3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh
5
3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh
By Highland Explorer Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeFree cancellation
Ages 5-99, max of 30 per group
Duration: 3 days
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Audio guide: German, Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, French, Spanish
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- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- 2 nights accommodation
- Local English Speaking Guide
- Transport by climate controlled coach
- Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
- Entry/Admission - Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
What's not included- Meals
- Jacobite Steam Train
- Dunvegan Castle entry
- Start:
- Highland Explorer Tours, 60 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TB, UKThis tour will depart at 7:45 am from 60 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB. Meet 15 minutes before departure and look for the check-in staff wearing blue high-visibility vests there to greet you.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5211P21- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be a minimum of 5 years old, we are unable to carry children under this age.
- Each traveller is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase weighing no more than 33lbs (15kg) and 1 carry-on bag
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them to board and disembark
- During April and October, this tour returns to Edinburgh at 8pm.
- It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
- The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
- Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5211P21
From
$424.52
per adult
Select date and travelers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
Overview
Full Map
13 stops
Day 1
Edinburgh to Portree
Day 2
Isle of Skye
Day 3
Portree to Edinburgh
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- O6886MCalicep0 contributionsAwesome driver, breathtaking scenery & smooth ScotchConnor was absolutely amazing. He was extremely funny, patient, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and made me feel at ease. It was a lovely experience and if I were to do another tour with this company, I’d definitely choose Connor as the driver. P.S He also helped find me when I got lost and was very understanding, so thank you Connor:) P.P.S He deserves a promotionWritten October 9, 2024
- vernonneilp0 contributionsConnor is an amazing guide and driver.Mr.Connor our guide and driver, was amazing 👏 🤩 with his great sense of humour and amazing storytelling skills. Enjoyed the trip and great viewing of mountains and landscapes.Written October 9, 2024
- Patricia212100 contributionsAmazing! Highly recommend!The tour was absolutely brilliant! Our guide Connor is an amazing storyteller and kept us engaged and entertained with amazing tales throughout the journey. The experience on this tour was top notch!Written October 9, 2024
- mayal_nam0 contributionsIt was an amazing experienceIt was an amazing experience ! Beautiful points of view, very interesting. Thanks Connor, our super guide with all his histories and jokes 😉Written October 9, 2024
- Q270KDsamh0 contributionsConnor is amazing!Connor was an amazing tour guide and highly recommend this experience with him. We had the best day listening to his knowledge and stories on our journey!Written October 9, 2024
- 416gu0 contributionsBook now and ask for Sophie!Sophie was awesome! Her blend of knowledge and plaulist made this a memorable trip! The scenery in October was gorgeous.Written October 9, 2024
- 913nienkes0 contributionsAmazing Outlander day tripI had an amazing day. Our tour guide Tim knew a lot about all the film locations and Scottish history in general. Thank you!Written October 9, 2024
- 224tamyh0 contributionsA must!!!Tim was amazing!!!! Very smart and informative. I will go on this tour again, and again! It was an amazing experience!!!Written October 9, 2024
- Dreamer5642700 contributionsBest tour for Outlander!Tim was a fantastic guide. I learned not only about Outlander and also Scottish history. He has the perfect playlist and is a joy to spend time with. Highly recommend!Written October 9, 2024
- sandysO1198GW0 contributionsAmazing viewsSohie was a great driver and tour guide. She was very friendly and detailed. The tour included amazing views and stops. We got to see different towns and landmarks.Written October 8, 2024
- kathi1170 contributionsGreat trip for anyone who wants to get a little glimpse at Scotland outside the cityThis trip is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and gives a good little glimpse of Scotland’s nature. I only wish we would’ve had more time the loch and the castle! Our guide and driver, Sophie, was super knowledgeable and kind - in fact, I would love her to drive me through all of Scotland and explain its history with lovely little anecdotes! Would recommend!Written October 8, 2024
- mgibbons150 contributionsGreat!Sophie did a fantastic job! Beautiful tour and very well informed I would happily come back and recommend it to alllllllWritten October 8, 2024
- Bradley H0 contributionsExcellent experience of the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye.This is an excellent 3-day tour of the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye. Our guide, Charlie, was friendly, knowledgeable, energetic, and above all - fun! She took excellent care of our group and kept us well informed as well as entertained for the whole trip. Highly recommend this tour and our great guide Charlie.Written October 7, 2024
- Voyage192739353780 contributionsPerfect dayEverything went as expected. The tour was very well organized and extremely interresting. Our tour guide, Graeme, did a very good job at keeping us entertained through his many stories about both the history of Scotland and the local legends of the towns we passed through. Graeme was also just an awesome person to speak to and ask questions. This experience was everything I was hoping for and more. I would not hesitate to book another tour! 100% recommended!Written October 6, 2024
- 582ravenf0 contributionsAmazing Week in the Highlands!We had such an awesome tour! Our tour guide, Dusty, was so knowledgeable and filled our bus rides with Scottish history, myths, legends, and music. We had lots of incredible photos opportunities and saw so much of the beautiful Scottish Highlands. This tour was definitely a highlight of the trip and I highly recommend them!Written October 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Popular mentions
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630 reviews
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25
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Jasmine W
London, UK5 contributions
Mar 2022
We just got back from an absolutely fantastic three day trip to the Isle of Skye, via the Scottish Highlands. I would say that if you are planning to visit Scotland, a tour like this is a must! The days were jam packed with activity and they really manage to cram everything in - from mountains to lakes to valleys, you really do see it all. Our guide, Owen, was funny and super informative and we enjoyed a relaxed dinner with him and the other guests on the first night on the Isle. He seemed to have a never ending supply of fascinating stories, and it was great to listen to them while peering out at the incredible landscapes. The Isle of Skye itself is like another planet! Just so, so beautiful. The only one thing I would say is that because the nature of this tour is to cram as much in as possible, sometimes it meant we missed out on certain things - for example, I would have loved to have hiked up to the Old Man of Storr rather than view it from the bottom of the valley, but we simply did not have time! Oh well - just means I will have to go back. The accommodation was fantastic, so clean and comfortable and the breakfast was delicious!! Great vegan options. What a weekend!! I will never forget it.
Written March 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thanks so much for your review. Delighted to hear you had such a fantastic adventure, Skye is truly amazing - I will be sure to pass on your kind words to our guide Owen.
Take care and all the best,
Megan
Written April 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AntonioLCL
London, UK1 contribution
Nov 2021
I went on a 3 day tour to Scotland's Highlands and had a great time.There were some dull moments but overall the whole experience was amazing and I got to see some unbelievable landscapes. I was also extremely lucky with the weather as the first two days were really sunny. It was still very cold, mind you (this was late November after all) but it really made a difference. The accommodation, which was included, was fine.
Our guide, Tom, was also great. He was very friendly and despite not being very experienced I really enjoyed listening to his stories and tales about Scotland and found them quite interesting and entertaining.
Our guide, Tom, was also great. He was very friendly and despite not being very experienced I really enjoyed listening to his stories and tales about Scotland and found them quite interesting and entertaining.
Written December 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harry
London, UK11 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
The trip to the Scottish highlands, the lochs (lakes) and the Isle of Skye was a beautifill journey that met expectations. The trip gave me the opportunity to see the stunning and diverse landscapes of Scotland. The trip was very well organised and the tour guide Stevie P did an exceptionall job looking after the group for 3 days. He was very enthusiastic, knowledgaable and amicable which made the trip a big success. Tte hospitality across Scotland was genuine and uplifting. Thank you.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Harry,
We are glad to hear that you had a fantastic time during your trip and found the hospitality of Scotland friendly. Stevie is always making his best to make your journey fun and enjoy the scenery as it`s finest. Regards, Rita
Written July 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marlena H
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
Sophie was a brilliant tour guide- sharing stories about the landmarks and towns we visited, very knowledgeable and a great sense of humour! I loved learning about the history and tales as we drove. Sophie made adjustments to the itinerary depending on daylight and weather/road conditions to ensure we got to all of the spots over the three days which was wonderful, she really went above and beyond. The highlands and Isle of Skye has so many beautiful spots and we were able to squeeze in so many! Old man of Storr, Fairy Glen, Lealt falls, Kilt Rock, Glencoe, Loch Ness and Fort Augustus to name a few. The bus was spacious and comfortable, as was the accomodation at the Skye Inn. Thank you Sophie for a fabulous tour! All that was missing was a highland coo and a Nessie sighting!
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear 485marlenah,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed, 5* review of your 3-day tour to Skye with Sophie.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time, despite the wee complications that we ran into with the weather conditions. So glad to read that Sophie didn't let that stop her and that she was still able to deliver such a great and memorable tour!
We do hope you will decide to join us on another one of our tours in the future, and do remind us and we will try and take a detour to see some coos...can't quite guarantee a Nessie sighting though, she's awfully shy.
Kind regards,
Ayla
Written January 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan
Canberra, Australia4 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
There was heavy snow resulting in road closures along the planned route the day we left for this tour. Our guide and driver Tiegan and the highland explorer company were absolutely incredible at rearranging our itinerary on the fly, finding us accommodation along the route so we didn’t need to turn back to Edinburgh and finding time to show us the sights of Skye and the highlands despite limited daylight hours. Had a great adventure despite the changes and really enjoyed hearing all the stories along the way.
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such detailed feedback of your recent 3-day tour to Skye with Tiegan. We are so happy to read that you had such a great time, despite the challenges we faced along the way due to the severe weather conditions in the Highlands.
We hope to welcome you back on another of our tours one day, maybe in "summer", not that we get that many days of it here in Bonnie Scotland!
Kind regards,
Ayla
Written January 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shaun D
31 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
There are so many highlights on this trip. The walk up the mountain on the way to the old man of storr, Dunvegan castle and the Jacobite steam train were all amazing. But what really makes the trip are the guides! Rich was a wealth on knowledge sharing so much information in a really fun and entertaining way. I’m not a fan of history but Rich kept it upbeat and interesting the whole time and made us laugh. Sandy was also one of our guides and was so friendly. One tip from us is to book ahead for dinner reservations if you want to eat out from the hotel. If you don’t book ahead you might not get on anywhere or you could be queuing for a table for a while. We really recommend the glass green houses at the The Portree hotel….heated, with a speaker for you to blue tooth to and play your tunes and free wifi! Can’t recommend this trip enough!
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ethan R
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Couples
We found Highland Explorer tours online and booked a 3 day trip from Edinburgh through the highlands, to the Isle of Skye and finished with the Hogwarts express train. Our tour guide Laurie was so genuine, honest, and fun to spend a few days with. I was afraid at first of a completely canned experience where the guide ‘sticks to the script’ but Laurie told the stories she knew (which were a lot) and wasn’t afraid to tell you if she forgot the year of an event or a name of a person or admit she’d never eaten at a restaurant when asked. This made for such an authentic experience and made her more credible. My wife fell in love with the spring lambs found all across the highlands and Laurie even bought her a stuffed lamb on our last day which was an incredibly sweet gesture. Thanks for everything Laurie! (Hi Laurie’s mom!)
Written April 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time on tour with our guide Laurie! We pride ourselves on the fact that all of our guides are informative, but they let their personality shine through so that all passengers get an authentic and local experience on tour.
The wee lambs all over Scotland at this time on year are just so sweet, and we are so glad that you and your wife loved Laurie's kind gesture.
We hope that you had a wonderful time on tour and that you come back in the future for more adventures with us!
Very best wishes,
Rhi
Written May 5, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Justin C
9 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We had originally booked the tour that included the hogwarts train. We booked 8 months in advance, and were notified two weeks later that the train was unavailable in our selected tour due to reasons outside of their control. We were given the option to reschedule on a date the train was available, cancel with a refund, or continue. We appreciated the advance notice and continued.
I was very fortunate that our tour had fewer people- around 14. This meant we took a smaller bus, which meant fewer delays and a cozier group. In my opinion this was the perfect size and I don't think I would have enjoyed the tour as much with a larger group.
Charlie was our guide. She was engaging and a character. Throughout the trip we were kept entertained with good info and folktales of the sites we were visiting, while still getting plenty of quiet time to enjoy the stunning scenery. Charlie knew the places very well, and was able to pick places to stop that provided optimal views and facilities.
She stuck a great balance of keeping us on time, while not me feel rushed.
At no point did it feel like Charlie was just going through the motions doing her job- she was enthusiastic and passionate for the places she was showing us.
I was so greatful that Charlie was driving on the windy roads - she kept us safe and entertained for the whole trip. She was able to recommend food places that were open, and reminded us to book restaurants in advance.
We selected the Skye Inne option, which we were very happy with. The breakfast was so convenient, and although it was a bit of a walk to the other food options (5 minutes or so), it was a fantastic option.
Highlights for me (I couldn't pick one):
- All the stunning mountains.
- Dunvegan Castle, especially the gardens.
- All the Harry Potter sites.
My only negative was the rewilding presentation. It felt like a long stop on an already full day of travel and sights. The topic was interesting, but I would have rathered hearing about it while enjoying the scenery and getting closer to the destination than in the rewilding center.
Thanks so much to the Highland Experience Tours Team, and in particular to Charlie for making this a fun, safe, and rewarding experience.
I was very fortunate that our tour had fewer people- around 14. This meant we took a smaller bus, which meant fewer delays and a cozier group. In my opinion this was the perfect size and I don't think I would have enjoyed the tour as much with a larger group.
Charlie was our guide. She was engaging and a character. Throughout the trip we were kept entertained with good info and folktales of the sites we were visiting, while still getting plenty of quiet time to enjoy the stunning scenery. Charlie knew the places very well, and was able to pick places to stop that provided optimal views and facilities.
She stuck a great balance of keeping us on time, while not me feel rushed.
At no point did it feel like Charlie was just going through the motions doing her job- she was enthusiastic and passionate for the places she was showing us.
I was so greatful that Charlie was driving on the windy roads - she kept us safe and entertained for the whole trip. She was able to recommend food places that were open, and reminded us to book restaurants in advance.
We selected the Skye Inne option, which we were very happy with. The breakfast was so convenient, and although it was a bit of a walk to the other food options (5 minutes or so), it was a fantastic option.
Highlights for me (I couldn't pick one):
- All the stunning mountains.
- Dunvegan Castle, especially the gardens.
- All the Harry Potter sites.
My only negative was the rewilding presentation. It felt like a long stop on an already full day of travel and sights. The topic was interesting, but I would have rathered hearing about it while enjoying the scenery and getting closer to the destination than in the rewilding center.
Thanks so much to the Highland Experience Tours Team, and in particular to Charlie for making this a fun, safe, and rewarding experience.
Written October 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler1958
Neosho, MO4 contributions
We booked this tour eight months in advance. Halfway into the first day, our guide/driver (Tim), told us that the tour company had “overbooked”, and our overnight accommodation would not be at the Skye Inn with the rest of the group. Instead, we were going to be shuttled to a nearby B&B. We were told we would have a bedroom and a shared bathroom. We expressed to Tim that was not acceptable, but we were told there was “ no other option, sorry”. No explanation about why we were the ones being kicked out (even though we had booked eight months early). Highland Explorer tours told us they would refund 50 GBP as a way of apologizing. (Two weeks have passed now, and we have not received the promised refund.). The entire situation was handled poorly.
I would not book with this company again.
I would not book with this company again.
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HollyNYC
New York City, NY3 contributions
Charlie should be the second woman to get a statue or monument in the city of Edinburgh. (Seriously, there's only ONE statue of a woman out of about 400 statues of men and dogs in this town. Whaaat.) She was our guide and driver for an intimate 3 day Skye and Highlands tour of 14 people (including 5 solo women travelers like myself), and she is a TREASURE. If you like dad jokes, trash talk, and folklore of dubious pedigree, she's the guide for you. I didn't stop laughing for 3 days, even when I was feeling a bit unwell the second day. Charlie was extremely kind and went out of her way to make sure I was comfortable. She's got boundless energy and a banger of a Scottish artist playlist to keep things interesting between stops.
The inn on Skye was lovely and served delicious fresh and homemade gourmet dinners and breakfast. (Shout out to Chloe at the bar pouring stellar drinks.)
My only caution is that if you have your heart set on riding the Jacobite steam train, book a different trip that centers the train, as there is a chance you won't get it on this particular package.
It was still a wonderful trip and I highly recommend it! Book EARLY to ensure you get your choice of dates as they fill up! Thanks Charlie and crew! 👍🏻🎉❤️
The inn on Skye was lovely and served delicious fresh and homemade gourmet dinners and breakfast. (Shout out to Chloe at the bar pouring stellar drinks.)
My only caution is that if you have your heart set on riding the Jacobite steam train, book a different trip that centers the train, as there is a chance you won't get it on this particular package.
It was still a wonderful trip and I highly recommend it! Book EARLY to ensure you get your choice of dates as they fill up! Thanks Charlie and crew! 👍🏻🎉❤️
Written October 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, You don't allow single-traveller? I tried to book Sep 24th but not allowed.
Written September 19, 2022
On Isle of Skye, how long is the tour day as it looks like it only goes to 4 stops. Thanks!
Written May 29, 2022
Yes it does go 4 stops, the day is 830ish am to 6ish pm, there is a couple of short walks and a castle visit, its definitely the more relaxed of the 3 days though
Written May 31, 2022
Do we get to see the Jacobite express train ? Or the Glenfinnan viaduct
Written May 15, 2022
We went in February, it was closed at the time .
Written May 16, 2022
are first class seats on the train available
Written March 19, 2019
Buenos días! Quería saber si los tours de tres dias son en español o solo en inglés. Muchas gracias! Paula
Written May 17, 2018
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