3 day Scotland itinerary
The Perfect 3 Day Scotland Itinerary: Highlands and The Isle of Skye
Three days in Scotland is enough for Glencoe, a full day on Skye and Loch Ness on the way home. This is the route our small-group tour follows, stop by stop, with notes if you're driving it yourself.
By Jordan Ferguson, Scotland's Wild · Updated September 2026
- Length3 days, 2 nights
- StartEdinburgh or Glasgow
- SleepPortree, Skye
- Best monthsMay, June, Sept
The route
Your 3 day Isle of Skye itinerary at a glance
Day one takes you west through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe to Skye. Day two is the whole island: Dunvegan Castle, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Fairy Glen. Day three brings you back via Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness and Pitlochry. It's a big loop of the Highlands, and it's why so many people choose it for their first three days in Scotland. You can drive it yourself, or let a storytelling guide do the driving on our 3-day Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh.
Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye
Loch Lomond · Glencoe · Fort William · Skye Bridge · Portree
- Leave Edinburgh early (our tour checks in at 7:15am and leaves at 7:30am) and head west into Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
- Cross the empty bog and lochans of Rannoch Moor, then drop into Glencoe. The Glencoe Visitor Centre has a replica turf house and tells the story of the 1692 Glencoe Massacre.
- Carry on past Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis, then west through the mountains to the Skye Bridge.
- Arrive in Portree, Skye's main town, for the first of two nights on the island.
Driving yourself? The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a short detour west of Fort William on the Road to the Isles. From there you can carry on to Mallaig and take the ferry to Armadale on Skye instead of the bridge. Book the ferry ahead in summer.
A full day on the Isle of Skye
Dunvegan Castle · Old Man of Storr · Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls · Duntulm Castle · Fairy Glen
- Start at Dunvegan Castle, home of Clan MacLeod. It normally opens April to October, and entry is paid separately.
- Head up the Trotternish Peninsula to the Old Man of Storr, the rock pinnacle you've seen in every Skye photo.
- Stop at Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, where a waterfall drops off the cliffs into the sea.
- Walk out to the windswept ruins of Duntulm Castle, an old MacDonald stronghold on the island's northern tip.
- Finish in the odd little green hills of the Fairy Glen, then back to Portree for your second night.
From our guests"Instead of only stopping for photos at the Old Man of Storr, we had time to hike part of the trail." Dar C., 3-Day Isle of Skye with Derek
Driving yourself? The Storr car park fills early in summer, so go first thing. Much of the Trotternish loop is single-track road: pull into the passing places to let others by. Book dinner in Portree ahead in busy months.
Skye to Edinburgh via Loch Ness
Eilean Donan Castle · Fort Augustus & Loch Ness · Creag Meagaidh · Pitlochry · Edinburgh
- Cross back over the Skye Bridge to Eilean Donan Castle, on its own little island where three lochs meet.
- Head inland to Fort Augustus at the south end of Loch Ness. There's time for a cruise on the loch if you'd like one (paid separately).
- Stretch your legs on a short walk at Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve.
- Stop in the Victorian town of Pitlochry, then take the road home. Our tour is back in Edinburgh at about 7–8pm.
Driving yourself? Eilean Donan closes on some dates for private events, so check before you set off. If you've more time, Urquhart Castle is further up the loch from Fort Augustus.
The route can change with the weather, road conditions and seasonal closures.
Drive or tour?
Should you drive it or join a tour?
You can do this route in a hire car. It's a lot of driving for three days, though, and whoever's driving sees less of the scenery. Here's the honest comparison.
Driving yourself
- Your own pace and your own stops
- Long days behind the wheel, on the left
- Single-track roads and busy car parks on Skye
- You plan the route, the timings and the stories
With Scotland's Wild
- A storytelling guide drives and tells the stories
- No more than 16 travellers on scheduled tours
- Short walks and stops built into each day
- From Edinburgh or Glasgow, and we can book your Skye rooms
Do it with us
The 3-Day Isle of Skye tour
This itinerary, with a guide and a small group
Everything on this page, planned and driven for you. Two nights in Portree and a full day on the island.
From £248 per adult · 25% deposit
- Storytelling expert guide and transport for all three days
- Max 16 travellers, ages 12+
- Accommodation not included (we can arrange it)
It's one of our most popular tours and sells out, so book at least 3 months ahead. 2027 dates are on sale now. Or compare all our Isle of Skye tours.
Reviews
What travellers say about three days on Skye
★★★★★
"If you're planning to visit the Isle of Skye, book your tour with Scotland's Wild well in advance… Our guide, Derek, was phenomenal… There were only seven people on our tour."
★★★★★
"Loved the 3-day Isle of Skye trip. Small group, amazing views from the minibus, and beautiful stops throughout. Jim was lively, entertaining, and made the trip even better with his stories."
★★★★★
"I've been on tours with multiple groups in Scotland. This one is top tier… What made this trip truly unforgettable was our guide, Richie."
FAQs
Planning three days in Scotland
Is 3 days enough for Skye and the Highlands?
Yes, if you plan it well. Three days gives you a full day on Skye, with Glencoe on the way there and Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Ness on the way back. With more time, our 5-day Skye itinerary adds Oban and the standing stones of Kilmartin Glen.
When is the best time to do this itinerary?
May, June and September have the best mix of daylight, weather and quieter roads. July and August are the busiest months. Winter trips work too, but the days are short. Bring midge repellent between April and September.
Where should I stay on Skye?
Portree is the best base for this route: it's central for Trotternish and Dunvegan, and it has the most places to eat. Book early, as Skye fills up in summer. On our tour, accommodation isn't included, but we can arrange it for you. For more on getting there and when to go, see our Isle of Skye travel guide.
Can I start this itinerary in Glasgow?
Yes. We run the same 3-day Isle of Skye tour from Glasgow, and our Edinburgh departures also collect travellers in Glasgow on the way north.
How much walking is there?
Short walks are built into every day. You should be happy walking for up to about an hour on paths that can be rough, wet or muddy. The walks are optional if you'd rather stay by the vehicle.
Keep planning
