan Castle
Glenfinnan
Oban
Glencoe
Rannoch Moor
Private Tour Price (per tour)
Summer-Season
April to September: £4900
Off-Season**
March and October: £4400
Tour Information
Depart Edinburgh
Return Edinburgh
(6 Days)
FAQs
Which days does this tour start on?
This tour can start on any day from Edinburgh but should you wish to explore Inveraray Castle (open Thursday to Monday) then it would need to be a Sunday to Thursday start day.
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 Inverness (Day 1), Portree (Day 2 and 3), Oban (Day 4 and 5) 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 the tour be extended to include the Isle of Mull and Iona?
Yes! For tours between May to mid-September, I can offer a two day extension to the standard tour with two nights in Tobermory (Isle of Mull). The extra days allow for a trip to the Isle of Iona, along with a visit to Duart Castle and some free time in Tobermory. The 8 Day Isle of Skye, Mull, Iona and Highlands private tour from Edinburgh is £6650. Please request any further information through the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
What about the ferry sailings?
Ferry sailings are generally reliable in the summer months, but delays and cancellations can occasionally occur. However, the only ferry journey on the standard tour (Armadale to Mallaig on Day 4) has a road alternative option available in the event of cancellation, though there would be a slightly later arrival into Oban.
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.
** Off-Season tour notes...
Please note that during the Off-Season months, the weather can be more inclement with wind, rain and (occasionally) snow more common. I may adapt the daily itineraries with earlier or later starts and finishes to suit weather and travel conditions, and attraction opening and closing times. Most of the attractions listed in the itinerary are still accessible during these months, though please note that Dunvegan Castle is only open April to mid-October and Inveraray Castle from late-March to late-October. On tours where an itinerary attraction is unavailable to explore we visit alternative locations.
View the full list of FAQs here
