5-Day Isle of Skye Tour from Glasgow

Experience our spectacular Isle of Skye tour departing from Glasgow. Your private kilted guide will take you on a breathtaking journey through dramatic glens, mystical lochs, and Scotland’s most iconic island, the Isle of Skye.

Day 1: Loch Lomond, Luss, Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint, Inveraray Castle or Jail, Kilchurn Castle photo opportunity & Conan Kirk (Time allowing)

Day 2: Castle Stalker viewpoint, Glencoe, Road to the Isles, Glenfinnan Viaduct & Monument, Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale

Day 3: Isle of Skye Day Tour 

Day 4: Skye Bridge, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield & Clava Cairns

Day 5: Cawdor Castle, with optional visits to The Hermitage or Stirling Castle

Day 1 – Glasgow to Oban

Departing from your accommodation in Glasgow, our 5 Day tour to the Isle of Skye begins. Our first visit of the day, takes us to the picturesque conservation village of Luss, on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Luss, on the western shores of Loch Lomond offers unrivalled views of Ben Lomond, the most southerly Scottish Munro at 974 metres in height. We have time to take a leisurely stroll around this popular village, viewing the 11th century Viking hogback grave stone, along with a wee wander around the popular Scottish gift shops.

Our journey continues north, enjoying panoramic views of Loch Lomond, before traversing through the Arrochar Alps, to the dramatic Rest and be Thankful viewpoint. This immensely popular area separates Glen Kinglass from Glen Croe. Here we have time to take in the breathtaking views, and sample some fine Scottish Malt Whisky, whilst listening to well loved Scottish tunes, from your friendly tour guide Graeme’s bagpipes.

Stopping off for lunch In Inveraray, you have the option of visiting Inveraray Castle or Jail, before touring through Bonnie Argyll to Oban. Time allowing, we will stop off for a photo opportunity at Kilchurn Castle, with an optional visit to Conan Kirk.

Overnight stay in Oban

Day 2 – Oban to Skye

Departing Oban, we head North to the evocative Glencoe, (is said to mean, Glen of Weeping) where we will listen to the sorrowful stories of the notorious 1692 Glencoe Massacre. Undoubtedly one of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes, which is shrouded with sadness at the plight of the MacDonalds, who sadly perished at the hands of the treacherous Clan Campbell.

Journeying on through the Scottish Highlands to Fort William on the banks of Loch Linnhe, the start of the Great Glen, we will have the opportunity to glimpse at one of Scotland’s (and the United Kingdom’s), tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Our epic adventure continues, travelling on the scenic Road to the Isles, from Fort William to Mallaig. With time to stop at Glenfinnan Monument, where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed on August 19,1745, to raise the Royal Standard. A short hike to the viewpoint, offers one of the most stunning inland views of Scotland, with craggy mountains lining the banks of Loch Shiel. We may have the opportunity of viewing the famous Jacobite Steam Train (Harry Potter Train), crossing the remarkable Glenfinnan viaduct. A short journey from here, sees us arrive at Mallaig, where we will sail over the sea to the Isle of Skye, disembarking at Armadale on the Sleat Peninsula. Our travels venture north, and on to our chosen accommodation on the Isle of Skye.

Overnight stay in Skye

Day 3 – Day Tour of Skye

Our first stop of the day on our Skye road trip takes us to the iconic Old Man of Storr on the Trotternish Ridge. You can opt to take the challenging hike up to this world famous landmark, or to walk so far to capture some photographs of this geological masterpiece.

Further North on Skye’s eastern peninsula, we visit Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. Have your camera at the ready to snap the famous Kilt Rock which gets its name from the vertical basalt columns which look like the pleats on a Scottish Kilt. The spectacular Meals Falls cascade over 60 metres into the Sound of Raasay.

Our next stop is at the An Corran Beach at Staffin Bay, where tide allowing we can search for prehistoric Megalosaurus footprints in the rocks.

At the northern end of the Trotternish Peninsula, we have time to stop off at the ruins of Duntulm Castle. It’s also an excellent location to view the Outer Hebridean Isles of Lewis, Harris and Uist if the weather is favourable.

Our adventure continues along the single track road, to the remote thatched cottages at the Skye Museum of Island Life. You may also take the time to take a stroll up to the Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald’s tombstone. Flora was instrumental in assisting Bonnie Prince Charlie on his escape from the British Hanoverian Soldiers after the final failed Jacobite Rebellion.

Time allowing we can opt to visit The magical Fairy Glen near Uig, and or to drive over to The Quiraing to absorb the phenomenon of jagged pinnacles and rugged outcrops of this natural landslide, before travelling south towards Portree.

Overnight stay in Skye

Day 4 – Skye to Inverness or Nairn

We say a sad farewell to the mystical Isle of Skye, as we drive south to cross over the Skye Bridge, passing through Kyle of Lochalsh, en-route to Eilean Donan Castle in Dornie. Eilean Donan Castle, is perched on a small tidal island, now connected by a 20th century bridge at the meeting point of 3 great sea lochs (Loch Long, loch Alsh and Loch Duich).

Lookout for the 5 sisters of Kintail mountains, as our travels continue through the majestic Scottish Highlands to the mysterious Loch Ness. Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of Nessie, as we make our way to Dores, for lunch at the local inn on banks of Loch Ness. After lunch, you can savour a wee dram or two on the banks of Loch Ness (which might assist you in spotting ‘Nessie’).

After lunch, we make our way to Culloden Battlefield on Drumossie Moor, which lies between Inverness and Nairn. Culloden Battlefield is where the last pitched battle took place on British soil, and was to be the sad end to the Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite Rebellion. Your group has the option to visit the interactive visitor centre and to walk through the emotive Culloden Battlefield to pay their respects at Clan grave markers and the memorial cairn. 

Our last stop of the day, we visit the atmospheric Clava Cairns at Balnuaran of Clava, before taking the short journey to your chosen accommodation in Inverness or Nairn.

Overnight stay in Inverness or Nairn

Day 5 – Inverness or Nairn to Glasgow

On our final morning, leaving from either Nairn or Inverness, we visit Cawdor Castle, the 14th century home of the Thanes of Cawdor. The castle is still a living home to Lady Calder, who often invites visitors during the summer months. This historical castle boasts two splendid gardens for you to stroll through at your leisure.

We finally head southwards, with an optional visit to The Hermitage, where you can partake in a feast for the senses wander through this woodland walk.  Alternatively we can pay a visit to Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most important and strategic castles in medieval times, before completing our tour in Glasgow and bidding our fond farewells after our spectacular Scottish adventure.