Isle of Skye from Edinburgh

Depart Edinburgh and travel west, passing Linlithgow Palace and Stirling with its imposing castle and views of the Wallace Monument. You pass Doune Castle, set of Monty Python’s “Holy Grail” before stopping in Callander for refreshments. Crossing into the Highlands you head north towards the glorious scenery surrounding Loch Lubnaig then through Breadalbane (meaning the ‘high country of Scotland’) and up to the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor.

You continue through the spectacular mountain pass of Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan MacDonald in 1692. Leaving Fort William after lunch you drive past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and into the Great Glen. Travelling west on the “Road to the Isles” you head through the splendour of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. You stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, set at the junction of 3 lochs and completely surrounded by water.

Crossing over the bridge to Skye, you follow the dramatic coastline north towards the island’s capital, Portree. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening where you are free to go out and explore the town.

Overnight - Portree

Today is a very flexible day. There are many possibilities and, depending on the weather; your driver/ guide’s knowledge will help you enjoy the best day out. North of Portree is the Trotternish ridge with its spectacular cliffs and rock formations, such as the famous landmark – the Old Man of Storr, the impressive sea cliff, Kilt Rock and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. Amazing natural scenery, which is best enjoyed away from the bus by taking a walk through this unique landscape.

Further west the scenery changes again with the emerald green valley of Glendale, the dramatic sea-cliffs of Neist Point (the most westerly point on the island, where you might get lucky and spot some whales or sharks!), and the 13th-century home of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle. You return to Portree in the evening.

Overnight - Portree

You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting “Nessie”. 

Heading south now through the Grampian mountains along Loch Laggan, famous now as “Monarch of the Glen Country” before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland’s highest whisky distillery. We pass Blair Castle and continue through Highland Perthshire as we head back to Edinburgh and over the Forth Road Bridge. 

Return to Edinburgh at 19:00

TRUE FACT: One of the most notable sights in many parts of western Scotland, particularly in Argyll, is the rhododendron, a plant introduced in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Its ability to colonise poor ground, together with its dense foliage that inhibits light reaching smaller plants, often makes people regard it more as a weed than an exotic plant to be nurtured.​