5 Day Private Guided Tour of Scotland (incl. Loch Ness and Skye), Edinburgh

About this activity

This is the tour that does it all. Over five unforgettable days, you'll travel from Edinburgh through the very heart of the Scottish Highlands — ancient glens, mist-wrapped mountains, and historic castles — before crossing to the Isle of Skye, Scotland's most breathtaking island. Then back through dramatic Highland scenery, with time to breathe it all in at your own pace.

No coaches. No crowds. No rushing. Just you, your private Hopscotch guide, a luxury Mercedes Minivan and Scotland at its very finest.

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At a glance

Duration: 5 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English
Operated by: Hopscotch Travel

Ages: Adults (5–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Entry to all attractions listed
Included: Guide Accommodation
Included: On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
Included: Insider knowledge, local stories, and hidden gems most visitors never find
Included: Luxury minivan — spacious, comfortable, immaculate
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Expert Scottish guide for all 5 days
Included: Bottled Scottish Water and Snacks
Included: Fully personalised itinerary tailored to your group

Not included

Not included: Accommodation (we can provide recommendations)
Not included: Meals

Itinerary

Day 1 · Edinburgh to the Southern Highlands

Forth Bridge

30 min

Begin your Highland adventure with one of Scotland's most iconic engineering feats. Your guide shares the fascinating story behind this UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece as you cross the Firth of Forth and head north.
Dunkeld

one hour

Step into ancient woodland at this stunning Perthshire forest walk. The Hermitage is famous for its towering Douglas firs and the spectacular Ossian's Hall waterfall — a beautiful, peaceful introduction to Highland scenery.
Pitlochry

1 h 30 min

Enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of Perthshire's most charming towns. Nestled in a Highland valley, Pitlochry is full of character — a perfect chance to stretch your legs, browse local shops, and soak up the atmosphere.
Cairngorms National Park

one hour

Journey through Britain's largest national park — a vast, ancient landscape of mountains, moorland, and forest. Your guide brings the ecology and history of this extraordinary wilderness to life as you travel through its heart.

Day 2 · Inverness & Loch Ness

Clava Cairns

45 min

Discover one of Scotland's most atmospheric prehistoric sites — a beautifully preserved Bronze Age burial ground surrounded by standing stones. Quieter and more intimate than many famous monuments, it's genuinely moving.
Stop 2

one hour

Walk the ground where Scotland's fate was decided in 1746. Your guide brings the tragedy of the Jacobite rising and the last battle fought on British soil to vivid, emotional life. A defining moment of any Highland tour.
Urquhart Castle

one hour Admission included

Explore the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle on the banks of the world's most famous loch!
Loch Ness

one hour Admission included

Step on board a boat trip on Loch Ness itself — keep your eyes on the water and your camera ready as you travel across one of Scotland's most iconic lochs.

Day 3 · Through Torridon to the Isle of Skye

Rogie Falls

30 min

A short, rewarding walk to a spectacular series of waterfalls on the Black Water river. In season, you may even spot Atlantic salmon leaping upstream — one of Scotland's great wildlife spectacles.
Torridon

one hour

Travel through some of Scotland's most dramatic and ancient landscape. The mountains around Torridon are among the oldest on earth, and the loch views are simply breathtaking.
Applecross

one hour

A hidden gem on Scotland's west coast. This tranquil fishing village sits on a sheltered bay with views to the Isle of Raasay and Skye — a wonderful spot for a break and a taste of traditional Highland community life.
Bealach na Ba Road

45 min

Brace yourself for one of the most dramatic mountain passes in Britain. This ancient drovers' road climbs steeply through switchbacks to over 2,000 feet, with jaw-dropping views at every turn. Unforgettable.
Plockton

one hour

Often called Scotland's prettiest village, Plockton sits on a sheltered sea loch lined with palm trees — an unexpected and utterly charming sight. A wonderful place to pause and take it all in.

Day 4 · Skye's Natural Wonders

Fairy Pools

one hour

Crystal-clear mountain pools fed by waterfalls tumbling down from the Black Cuillin — one of Scotland's most magical and photographed landscapes. Otherworldly on a still day, dramatic in wild weather.
The Old Man of Storr

one hour

Skye's most iconic rock formation rises dramatically from the Trotternish ridge. The views across the Sound of Raasay from here are extraordinary — and the landscape feels genuinely prehistoric.
Kilt Rock

30 min

A breathtaking sea cliff with striking columnar basalt formations resembling the pleats of a kilt, with a waterfall plunging straight into the sea below. One of Skye's most spectacular viewpoints.
Quiraing

30 min

A landslip on an epic scale — the Quiraing is one of the most surreal and dramatic landscapes in all of Scotland. Towering rock pinnacles, hidden plateaus, and sweeping views make this utterly unforgettable.
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

one hour Admission included

The seat of Clan MacLeod and the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Explore the historic rooms, beautiful gardens, and the remarkable Fairy Flag — a clan treasure steeped in legend.

Day 5 · Skye to Edinburgh via Glencoe

Eilean Donan Castle

one hour Admission included

One of the most photographed castles in the world, and rightly so. Set on a small island where three sea lochs meet, Eilean Donan is a masterpiece of Highland drama. Your guide shares the clan history and Jacobite stories that make it come alive.
Fort William

one hour

Pause in the self-styled "outdoor capital of the UK" at the foot of Ben Nevis. A chance to stop for lunch, stretch your legs, and take in the views of Scotland's highest mountain before heading south.
Glencoe

one hour

The grand finale of your Highland journey. The Pass of Glencoe is one of Scotland's most dramatic and atmospheric places — a valley of towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and profound history. Your guide tells the full story of the Glencoe Massacre as the mountains close in around you.
Glen Ogle

one hour

A stunning Highland passage through a beautiful glacial valley — once home to a Victorian railway, now one of Scotland's great scenic drives.
Callander

30 min

A charming gateway town sitting on the edge of the Highlands and the Trossachs. A lovely place to stop for a coffee or a stroll along the main street — and a gentle transition back to the Lowlands after days of dramatic Highland scenery.
The Kelpies & The Helix

Passing by

As you head back towards Edinburgh, catch a glimpse of the Kelpies — two magnificent 30-metre steel horse-head sculptures that have become one of Scotland's most striking modern landmarks. A memorable final sight to round off your Scottish adventure.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

The Inn on the Mile
Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Waverley) hotel
The Abbey Hotel
voco Edinburgh - Royal Terrace by IHG
Rabble Rooms
Ten Hill Place Hotel
The Balmoral Hotel
Hotel Indigo Edinburgh by IHG
Travelodge Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place
Travelodge Edinburgh Central Queen Street
Stay Central Hotel
Travelodge Edinburgh Central

and 67 more pickup points

We come to you! So whether you're in Edinburgh or Glasgow, your guide will arrive outside your hotel around 15 minutes before your tour is due to begin. After booking, we'll be in touch to introduce ourselves, and your guide will contact you directly on the number you provided. You can reach us seven days a week with any questions.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.