3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh: Jacobite Steam Train
Board the Jacobite Steam Train, then spend two nights exploring Skye's cliffs and lochs
You travel by coach through three of Scotland's most recognizable landscapes (Glencoe, the Jacobite Steam Train route, and the Isle of Skye) with two nights' accommodation in Portree included. The itinerary covers the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, and Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, with a local guide handling all the driving and context. Plan to arrive at the Edinburgh departure point at least 15 minutes early, and note that the return to Edinburgh is around 8pm (April and October) or later depending on season and road conditions.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Travel from Edinburgh to Portree
- Visit Callander village
- Photo stop at Glen Coe
- Comfort break in Fort William
- Optional Jacobite Steam Train ride
- Arrive in Mallaig
- Ferry to Isle of Skye
- Travel to Portree
Day 2: Explore Isle of Skye
- View Old Man of Storr
- Visit Kilt Rock waterfall
- See coastal waterfall
- Learn myths at Sligachan
Day 3: Return from Portree to Edinburgh
- Photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle
- Visit Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
- Search for Nessie at Loch Ness
- Stop at Commando Memorial
- Visit Dunkeld village and cathedral
What’s included
- Your three days include two nights' accommodation at a 3-star guesthouse in Portree, Isle of Skye.
- transport by climate-controlled coach throughout.
- a local English-speaking guide.
- and entry to Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. The itinerary covers Glencoe, an optional ride on the Jacobite Steam Train (additional cost), a ferry crossing to Skye, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, and the Commando Memorial. Meals are not included, though the guide can recommend restaurants in Portree and at stops along the way.
- Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 07:45
Information
Three-day Scottish Highlands tour from Edinburgh to Isle of Skye with Jacobite Steam Train, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, accommodation and guide.
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The experience
You're standing in Edinburgh with a free few days and the pull of something bigger: mountains, lochs, a castle on an island, maybe even a glimpse of Nessie. This tour takes you there without the logistics of renting a car or piecing together ferries and trains yourself. The coach leaves Edinburgh and doesn't stop moving until you've seen Glencoe's tragic slopes, ridden the Jacobite Steam Train (yes, the Hogwarts Express), crossed to Skye by ferry, and stood in front of the Old Man of Storr with the wind in your face. Two nights in a guesthouse in Portree give you a base while a local guide handles the driving and the stories: the history of Glencoe, the myths around Sligachan, why Eilean Donan Castle sits exactly where it does.
Day one moves fast. You roll through Callander for a coffee stop, then into Glen Coe where the guide walks you through what happened there in 1692 and why the valley still feels heavy with it. Fort William comes next: a comfort break before the optional Jacobite Steam Train ride, which takes about an hour and covers ground so scenic it's hard to believe it's real. The train pulls you through the Highlands with views that open up at every bend, and then you're in Mallaig, a fishing village on the coast, waiting for the ferry to Skye. The crossing itself is maybe forty minutes, and by early evening you're in Portree, the main town on the island, where you'll sleep the next two nights.
Day two is all Skye. You'll see the Old Man of Storr (a rock formation that juts out of the hillside like something from another world), and Kilt Rock with its waterfall dropping straight into the sea. The guide takes you to Sligachan and shares the old stories tied to the place, the kind of thing you won't find in a guidebook. It's a full day of walking and stopping, so wear shoes that grip and bring a waterproof. The weather here changes fast and that's part of why it looks the way it does.
Day three is the return. You leave Portree early and stop at Eilean Donan Castle first: a photograph stop, but the castle sits on a small island where two lochs meet and the light hits it differently every hour. Then comes Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, where you learn about the work to bring back Scotland's ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. Loch Ness is next, and yes, you get time to scan the water for Nessie while standing in Fort Augustus. The Commando Memorial offers views of Ben Nevis (weather permitting), and the final stop is Dunkeld, a quiet village with a cathedral on the River Tay, before the coach returns you to Edinburgh by evening. The whole tour runs on a climate-controlled coach with a local English-speaking guide, and luggage is limited to one suitcase under 33 pounds and one carry-on.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 16 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
Can I ride the Jacobite Steam Train on this tour?
Yes, but it's optional. The tour includes a stop at Fort William where you can board the train for about an hour of scenic travel through the Highlands. If you skip it, you'll have time to explore the town instead.
How much walking is involved each day?
Day two on Skye involves the most walking: stops at the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock require moderate hiking with uneven terrain. Days one and three are mostly photo stops and shorter walks. Wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for changing weather.
What's included in the accommodation?
Two nights in a 3-star guesthouse in Portree on the Isle of Skye. Meals are not included, but the guesthouse can advise on local restaurants.
What time does the tour return to Edinburgh?
Around 8pm in April and October, and later in other months. Return times are approximate and depend on road conditions and weather. Allow at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time if you have onward travel plans.
How much luggage can I bring?
One suitcase weighing no more than 33 pounds (15kg) and one carry-on bag per person.
Is a guide included?
Yes. A local English-speaking guide travels with the group and provides context at each stop.
Can I use a collapsible wheelchair?
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if you're accompanied by someone who can assist you to board and disembark.
What if I'm late for the departure?
The tour departs on schedule and cannot be held for late arrivals. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in. It's recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance.
Is travel insurance recommended?
Yes, travel insurance is recommended for this tour.
Operated by Highland Explorer Tours Ltd. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
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3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh: Jacobite Steam Train
3d · EN
from £ 375 per person
≈ US$ 505 in your currency
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