Isle of Skye & Fairy Pools 2-Day Tour from Inverness

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.82 (300 reviews) 91% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/10

Duration2d

GroupUp to 19

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Skye’s wild pools, Highland castles and windswept ridges

You’ll travel from Inverness through Highland scenery toward Skye, stopping at Kilt Rock and The Old Man of Storr before an overnight in Portree. Walk to the Fairy Pools with your local guide and share stories over lunch in a castle setting. Expect moments of quiet awe, laughter with fellow travelers, and landscapes that linger long after you’ve left.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel from Inverness to Portree

Visit Loch Carron View Point
Tour Dunvegan Castle and gardens
Enjoy lunch at Dunvegan Castle
Photo stop on Isle of Skye
See Kilt Rock waterfall
View The Old Man of Storr
Visit nearby waterfall
Overnight stay in Portree

Day 2 — From Portree to Inverness

Walk to Fairy Pools waterfall
Photo stop at old bridge
Lunch stop
Visit Eilean Donan Castle
View Loch Ness at Fort Augustus

The Experience

I didn’t expect to start the day staring out over Loch Carron, trying to catch my breath from the cold air — it just kind of hits you, that sharp Scottish morning. Our driver-guide, Jamie, had this habit of pausing mid-story so we’d notice things: a flicker of sunlight on the water, or sheep wandering too close to the road. I liked that. The drive from Inverness to Skye was longer than I thought (maybe three hours?), but honestly, I barely noticed with all the stops — Kilt Rock’s waterfall roaring below us, then that first glimpse of the Old Man of Storr looking moody in the mist. Jamie said locals believe it’s always watching. Not sure if he was joking.

Lunch was at a castle — can’t say that happens every day. I tried a bowl of cullen skink (it’s like fish chowder), which steamed up my glasses and made me laugh. There was this older couple from Glasgow at our table who told us about clan feuds and rain rituals; I still think about their stories when it rains now. We spent the night in Portree — tiny harbor town, pastel houses lined up like they’re waiting for something. I walked down to the water after dinner and just listened for a while; gulls arguing overhead, someone playing accordion somewhere up the street.

The next morning started damp (of course), but by the time we reached the Fairy Pools it cleared enough for that weird blue light you only get in Scotland. The walk took maybe forty minutes — stones slick underfoot, everyone a bit quiet except for one kid who kept asking if fairies were real. No one really answered her directly; it felt like maybe no one wanted to break whatever spell was there. On the way back we stopped at Eilean Donan Castle for photos (it looks exactly like every postcard), then Fort Augustus for a last look at Loch Ness before heading back to Inverness. It’s funny how quickly you get used to those endless greens and greys — makes regular life feel too sharp somehow.

What’s included

Your journey includes comfortable transport by air-conditioned vehicle with live commentary from your knowledgeable driver-guide, one night’s accommodation in Portree (unless you choose otherwise), and a guided walk to key sites like Kilt Rock and the Fairy Pools—plus time for lunch at Dunvegan Castle before returning to Inverness via scenic Highland stops.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Timberbush Tours