Inverness, Skye and the Highlands

from Edinburgh

The outstanding landscapes of Applecross and Torridon combine with a visit to the Isle of Skye and a malt whisky distillery to create one of our most popular tours.

Day One: Edinburgh to Inverness (3 nights)

From Edinburgh we make our way via remote Rannoch Moor to awesome Glen Coe, where we pause to enjoy the spectacular surroundings. We continue to Fort William and through the Great Glen to Loch Ness where you can visit Urquhart Castle and take a 'monster-spotting' cruise *.  

Our home for the next three nights is Inverness, the ‘Capital of the Highlands’. Your stay in Inverness is unescorted, so you can enjoy your time here as you please.

Day Two: The Magical Isle

Today’s full-day excursion leads us to the delightful Isle of Skye.   We travel through Glen Shiel, passing the Five Sisters mountain range, to our first stop at iconic Eilean Donan Castle *, perched on its island at the head of Loch Duich. You have time here to visit this most picturesque of castles.

The road bridge to Skye takes us from mainland to island. After a stop for lunch, we follow the scenic route with wonderful views of the striking Cuillin Hills all the way to Portree, the island's main community. Why not take time out to visit the picturesque harbour with it's colourfully painted houses?

We return to the mainland and the village of Kyle of Lochalsh.  The last leg of our journey takes us through pretty Glen Carron to Achnasheen for the short return to Inverness.  

Day Three: Scenic Applecross and Loch Carron

We travel today to one of Scotland’s remotest and most picturesque areas: the Applecross Peninsula. We first cross the Black Isle to lonely Achnasheen . Our coach then climbs over the spectacular Bealach nam Ba, which means the ‘Pass of the Cattle’ in Gaelic, the UK’s third highest road at more than 2,000 feet.  

You will have time in Applecross to enjoy the spectacular seascapes or discover the controversial tale of the Highland Clearances at the local heritage centre. Nature lovers should look out for otters, red deer and pine marten (one of the rarest of British mammals) in an area rich in local wildlife.

Day Four: Inverness to Edinburgh

We pause at Chanonry Point, a popular vantage spot for catching sight of the colony of dolphins, for which the Moray Firth is home. We also a stop in the attractive town of Beauly before travelling through Glen Convinth to Drumnadrochit and the award-winning Loch Ness Exhibition Centre *. 

Our route south takes in the Spey Valley, with views of the Cairngorm Mountains, the dramatic scenery of the Drumochter Pass and Glen Garry, where you may catch a glimpse of impressive Blair Castle.

We return to Edinburgh through the rolling Perthshire countryside and the ancient Kingdom of Fife.

(The order in which excursions are operated may vary.)
* Admission fees extra

Tour Highlights: Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, The Great Glen, Loch Ness, Inverness, Glen Carron, Isle of Skye, Portree, Cuillin Hills, Eilean Donan Castle, Five Sisters, Lochcarron, Bealach-nam-Bo Pass, Applecross, Loch Torridon, Beauly, Cromarty, Spey Valleyand Perthshire.