Edinburgh

3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland
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From $605.75

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up to 21 days in advance

  • 3 days
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Immerse yourself in the rugged peninsular landscapes of the Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands on this 3-day trip from Edinburgh. During your visit to Scotland's wild northwest coast, you’re driven through the Highlands, including stops at Glencoe and Loch Ness. Stay overnight with daily breakfasts in the harbor town of Portree, where you find local pubs and have plenty of time to explore the Isle of Skye with your guide. Numbers are limited to 16 people on this small-group tour, ensuring a personalized experience.
  • 3-day small-group tour from Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye with an expert guide
  • Admire the spectacular landscapes and lochs of the Scottish Highlands on a scenic drive
  • Stop at Loch Ness to watch for its fabled monster, 'Nessie'
  • Spend two nights in Skye’s picturesque capital, Portree, in your choice of either a B&B or 3-star hotel
  • Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Small-group tour for a more personalized experience

What's Included

  • Driver/guide
  • Travel by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Two nights of B&B or 3-star hotel en-suite accommodation
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Admission fees - Eilean Donan Castle (Adults £12.00)
  • Refreshments and meals (pre-booking evening meals after 7pm is highly recommended)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Bus Station
    Edinburgh EH1 3AY, UK

    Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ "Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure"

Start time

08:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Let an informative guide lead the way to the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye on this 3-day small-group excursion from Edinburgh. Travel in the personalized comfort of a top of the range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, stopping at many high points such as Glencoe and Loch Ness to photograph or simply soak up the ravishing scenery, including a search for the legendary monster ‘Nessie.’ Explore breathtaking Skye during a leisurely itinerary and discover the Scotland Highlands while gaining intimate knowledge of the famous region from your guide. 

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

Edinburgh - Portree

5 Stops

Callander

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Glencoe

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ben Nevis

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Eilean Donan Castle

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Isle of Skye

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight in Portree on the Isle of Skye

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Flexible full day touring around Isle of Skye

4 Stops

Quiraing

Admission Ticket Free

The Old Man of Storr

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kilt Rock

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Accommodation: Overnight in Portree on the Isle of Skye

Meals: Not included

Day 3

Portree - Edinburgh

2 Stops

Loch Ness

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Pitlochry

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Not included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Minimum age for travel on this tour is 5 years
  • Departure from Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.
  • Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
  • Single rooms accommodate 1 person with 1 x UK Single / US Twin bed.
  • Eilean Donan Castle - We reserve tickets for you. If you want to visit this attraction, please purchase your ticket whilst on tour.
  • Room preferences (e.g double room instead of twin room) should be noted upon booking in the Special Requirements section
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 21 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 21 full days before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 21 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 21 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:What is the departure point for the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:The tour departs from Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ

Feb 2023

Q:Is parking available near the departure point for the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:Parking can be difficult to find in the center of town. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of the excellent public transportation that is available.

Jun 2021

Q:How early should I arrive for the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:Check-in closes 15 minutes before your departure time. The tour departs on time, so please do not arrive late.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring luggage with me on the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:You may bring up to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.

Jun 2021

Q:What should I bring with me on the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring your camera and spending money for lunch, optional admission tickets, etc.

Jun 2021

Q:Are admission fees included in the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:No. You pay for access to sites such as castles and museums as you arrive. Most of these locations accept both cash and card.

Jun 2021

Q:What type of vehicle is used during the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:The tour is conducted in a 16 seat Mercedes Mini-coach. There are three steps up into the coach – each 150mm in height. There are grab handles on both sides, the step edges are clearly marked and the treads are non-slip.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring a wheelchair on the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:The bus is not wheelchair accessible, however, there is storage available for a folding wheelchair or walking frame. Guests must be able to get on/off the bus on their own or with the assistance of a companion as guides cannot assist physically.

Jun 2021

Q:Are restrooms available on the bus during the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:There are no restrooms on board the bus, however, the group does make regular breaks to use the restroom during the tour.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring my small child with me on the 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour?

A:All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate in this tour. If your child is 5 or older, but under 1.35m (4.4 ft.) tall, please notate this in the "Special Requirements" box so a booster seat can be arranged.

Jun 2021

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Reviews

5.0
1,065 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 1,065 reviews
The Beautiful Isle of Skye
Elizabeth_W, Apr 2024
From pick up to drop off I felt very safe and well taken care of by the Rabbie’s guide, Robert. He was a man of very few words but knowledgeable nonetheless. This is an action packed 3 days so be sure and put on your roller skates. I had a list of places I wanted to visit, things I wanted to see and everything was checked off my bucketlist. To name a few, we hiked to the Fairy Pools, saw Kilt Rock, Old Man Storr, Quiraing Needle, visited Eilean Donan Castle, saw thousands of Scottish black face sheep and lambs, hairy coos (not as many as I would’ve liked), saw the dinosaur footprints in the rocks on Staffin Beach, visited Talisker Distillery and so much more. We had 14 people on my tour and everyone stayed in Portree at various B&B’s and hotels. I stayed at the Royal Hotel (nothing “Royal” about it but the room was clean and the breakfast was amazing.) Be sure and dress for the ever changing weather as we had sunshine, rain, hail and sleet all in one day. Overall, this tour was incredible and I’m so happy I did it. Do not hesitate, book this trip today! You’re going to love it!
Unforgettable experience
Anne_C, Apr 2024
This tour was absolutely fabulous! The beautiful scenery and amazing history made our trip unforgettable. Our tour guide/driver, Simon, was the best! His personality, knowledge of the history, and his efforts to make this the best experience for everyone on board was so much appreciated.
Not to be missed!
Marcia_S, Apr 2024
The Isle of Skye was magnificent! Our guide, Simon, was the best. So knowledgeable and fun. Accommodations were first rate.
So much information and...
Pamela_G, Apr 2024
So much information and history along with great views. Loved the fairie pools. And such a good diverse group. Martin wonderful. Great B&B overlooking Loch.
Stunning natural beauty
Michelle_K, Apr 2024
The trip was wonderful. Our Rabbies guide, Simon, was friendly, informative, and fun. We had the option to take the Ferry over to Isle of Skye and that really added to the experience. We had one afternoon of heavy rain and wind but we made the best it and it added to the memories!
A great time
Elizabeth_M, Apr 2024
We had a great time. Chris told great stories, had good advice about where to eat, and made sure everyone had a good experience.
Beautiful Skye, less than enjoyable tour guide
Patricia_C, Mar 2024
We enjoyed the sites we visited and the towns, including Portree. We would have enjoyed a more modern cleaner hotel. It was very old, looked dirty and run down. There was a bug on one of the beds when we woke up in the morning. Also, our driver/guide was very opinionated, told us stories of previous clients that she didn’t like, and drove too fast on the curvy mountain roads.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hi Patricia, Thanks for your feedback. We can see that your guide was able to include some beautiful off-the beaten track additional stops for your group. It's great that they were able to tailor the itinerary to help you make the most of the time on the Isle of Skye and we're delighted that you enjoyed the sites! It can feel quite fast on winding, bumpy roads, but we've checked the vehicle data and can see that your tour was driven safely, at appropriate speeds throughout. Nonetheless we're sorry if you felt uncomfortable. The commentary should always be positive and customer focused. And accommodation should always be clean and comfortable. We're sorry that these things let the experience down and we will follow up on both. Thanks again for your feedback and we hope to see you again soon. Best wishes, Aimee
Amazing tour!
Jessica_L, Mar 2024
This was an amazing trip! Simon was our guide and made this tour so much fun and personal to everyone’s interests. He was funny and very knowledgeable and made sure we got to see so many different places. Skye was breathtaking and well worth the money. I stayed at a bed and breakfast as a solo traveler and it was lovely and had a great view of sunrise over the mountains and water. The B&B was about a 10 minute walk from the main square as opposed to the hotels but it did not make much of a difference. I would definitely book this tour again!
Perfect!
Deborah_T, Mar 2024
Great trip! Pictures don’t work to share this super, amazing place! Enjoyed our stops, driver, the entire time!
Great experience with Ian
Aude_L, Jan 2024
Great experience with Rabbies. Had a great 3-days tour with Ian who has been terrific guide and shared with us many fun stories and legends about the highlands and history of Scotland in general. I had the tour in December during the low season so It was very much enjoyable to be in a small group and get to know other travelers from United States and Asia.
An amazing tour, the highlight of my trip!
Linda_W, Nov 2023
A really amazing trip! Our guide, Grant made it even more special with his knowledge and humor throughout the 3-day tour. Add to an amazing group of people who were part of the tour. We were only six people, which made the tour quite fun. Everybody got along, and we saw the most amazing things. We got lucky with the weather for the whole three days the sun was out. It was cold, but because of the sunny weather we were able to hike and see many many more things than we may have without the sun. I elected to have a B&B for my 2 overnight stay, it was really nice. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was quite pleased. I stayed at the Medina bed-and-breakfast in Portree, highly recommend! If you’re booking this on Viator, or any other third-party site, you Rabbie, the company for more information information. Viatar did not supply me with any information about my overnight stay. Which would’ve been nice to know. Luckily the tour guide had all the info with him but he stated that they sent this information to Viar and it should be relayed to us. Which was not. Other than that everything went very smoothly! FYI, I traveled as a single woman and felt very comfortable everywhere we went. Out of the six people on our tour two were single women traveling alone.
Would book again in a heartbeat
Hannah_P, Nov 2023
This tour was phenomenal, made even better by our guide. Mac was an excellent tour guide. He was very knowledgeable, very personable, and very passionate about his beautiful country. His was absolutely seamless in the stories he told with safely navigating us around the highlands. He adapted our stops to what worked best with the weather at any given time. It almost seemed like he was adapting the weather to our stops, because every time we stopped, so did the rain. A splendid tour made even better by a very talented guide.
You will not regret doing this tour!
Shelby_W, Oct 2023
Michael was such a great guide! He was funny and very knowledgeable. This was my second time to the Highlands and I was happy to learn so much more. Skye is breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour! Also please put maps on the bus :)
Truly spectacular, and great for solo travellers!
Megan_S, Sep 2023
I absolutely loved this tour! It was a great way to see the Highlands, meet new friends, and have a guided group experience. I really enjoyed every stop we made, the stories our guide told us, the music played on the bus, and meeting fellow travellers from around the world. I only wish I could've done a longer tour - it was truly spectacular! Thank you again to our wonderful guide and to Rabbies.
Hurtling through the Highlands
Kathy_S, Sep 2023
The Isle of Skye was absolutely stunning. The Highlands were beautiful. I would recommend making the trip. However, I gave this trip 4 stars instead of 5 due to our guide. Barbara seemed to be more interested in taking pictures for her other Instagram influencer job instead of making sure the passengers were taken care of. We went over two hours without a comfort break, she was not forthcoming about the trip information or sites until we were arriving at or flying past them, she drove too fast (described by another passenger as "hurtling") and slammed on the brakes throwing items and people around, and was quite flippant about things. Hope you get a better guide. We went on a different trip with another guide at the same company and he was fantastic so there is hope.
Majestic West Highlands Tour with Des
Janette_G, Aug 2023
An unforgettable three days exploring the West Highlands with our terrific, knowledgable, remarkably prompt guide, Des! Portree was a delightful hub (and we appreciated the advice to book dinners in advance--we enjoyed spectacular meals) and our B&B there in the heart of downtown was lovely! There is NO WAY we would have been able to so thoroughly enjoy the breathtaking vistas and explore the area without Des--the roads are neither for the faint of heart (nor those used to left-hand driving)! We didn't spot Nessie, but we did take years off our life at Glen Sligachen! In short, Des's deep knowledge and obvious love of the area we explored, amusing storytelling, attention to our group's preferences, and lovely accompaniment of some of our travel time with local music made this a simply flawless three days! We even saw the hairy coos (if no Westies outside of souvenir shops)! Highly recommend!
Worth It!
Nicole_C, Jul 2023
Amazing Time! This was a great experience to see a-lot in a small amount of time. This tour made me want to spend even more time in Scotland.
Just the best!
Nancy_C, Jul 2023
The entire experience was remarkable! Our Rabbi’s Tour Guide Grant was the best!! His knowledge of the area made our trip one to remember for years to come.
Highly recommended!
Shirley_H, Jul 2023
Our tour guide Declan was very good-he brought history alive with his descriptions of many of the events that shaped Scotland. As a Scot, I was surprised by how much I didn't know about our story. A great mix of history, humour and geology made this trip very enjoyable.
History and Mystery Comes Alive
Fiona_D, Jun 2023
This was a fabulous experience. The natural beauty of the environment was overwhelming and our group leader, William, was knowledgeable and entertaining. His excellent driving on narrow roads on Skye was also something to behold! Loved how he matched traditional music to each leg of the journey. Many thanks for a wonderful, unforgettable experience.
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3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
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