Isle of Skye & Jacobite Steam Train Tour from Inverness

Summary

Steam train across Glenfinnan, Skye’s wild cliffs, whisky warmth

You’ll ride the famous Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig, wander Skye’s wild landscapes with a local guide, taste Highland whisky at Glen Ord, and stand where history lingers at Culloden Battlefield. Expect moments of laughter (and maybe rain down your neck), real stories from locals, and scenery that sticks with you long after you’ve left Scotland.

What’s the experience like?

“If you’re lucky, you’ll spot an otter by the bridge,” our driver Neil said as we rolled up to Sligachan, his eyes scanning the water like he’d done it a thousand times. The air was sharp and almost sweet with peat — I didn’t expect that. Our group shuffled out, stretching legs stiff from the ride from Inverness. Loch Ness had been our first stop (no monster sightings, just mist and ruined Urquhart Castle), but already it felt like we’d crossed into another world. Neil handed me a pebble: “Toss it in for luck.” I did — clumsily — and he grinned.

The Jacobite Steam Train was next, and honestly, I thought it might be overhyped. It’s not. There’s this moment when you cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct — steam curling past your window, everyone going quiet except for one kid who gasped at the curve — and suddenly you see Loch Shiel stretching out below. I pressed my forehead to the glass; even now I can remember how cold it felt. Lunch in Mallaig was fried fish so fresh it almost squeaked under my fork. The sea air there is salty enough to sting your lips.

Skye itself is stranger than any postcard. Fairy Pools were icy blue under a sky that couldn’t decide if it wanted to rain or not (spoiler: it did). Our guide told us about fairies and old stories while we picked our way over slick stones — I nearly slipped twice but nobody cared. In Portree that night, B&B hosts handed us mugs of tea with hands still red from washing up dinner plates; their dog barked at every new arrival like he was announcing royalty.

Kilt Rock looked exactly like its name if you squinted sideways and let your imagination do most of the work. Quiraing was all wind and grass so green it hurt your eyes after a while. Someone tried to pronounce “Eilean Donan” right; Neil laughed and shook his head (“Close enough!”). The whisky tasting at Glen Ord warmed us up after Culloden’s silence — that place sits heavy on your chest, even if you don’t know all the history.

I still think about Skye’s light: soft one minute, silver-edged clouds the next, then suddenly gone behind a wall of rain or mist. You never really know what you’ll get out here — which might be why people keep coming back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Portree to Inverness via Jacobite Train

• Photo stop at Loch Ness
• Visit Commando Memorial
• Ride Jacobite Steam Train
• Lunch in Mallaig fishing village
• Travel to Isle of Skye
• Visit Sligachan Old Bridge

Day 2 — Explore Isle of Skye Highlights

• Visit Fairy Pools
• Lunch stop in Dunvegan village
• View Quiraing cliffs
• See Kilt Rock and Mealt Waterfall
• Visit Old Man of Storr

Day 3 — Return to Inverness via Castles and Whisky

• Visit Eilean Donan Castle
• Explore Beauly village
• Highland whisky experience at Glen Ord
• Visit Culloden Battlefield
• See Clava Cairns standing stones

Top questions

How long is the Isle of Skye & Jacobite Steam Train tour from Inverness?

The tour lasts 3 days with two nights’ accommodation in Portree included.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is provided; travelers meet at a central departure point in Inverness.

Are tickets for the Jacobite Steam Train included?

Yes, your ticket for the Jacobite Steam Train is included in the tour price.

What are some main stops on this tour?

You’ll visit Loch Ness (Urquhart Castle), Eilean Donan Castle, Fairy Pools on Skye, Quiraing, Kilt Rock, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, and more.

Is lunch included during the day trip?

No lunches are included; there are stops in villages like Mallaig or Dunvegan where you can buy meals.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You stay overnight in Portree at B&B accommodation arranged by the tour operator.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 5 years old; anyone aged 5-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Can travelers with limited mobility join?

Collapsible wheelchairs can be accommodated if accompanied by someone who can assist boarding/disembarking.

What’s included

Your three days include transport by air-conditioned vehicle from Inverness with a knowledgeable driver-guide throughout; two nights’ B&B accommodation in Portree; your ticket for the famous Jacobite Steam Train between Fort William and Mallaig; plus a guided whisky tasting at Glen Ord Distillery before returning to Inverness.