Isle of Skye Private 4 Day Tour From Edinburgh or Glasgow, Edinburgh

About this activity

Let Macleod Heilan Tours whisk you away to Scotland's most famous Island and do it with a local guide who has extensive knowledge of Scotland.

Anyone that ever visits Scotland’s most famous island always wishes they had longer to explore which makes this 4 day tour the perfect fit.

Private Tour, exclusively for your group. Luxury Minivan Mercedes V Class or Ford Custom.

Learn about Scotland’s rich history, culture, and geography.

Two days ON Skye gives extra time to visit must see locations at a slower pace & time to hike/add extra stops which may not be possible with a 3 day tour.

Unlike larger group tours YOU decide where to visit.

Enjoy the splendour of Glencoe, visit the Hairy Coos and then sail over the sea to Skye on the way north and the famous Loch Ness on the way South.

Complimentary bottled Scottish Highland water/Ferry

Group accommodation is requested to be booked independently in Portree or South Skye - Please request our PDF guide with more information.

Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Airport & Hotel Transfers Short term availability Weather Dependent - Weather-Proof

At a glance

Duration: 4 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: Macleod Heilan Tours

Ages: Adults (2–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
Included: Ferry to Skye (If available/Weather Permitting/Fits with itinerary)
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Experienced English Speaking Driver Guide
Included: Bottled Scottish Water

Not included

Not included: Meals
Not included: Travellers B&B, Hotels and Accommodation are not included
Not included: Entrance Fees

Itinerary

Day 1 · Loch Lomond National Park, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Inverlochy Castle Ruins

Callander

30 min

Our first stop from Edinburgh will a 30 minute stop at the beautiful highland village of Callander gateway to the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. *Glasgow departures will enjoy aa stop on Loch Lomond in the gorgeous conservation village of Luss.
Glencoe

15 min

After refreshments and photos we will continue North going deeper into the North West Highlands into Glencoe making photo stops as we pass through & take in the most photographed Mountain in Scotland "Buchaille Etive Mor" & the famous Three Sisters.
Glenfinnan Viaduct

30 min

The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a 21-arch, concrete railway bridge in the Scottish Highlands, known for its elegant curve and breathtaking scenery we will make a stop here if taking the ferry to Skye from Mallaig. *Weather and availability permitting.

Alternatively we will take the Skye Bridge or Glenelg Ferry if the Mallaig ferry is unavailable.
Old Inverlochy Castle

15 min

We will then make our way up to back to Fort William stopping for photos at the ruined Inverlochy Castle which is one of the best preserved ruins from the 12 century. Burnt to its current state by Robert the Bruce one of Scotlands most famous Kings in 1306.

Day 2 · Isle of Skye Full Day Tour, Whisky & Fairy Folklore

Sligachan Old Bridge

20 min

Today you will experience the magnificent Isle of Skye voted the 4th best island by National Geographic. What better way to enjoy it with a guide who grew up on the Island. We will have our first stop at Sligachan where we can marvel at the Black & Red Cuillin Mountains. Possibly wash our faces in the river Sligachan (Legend says its gives eternal beauty!) & your guide will tell you about the famous mountains and where the name Cuillin comes from.
Fairy Pools

1 h 30 min

We will then drive the short distance to the Fairy Pools where there is the option to hike up to the main pools and capture that spectacular photo which has made the Fairy Pools so popular. We will learn about some of the clan rivalry on the island and some of the battles. One fought here at the site of the pools called the battle of the one eyed lady.
Talisker Distillery

45 min

After a hike the best way to relax is with a "Wee Dram" so we can visit the famous Talisker Whisky Distillery for a taster if you like or just explore the distillery visitor centre which has just completed a huge renovation. Talisker is one of the most prestigious distilleries in Scotland and "officially' opened in 1830.
Portree

1 h 15 min

We will lunch in the capital of the island Portree just a small town of 3000 it has lots to offer in terms of views, shopping and eateries. The Harbour designed by Thomas Telford makes a great photo with the colourful houses, church and the lump (The Meall) in the background.
Kilt Rock

20 min

After lunch in Portree we will complete the impressive Trotternish Ridge circuit taking in famous sights such as the Old Man of Storr & Mealt Falls which is an impressive Sea waterfall with Kilt Rock as its back drop. This area has had various Dinosaur footprints found and there is even a Dinosaur museum in the nearby village of Staffin.
Quiraing

20 min

The Quiraing is Britains largest landslide and the landscape in this area is like no other you will find in the United Kingdom. Used as a film location for many movies including Transformers, BFG & Stardust to name a few you will see why they chose to film in this magical area.
Fairy Glen

45 min

We will end the day in Fairy Glen which has a fairy like feel to it. Spelt Faerie Glen it is full of cone shaped grassy hills and interesting rock formations one being called Castle Euan as it looks like an old ruined castle. Your guide will tell you about some stories of the fairy folklore on Skye and where the connection to Fairies and Skye comes from.
Isle of Skye

Passing by

End your day exploring the Isle of Skye.

Day 3 · Isle of Skye Full Day Tour, Whisky & Fairy Folklore

Loch Coruisk

1 h 30 min Admission not included

This extra day on Skye gives us the opportunity to get to one of the finest Lochs and views in all of Scotland, Loch Coruisk. The drive over to Elgol is truly stunning and we are rewarded with our efforts with the view from Elgol Pier with a different aspect of the Black Cuillins. There is the option to book on to the Misty Isle boat cruise which will give us access to Loch Coruisk and also likely we will spot some marine life. The Elgolian Langoustine roll is one to try if we are lucky enough to time it right with the local seafood shack.

*Sailings are weather dependent and availability at the time of booking
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

3 hours Admission not included

Home to the Clan Macleod, Dunvegan Castle is one the greatest Hebridean castles and the only Highland fortress to have been continuously occupied by the same family for 800 years. We will have plenty of time to stop here so the castle visit is not rushed and there is time to enjoy the award winning Castle Gardens. This can be the lunch stop depending on time.
Neist Point

1 h 30 min

Neist Point is the most Westerly point of Skye and is breathtaking in its beauty. It is a hike down to the Lighthouse but totally worth it for the views and the chance to see how the Lighthouse keepers would have lived living in such a remote part of Skye. Supplies were landed by boat and there is an aerial cableway used to take goods from the road to the lighthouse and cottages. The Basalt cliffs are busy with sea birds and looking to the sea we may see whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks if we are lucky.
Skye Weavers

Passing by

You may have heard of Harris Tweed but Skye has its own version made locally and to traditional processes. You may get the chance to pedal the bicycle powered loom and learn about how the products are woven all on site.
Dun Beag

30 min

Dun Beag Broch is an Iron Age fort of over 2000 years old. There are over 700 of them in Scotland and this one is not to be missed. There were constructed of an inner and an outer wall and were said to be the dwellings of wealthy heads of family.

Day 4 · Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, Cairngorm National Park & Highland Perthshire

Eilean Donan Castle

one hour Admission not included

We leave Skye behind & still have so much to see as we travel South. Our first stop of the day will be the "biscuit tin castle" Scotlands most photographed Castle Eilean Donan. This has featured in movies such as Bridesmaids and Highlander and is a popular location for those wanting to tie the knot.
Loch Ness

2 hours Admission not included

We will arrive at Loch Ness just an hours drive from Eilean Donan at a little town called Fort Augustus where there is an option to go onto the water and do the cruise on the Loch. Loch Ness is one of the most famous of all the Lochs in Scotland with nearly double the volume of water than all of the Lakes in England & Wales combined and is rumoured to have a famous resident in the waters called "Nessie" We will have time to do the cruise and explore the town which will also be the lunch stop of the day.
Pitlochry

30 min

After Loch Ness we will drive towards Spean Bridge and the Ben Nevis viewpoint (Commando Memorial) taking in the grandeur off the Nevis Range before heading East and South via the Laggan road entering into the Cairngorm National Park. Gradually making our way through the Cairngorms down towards "Big Tree Country" Perthshire passing by Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery & Blair Castle. We will have a final stop of the tour in the beautiful town of Pitlochry which is the gateway between Highlands and Lowlands made famous through Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who would regularly visit.
Forth Road Bridge

Passing by

As we make our way back to Edinburgh we will cross over the famous forth road bridge and the Firth of Forth which has three famous bridges one being a World Uniseco heritage site (Forth Railway Bridge) The tour will end at your chosen destination.

Meeting point and pickup

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

Pickup points

Dalmeny Park House Hotel
Lit Suites
Premier Inn Glasgow Bellshill Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Strathclyde
JA Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort
Station Hotel
The Townhouse Hotel
The Cloister House
Burt's Hotel
Waverley Castle Hotel
King's Arms Hotel
George & Abbotsford Hotel

and 578 more pickup points

We will arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time and will send a message to inform you of our arrival.

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.