Private Isle of Skye Tours from Glasgow and Edinburgh

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

Completely flexible and fully customised, our tours typically run from 3 to 7 days based on your interests and schedule, with itineraries designed entirely around your group’s preferences. As a private tour (never sharing with strangers), you travel at your own pace with the freedom to explore Scotland your way.

Your Isle of Skye adventure from Glasgow takes you through Loch Lomond’s bonnie banks, the dramatic beauty of Glencoe, and the West Highland route to Skye.

Departing from Edinburgh, you’ll explore Culross (Outlander filming location), the Hermitage waterfalls, and scenic Cairngorms before reaching the magical Isle of Skye.

Private Isle of Skye Tour from Glasgow

Departing from your Glasgow accommodation, your 5-day Isle of Skye adventure begins at the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and the picturesque conservation village of Luss. Journey through the dramatic Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint before arriving in Inveraray for lunch.

You will travel through the atmospheric mountains of Glencoe, where you’ll hear the sorrowful story of the 1692 Massacre, then journey along the scenic Road to the Isles to Glenfinnan Viaduct (famous for the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express).

Cross by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, where you’ll have a full day to explore the Fairy Pools, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the dramatic Quiraing. Your return journey takes you past the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, along the banks of Loch Ness, through Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns, before visiting the stunning Cawdor Castle and returning to Glasgow via the Hermitage or Stirling Castle.

5-Day Private Isle of Skye Tour from Glasgow: Complete itinerary

Departing from your accommodation in Glasgow, our 5-day private 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 St Conan’s Kirk.

Overnight stay in Oban

Departing Oban, we head North to the evocative Glencoe (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 one of Scotland’s (and the United Kingdom’s) tallest mountains, Ben Nevis.

Our epic adventure continues as we travel 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 to view the famous Jacobite Steam Train (also known as the Harry Potter Train), which crosses 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

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 walk a short distance 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 that resemble the pleats on a Scottish Kilt. The spectacular Mealt Falls cascade over 60 metres into the Sound of Raasay.

Our next stop is at An Corran Beach in Staffin Bay, where, tide permitting, 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, or 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

We bid a fond 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).

Look out for the Five 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 the 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 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

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 remains a living home to Lady Calder, who 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 as you 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.

Private Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh

Departing from your Edinburgh accommodation, your 5-day Isle of Skye journey begins in the Kingdom of Fife, exploring Culross (Outlander’s Cranesmuir village) and its atmospheric cobbled streets. Travel through Perthshire to the Hermitage for a scenic woodland walk to the Black Linn Falls, then traverse the dramatic Cairngorms National Park via the panoramic Snow Road to Nairn.

Visit the magnificent Cawdor Castle, pay respects at Culloden Battlefield, and explore the ancient Clava Cairns before journeying to the mystical Isle of Skye via Loch Ness and the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. Spend a full day discovering Skye’s wonders, the Fairy Pools beneath the Cuillin Mountains, Talisker Distillery, Dunvegan Castle, the Quiraing, Staffin Bay’s dinosaur footprints, Kilt Rock, and the Old Man of Storr.

Your return crosses by ferry from Armadale to Mallaig, stopping at Glenfinnan Viaduct and Monument, Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, the dramatic Three Sisters of Glencoe, before visiting Rob Roy MacGregor’s grave at Balquhidder, feeding the Highland Coos at Kilmahog, and ascending the National Wallace Monument for your final stop before Edinburgh.

5-Day Private Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh: Complete Itinerary

Your 5-day private Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh departs from your group’s chosen accommodation in the city. Leaving the historical capital city of Edinburgh behind, we travel north, over the Firth of Forth on the newly built Queensferry crossing into the Kingdom of Fife. 

Our first stop of the day is the former Royal Burgh town of Culross, which is also a prominent Outlander filming location. Your private group will step back in time, experiencing a leisurely walk through the cobbled streets of this picturesque 16th and 17th-century village. Look out for Geillis Duncan’s House and Claire’s herb garden.

Travelling north through Perthshire, we arrive at the Hermitage, where you will enjoy a short forest walk through the giant Douglas firs, to view the thunderous Black Linn Falls on the River Braan.

After stopping off for lunch, we will pay a visit to the Victorian spa town of Pitlochry, then traverse through the Scottish Highlands, for a welcome overnight stay in Nairn, on the Moray Firth.

Overnight stay in Nairn

After a good hearty Scottish breakfast, we make our way to Cawdor Castle, nestled in the woods of the Nairn valley. Cawdor was immortalised by William Shakespeare’s ‘Scottish Play’, Macbeth, as the scene of Duncan’s mythical death.

A short drive from Cawdor, our next visit is to the evocative Culloden Battlefield, site of the last pitched battle in the United Kingdom between the Jacobites and Hanoverian British Soldiers. From the visitor centre, we take the short walk through Culloden Moor to pay our respects to the gallant Highlanders, who lost their lives in the last Jacobite Rebellion. Our next stop is only a 5-minute drive from Culloden to the prehistoric Clava Cairns burial chambers, which are surrounded by mysterious standing stones. 

With a brief stop for lunch, our journey to Skye continues by the banks of Loch Ness, through the majestic Highlands to Eilean Donan Castle in Dornie. This medieval castle protected the lands of Kintail from Viking warriors and was home to the mighty Clan MacRae for over two centuries.

We then take the short journey over the sea to Skye, via the new land bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh. Travelling North, we pass through Skye’s second largest populated town of Broadford,  en route to the charming town of Portree, the capital of Skye.

Overnight stay on Skye

We’d like to offer our guests a flexible approach to visiting Skye, and we can talk about where your group would like to visit before travelling begins, or as previous customers have opted for, on the actual journey to Skye.

Some of the more popular visitor attractions in Skye – 

Old Man of Storr (1 and a half to 2-hour hike)

Kilt Rock

Staffin Bay

Quiraing (Full loop is approximately 4 hours. However, you can do a shorter hike, and then come back)

Fairy Glen

Fairy Pools

Talisker Whisky Distillery 

Dunvegan Castle

See our popular sample Skye Itinerary from Portree:

Get your hiking boots on for an amazing Fairy Pools adventure at Glenbrittle, overlooked by the daunting Cuillin mountains. After working up an appetite, we will savour some tasty local Scottish fare at the Old Inn in Carbost, which overlooks Talisker Bay, and is only a stone’s throw away from the idyllic Talisker Whisky Distillery.

Following the coastline north, we can take the opportunity to visit Dunvegan Castle, home to Clan MacLeod. Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, offering guided tours and boasting beautiful gardens to explore.

Next up, we pause briefly for a photo opportunity at The Quiraing, before searching for “dinosaur footprints” in Staffin Bay. 

On the road back to Portree, we will stop at Kilt Rock and The Old Man of Storr for fantastic photo opportunities.

Overnight stay on Skye

Departing from your chosen accommodation in Skye, we drive south to the Sleat Peninsula to embark on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry crossing from Armadale to Mallaig.

Travelling through Lochaber, we stop at the Glenfinnan Monument, where Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived in 1745, to raise the Royal Stuart Standard in the last Jacobite Rebellion. 

We will also have time to take a short walk to the Glenfinnan Viaduct for spectacularly scenic photo opportunities.

Enjoying some splendid scenery and views of Scotland (and the United Kingdom’s) tallest Mountain, Ben Nevis, we head south through Fort William and on to the dramatic Glencoe mountain Range. We will have time to capture some photos of the Three Sisters and listen to the incredibly sorrowful story of the Glencoe Massacre, before taking the coastal road to Oban.

Overnight stay in Oban

Our final day sees us leaving Oban, through Bonnie Argyle, where we will visit the fascinating St Conan’s Kirk on Loch Awe. Stopping for a photo opportunity at Kilchurn Castle, we head eastwards, through the Trossachs National Park to visit the Scottish outlaw, Rob Roy McGregor’s grave at the picturesque Balquhidder Parish Church cemetery. 

Our tour continues to Loch Lubnaig, and then on to the hamlet of Kilmahog, to feed the “Hairy Highland Coos”, Hamish and Honey Dubh. Our last stop of the day, takes us to the towering National Wallace Monument where you can enjoy spectacular views of Stirling Castle, and stunning Scottish scenery from the top of the monument.

This tour itinerary has been immensely enjoyed by many of our previous visitors to Scotland. It is fully customisable to your own group’s interests, and can be extended by adding more days at the time of booking. You can opt to spend more days on Skye, or to incorporate a visit to the Isle of Mull.

Don’t delay, contact us today as our diary is filling up incredibly fast!!

Your journey to the Isle of Skye can begin by contacting us here.