2 Day Clan Macdonald Tour (Isle of Skye)
Discover the history and traditions of one of Scotland's greatest clans - the Macdonalds - with a two day tour from Inverness to the Isle of Skye where we explore the ancestral lands of the Macdonalds.
Day 1 begins at Inverness where we visit Culloden Battlefield to explore the bloody history surrounding Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite supporters (which included the Macdonalds of Keppoch, Clanranald, Glengarry and Glencoe). We then follow the Great Glen down the banks of Loch Ness before turning west to Glen Shiel and the Five Sisters of Kintail mountains. Arriving at Eilean Donan Castle (which was involved in a 'less than successful' Macdonald uprising in the 1530s) we discover its historic past before we cross the bridge to the Isle of Skye to explore the lands of the Macdonalds of Sleat (the most powerful Macdonald branch of Clan Donald). Our late afternoon journey through the Isle of Skye takes us to Portree for our overnight stop.
Day 2 begins with a tour to the Trotternish Peninsula (ancient Clan Donald lands) including the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock. Continuing north, we pass the ruins of Duntulm Castle, former clan stronghold, before arriving at the Museum of Island Life. Nearby is the grave of one of the clan's most celebrated figures - Flora Macdonald. The afternoon takes us south to the Sleat Peninsula to explore the Museum of the Isles (which tells the history of the Macdonalds) along with the ruins of Armadale Castle, the last ancestral home of the Macdonalds of Sleat. We then cross over the Isle of Skye bridge to the mainland and begin our return journey back to Inverness.
Private Tour Price (per tour)
May to September: £1050
March, April, October, November: £950 **
Tour Information
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(2 Days)
Tours are exclusively for your private group only (up to 3 persons) and prices are per tour. We 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 all taxes and a driver/guide (John Alasdair Macdonald) but exclude your accommodation costs, entrance fees and meals.
Accommodation Options
We recommend that you book overnight accommodation in Portree (Day 1) to make the most of your trip. Whilst we do not book accommodation for you we are 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.
Tour Option (May to September)
Visit Clan Macdonald lands in the Outer Hebrides (2 extra days)
On the second day of the standard tour we take the early morning ferry (1¾ hour sailing) from Uig in the Isle of Skye to Lochmaddy in North Uist. We spend the late morning and afternoon touring down through North Uist (Macdonald of Sleat), Benbecula and South Uist (Macdonalds of Clanranald) to Lochboisdale where we have an overnight stop. The following day, after a visit to Eriskay, we head back north to Lochmaddy where we catch the late afternoon ferry across to the Isle of Skye and our overnight stop in Portree. We then continue with the last day of the standard itinerary listed above.
Our tour to the southern islands of the Outer Hebrides includes visits to Howmore (Clanranald burial place), the Prince's Beach (where the Stuart heir first set foot in Scotland), Trinity Temple (founded by Somerled's daughter), Milton (Flora Macdonald's birth place) and the Kildonan Musuem (home of the Clanranald Stone).
This tour option is available on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday start days from Inverness.
Tour option surcharge – £1250 per tour (includes ferry tickets).
Please request this option through the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form for the standard tour.
Tour Itinerary
The tour itinerary is based on experience, previous clients feedback and timings. However, we have some flexibility and the tour itinerary can be adapted (in advance) to suit specific requests if possible. Please let us know any requests through the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Ferry Sailings (extended tour)
Hebridean Islands ferry sailings are generally reliable in the summer months, but delays can occasionally occur. While we cannot be responsible for any extra 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.
** Off Season Touring
The Highlands are renowned for changeable weather, even over the summer months. However, from mid-October to early-April, poor weather conditions (wind and rain) are more common. Further, daylight hours are reduced (particularly from November to February). For tours during the off-season, we may offer a modified itinerary (as number of attractions close over the winter months) with slightly shorter touring days and the itinerary and timings may be changed at short notice to adapt to weather conditions. Please note that Armadale Castle is only open weekdays in March and November.
