Enjoy a 3-day tour experiencing the dramatic scenery the Scottish Highlands has to offer. Spend time in Glencoe, explore the Isle of Skye, the Eilean Donan Castle and mysterious Loch Ness.
Edinburgh: 3-Day Isle of Skye, Highlands, and Loch Ness Tour
Summary Description
Highlights
- Stay overnight in the picturesque seaside village of Portree.
- Pass through the haunting and dramatic Glencoe valley.
- Enjoy lunch in the seaside town of Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis.
- See Skye's highlights like Kilt Rock, the Old Man of Storr and Lealt Falls.
- Visit the Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most photographed castles.
Description
Embark on a 3-day guided trip to the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh. See the Glencoe Valley and the Eilean Donan Castle. Admire the rolling pastures of the Isle of Skye and visit lake Loch Ness.
Day 1 From Edinburgh, you will head west where your first stop will be at the picturesque conservation village of Luss, on the ‘Bonny, Bonny’ banks of Loch Lomond. Traveling north via Tyndrum you will pass over the atmospheric Rannoch Moor before enjoying time to walk and admire the dramatic Glencoe valley, site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald Clan. After lunch in the Fort William area, your tour will pause for photos at Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then stop to admire Glen Garry and the stunning Five Sisters of Kintail mountain range. Your first day ends in the charming village of Portree, on the Isle of Skye.
Day 2 After breakfast, your will depart Portree for a full day’s touring - options include Dunvegan Castle, a trip to Uig, and a visit to Flora MacDonald’s grave and the unique Black Houses, ancient dwellings of the Scottish Highlanders. Other options include viewing Duntulum Castle, enjoying breathtaking views of Kilt Rock, or perhaps a bracing walk at the Lealt Falls. The day will end with the opportunity to admire the Old Man of Storr, before returning to Portree.
Day 3 You will commence your final day of the tour via the much-admired Eilean Donan Castle, the backdrop for the movie, ‘Highlander’; (interior closed in winter) then move on to the pretty lochside village of Fort Augustus for lunch and views of Loch Ness. The tour continues south over Laggan and the Grampian mountains with the last stop, for refreshments, in the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, before returning to Edinburgh, where the tour will end.
Included / Excluded
- Transportation in modern air-conditioned bus
- Live commentary
- Driver-guide
- Digital written translations
- Accommodation (if option selected)
- Food and drinks
- Entry to attractions
- Restrooms on board
- Tips
Start / End Locations
Start Location: Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, UK
End Location: Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, UK
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- Bringing a packed lunch is recommended to make the most of your time at each stop. You can bring cold food and drinks, but not hot food. Alternatively, you will have the chance to buy food on the day.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated provided the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembarking the coach.
- The tour involves cross-country driving and a large portion of the trip is spent on the coach, taking in the views of Scotland with live commentary.
- It is recommended to use the restroom beforehand, as the first stop is approximately 2 hours away and there are no toilets on the coach.
- You can choose to book your own accommodation, or you can choose between a B&B (single room or double/twin/family room) accommodation price included in the tour price.
- • Contact the activity provider directly if you want to discuss your accommodation arrangements in Portree.
- • You are allowed to bring a medium-sized suitcase, which is considered to be between 63 and 67 centimetres in height (25 to 26 inches). As long as your luggage isn't significantly bigger than these measurements, it should be fine to use for your trip.
- • Digital translations of the tour are offered in 7 different languages. You can download your written translation using the following link: https://www.timberbush-tours.co.uk/about-us/translations/edinburgh-translations.
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours
Cancellation Notes: Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Options and Pricing
| 3-Day Isle of Skye, Highlands, and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|
| 220 (18 - 64 years) | N/A |
| 215 (5 - 11 years) | N/A |
Points of interest
FAQ
Where is the departure point?
Our Edinburgh tours depart from Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EW, outside the NCP Car Park.
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You can also find us by Edinburgh Public Transport
Check-in opens 15 minutes prior to the stated departure time and closes 5 minutes prior to the stated departure time. We recommend that all passengers arrive in this window as tours must depart on schedule.
Our multi-day tours will return to Edinburgh Waverley Station which is about a 15 minute walk from our original departure point.
Is the accommodation included in the price?
No, accommodation is not included in the tour price, as we prefer to let you choose the type of accommodation you want, depending on your budget.
The tour price includes the services of a friendly, knowledgeable and experienced Driver-Guide and transportation on one of our luxury modern air-conditioned coaches.
Accommodation rates do vary between providers and seasons. For this reason we are only able to give you an estimated rate until a booking has been made.
Estimated rates are as follows:
Youth Hostel: £25.00 - £35.00 per person per night
B&B (Shared): £55.00 - £75.00 per person per night
B&B (Single occupancy): £65.00 - £115.00 per night
Hotel: From £75.00+ per person per night
Accommodation is payable to the provider upon check-in. We recommend that you prepare £75 per person per night in cash to cover the cost of your accommodation.
All hotels require credit card information in order to secure a booking. If you wish us to reserve a hotel room for you, we will contact you for your budget and credit card details.
What is the difference between a hostel, B&B and hotel?
Hostels are budget accommodation. Many hostels have kitchen facilities where customers can prepare their own food.
B&B's are privately owned Guesthouses. Guests are given breakfast (continental or full, depending on the B&B) but cannot prepare their own food.
Hotels are the most expensive choice of accommodation. Rooms come with a full breakfast (unless stated) and guests are unable to prepare their own food.
What is the difference between ensure, standard, twin and double rooms?
Double means one double bed which sleeps two.
Twin means two single beds, where you share a room but not a bed.
Ensuite rooms have a private bathroom/toilet/shower within the room.
Standard rooms have communal facilities that are shared with other guests.
While we strive to book your first choice, please note that accommodation options can be limited during the busy season. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences but if your preferred choice is unavailable, we will inform you promptly.
Can I book my own accommodation?
Yes, you are free to make your own arrangements. We offer a £10 discount to those that choose to book your own accommodation!
This means that you have complete control over where you stay, and can take some time to research all of your options and pick the perfect accommodation for you and those you are travelling with!
Simply advise us at the time of booking that you will be reserving your own accommodation, and inform us at your earliest convenience of the name and address of the Guesthouse once it has been booked.
We kindly ask that your accommodation provider is located in central Portree, 2km (1.2 miles) from the town centre, otherwise your Driver-Guide will be unable to drop you off and collect you.
How much luggage can I bring?
Luggage is restricted to one medium sized suitcase per person.
For guidance: a medium sized suitcase is considered 60-69cm high and roughly 45cm in width.
Are the optional extras included?
No, optional extras are not included in the 3 day tour price.
This is to allow our guests the freedom to choose which attractions they would like to visit.
The prices for the optional extras (valid from April 2024) are as follows:
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens: Adults: £16.50, Concession: £13.50, Children: £11.50
Eilean Donan Castle: Adults: £12, Concession: £11.50, Children £6.50, Children under 5: Free
Loch Ness Cruise: Adults: £19, Concession: £17, Children: £12
We recommend booking tables at restaurants in Portree, Skye, if you would like a sit-down meal in the evening, as many restaurants will be restricting table numbers.
Do I need to pre-book the optional extras?
No, you don't need to worry about pre-booking any of the optional extras.
All the optional extras can be booked on the day and your Driver-Guide will advise you of how to book.
If you have any questions about this please contact our Reservations Team on +44 (0) 131 226 6066 - open 07.00 - 21.00 daily.
Is the tour in English?
Yes, all of our tours are in English.
Your tour will be taken by an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking Driver-Guide.
If you require a written translation of your tour, just let us know at the time of booking and we'll arrange one for you.
Written translations are available for this tour in the following languages:
French
German
Spanish
Portuguese
Italian
Russian
Chinese (Mandarin)
What should I bring with me?
As you’ll be spending two days on and off the coach with the opportunity for walks, we recommend bringing warm and/or waterproof clothing, comfortable walking shoes and some sun-block or a hat for sunny days.
And don’t forget your camera to capture all of the lovely scenery and wildlife you’ll encounter on your tour!
Can children travel on this tour?
We welcome children over 4 years old on our tours, and children aged between 4-16yrs are eligible for the concessionary rate.
We regret we are not able to carry children under the age of 4.
About operator:
Founded in 1998, Timberbush Tours is a 5-star, award-winning tour operator based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They offer daily guided sightseeing tours across the Highlands, Islands, and North of England. Popular destinations include Loch Ness, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Isle of Skye, St Andrews, and more. Timberbush’s modern fleet of coaches is helmed by passionate, knowledgeable guides who bring Scotland’s heritage and landscapes to life. Tours depart daily from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness, with options from one-day to three-day adventures. Known for flexible schedules, transparent pricing, and top-rated service, Timberbush Tours is ideal for solo travelers, families, and groups alike.
Basic Information
- Duration: 3 days
- Trip difficulty: Easy
- Category: Tours & Sightseeing
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