3 Day Clan Macdonald Private Tour from Inverness

3 (or 6) Day Clan Macdonald Private Tour

Discover the history and traditions of one of Scotland's greatest clans - the Macdonalds - with a three or six day tour from Inverness to the Isle of Skye, Isle of Islay and the West Highlands where we explore the lands of the Macdonalds of Sleat, Clanranald, Glencoe, Keppoch, Glengarry and Dunnyveg.

3 Day Clan Macdonald Tour

3 Day Clan Macdonald Private Tour (Isle of Skye and Highlands) from Inverness

Day 1 – Starting from Inverness 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 enjoy a viewpoint break before we cross the bridge to the Isle of Skye on our journey north to Portree for our overnight stay.

Day 2 – Begins with a tour to the Trotternish Peninsula (clan Macdonald lands) including the Old Man of Storr and to Kilt Rock. Continuing north, we pass the ruins of Duntulm Castle, a 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 take the late afternoon ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig (or Arisaig) for our overnight stay.

Day 3 – Departing from Mallaig/Arisaig we tour through the lands of the Macdonalds of Clanranald to Glenfinnan where the Clanranald stood with Bonnie Prince Charlie as the Standard was raised in 1745. After a visit to the Jacobite monument and museum we take a breath-taking drive through the magnificent Glencoe, home to the Macdonalds of Glencoe and location of the infamous massacre of 1692. Leaving Glencoe we head back north through Fort William and visit the nearly 800 years old ruins of Inverlochy Castle, location of two famous Macdonald battle victories. The late afternoon takes us to the lands of the Macdonalds of Keppoch and the ancient church of Cille Choirill, then the lands of the Macdonalds (Macdonells) of Glengarry where we stop at the ruins of Invergarry Castle and the Well of the Seven Heads before our return to Inverness.

6 Day Clan Macdonald Tour

6 Day Clan Macdonald Private Tour (Isle of Skye, Islay and Highlands) from Inverness

Days 1 to 3 are based on the above itinerary except at the end of day 3 when we leave Glencoe and rather than returning to Inverness we journey south to Oban for our overnight stop.

Day 4 – Departs from Oban as we head south through the stunning historical landscapes of Kilmartin Glen, where we explore the traditional West Highland grave slabs that were prominent during the height of the Lordship of the Isles. We continue on a scenic drive that takes us past the ancient Dunadd hill fort from where the early Gaels ruled the lands of Dalriada, before we arrive at Kennacraig where we board the afternoon ferry for a 2¼ hour sailing across to the Isle of Islay.

Day 5 – A full day on the Isle of Islay begins with a visit to Finlaggan, the ancestral heartland of the Lords of the Isles. From Loch Finlaggan the descendants of Somerled, the chiefs of Clan Donald, ruled a lordship that at its height in the mid-fifteenth century encompassed most of the Hebrides and a large swathe of the Highlands. The afternoon takes us south to explore the ruins of Dunnyveg Castle the ancient stronghold of the Macdonalds of Dunnyveg. Before returning to our overnight accommodation there is the option to enjoy one of Islay's most famous export - whisky!

Day 6 – Departs from Islay as we take the early morning sailing back to the mainland. It is then a scenic drive back toward to Oban. After a late lunch stop we continue north through Fort William and visit the nearly 800 years old ruins of Inverlochy Castle, location of two famous Macdonald battle victories. The late afternoon takes us through the lands of the Macdonalds of Keppoch before reaching the ancestral lands of the Macdonalds (Macdonells) of Glengarry where we stop at the ruins of Invergarry Castle before our return to Inverness.

Private Tour Price (per tour)

3 Day Tour
April to mid-October   –  £2050

6 Day Tour
May to September       –  £4500

(Off-season tours in April and early October)

Tour Information

Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(3 or 6 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 accommodation in Portree (Day 1) and Mallaig or Arisaig (Day 2), Oban (Day 3) and Isle of Islay (Day 4 and 5) 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 Notes (6 Day Tour)
To allow for a full day on the Isle of Islay we have a slightly longer final day with a little more travelling – around 5 hours driving and a 2¼ hour ferry sailing – and we would expect to arrive back in Inverness by 7.30pm.

Tour Itinerary
The tour itinerary is based on experience, previous clients feedback and timings. However, we have a little 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
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.