Isle of Skye Day Trip from Inverness: Fairy Pools & Eilean Donan Castle
Isle of Skye Day Trip from Inverness: Fairy Pools & Eilean Donan Castle
An Isle of Skye day trip from Inverness with a small group, from £98 per adult. Visit Eilean Donan Castle, then walk to the Fairy Pools below the Cuillin mountains.
New for 2027 · Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun, April to October
Inverness to the Isle of Skye in a day, with time to explore
A day on the Isle of Skye shouldn’t be spent looking through a window, so this one gets you out into it. You’ll have an hour at Eilean Donan Castle, lunch by the harbour in Portree and a walk to the Fairy Pools, the clear blue waterfalls below the Cuillin mountains.
The road there is part of the adventure. Follow Loch Ness past Urquhart Castle, then climb through Glen Moriston and Glen Shiel beneath the Five Sisters of Kintail before crossing the Skye Bridge. On the way home, stop at the old bridge at Sligachan for one last look at the Cuillin. With no more than 16 travellers, there’s room to ask questions, and your guide fills the long Highland miles with stories, history and folklore.
- Duration1 dayapprox. 11 hours
- DepartsInverness, 8:00amback approx. 7pm
- Group sizeMax 16small scheduled group
- Ages12+younger? ask about a private tour
- WalkingFairy Pools walkabout 5 km return, rough path
- GuideExpert local guidestories, history, folklore
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Your Isle of Skye tour from Inverness: the itinerary
Your route: Inverness → Loch Ness → Invermoriston → Glen Shiel → Eilean Donan Castle → Skye Bridge → Portree → Fairy Pools → Sligachan → Inverness · about 400 km (250 miles) round trip
Stop 1Inverness, Loch Ness & Invermoriston
Loch Ness · Urquhart Castle · Telford bridge
Leave Inverness along the shore of Loch Ness, passing Urquhart Castle on its rocky point above the water.
Stretch your legs at Invermoriston, where Thomas Telford’s old stone bridge crosses the River Moriston above its falls.
Stop 2Glen Shiel & Eilean Donan Castle
Five Sisters of Kintail · An hour at the castle
Climb west through Glen Moriston and down Glen Shiel, below the peaks of the Five Sisters of Kintail.
Spend about an hour at Eilean Donan, where three sea lochs meet. Buy a ticket to go inside the castle, or take in the views and photographs from the shore.
Stop 3Over the Skye Bridge to Portree
Skye Bridge · Portree harbour · Lunch
Cross the Skye Bridge onto the island and head north to Portree, Skye’s main town.
Take an hour for lunch and a wander round the colourful harbour. Lunch isn’t included; your guide will point you to good places to eat.
Stop 4The Fairy Pools walk
Glen Brittle · Waterfalls · The Black Cuillin
Drive into Glen Brittle and follow the path up to the Fairy Pools, a chain of clear blue pools and waterfalls beneath the jagged Black Cuillin.
The walk is about 5 km (3 miles) there and back, on a rough, rocky path with stepping stones across the burn. Allow about 90 minutes. If you’d rather not walk, you can go as far as you like and turn back.
Stop 5Sligachan & the road home
Sligachan old bridge · Cuillin views · Inverness
Stop at Sligachan’s old stone bridge for one last view of the Cuillin, then drive back over the Skye Bridge and through Glen Shiel to Inverness, with a comfort stop on the way.
Back at Rose Street at approximately 7:00pm. Traffic and weather can affect this, so avoid tightly timed onward travel.
The itinerary is a guide and may change because of weather, road conditions, seasonal opening times, attraction availability or circumstances beyond our control.
What travellers say about our Isle of Skye tours
We just got back from the 3-day Isle of Skye tour and absolutely loved it! The trip was the perfect length — well-organized, comfortable, and full of breathtaking scenery. The van was spotless and cozy, and our small group made the experience even better… James is a true gem.
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. His incredible depth of knowledge about Scottish history, landscape, and folklore brought every stop to life.
I did the 5 day Isle of Skye tour with them and it was the perfect length. We only had 4 people which was also great. Georgie, our guide, was super knowledgeable and added a ton to our tour. You see so much on the five day tour and still have time at each stop.
Why travellers choose Scotland's Wild
Skye is a long way from Inverness, so the guide and the group make the day. Expect stories on every mile of the road, and time out of the vehicle when you get there.
- A guide worth getting to knowHistory, folklore, local recommendations and plenty of personality.
- A group small enough to feel personalWith no more than 16 travellers, there's time for questions and to get to know the group.
- Time on Skye, not just a drive pastAn hour at Eilean Donan, lunch in Portree and a proper walk at the Fairy Pools.
What's included, and what the day costs
Included
- Expert Scotland's Wild guide and storyteller for the day
- Transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned touring vehicle
- Guided walk to the Fairy Pools
- Stops at Invermoriston, Portree and Sligachan
- Small group, maximum 16 travellers
Not included
- Eilean Donan Castle entry (optional)
- Lunch and snacks
- Drinks
Your day at a glance
- Tour
- From £98 per adult (£108 from 16 April to 30 September). Youth 12–17 from £88.
- Pay today
- From £49 per person (50% deposit). The balance is taken 8 days before departure.
- Optional extras
- Eilean Donan Castle entry, lunch in Portree, snacks and drinks, paid on the day only if you want them.
- Timing
- Check-in 7:45am, depart 8:00am, back approx. 7:00pm.
Where to meet your guide in Inverness
Outside Starbucks, Rose Street Car Park
Rose Street, Inverness, IV1 1NQ
Please arrive by 7:45am so your guide can check everyone in before the 8:00am departure. Scheduled tours can't wait for late guests. The tour returns to the same meeting point at approximately 7:00pm. Paid multi-storey parking is available around Rose Street.
- Check-in7:45amplease arrive by then
- Departs8:00amtours leave on time
- Backapprox. 7pmsame meeting point
Before your adventure
Can you visit the Isle of Skye as a day trip from Inverness?
Yes. This small-group day trip leaves Inverness at 8:00am and is back at approximately 7:00pm. You’ll spend an hour at Eilean Donan Castle, have lunch in Portree, walk to the Fairy Pools and stop at Sligachan before heading home.
How far is the Isle of Skye from Inverness?
Portree is about 115 miles (185 km) from Inverness, roughly 2½ hours by road through Glen Shiel and over the Skye Bridge. Eilean Donan Castle is about 70 miles (115 km) away, around 1 hour 40 minutes. The whole day covers about 250 miles (400 km), so you’ll spend around 6½ hours on the road, broken up by five stops.
Is a Skye day trip from Inverness worth it?
Yes, if you have one day to spare in Inverness. The drive through Glen Shiel is one of Scotland’s great roads, and you still get about four hours on your feet at Eilean Donan, Portree and the Fairy Pools. If you can give Skye more time, our 3, 5 and 7-day Isle of Skye tours spend nights on the island.
Is Eilean Donan Castle entry included?
No. Entry is optional and paid at the castle on the day (tickets are only sold there). You’ll have about an hour at Eilean Donan, so there’s time to go inside or simply enjoy the views from the shore.
How long is the Fairy Pools walk?
About 5 km (3 miles) there and back, which takes around 90 minutes with time at the pools. The path is rough and rocky, with stepping stones across the burn, so wear sturdy waterproof footwear. After heavy rain your guide may shorten the walk if the crossings aren’t safe.
How big is the group?
No more than 16 travellers on scheduled tours, in a modern touring vehicle, so every stop is quick to get off and on.
How do I secure my place, and what is the cancellation policy?
A 50% deposit is taken when you book; the balance is collected automatically 8 days before departure. Cancellations 8 or more days before departure: full refund. 3–7 days before: 50% refund. Less than 3 days before, or no-show: no refund. Full terms & conditions →
Are there age restrictions?
The minimum age is 12. If you're travelling with younger children, ask us about a private tour.
Where and when does the tour depart, and when is it back?
Check in at 7:45am outside Starbucks, Rose Street Car Park, Rose Street, Inverness, IV1 1NQ, for an 8:00am departure. We’re back at the same place at approximately 7:00pm; traffic and weather can affect this, so avoid tightly timed onward travel. Paid multi-storey parking is available around Rose Street.
When does this tour run?
It’s new for 2027 and runs every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 April to 31 October 2027. Every date is on sale now: pick one in the booking calendar. Prices are from £98 per adult in early April and October, and £108 from 16 April to 30 September.
What should I wear and bring?
Waterproof clothing, warm layers and sturdy walking shoes or boots for the Fairy Pools path, as Skye's weather changes quickly. Midge repellent in summer and sun cream on brighter days are worth packing. Please bring only a small day bag; contact us first if you need to travel with larger luggage.
Are food and drinks included?
No. There's an hour for lunch in Portree, with cafés, takeaways and restaurants to choose from, and a comfort stop on the way home. For strict gluten-free or complex dietary needs, a packed lunch is recommended.
Will there be bathroom breaks?
Yes. Regular comfort stops are planned throughout the day and your guide will let you know when the next one is.
What if the weather is bad?
The tour runs in Scotland's changeable weather, and rain alone won't cancel it. Safety comes first, so weather, road or attraction closures can mean your guide adjusts the route, timings or stops.
Ready for Skye?
Check live dates and prices, secure your place from £49 per person, and we’ll see you on Rose Street at 7:45am.
Want more time on the island? Compare all our Isle of Skye tours →
Staying in Inverness a while? See all our tours from Inverness →
