Edinburgh

3-Day Isle of Skye, 'Hogwarts Express' Train and Highlands Tour

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3 Day Isle of Skye Scottish Highlands and the Jacobite Steam Train from Edinburgh
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From $951.81

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 3 days
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Venture to the Scottish Highlands and spend two nights on the Isle of Skye, including a steam train ride on The Jacobite of the West Highland Railway Line—aka the “Hogwarts Express” of Harry Potter fame. This hassle-free 3-day guided trip from Edinburgh takes you on a comprehensive itinerary of regional highlights such as the Old Man of Storr, Eilean Donan Castle, and the legendary Loch Ness.
  • 3-day Highlands and Isle of Skye trip from Edinburgh
  • See magnificent scenery including Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe
  • Ride the famous Hogwarts Express train (as seen in the Harry Potter films)
  • Benefit from the convenience of having transport included

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This tour takes a different route to and from the Isle of Skye for maximum sightseeing opportunities.

What's Included

  • 2 nights accommodation in 3-star B&B or hotels
  • Steam Train between Mallaig and Fort William
  • Transport by air-conditioned midi-coach
  • Local English Speaking Guide
  • Visit at the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
  • Breakfast (2)
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Highland Explorer Tours
    60 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TB, UK

    This tour will depart at 7:45 am from 60 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB. Meet 15 minutes before departure and look for the check-in staff wearing blue high-visibility vests there to greet you.

Start time

07:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Experience the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye with ease on this 3-day round-trip coach tour from Edinburgh.

Head north from Edinburgh to Portree, stopping off at the Highland beauty of Glencoe. Once you reach Fort William, enjoy a Jacobite Steam Train ride along the west coast to Mallaig, made famous by the Harry Potter movies as the Hogwarts Express.

Stay in Portree, then the next day see the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and Dunvegan Castle & Gardens.

The final day showcases the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle, Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, Loch Ness, the Commando Memorial, and Dunkeld—sites that would take a long time to travel between on public transport.

Two nights’ accommodation includes a single, twin, or double room in a 3-star hotel or B&B in Portree, selected at booking. Enjoy daily breakfast; all other meals are at your own expense.
Day 1

Edinburgh to Portree

5 Stops

Glencoe

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Fort William

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Admission Ticket Free

Mallaig

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Portree

4 hours Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight at a 3 star B&B or Hotel in Portree

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Isle of Skye

3 Stops

The Old Man of Storr

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Kilt Rock

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

2 hours Admission Ticket Not Included

Accommodation: Overnight at a 3 star B&B or Hotel in Portree

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

Portree to Edinburgh

5 Stops

Eilean Donan Castle

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

Dundreggan Rewilding Centre

1 hour 30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Loch Ness

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Commando Monument

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Dunkeld

25 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Please select room type when booking.
  • Minimum age is 5 years, we are unable to accommodate children under this age
  • Each traveler is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase weighing no more than 33lbs (15kg) and 1 carry-on bag
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them to board and disembark
  • It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold back the tour for late arrivals.
  • Please note that most fellow travellers on your tour will be staying at B&B accommodation.
  • During April and October, this tour returns at 8pm.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

5.0
740 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 740 reviews
Great Experince
TheaAmberson, May 2024
One of the best tours I've ever been one. You get to experience a lot of Scotland in a short amount of time. Dusty was definitely the best tour guide we've ever had.
Great Tour of the Highlands and Isle of Skye!
Christine_H, Apr 2024
We really enjoyed this tour. We wanted to see the Highlands and at least one of the islands, and this was a perfect way to do it. If you don't want to drive yourself, and have just a few days to do some exploring outside the main cities, we highly recommend it! Sophie, our tour guide, was FANTASTIC! She knew so much history, the folklore, was engaging and funny, and made this tour amazing. She also made plenty of "comfort" stops for bathroom and food breaks. Laura and Chris, the trainees who came along, were great too! We saw so much in 3 days...check out the itinerary for the details. FYI the Bed and Breakfast in Portree was lovely, and the breakfast was amazing.
Beautiful scenery plus a fun train ride
Kathy_A, Oct 2023
Alistair is a fabulous driver and tour guide. He brought history to life with interesting stories. Scenery was beautiful and Hogwarts Express fun. The Skye Inn was comfortable and food was good. Highly recommend this tour for everyone.
Breathtaking!
Emma_F, Sep 2023
Belated review from June 2023: Amazing tour that I would recommend to anyone. Scotland was beautiful (as always), and surprisingly sunny/ dry for almost all of our trip! Our wonderful guide/ driver Paul made this tour even more enjoyable. He made stops to points of interest during each journey, and gave us time to explore. Paul kept us entertained with local myths/ legends/ stories, Scottish music etc. This was Paul’s first solo tour but he knew his stuff and handled Skye’s narrow roads like a pro. What a great guy! The Rosedale Hotel was excellent. Our room was clean, modern, and spacious. Breakfast and dinners down in the restaurant were delicious with very good service for a UK restaurant. The bar/lounge area has a huge selection of wines, Scotch, gins etc. There were even local musicians playing on the Saturday evening. Tips: 1. To get more time at the lunchtime stops, bring lunches with you. Otherwise you’ll have to join large queues in the local cafes, then rush to eat and explore. 2. There aren’t many restaurants in Portree, with even fewer open on Sundays. Book your dinners IN ADVANCE or risk grabbing a takeaway. 3. Wear sensible footwear, and pack waterproof jackets.
Reaching for Skye
Elizabeth_C, Aug 2023
The scenery was spectacular, but it was our driver/host Mark who made the trip especially enjoyable. He had the best mixture of storytelling, interesting facts and activities and challenges that kept all of us engaged and connected to the experience while spending so much time on a bus. And he managed to do all of this while navigating narrow roads and passing lanes to keep us all safe. Bravo!
Cliff was an amazing...
Laura_H, Jul 2023
Cliff was an amazing guide with lots of knowledge of the beautiful areas we saw on our trip. I would definitely book this again!
Highly recommended.
Michelle_W, Jul 2023
This trip was amazing! The itinerary was spot on and had been carefully planned to ensure plenty of time at each stop. We fit so much into the tour but never felt rushed. The Jacobite train was a highlight and a “must do.” Jada our driver and tour guide was the best! She told great stories and gave us plenty of interesting history along the way. She really made our trip special. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience the Scottish countryside and Isle of Skye.
Isle of Skye is amazing and so is Jada!
Molly_M, Jul 2023
Our tour guide Jada provided an amazing tour! She was well versed in the history of the area, fairy stories, and her own personal experiences with the highlands. She cared deeply for each of us and made everyone feel at ease. I plan to tour again with her in the future. FYI go to the Isle of Skye it is AMAZING!
Tour Guide and coach driver made the tour special
Patricia_P, Jun 2023
Our tour of the Highlands and Isle of Skye was wonderful. From the dramatic scenery of Glencoe and the Black Cuillins, to the historic sites of Culloden and the Clava Cairns and the lovely towns of Powtree and Inverness, it was all just grand. But what made this tour so special was our driver Jada and tour guide Louise. Both were personable, professional, organized and fun. Jada's driving skills were amazing. Louise was a wonderful storyteller who made Scottish history and legends come alive. Together they were definitely a "dynamic duo."
Highland and isle of skye tour
Jesarile_C, Jun 2023
Louise and Jada were a great duo who made the tour a fun and relaxed enjoyable experience. The hotel accommodations were great and close to the city centres making it easy to explore on arrival. The stops were well spaced out and relevant. The Jacobite train ride was great.
Best tour ever!
Daniel_H, May 2023
This was the best tour we have ever taken (and we have done several.) Dougie and Jada are the best guides we have ever encountered! The sites are amazing. The highlands and Isle of Skye are everything you think they are spectacular views. Or, as Dougie says in his Scottish accent, “stunnin’.” There were ample stops for toilet and food/snack breaks. The bus was comfortable and the Skye Inn hotel was great. If you are thinking of booking a highlands tour - definitely book this one!
The Klick Rock fountain. ...
may_c, Oct 2022
The Klick Rock fountain. And the lovely highland cow. The beautiful scenery, good accommodation and breakfast.
Scotland Highlands at their Best!
Judy_D, Aug 2022
Isle of Skye is a gorgeous area .....lots of scenery (especially when it's sunny.... we were very lucky!) Our driver was very knowledgeable and friendly, despite the fact that she had only been driving this route for @ 6 months! Despite the long distance riding in a bus, I would definitely recommend this trip as a way to get out of the city and see the spectacular countryside of Scotland!
Scottish Highlands Tour
Jessica_G, May 2022
We learned a lot about the history of the Scottish Highlands. The views were spectacular. Tom, our tour guide was very nice and accommodating.
Great tour with an amazing guide
James_E, Oct 2021
Amazing tour, and our guide Scott was amazing, possibly the best tour guide I've ever had! We travelled in the off season but still managed to see a lot of cool stuff, and he knew the area incredibly well and had some good alternatives for things that were closed. Lodging on the Isle of Skye at the Skye Inn was great. Bus was comfortable, not crowded, and Covid-19 precautions were well handled.
Awesome Highlands and isle of Skye tour!!
Sarah_C, Aug 2021
I had an absolutely amazing time traveling solo with my group tour, everyone was so friendly and kind, including out awesome driver, Rich! He was so funny and full of great stories to tell. We traveled from Edinburgh to Isle of Skye with stops in-between. The Hogwarts express ride was a personal highlight, being a huge Harry Potter geek.. I mean fan! Thank you for an incredible adventure! I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the Highlands of Scotland including Harry Potter fans!
Perfect trip for few days
Kerry_O, Jun 2021
If you want a great taster for Scotland - but only have a few days - this is the trip to take! The itinerary covered lots of ground without feeling too rushed - Highlands and Isle of Skye are spectacular ... the train ride IS worth it - especially if you bring a bit of whisky to enjoy with friends! Our guide Charlie was awesome ! Highly recommend this trip!
The trip couldn't be better
Jiho_E, Jun 2021
It was such an amazing and exciting experience. Regardless of the weather, the nature of Highland and Skye is just magnificent and stunning. I couldn't stop taking pictures because I didn't want to miss a moment. Moreover, our guider, Caitlin, and other group members were lovely and friendly companions. Caitlin is the best driver as well as a talented storyteller. The histories and legends, She spoke, were so catching and realistic. Also, fortunately, I could enjoy the sunny weather in the Isle of Skye. The trip couldn't be better.
The best guide EVER
kerry_o, Sep 2019
A great tour with a good variety of stops and sights. The scenery was amazing, the guesthouse comfortable and the sights worth seeing. The best aspect of our tour was our driver/guide Caitlin. Her enthusiasm, knowledge, stories and story telling ability were brilliant and she interspersed her narrative with music that fitted the history or place. She was without doubt the best guide I have ever had on a tour and her driving ability astounded us all.
Magical & Memorable!
Julie_S, Sep 2019
My husband and I booked this tour from Edinburgh in August, while visiting Scotland for our 10 year anniversary. This was the perfect break from the fringe festival, to see the highlands and explore Skye. I had always wanted to visit and found Yvonne the perfect guide- sharing regional stories/folklore, recommendations for our solo downtime, and her impressive driving skills. The b&b we stayed at in Portree (Rosedale) was perfect. Loved the staff, view, food, and ambiance. The train ride was thrilling. We lucked out with sun for most outings to take in the stunning scenery, but well prepared for the occasional shower...part of the charm to experience so many seasons in 1 day. Overall, would highly recommend this trip and will cherish the thoughtful anniversary card we received from Yvonne.
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