Duration
Meeting point
Day 1
Departing from Inverness we will drive down the ‘Great Glen’ alongside Loch Ness before heading west towards Glen Shiel alongside the imposing mountains the 5 sisters of Kintail to one of Scotland’s most photographed castles ‘Eilean Donan’. The castle sits on an island, surrounded by 3 lochs and magnificent scenery. After we have had an opportunity to explore the castle we will continue our journey over the Skye bridge, passing through the seaside village of Broadford towards Sligachan at the foot of the Cullin Mountains. This is an excellent opportunity to take photographs of this famous mountain range. We will continue our drive onto the colourful town of Portree where you will have free time to explore the town before checking into your hotel for the evening.
Day 2
Today we will spend the day exploring Skye. There are plenty of things to see and do in Skye and a lot will depend on your interests – whether it’s sightseeing, walking, photography, wildlife, whisky, crafts or shopping. Skye is known as the ‘misty isle’ so the other factor to take into consideration is the weather!
We will start our tour with a visit the crystal clear water of the Fairy Pools – if you are feeling brave you can even have a swim!
Retracing our steps we will continue towards the village of Carbost and the Talisker Distillery where we will have the option to sample Skye’s oldest single malt, and sample some seafood before driving to the ancestral home of the chiefs of Clan McLeod, Dunvegan Castle, where you will be plenty of time to explore the castle and its stunning gardens or take a boat ride to view the seals.
After lunch we have the option to visit Neist Point Lighthouse on the most westerly tip of Skye, before winding our way up northwards towards Uig and the Fairy Glen. For those interested in walking and weather permitting there is an option of a circular walk across the spectacular scenery of the Quiraing on the Trotternish Peninsula or perhaps you would like to visit the grave of Flora MacDonald, or see some dinosaur footprints, before we head down towards perhaps one of the most famous rock pinnacles in Skye, the ‘Old man of Storr’. From there we will drive to the towards Portree stopping off at Kilt Rock and Lealt Falls before returning to your hotel.
Day 3
Today, we are going to drive to the south of the island, where we will visit the Clan Donald Visitor Centre and explore Armadale Castle and gardens. From here we will take the iconic Glenelg ferry back to the mainland and wind our way back to Inverness where your tour will end.
Do I need to take walking boots?
Sturdy footwear is recommended on all walks due to the uneven, rocky and sometimes boggy ground.
What type of clothing should we take?
Scotland’s weather is very changeable, we can have 4 seasons in one day! It is important to bring plenty of layers, and a waterproof jacket.
How long is the walk at the Fairy Pools?
The walk to the Fairy Pools involves two river crossings and follows a gravel path to the Fairy Pools. The distance is around 2.4 km to the closest waterfall, with the option to continue walking up to explore the smaller pools.
How long is the walk at the Fairy Pools?
The walk to the Fairy Pools involves two river crossings and follows a gravel path to the Fairy Pools. The distance is around 2.4 km to the closest waterfall, with the option to continue walking up to explore the smaller pools.
Is the walk around the Quiraing challenging?
The walk is approximately 6.8 km long and initially follows a good path, then becomes rough and rocky, there is one minor scramble, the walk back over the top can be boggy and exposed. This walk is not recommended in misty or windy weather conditions or for those suffering from vertigo.
Is it possible to walk up to the Old Man of Storr?
Yes, the walk follows a clear path all the way up to the Old Man of Storr. It is steep in sections and the top can become very muddy in poor weather conditions. The total distance is 3.8 km.
