3-Day Loch Ness & Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh

Walk the Fairy Pools and stand in Glencoe without arranging the drive yourself

A 3-day guided tour from Edinburgh into the Scottish Highlands, visiting Loch Ness, Isle of Skye and Glencoe with a local English-speaking guide, air-conditioned coach transport and two nights' B&B accommodation. The tour departs Edinburgh at 8:30am each morning and includes stops at Eilean Donan Castle, Culloden Battlefield, the Fairy Pools and the Kelpies sculptures, with meals and gratuities arranged separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Edinburgh to Loch Ness

• Depart Edinburgh at 8:30am
• Explore Dunkeld cathedral grounds
• Walk in Hermitage Forest
• Eat in Pitlochry
• Visit Clava Cairns
• Pay respects at Culloden Battlefield
• View Urquhart Castle from outside

Day 2: Loch Ness and Isle of Skye

• Stop in Dornie to see Eilean Donan Castle
• Visit Broadford village
• Dip toe in Sligachan waters
• Walk to Fairy Pools and picnic
• Wander Portree harbour
• Drive back to Fort Augustus

Day 3: Loch Ness to Edinburgh

• Visit Commando Memorial
• Stop at Glencoe Visitor Centre
• See Glencoe landscape
• Break at Green Welly Comfort Stop
• Visit The Kelpies sculptures

The experience

You leave Edinburgh at 8:30am on day one heading north through Perthshire, stopping at Dunkeld Cathedral and the Hermitage Forest for a nature walk before reaching Pitlochry for lunch. The afternoon takes you deeper into the Highlands past Clava Cairns (a Bronze Age burial site that appeared in Outlander), and Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobite Rebellion ended. You'll see Urquhart Castle from outside on the banks of Loch Ness before settling into Fort Augustus for the night in a 3-star B&B.

Day two is built around Isle of Skye. After a morning stop at Eilean Donan Castle in Dornie, you cross to Broadford on the coast, then head to Sligachan where legend says the water grants eternal beauty. The Fairy Pools come next: a short walk to clear blue water ringed by mountains where you can stop for a picnic. Portree, Skye's main town, gives you time to wander the coloured harbour before the drive back to Fort Augustus for a second night.

The final day heads south. You'll stop at the Commando Memorial against the backdrop of Ben Nevis, visit the Glencoe Visitor Centre, then stand in Glencoe itself: a valley with an otherworldly atmosphere tied to one of Scotland's most infamous clan massacres. A comfort break at the Green Welly gives you a chance to pick up a souvenir, and your last stop is the Kelpies, two 30-metre-high horse sculptures that mark the end of the Highlands before the drive back to Edinburgh.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned coach transport for all three days.
• two nights' B&B accommodation in Fort Augustus (double or twin room).
• a local English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• entry and access to all stops including Culloden Battlefield, the Fairy Pools, Glencoe and the Kelpies.

Options for this experience

2 options

B&B DoubleGuide in English · 08:30B&B Double

B&B TwinGuide in English · 08:30B&B Twin

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesSundayDeparts at 08:30Last departure this season: 30 Oct

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (17 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (5 to 16 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 16 · max 2 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Chinese

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Highland Explorer Tours Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Edinburgh without a rental car and want to see the Highlands, Loch Ness and Skye without driving yourself. The guide, transport and accommodation are arranged so you can focus on the stops instead of the logistics. The small-group format and fixed itinerary mean you travel with other visitors rather than alone, and you stay in the same B&B both nights instead of packing and unpacking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 16 years). Under 5: 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's included in the 3-day tour price?

The tour includes transport by air-conditioned coach, two nights' accommodation in a 3-star B&B in Fort Augustus (your choice of double or twin room), and a local English-speaking guide for all three days. Food, drinks and gratuities are arranged separately.

When does the tour leave Edinburgh and what time do I get back?

The tour departs Edinburgh at 8:30am each morning. Return times on day three are approximate and depend on road conditions and weather, so allow at least three hours after the scheduled return time for onward travel or connections.

Can I walk to the Fairy Pools, or is it just a viewing stop?

The Fairy Pools include an easy walk where you can enjoy a relaxed picnic by the clear water and take in the surrounding scenery. It's not a drive-by stop.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the departure point?

It's recommended to book transport to Edinburgh in advance. Arrive at least 15 minutes before 8:30am on day one to allow time for check-in. The bus cannot be held for late arrivals.

What happens if I use a wheelchair?

Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated, provided you are accompanied by someone who can assist you to board and disembark the coach.