Eilean Donan Castle, Skye & Loch Ness

Duration

3 Days

Prices vary by season

About

Stay, explore and travel like a local in one of Scotland's most scenic locations: the Isle of Skye. Reaching from the historic city of Edinburgh, and see the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle, we will bring the spirit of the landscape alive together.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

A Spectacular Route North... You'll depart Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh or largest city, Glasgow and begin the journey north. Our route to Skye takes you via Loch Lomond via the Trossachs National Park. We'll stop in a picturesque village, where you can relax over a cup of coffee or explore at your leisure.?You’ll get stunning views of the UK’s largest expanse of freshwater, Loch Lomond. Your driver-guide will tell you the history and theories behind the ""The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond"" song as you enjoy the stunning scenery of this area.

Cross the brooding expanse of Rannoch Moor and journey through Glen Coe... As you continue further north into the Scottish Highlands you'll watch in awe as the landscape becomes more and more dramatic. Glen Coe is one of the most incredible places in Scotland. Learn the brutal story of the MacDonald Clan massacre and take in the weeping waterfalls that inhabit this incredible glen.

Fort William for lunch and Britain’s tallest mountain... This highland town of Fort William marks the end of Scotland’s oldest and most popular long-distance walks, The West Highland Way. Here, you can take in views of Ben Nevis, the UK's tallest peak. Standing at 1,345 metres above sea level, it is often known to both locals and visitors as simply ""the Ben"".

Overnight: Inverness

Day 2

A full day on the incredible Isle of Skye... Your experienced and knowledgeable guide will ensure you get the most out of your day based on a variety of things such as the weather, your group and local events. You will enjoy sights such as the craggy Cuillin Mountains. The sharp peaks which rise up from the flatness of the surrounding terrain, are the dominating feature of the island and can be seen from every other peninsula on Skye.

Lunch in Portree, Skye's capital... We will also include a stop at Portree, the colourful capital of Skye. Overlooking a sheltered bay, this scenic fishing village has a variety of food options, making it a perfect lunch spot.

Experience Skye's dramatic landscapes... We will also probably explore the Trotternish Peninsula. It is the most northerly of Skye's peninsulas and it contains some of the most striking landscapes in Scotland. Here we will stop for photographs at The Kilt Rock and Mealt Waterfall and The Old Man of Storr.

Overnight: Inverness

Day 3

Explore Urquhart Castle perched on the edge of Loch Ness... We'll say goodbye to Skye and begin our day by visiting the most famous loch in the entire world… Loch Ness? It's also one of Scotland's largest, so large that every other lake and river in England and Wales could fit in with room to spare. In fact, the entire population of the world could fit into Loch Ness and it’s got a monster in it too!

Cruise on Loch Ness and look out for the famous monster Nessie... You can then hop on a Jacobite Cruise to Nessie spot on the loch itself. As well as being very large and deep, Loch Ness, has heavy deposits of peat making it difficult for instruments to locate Nessie in the cloudy water. A perfect hiding location for a huge water-dwelling monster.

Explore the famous battlefield of Culloden... Our next stop is at Culloden Battlefield, site of the last stand of the Jacobites against the British government forces on 16 April 1746. It was one of the most harrowing battles in British history. Jacobite supporters, seeking to re-establish the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, joined together to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the final pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,600 men were slain – 1,500 of them Jacobites. You can experience everything about the events leading up to, during and after the battle in the impressive visitor centre and interactive exhibition, as well as having the chance to wander the land where the battle itself took place.

Wander the picturesque Highland town of Pitlochry... We’ll then continue south to Pitlochry; the geographical centre of Scotland and one of the gateways to the Highlands perched by the side of the River Tummel. Pitlochry has been a tourist centre since 1860s thanks to Queen Victoria and Sir Walter Scott, who popularised the Highlands that boomed with the railways of the 1870s. We'll then continue south to Edinburgh city centre where our tour will end.

What to bring

It is always advisable to be prepared for any weather in Scotland so a jacket is always a good idea! A bottle of water for hydration and a camera to capture the spectacular views and you are set to go! It is not necessary for you to bring your own meals, as we will stop throughout the day in small towns or villages where you can purchase food, however you are more than welcome to bring along snacks or a packed lunch.