4 Day Clan Macdonald Private Tour

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

Day 1 – Starting from Inverness we visit Culloden Battlefield to explore the bloody history surrounding Charles Edward Stuart 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 – A full day touring clan Macdonald lands throughout Skye begins with a drive to the Trotternish Peninsula including stops at the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock. Continuing north we pass the ruins of Duntulm Castle, a former clan stronghold, before arriving at Kilmuir, the final resting place 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 along with the ruins of Armadale Castle, the last ancestral home of the Macdonalds of Sleat before our return to Portree for our overnight stay.

Day 3 – Leaving Portree we return to the Sleat Peninsula to catch the late-morning ferry (40 minute sailing) from Armadale across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig. The afternoon takes us south into the remote lands of Moidart where we enjoy a distance viewpoint stop at the ruins of Castle Tioram, ancestral home of Macdonalds of Clanranald. Located on a tidal island it may be possible to walk closer to the castle if it is low tide. After a visit to Loch nan Uamh – where Macdonalds initially greeted Charles Edward Stuart on his arrival in the Highlands – we return to either Mallaig or Arisaig for our overnight stay.

Day 4 – Departing from Mallaig or Arisaig we journey along the 'road to the Isles' to Glenfinnan where the many Macdonalds stood with Charlie Edward Stuart as the Standard was raised in 1745. After a visit to the Jacobite monument and museum, we head towards the lands of the Macdonalds of Glencoe, home to stunning Highland scenery and historic tragedy. The afternoon takes us through the lands of the Macdonalds of Keppoch and the ancient church of Cille Choirill, then 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.