Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools tour from Inverness: 12 hours

Twelve hours crossing four lochs, two castles and the Cuillin peaks to reach the Fairy Pools

A twelve-hour guided tour from Inverness to Isle of Skye taking in Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, Talisker Distillery and the Fairy Pools, with private transport and a driver-guide. The route crosses the Kyle of Lochalsh bridge to Skye, stops in Broadford and Sligachan for views of the Red and Black Cuillin, and ends in Portree. Children from age 10 are welcome. The tour involves moderate walking and a 2.4km gravel path to the Fairy Pools.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Loch Ness15m
2. Urquhart Castle15m
3. Eilean Donan Castle45m
4. Fairy Pools1h 30m

Explore Isle of Skye and Highlands

• Photo stop at Loch Ness
• Visit Urquhart Castle
• Tour Eilean Donan Castle
• Cross bridge to Isle of Skye
• Visit Broadford village
• View Red and Black Cuillin at Sligachan
• Stop at Talisker Distillery
• Walk to Fairy Pools
• Visit Portree village

The experience

Twelve hours means you leave Inverness in the morning and return by evening, stopping first at Loch Ness for a short walk to the shore and photos of the loch itself. Urquhart Castle sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the water. You'll have time to admire the setting and the views up and down the loch. Then comes Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most photographed landmarks, positioned on an island where three sea lochs meet. The private 8-seater vehicle carries your group across the Kyle of Lochalsh bridge onto the Isle of Skye.

Once on Skye, the route takes you through Broadford, nestled below Ben na Calliach, and on to Sligachan where the Black Cuillin mountains meet the western seaboard. This is the viewpoint that appears on postcards and canvases of the Red and Black Cuillin with Glen Sligachan between them. A quick stop at Talisker Distillery, the oldest working distillery on the island, sits on the shores of Loch Harport with dramatic views of the Cuillins. The tour finishes in Portree, Skye's capital, overlooking a sheltered bay on the east side of the island.

The Fairy Pools are the centerpiece: a 2.4km walk from the car park on a gravel path bordered with grass, heather, peat and rocks leads to a series of crystal-clear rock pools fed by waterfalls. The path continues upward past the largest waterfall to smaller pools beyond. The water is cold enough that only the most adventurous swimmers enter, but the walk itself is the draw: the pools sit in Glenbrittle beneath the Cuillin mountains. Your driver-guide handles all transport and navigation. Pickup is from a city centre riverside point in Inverness.

What’s included

• Private transport in an 8-seater vehicle.
• driver-guide for the full twelve hours.
• stops at Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, Talisker Distillery, Broadford, Sligachan and Portree.
• access to the Fairy Pools walk.
• pickup from Inverness city centre.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Highland Tours 4 You

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the Highlands and Skye in a single day without driving yourself. The twelve-hour route packs four major stops and the Fairy Pools into one departure, so you experience the breadth of the region rather than lingering at any one site. The private vehicle means your group stays together and the driver handles navigation, leaving you free to focus on the landscape.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years). Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Fairy Pools walk like?

The Fairy Pools walk covers 2.4km on a gravel path bordered with grass, heather, peat and rocks, climbing toward the largest waterfall and the crystal-clear rock pools fed by tributaries of the River Brittle. The path continues past the main pools to smaller ones higher up, and the water is cold enough to deter most swimmers, though some do take the plunge.

How much time do we spend at each stop?

The tour is structured around the drive itself rather than extended stays at any single location. You'll have time for a short walk at Loch Ness, to explore Urquhart and Eilean Donan castles at your own pace, a quick stop at Talisker Distillery, and the main walk to the Fairy Pools. Portree is the final stop before returning to Inverness.

What are Eilean Donan Castle and Urquhart Castle?

Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks, situated on an island at the point where three sea lochs meet, surrounded by majestic scenery. Urquhart Castle sits on a rocky promontory on the shore of Loch Ness with strategic views up and down the loch. Both are among the most visited attractions in the Scottish Highlands.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation in an 8-seater vehicle and a driver-guide are included. You pay one price per vehicle rather than per person, so a family or group travels together. Entry to the castles and distillery, and meals, are not included.