1 Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Tour
Description
Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Isle of Skye, where breathtaking scenery and awe-inspiring landscapes await around every corner. On Skye, every view is postcard-perfect, making it a dream for photographers and nature lovers alike. Step into a land steeped in Scotland’s myths and legends—where mountains are said to be shaped by giants, enchanted waters promise eternal youth, and the whispers of faerie folk can be heard in the wind. With its rich mix of natural beauty and quaint charm, the Isle of Skye invites travelers to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of Scotland’s Highlands.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travel through the serene landscapes of Achnasheen, where rolling hills and tranquil glens create a perfect prelude to the dramatic beauty of Loch Carron.
We stop at the Kyle of Lochalsh for morning coffee and a photograph opportunity of the famous Skye Bridge, with views of Skye’s Cuillin Mountain range providing a beautiful backdrop. Opened in 1995, this bridge has a remarkable history.
The Sligachan River flows majestically from the Black Cuillin Mountains, a truly magical location for your guide to introduce you to the local folklore of the island’s Fairies and Giants!
Enjoy lunch in the picturesque harbour town of Portree, the largest settlement on Skye. There are numerous cosy pubs, restaurants and bakeries for you to try seafood and other local dishes. Enjoy fish and chips by the harbour as the fishing boats deliver their latest catch!
A striking natural wonder on the Isle of Skye, Kilt Rock is a cliff formation that resembles the pleats of a tartan kilt. Towering over the sea, it’s complemented by the dramatic Mealt Waterfall, which plunges 60 meters into the ocean below. With its basalt columns and scenic backdrop, Kilt Rock is a must-see for nature lovers and photographers alike.
We explore the dramatic Trotternish Peninsula, with iconic rock formations which have made this area the perfect backdrop for recent movies such as ‘BFG’, ‘Prometheus’ and ‘Stardust’.
A breathtaking landslip on Skye’s Trotternish Peninsula, the Quiraing is one of the best stops for an amazing picture with a panorama of jaw dropping scenery.
Having explored Skye, we head back towards the mainland, stopping for photographs at the shores opposite Eilean Donan Castle, which is thought to be the most beautiful castle in Scotland! Built upon a rocky island at the head of three Sea Lochs (similar to Fjords), you will be impressed by this breathtaking Scottish landmark and the beautiful mountains and glistening waters that surround it.
You will arrive in Inverness at approximately 7:30PM at our city-centre drop off - Inverness Cathedral on Ardross Street, IV3 5NN. Please note that this can be impacted by traffic and other factors outwith our control.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There are opportunities to take short nature walks, it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear.
- There are regular stops on tour to purchase food and refreshments that cater for most dietary requirements
- There are regular stops on tour for comfort breaks, as we do not have toilets onboard the coaches
- Minimum age to travel is 7 years old. Photo ID, such as a passport, may be required. Children (8-17) must be accompanied by an adult.
- When using public transport or a taxi to the departure point, please allow extra time for possible delays.
- This tour in an air-conditioned coach, hosted by a local Scottish guide, rated 5-stars by the official Scottish Tourist Board
- Any time not accounted for in the stops of the itinerary is spent on the coach, enjoying the scenery and commentary
- Due to weather and/or road conditions during the route may be altered at the driver/guide’s discretion.
- This tour will be joining the middle portion of an ongoing 3-day tour.
- For insurance purposes, passengers must not be unaccompanied on our buses during tour stops. Drivers take legally required breaks and cannot stay with the vehicle.
Reviews(12)
5* for the guide! 5* for the experience/the trip! 4* for the comfort on the bus. 3* for not having a bottle of water to the passengers. 3* for the price.
Skye is beautiful and the driver was pleasant, but lacked any knowledge of the area. There seemed to o be a lot of back tracking and a lot of time on the bus. We saw the features described, but this could be organized in a more efficient way, and stop at more viewpoints and break up the time on the bus.
It was a long day but well worth it. Our second tour with Hairy Coo company and did not disappoint. Comfortable seats each with charging plugs. Our great driver/guide Ross did a great job showing us the island with some really tricky roads to maneuver! Such beautiful scenery and great stops for refreshments and breaks! Highly recommended!
Thank you for sharing your experience Robert! We’re thrilled to hear that your second Hairy Coo tour was just as enjoyable, and that Ross did a fantastic job navigating those tricky roads while keeping you comfortable and entertained. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back a third time!
My daughter and I joined a group on a 3 day tour - we were there just for day 2 - the Driver/Guide John welcomed us (as did the others on the trip) - and off we went for a nearly 12 hour outing that, despite some messy weather, hit the exact mark for what we were hoping for - we learned a lot, John provided lots of context (and some humor), there was lots of time to just take in what we were seeing, and we still got 10k steps in at the various stops, plus a great meal in Portree - I can't recommend it enough, and I'd definitly do another tour w Hairy Coo next time I'm able!
Thank you so much for your kind words Matthew! We’re delighted to hear you had such a positive experience on the tour, even with the challenging weather. It’s great that you felt welcomed, learned a lot, and had time to really enjoy the sights along the way. We truly appreciate your recommendation and would love to see you on another tour in the future!
saw a lot of the Isle of Skye and had a great time! Guide was very good and it added to our Scotland experience:)
Peter gave a great tour! Loved his music and stories. He was very funny and you can tell he knows a lot about Scotland! Would come back!
There were lots of issues with this tour. First, we didn't realize that we were joining on day 2 of a 3 day bus trip. We got on the bus early so we could get a good seat, but 2 minutes prior to the bus departing a family got on and wanted their seats from the day before. Secondly we wasted at least 50 minutes waiting for people throughout the day to get back on the bus after each stop. The bus driver should have nipped that in the bud the first time it happened. I have been on tours that people were left because they didn't show up back on the bus on time. This makes it very clear to everyone. Because of this we didn't get as much time on the second half of the trip to explore on our own where most of the beautiful scenery is located.
Hello William, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about the issues you experienced. It is noted on our tour page that this itinerary joins a group already on a longer 3-day trip to make customers aware ahead of time. On mutli-day tours we encourage seat rotation to keep things fair, but we’re sorry to hear that you felt pressured to move. Our driver-guides do their best to keep everyone on schedule. While we have, on rare occasions, left passengers behind due to lateness, we also try to avoid stranding anyone, especially in remote areas. We appreciate your comments and will continue working to improve the experience for all our guests. Kind regards, The Hairy Coo Team
It was an unforgettable experience to discover enchanting places with the presence of a friendly and prepared guide.
We booked a day tour and got so lucky with our guides Lucky and Craig! It was such a fun day and we got to see the beautiful highlands of Scotland. I’ve never had so much fun on a tour day and I’ve traveled all over the world!
Isle of Skye is beautiful and our driver Allen was super knowledgeable and friendly. A lot of things packed into a one day trip. On and off the bus frequently for quick stops- great if you are short on time. If you want to take your time with the views on isle of Skye do a longer trip!
