5 Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Private Tour
Explore the stunning and dramatic scenery of the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands with a five 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 and Inveraray Castle.
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 – The morning of our final day begins with 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 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
Places we visit on the Isle of Skye 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
Private Tour Price (per tour)
March to October: £3850
Tour Information
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(5 Days)
FAQs
Which days does this tour start on?
This tour can start on any day from Inverness but should you wish to explore Inveraray Castle (open Thursday to Monday) then it would need to be a Monday to Friday 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 Portree (Day 1 and 2) and Oban (Day 3 and 4) 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. If you are interested in an extended multi-day trip, this tour can be combined with other tours listed on the website. Please request any tour extensions through the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form for the standard tour.
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 2 Day Isle Mull and Iona Tour Extension to the standard tour with two nights in Tobermory (Isle of Mull). This extension includes a trip to the Isle of Iona, along with a visit to Duart Castle and some free time in Tobermory. There is a £1750 surcharge for this tour extension (including ferry tickets). Please request further information on this tour extension 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 this tour (Armadale to Mallaig on Day 3) 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. Please note that for tours in March and October, the weather can be more inclement and 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 itinerary is 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
