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Activity Inverness, Scotland

Isle of Skye and West Coast Day Tour

5.0 (6 reviews) 12 hours Free cancellation Private tour
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Isle of Skye and West Coast Day Tour

About this activity

Our Full-Day Isle of Skye Tour from Inverness are a fantastic way to see some of the west coast’s most iconic scenery. On this tour, you can expect a combination of famous castles, rural villages, and impressive geological sights. This includes the highly recognisable Eilean Donan Castle, a favourite with photographers and James Bond fans alike. Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness also feature on this tour for those hoping to spot the Loch Ness Monster. On the Isle of Skye, we stop at the beautiful colourful village of Portree for lunch if desired while on our Isle of Skye tour.

Local Guide

Private Tour

Comfortable Air Conditioned Vehicle

Customisable to your Taste (within reasonable distance)

Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours 4WD Tours

At a glance

Duration
12 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Your group only
People per booking
1–15
Guide
English
Operated by
Highland Guided Tours

What is included

Included

  • Included: Private Comfortable Vehicle
  • Included: English Speaking Local Guide
  • Included: Bottled water
  • Included: Fridge On-Board
  • Included: Umbrella's Just in case we are in Scotland
  • Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle

Not included

  • Not included: Lunch
  • Not included: Admission fees: Eilean Donan Castle

Itinerary

  1. Urquhart Castle

    20 min

    We take a small stop outside Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, The present ruins date from the 13th to the 16th centuries, though built on the site of an early medieval fortification. Founded in the 13th century, Urquhart played a role in the wars of Scottish independence in the 14th century. It was subsequently held as a royal castle and was raided on several occasions by the MacDonald Clan. The castle was granted to the Clan Grant in 1509, though conflict with the MacDonalds continued. Despite a series of further raids the castle was strengthened, only to be largely abandoned by the middle of the 17th century. Urquhart was partially destroyed in 1692 to prevent its use by Jacobite forces, and subsequently decayed. The castle, situated on a headland overlooking Loch Ness, is one of the largest in Scotland in size of area.

  2. Invermoriston Falls

    30 min

    The burn here tumbles across the bands of rock in a determined effort to reach nearby loch ness, these aren’t the highest waterfalls by any means, but once you stand here you will truly enjoy the beauty of your surroundings with a spectacular view from the overhanging summer house.

  3. Eilean Donan Castle

    1 h 30 min Admission not included

    Eilean Donan is a small tidal island situated at the confluence of three sea lochs (Loch Duich, Long Long and Loch Alsh) in the western Highlands of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge that was installed early in the 20th century and is dominated by a picturesque castle that frequently appears in photographs, film and television. A notable scene was used as MI6 Scottish Headquarters in the film series James Bond. The island’s original castle was built in the thirteenth century which became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies. In response to the Mackenzie’s’ involvement in the Jacobite Rebellions early in the 18th century, government ships destroyed the castle in 1719. The present-day castle is Lieutenant-Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap’s 20th-century reconstruction of the old castle.

  4. Sligachan Old Bridge

    30 min

    The waters of this location surrounds Scotland’s greatest ever warrior who lived here on Skye. A legendary female fighter by the name of Scáthach. She was an expert in all forms of warfare and the greatest warriors came to train with her at The Fort of Shadows now known as Dunscaith Castle. Her fame spread across the water to Ireland where Cú Chulainn wasn’t happy that somebody could be considered a match for him in combat. The Irish demi-god sailed to Dunscaith and challenged Scáthach to prove once and for all who was strongest.

  5. The Old Man of Storr

    one hour

    The area in front of the cliffs of the Storr is known as the Sanctuary. This has several weirdly shaped rock pinnacles, the remnants of ancient landslips. The legend of the locals is that the Old Man of Storr was a giant who lived on these lands who when was laid to rest could see part of his thumb sticking out of the ground.

  6. Portree

    one hour

    In the 1700s, the town was a popular point of departure for Scots sailing to America to escape poverty. This form of use repeated during the famine in the 1840s. Both times, the town was saved by an influx of boats, often going between mainland Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, who used Portree’s pier as a rest point. The town also began exporting fish at this time, which contributed greatly to the local economy.

    The town serves as the main hub on the island for tourists to enjoy food and drink while they explore its many locations around the island.

  7. Talisker Distillery

    one hour

    The home of the famous Talisker whisky was built in 1831 however on the 12th of August 1948 a fire broke out in the store of the distillery. Thankfully no whisky was destroyed, however the stillhouse fire destroyed the rest of the distillery which wasn’t rebuilt again until 1960. Sitting on the beautiful loch of Harport, visitors from around the world come to enjoy the tasting of one of Scotland’s finest whiskies.

  8. Stop 8

    30 min

    On the way back we stop at Loch Carron, a sea loch that runs to the North Atlantic Ocean. A beautiful place to take photos and enjoy your surroundings from the calm waters of the loch to the mountains, and the local farm animals grazing in the surrounding fields.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • Meeting Point outside Inverness Town Hall, Located in City Centre.

End point

  • Meeting Point outside Inverness Town Hall, Located in City Centre.

Pickup points

  • Shore Street Apartments
  • Inverness Airport
  • Beinn Mhor Lodge
  • The King’s Highway
  • Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport
  • Columba Hotel
  • Holiday Inn Express Inverness By IHG
  • Premier Inn Inverness Centre (Millburn Rd) Hotel
  • Rocpool Reserve
  • Premier Inn Inverness East hotel
  • Redcliffe Hotel
  • The Highlander B & B

and 33 more pickup points

Pick up from your accommodation in Inverness or at our meeting point.

Using your ticket

For Meet up Location we will have a board with your name on it.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%

Good to know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

  • Public transportation options are available nearby

  • Specialized infant seats are available

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

  • Time for any Lunch period guests may want has been time managed into the tour.

  • Not wheel chair accessible

  • Travel time total between stops are accounted for in total time

  • No Health Restrictions

Options

  • Private Vehicle 1-4, 2nd Car

    Private Vehicle 1-4 Passengers

    Pickup included

  • Private Group Vehicle Tour 1-4

    Car/Minibus

    Pickup included

  • Private Group Vehicle Tour 5-7

    Minibus

    Pickup included

Traveller ratings

5.0 out of 5 · 6 reviews
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Isle of Skye and West Coast Day Tour

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