Edinburgh: Isle of Skye, Jacobite Steam Train & Highlands 3-Day
Three Days North: Steam Train, Skye & the Loch Ness Shore
You spend three days traveling north from Edinburgh by coach, riding the Jacobite Steam Train for two hours across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, then two nights on the Isle of Skye visiting the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and Dunvegan Castle. On the return, you stop at Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, and the Commando Memorial before heading back to Edinburgh. The tour includes the steam train ticket, all transport, accommodation, a local guide, and entry to the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, so you're not arranging trains, hotels, or timing yourself across the Highlands.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Travel from Edinburgh to Portree
- Travel north through Rannoch Moor
- Stop at Glen Coe
- Arrive at Fort William
- Board Jacobite Steam Train
- Ride train along west coast
- Cross Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Arrive in Mallaig fishing village
- End day in Portree town
- Dine or drink locally in Portree
Day 2: Explore Isle of Skye
- View Old Man of Storr
- Visit Kilt Rock waterfall
- Tour Dunvegan Castle
- End day exploring Isle of Skye
Day 3: Return from Portree to Edinburgh
- Visit Eilean Donan Castle
- Tour 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 pickup from your Edinburgh hotel, air-conditioned coach transport throughout, the Jacobite Steam Train ticket from Fort William to Mallaig, 2 nights accommodation in a 3-star B&B or hotel in Portree (room type selected at booking), entry to Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, and a local English-speaking guide. Meals are not included, though you'll have time to eat at local restaurants and pubs, especially in Portree on evenings one and two.
Next departure: 3 Apr 2027
Information
3-day tour from Edinburgh: Jacobite Steam Train, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Eilean Donan Castle. Includes steam train, 2 nights accommodation, coach transport, local guide.
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Traveler reviews
The experience
Our guide met us outside the hotel in Edinburgh at 7:45am, and within minutes we were heading north through Rannoch Moor. The landscape just opens up, all heather and emptiness. Glen Coe comes next, and you understand why people move to Scotland just to live in its shadow. By mid-morning we'd pulled into Fort William, where the real thing starts: the Jacobite Steam Train, the one from the Harry Potter films, waiting on the platform with actual steam rising off it. The 2-hour ride follows the west coast, and somewhere around the halfway point you cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct: that stone arch everyone recognizes. The train slows down there. People stand up. Then it's Mallaig, a working fishing village with a proper harbor, and from there a coach takes you across to Portree on the Isle of Skye, where you'll spend the next two nights in a 3-star B&B or hotel.
Day two on Skye is the one you'll think about for months. The Old Man of Storr is the first stop: a rock formation that juts out of the hillside like something from another planet, and the walk to it takes maybe 45 minutes depending on your pace. Then Kilt Rock, which has a waterfall that drops straight down the cliff face. The light changes constantly up there. After that comes Dunvegan Castle, built in the 13th century and still lived in by the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod: 800 years in the same family, which is the kind of fact that makes you stand still for a moment. You walk the grounds, see the rooms, and the guide talks about the clans and the history without making it feel like a school trip. By evening you're back in Portree with time to find a restaurant or a pub, and the town's small enough that you can't really get lost.
The drive back to Edinburgh on day three takes you through some of the best scenery in the Highlands. Eilean Donan Castle sits on a small island where two lochs meet. It's the one you've seen in a hundred films, and it's real. Then the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, where you learn about Trees for Life and their work restoring the Caledonian Pine Forest. Loch Ness comes next, and yes, people do scan the water for Nessie, though what you mostly see is the loch itself, which is enormous and dark and somehow exactly what you expected. Fort Augustus is the village on the shore where you stop. The Commando Memorial comes after that, with views of Ben Nevis on a clear day, though weather decides whether you actually see it. Dunkeld, a small village with a cathedral by the river, is the last stop before Edinburgh. The return time is around 5:30pm, though the info says to allow three hours after that for any onward travel, because Highland roads don't always cooperate with schedules.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 16 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
How long is the Jacobite Steam Train ride?
Approximately 2 hours, from Fort William to Mallaig along the Scottish west coast, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
What's included in the tour?
Steam train ticket, air-conditioned coach transport, 2 nights in a 3-star B&B or hotel in Portree, entry to Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, and a local English-speaking guide.
Can I upgrade to First Class on the steam train?
No, upgrades from Standard to First Class are not available.
What time does the tour return to Edinburgh?
Approximately 5:30pm on day three, though you should allow at least 3 hours after that for onward travel, as return times depend on road and weather conditions.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, the minimum age is 5 years. Children under 5 cannot be accommodated.
What luggage can I bring?
One suitcase (maximum 33 lbs / 15 kg) and one carry-on bag per person.
Can the Jacobite Steam Train be cancelled?
Yes, the steam train service may be altered or cancelled at short notice due to circumstances beyond the operator's control.
What if I arrive late on day one?
The bus cannot be held for late arrivals, and no refund is given. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure for check-in.
Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist with boarding and disembarking. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though some stops involve walking.
What languages are available?
The tour includes a local English-speaking guide. Audio guides are available in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Portuguese (not live guides).
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.
Prices and times updated 13 days ago
Edinburgh: Isle of Skye, Jacobite Steam Train & Highlands 3-Day
3d · EN
from £ 675 per person
≈ US$ 908 in your currency
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