Departing Inverness, we follow the legendary banks of Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle, where we go inside the medieval ruins to explore its storied history and enjoy commanding views over the Great Glen. Our journey continues through the dramatic landscapes of Glen Moriston and Glen Shiel, arriving at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle to uncover its historic past. After crossing the bridge to Skye, we pause at the old bridge at Sligachan for a magnificent view of the Black Cuillin peaks before arriving in the colorful harbor town of Portree, our base for the next two evenings.
From Portree, we explore the Trotternish Peninsula, pausing for views of the Old Man of Storr and the coastal cascades of Kilt Rock. We then ascend the ancient cattle pass to the Quiraing; looking out over the village of Staffin toward the Northwest Highlands, this remains a definitive highlight of the 'Misty Isle.' After a visit to the Museum of Island Life at Kilmuir, the afternoon is dedicated to Dunvegan Castle. As the ancestral seat of Clan MacLeod and the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, it offers grand history and exquisite gardens to explore before our return to Portree.
Departing Portree, we journey south to Armadale for a scenic ferry crossing across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig. We follow the famous 'Road to the Isles' to Glenfinnan, where we explore the Jacobite monument and view the iconic railway viaduct. After passing through the shadow of Ben Nevis at Fort William, we enter the coastal beauty of Argyll. We pause for a vista of the tidal Castle Stalker before arriving in the picturesque harbour town of Oban, our home for the final two nights.
Today we journey through millennia of history in the Highlands, moving from prehistoric mysteries to grand clan seats. We head south to explore Kilmartin Glen, a mystical landscape home to an extraordinary concentration of Neolithic standing stones, burial cairns, and stone circles. After lunch, we follow the shores of Loch Fyne to Inveraray Castle, the grand ancestral home of the Clan Campbell. Our return to Oban includes a viewpoint stop at the evocative ruins of Kilchurn Castle on the banks of Loch Awe.
On our final day, we travel north to explore the haunting beauty of Glencoe. We delve into the chronicles of the 1692 massacre and visit a reconstructed traditional 17th-century turf house. We pause at the River Coe and Loch Achtriochtan for some of Scotland's most dramatic photography. Our return journey takes us north-east along the Great Glen, stopping at Fort Augustus to watch the boats navigate the staircase locks of the Caledonian Canal before concluding our tour in Inverness.
March to October: £3950
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(5 Days)
This tour can start on any day from Inverness, but please note that Inveraray Castle is typically open Thursday to Monday during the season. If visiting the castle is a priority, a Monday to Friday start is recommended.
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 and historian (John Alasdair Macdonald).
Your accommodation costs, entrance fees and meals.
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.
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.
To explore more of the Scottish Highlands, the itinerary for the East Highlands and/or North Highlands days of the 3 Day Highlands Tour can be added as a tour extension. The total tour price would be increased by £630 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.
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 3) has a road alternative option available in the event of cancellation, though there would be a slightly later arrival into Oban.
The Scottish Highlands 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, April and October, the weather can be more inclement with rain and wind 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 itinerary is still accessible during these months, though Dunvegan Castle is only open April to mid-October, Inveraray Castle from late-March to late-October and Eilean Donan Castle can occasionally be closed on certain days for private events outwith the summer months. On tours where an itinerary attraction is unavailable to explore we visit alternative locations.
