Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh
Explore Skye, Glencoe, Loch Ness and the Highlands on our most popular small-group adventure.
Why You’ll Love This Tour
Three days of dramatic Highland scenery, legendary places and time outside the vehicle — with a full day dedicated to exploring the Isle of Skye.
Isle of Skye
A Full Day Exploring Skye
Spend Day 2 discovering the island’s landscapes and stories, including Dunvegan, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Duntulm and the Fairy Glen.
History & Castles
Castles & Highland History
Discover centuries of clan history and legend at Dunvegan and Eilean Donan, alongside stories of Jacobites, Highland life and Scotland’s turbulent past.
Active Sightseeing
Get Out Into the Landscape
This isn’t a tour where you stay on the bus. Short walks and scenic stops put you into the Highlands, from Skye’s unusual landscapes to a nature-reserve walk on Day 3.
Small Groups
A More Personal Tour
Travel with a maximum of 16 guests, giving your guide more flexibility and creating a more relaxed, personal way to experience Skye and the Highlands.
Edinburgh to Skye & Back Through the Highlands
The route is part of the adventure. Travel through Glencoe, spend a full day exploring Skye, then return via Eilean Donan, Loch Ness and the central Highlands.
DAY
1
Edinburgh → Isle of Skye
Loch Lomond · Rannoch Moor · Glencoe · Fort William
Leave Edinburgh and travel west towards the Highlands, collecting any additional travellers in Glasgow before continuing north.
Your first day introduces you to the scale of the Scottish landscape as you travel through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe. Your guide brings the landscape to life with the stories of Highland communities and the Glencoe Massacre.
At the Glencoe Visitor Centre, see the replica Turf & Creel House before continuing through Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.
From Fort William, continue north and cross the Skye Bridge. You arrive in Portree ready to settle into your accommodation for your first night on the island.
DAY
2
Explore the Isle of Skye
Dunvegan · Old Man of Storr · Kilt Rock · Fairy Glen
Day 2 is dedicated to exploring Skye. Leaving Portree, travel towards Dunvegan Castle, historic home of Clan MacLeod and a place filled with island legend.
Continue around the island through some of Skye’s most distinctive scenery, including the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls and the windswept ruins of Duntulm Castle.
Later, explore the unusual hills and pathways of the Fairy Glen before returning to Portree for your second evening on the island.
DAY
3
Isle of Skye → Edinburgh
Eilean Donan · Loch Ness · Creag Meagaidh · Pitlochry
Leave Skye across the Skye Bridge and make your first stop at Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most recognisable Highland landmarks.
Continue inland to Fort Augustus on the southern shore of Loch Ness. Learn about the history and legends of the loch and, if you choose, take a cruise on the water.
The journey then continues to Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve for a short Highland walk through a landscape at the heart of an important woodland-restoration and rewilding project.
Your final stop is the Victorian Highland town of Pitlochry before the journey back to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 7–8pm.
The itinerary is a guide and may change due to weather, road conditions, seasonal closures or other circumstances beyond our control.
2 Nights on the Isle of Skye
You’ll spend both nights on the Isle of Skye. Choose the option that works best for you: let us arrange accommodation through one of our trusted partners, or book your own stay.
Prices are a guide only and vary by season, demand, availability, special events and how close to departure you book.
If we arrange your accommodation, we aim to place solo travellers in a single room. If availability is limited, a twin room shared with another traveller of the same gender may occasionally be offered. Contact us in advance if you do not want sharing to be considered.
When we arrange your accommodation, breakfast is normally included. If it isn’t available — for example with a last-minute booking — we’ll tell you and recommend nearby alternatives.
What’s Included & Important Tour Information
A clear breakdown of what your tour price covers, what you should budget for separately and the key information for departure day.
Included
- Fun, friendly and knowledgeable Scotland tour guide
- Guided short walks and Active Sightseeing stops
- Transport throughout the 3-day tour
- Air-conditioned touring vehicle
- Highland scenery, stories, myths and legends
- Small-group touring with a maximum of 16 guests
Not Included
- Accommodation on the Isle of Skye
- Meals and snacks
- Loch Ness cruise ticket
- Entry to Eilean Donan Castle
- Entry to Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
Attraction opening dates and entry availability are seasonal and can change.
256–260 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8DT
This is an Active Sightseeing tour. Guests should be comfortable with short walks on uneven ground and spending time outdoors in changeable Highland weather.
Why Travellers Choose Scotland’s Wild
Small groups, more time outside the vehicle and guides who bring Scotland’s landscapes, history and stories to life.
Small Groups
Maximum 16 TravellersA smaller group means more flexibility, easier stops and a more personal experience with your guide.
Active Sightseeing
More Time in the LandscapeShort walks and scenic stops get you out of the vehicle and into the Highlands instead of simply viewing them through a window.
Expert Guides
Stories Bring Scotland to LifeDiscover the history, legends, landscapes and local stories behind the places you visit throughout your journey.
5 Star Tours
VisitScotland RatedTravel with an established Scottish tour company recognised for delivering high-quality visitor experiences.
3-Day Isle of Skye Tour FAQs
The most important things to know before booking your 3-day Isle of Skye adventure from Edinburgh.
Is accommodation included in the tour price?
No. Accommodation is not included in the advertised tour price. You will spend two nights on the Isle of Skye.
You can either ask us to arrange accommodation through one of our trusted partners, or book your own.
If you prefer to book independently, please contact us first so we can confirm where the group will be staying. Your accommodation should normally be within approximately 3km of our chosen accommodation location so that collection and drop-off remain practical.
Where will I stay on the Isle of Skye?
You will spend both nights on the Isle of Skye. Accommodation locations can vary according to availability and your departure date.
If we arrange your accommodation, we will allocate you to one of our accommodation partners and send you the details and price.
If you are arranging your own stay, contact us before booking so we can confirm the appropriate area.
Ask us about accommodation →How do I secure my place on the tour?
A 25% deposit is required when booking this multi-day group tour.
The remaining balance is due 15 days before your tour starts and is automatically collected using the payment method attached to your booking.
Read our booking terms →What is the cancellation policy?
For this multi-day group tour:
- 16 or more days before departure: 90% refund of the total tour cost.
- 15 days or less before departure: 100% of the tour cost is payable.
- No-show: 100% of the tour cost is payable.
Cancellation must be made in writing by the person who made the booking. Accommodation or other third-party arrangements can have their own terms.
Read the full terms & conditions →Can I take this 3-day tour from Glasgow instead?
Yes. We also offer a dedicated 3-Day Isle of Skye Tour from Glasgow.
If Glasgow is more convenient for your trip, use the Glasgow version so that your booking, meeting point and departure information are all correct.
View the 3-Day Skye Tour from Glasgow →Are there age restrictions?
Yes. The minimum age for our scheduled group tours is 12 years old.
If you are travelling with children under 12, contact us about arranging a private tour instead.
Explore private Scotland tours →Are castle tickets and the Loch Ness cruise included?
No. The following are currently paid separately from the tour price:
- Loch Ness cruise
- Entry to Eilean Donan Castle
- Entry to Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
Attraction opening dates and availability are seasonal and can change. Dunvegan Castle is closed during part of the winter season, and Eilean Donan can also close on selected dates.
Where and when does the tour depart from Edinburgh?
Check-in is at 7:15am and the tour departs at 7:30am.
Meet your guide outside:
The Jolly Botanist
256–260 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8DT
Please arrive on time. If you expect to be late, contact us as soon as possible, but we cannot guarantee that a delayed guest can be accommodated once the tour has left.
What time does the tour return to Edinburgh?
The tour normally returns to Edinburgh between 7:00pm and 8:00pm on Day 3.
This is an approximate return time. Highland traffic, road conditions, weather and other circumstances can affect the exact arrival time, so avoid making tightly timed onward travel plans immediately afterwards.
How much walking is involved?
This is an Active Sightseeing tour. We deliberately include short walks and time outside the vehicle so that you can properly experience Skye and the Highlands.
Guests should be comfortable walking for up to around one hour on uneven ground.
The walking is not intended to be a strenuous mountain hike, but paths can be rough, wet, muddy or uneven. Contact us before booking if mobility is a concern.
What should I wear and bring?
Scotland’s weather can change quickly, particularly in the Highlands and on Skye. We recommend bringing:
- Waterproof clothing
- Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes or boots
- Warm layers
- Hat and gloves in colder weather
- Midge repellent, particularly from April to September
- Sun cream for brighter days
Dressing in layers is usually the easiest way to adapt as conditions change during the day.
Are meals included?
No. Meals and snacks are not included in the tour price.
There will be opportunities to buy food during the tour, and your guide can recommend places to eat. Some evening meals may need to be booked in advance, particularly during busy periods on Skye.
You are also welcome to bring snacks for the journey.
How much luggage can I bring?
Each traveller can bring one suitcase or bag up to 20kg (44lb), with approximate maximum dimensions of:
70 × 48 × 33cm
27 × 19 × 13in
You may also bring one small handbag-sized personal bag. Please make sure you can lift and carry your own luggage.
If you have additional luggage, arrange storage in Edinburgh before your tour or contact us before booking.
Read our luggage information →Will there be regular bathroom breaks?
Yes. We make regular comfort stops throughout the three-day journey at locations across the Highlands and the Isle of Skye.
Your guide will let you know when facilities are available and when the next planned comfort stop will be.
What happens if bad weather affects the itinerary?
The tour normally operates in Scotland’s changeable weather, so rain by itself does not mean the tour will be cancelled.
However, safety comes first. Weather, road closures, attraction closures or other circumstances outside our control can occasionally require your guide to alter the route, timings or individual stops.
The itinerary should therefore be treated as a guide rather than a guarantee that every stop will operate exactly as listed.
Read our full terms & conditions →
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