The Isle of Skye is one of the worlds most iconic islands. Accessible from Inverness through stunning highland landscapes, this tour offers it all; medieval castles, sea lochs, towering mountains, panoramic views, deep history and a welcoming culture. Learn the complex history of the highlands first hand and see some of the famous views that make The Highlands & Skye a must-visit.
Each private tour is conducted in our premium Mercedes minivans, ensuring your comfort as we venture along the single-track country roads of the highlands with your dedicated driver-guide at the wheel.
Your knowledgable kilt-wearing private tour guide will tell you the stories and show you the sights on this tour. We offer flexibility and your time inside and outside the vehicle is up to you.
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Tour duration
Long Day (9am – 8pm)
Winter availability
This tour doesn’t run in December or January because of lack of daylight hours
Book direct for the best rate
You won’t find a better rate for our tours
We pick you up
We’ll collect & return you from your Inverness hotel
Instant confirmation
Receipt for your booking immediately
Inclusions:
- All-inclusive private tour
- Door to door service
- Dedicated private tour guide and driver
- All travel costs
- Luxury Mercedes tour van
Exclusions:
- Lunch (we can recommend a place)
- Entrance into attractions & sites
- Gratuities (optional)
KEY SIGHTS ON THIS TOUR…
The NC500 & Loch Carron
We’ll take the northerly ‘North Coast 500’ route from Inverness over the impressive Kessock Bridge. The crossing offers views over Inverness before turning westward into the central highlands and the road less travelled. Driving through this stunning highland landscape the road runs alongside the Kyle railway line down to Loch Carron stopping at the viewpoint over this impressive sea loch. We’ll stop along the way to take in the views.
Eilean Donan Castle
One of Scotland’s most photographed castles, Eilean Donan Castle was a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie since the mid-13th century. Eilean Donan sits on a small island named after Donnan of Eigg, a 7th century Celtic saint who may have built a church here. Over centuries the castle has evolved until in 1719 the Mackenzies support of the Jacobite cause lead to government forces destroying Eilean Donan by cannon-fire. The castle lay in ruin until restoration work began in 1920, including a new footbridge to provide easy access from the mainland. The project, lead by Lieutenant-Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap was complete in 1932. Well spend around an hour visiting Eilean Donan.
Over the Bridge to Skye
We’ll travel the short distance via Kyle of Lochalsh and over the impressive Skye Bridge, driving into the heart of the island through the dramatic landscape of the Cuillin mountain range. These breathtaking mountains rise dramatically from the sea to over 3,000ft. After stopping to take in the waters at Sligachan Old Bridge, we’ll descend into the picture-postcard fishing village of Portree. Here we’ll have lunch and your guide will recommend places, from fish and chips on the pier to a local tavern or restaurant.
Trotternish peninsula
After lunch we’ll venture on the road less travelled north to the Trotternish peninsula with views to The Old Man of Storr and The Kilt Rock. We’ll stop at The Museum of Island Life, a recreation of an island township with thatched cottages and (on a good day) views over to the Outer Hebrides Islands.
Returning to the Mainland
When available, we’ll take the quirky Glenelg Ferry back to the mainland. Launched in 1934 MV Glenachulish is the last turntable ferry in the world and this short 15 minute crossing is a unique way to travel over Kyle Rhea. The ferry is close to the heart of the islanders and is part of the heritage of Skye. We’ll then drive up Glen Shiel and past Loch Cluanie reservoir with its unique lunar landscape.
The Glenelg ferry runs from mid-April to mid-October. We’ll use the Skye bridge to return to the mainland outside these times.
The great Glen & Loch Ness
Our final landmark of the day is arriving into The Great Glen. This Geological Fault line runs straight through Scotland for 62 miles from Fort William in the southwest to Inverness in the northeast. We’ll stop to take in the view over Loch Ness from the roadside and might even catch a glimpse of Nessie!
Returning to Inverness you’ll have a camera full of photos and memories that will last a lifetime!
This full-day tour includes quite a lot of travelling but is a very rewarding day. However, if you have more time and prefer to experience these places at a more relaxed pace, perhaps our two-day ‘Over the sea to Skye‘ tour is better suited to your needs?
SUGGESTED TOUR ROUTE…
Each tour we operate is unique and designed to your requirements. Here is an example of this tour’s route
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 278 miles
- Time 7 h 40 min
- Speed 36 mph
- Min altitude 0 ft
- Peak 0 ft
- Climb 0 ft
- Descent 0 ft
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These are some of the frequently asked questions about our Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle Private tour from Inverness, however if you have a specific question please contact us
ALL OF OUR TOURS COME COMPLETE WITH…
KILT WEARING TOUR GUIDE
We are passionate, professional and full of personality. Let us share our knowledge of Scotland
HOTEL / CRUISE BERTH PICK UP
We’ll collect & return you at the start and end of the tour
BOTTLED SCOTTISH WATER
`Chilled, premium still and sparkling Scottish water is provided
PREMIUM MERCEDES MINIVAN
Our minivans offer luxury interiors and excellent legroom for up to 7 guests and their bags
ONBOARD WIFI
Stay connected to friends and family on tour with unlimited super-fast wifi
RECENT CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
Heather C
Our tour was a wonderful and immersive experience with Hazel, who has a wealth of historical knowledge! Tremendously affable, she took us to several unexpected points of Outlander related interest, a delicious place for lunch and our private tour felt like spending the day with [...]
ML
If you're reading this review trying to decide if you want to book this tour, let me tell you that you absolutely should! You will not regret it and will have memories for a lifetime. I highly recommended his tour. Alexander thank you for an [...]
Martin L
We actually took the full day tour and I can't say enough good things about our tour experience and, more importantly, our guide Alexander (Sandy). He was top notch. He immediately made us feel at home. Alexander was down to earth, funny and SO knowledgeable. [...]
Alex M
We went on a tour with Hazel today. She was a rock star! We had the best day ever! She was so friendly, knowledgeable and kind! She was very attentive to our interests and we truly enjoyed her company. She’s the best tour guide ever!