The Isle of Skye may just be what you picture when you think of Scotland, with an impossibly craggy coastline, rugged rock formations, and adorable historic villages. But what if you want to explore this beautiful place during your time in Scotland and don’t want the stress of renting and driving a car *on the wrong side of the road*?
Lucky for us, there’s TONS of Isle of Skye tours to choose from that will take you from all of the country’s major cities, like Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness, to this magical place. Here are the 11 best tours of the Isle of Skye so you can explore Scotland’s most famous (and, in our opinion, beautiful!) island, while allowing someone else to sit in the driver’s seat—quite literally!
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Isle of Skye Tours from Edinburgh
1. 3 Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Tour
- Duration: 3 days
- Includes: Two nights’ accommodations, two breakfasts, private transportation
This tour packs a LOT of both the stunning Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye into just three days, while still being well-paced and not leaving you totally exhausted by the end of it (quite the feat, if you ask us!).
The first day will be spent exploring the lush green hills of the Highlands, like Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, which is considered by many to be the gateway of the Highlands; the STUNNING town of Glencoe, which is arguably my favorite part of the Highlands, with towering mountains and waterfalls in every direction you turn; and Ben Nevis, which holds the impressive title of the tallest mountain in all of Britain.
The second day will be spent exploring what you came here for—the Isle of Skye! For example, you’ll make stops at the towering Cuillin Mountains; the Old Man of Storr, which is one of the most dramatic rock formations I’ve ever seen; the charming fishing village of Portree; and the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, which is perched on its very own island.
Your final day will be spent diving into Scotland’s mysterious past, including Urquhart Castle along the banks of Loch Ness (in my opinion, it’s the most picturesque spot to keep a lookout for Nessie!) and the Clava Cairns, ancient burial cairns from the Bronze Age that are placed throughout a densely wooded forest.
Your nights will be spent in the fairytale city of Inverness, considered by many to be the capital of the Highlands, in a charming guesthouse with comfy beds and tasty breakfasts. Plus, the guides for this company are fun, patient with travelers that may need a bit of extra attention, and full of fascinating stories.
2. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
- Duration: 3 days
- Includes: Two nights’ accommodations, private transportation
This small group tour, with a maximum of just 17 travelers, is an excellent option to get a deeper dive into the Isle of Skye.
From Edinburgh, you’ll road trip through the Scottish Highlands the first day, stopping in the beautiful town of Glencoe, at the fairytale Eilean Donan Castle, and on to the largest town in the Isle of Skye, Portree.
The entire second day is dedicated to exploring Skye, with flexible stops depending upon the fickle weather of Scotland. For example, you might explore Quiraing, a mystical-looking mountain pass, with asymmetrical mountain slopes and rugged basalt formations. Alternatively, you may visit Dunvegan Castle, the only Highland castle that has been continuously occupied—even today—by the same family, the Clan Macleod, for over 800 years.
On your final day as you make your way back to Edinburgh, you’ll stop at Loch Ness for lunch with a view—and, of course, the chance to spot the Loch Ness Monster.
Unlike a lot of tours that include the Isle of Skye, this option maximizes your time on the island itself, with both nights spent in Portree. Accordingly, this is the perfect choice if you’re primarily interested in exploring Skye, as opposed to seeing areas in the Highlands, like the city of Inverness. The guides are also incredibly knowledgeable and are full of local legends, history, and even songs that they’ll share with you along the way.
3. Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh
- Duration: 3 day
- Includes: Two nights’ accommodations, private transportation
This tour is expertly crafted to give you the quintessential Scotland experience, with the perfect itinerary of gorgeous lochs, mystical castles, and stunning landscapes.
You’ll start the first day in Edinburgh and make your way to Skye, stopping at Glencoe, the charming town of Fort William, and even Ben Nevis, a mountain that towers at an impressive 4,413 feet (1,345 meters).
On your second day, you’ll pack in seeing the highlights of the Isle of Skye, like the aforementioned Dunvegan Castle, Old Man of Storr, and the Quiraing, as well as a few less-visited gems, like Kilt Rock, which offers a dramatic cliffside of columnar basalt, and the jaw-droppingly beautiful Lealt Falls, which plunges almost 300 feet (90 meters) down a rocky gorge.
On your way back to Edinburgh on the third day, you’ll stop at the Eilean Donan Castle and, of course, Loch Ness to enjoy some lunch and views.
Like the tour above, if you elect to include accommodations through this tour, you’ll stay in Portree, meaning you’ll get to spend a bit more time on Skye than some of the other tour options.
Out of all of the Isle of Skye tours, I think this company has some of the best guides, balancing a knowledge of history and legends, with their own personal anecdotes of living in Scotland. And above all, they seem committed to ensuring you have an amazing time on the trip, from knowing the right angle to get certain photos from and taking you to off-the-beaten path hidden gems to even squeezing in extra stops if you request to see something not on the itinerary (Highland cows, anyone?).
4. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh
- Duration: 3 days
- Includes: Two nights’ accommodations, two breakfasts, private transportation, and admission to the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
If you’re looking for a bit of a sampler platter of the Highlands and the Isle of Skye and want to hit a few off-the-beaten path sites, this option with Highland Explorer Tours just might be perfect for you.
On the first day, you’ll hit a few popular spots on your way to the Isle of Skye, like the Eilean Donan Castle, but will also explore a few more under-the-radar spots, like the Dunkeld Cathedral, a Gothic church from the 13th century, sitting on the River Tay, or Fort Augustus, a pretty village sitting on the banks of Loch Ness.
The second day is dedicated to exploring Skye, hitting sights like Sligachan, a historic settlement that offers dramatic views of the Cuillin Mountains; the Old Man of Storr; or some of the countless beautiful waterfalls that are dotted along the island.
As you head back to Edinburgh on your final day, you’ll have a jam-packed schedule of seeing some of the best highlights of the Highlands, like stopping at the charming towns of Glencoe and Fort William, and the Dundreggan Rewilding Center, a unique preserve that protects wildlife and plantlife in the ancient Caledonian Forest.
The guides on this tour are great at immersing you into Scottish culture, from sharing legends and myths to even hand-crafting Scottish playlists to enjoy on the drive to Skye. It’s also clear how committed they are to you having an awesome time, whether it’s helping you book tickets on the Jacobite Express (i.e., the real life Hogwarts Express in Scotland), taking your photo while you’re on a hike, or helping you track down some Highland cows.
5. 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh
- Duration: 3 days
- Includes: Private transportation
Out of all of the Isle of Skye tours, this one is the most jam-packed with activities, from the Highlands to the island itself.
From Edinburgh, you’ll go on a road trip through the Highlands, stopping at The Kelpies, those famous, super cool 100 foot tall sculptures of horse heads; the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which has been used as a filming location in the Harry Potter movies; and Urquhart Castle, a 13th century castle that was built on the banks of Loch Ness.
On the second day, you’ll explore the best sights of Skye, like the town of Portree, whose streets are lined with colorful houses; Quiraing, a mountain pass that looks straight out of Game of Thrones; and the Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a rocky island in the middle of the Sea Lochs.
The last day of your tour will switch focus to the history of the Highlands, including the Culloden Battlefield, which has the unique claim of hosting the last battle on British soil in 1746; Clava Cairns, which are burial markers that are believed to be 4,000 years old(!!!); and the Highland Folk Museum, which shows how Scottish people lived 300 years ago (and was even used as a filming location for the beloved TV show Outlander!).
The guides with this company are straight up funny and skilled storytellers, bringing the fascinating history of Scotland to life. They also have done an excellent job crafting the tour’s itinerary, balancing guided activities with downtime for you to explore on your own.
Out of all of the Isle of Skye tours from Edinburgh, this is the best option if you’re a solo traveler—the guides are SO good at creating a sense of community amongst the guests, so you’ll have new adventure buddies in no time!
Isle of Skye Tours from Glasgow
6. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Glasgow
- Duration: 3 days
- Includes: Private transportation, two nights’ accommodations, and two breakfasts
This small group tour, with just 16 travelers, hits some of the best highlights of the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye, while also stopping at some places that are a bit more off-the-beaten track, including the town that you’ll be staying in Skye, Broadford.
On the first day, you’ll head from Glasgow into the heart of the Highlands, like the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, home to the largest loch in Scotland, and the absolutely stunningly lush town of Glencoe. You’ll end the day at the 13th century Eilean Donan Castle, which once fended off the mighty Vikings.
The second day will be focused on Skye, with stops that will be selected by your guide based upon the weather conditions (the weather in Scotland is CRAZY, y’all!). Some potential stops include the Old Man of Storr, Portree, and Kilt Rock, ancient cliffs made of dramatic basalt columns that kinda sorta look like, well, a kilt!
On the last day, you’ll make your way back to Glasgow, stopping at the famed Loch Ness and then on to a few hidden gems, like Loch Laggan, a picturesque lake used as a filming location in the TV series Monarch of the Glen, and Blair Castle, dating back to the 13th century.
The itinerary is well-planned and, unlike some Isle of Skye tours, allows participants enough time to go on short hikes, if you like, as well as just the right amount of time at scenic overlooks and coffee stops (very important, in our book).
The guides are also attentive and try their best to tailor the itinerary, based on the group’s requests and their extensive knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and Skye. Don’t be surprised if you make some really cool stops that most tour groups completely drive past, like the Isle of Skye Brewery or Coral Beach.
7. Isle of Skye, The Highlands and Loch Ness – 3 Day Tour from Glasgow
- Duration: 3 days
- Includes: 2 nights’ accommodations, transportation
If you’d prefer to have a more set itinerary, this may be one of the best options of the Isle of Skye tours. Unless the weather REALLY doesn’t cooperate, this company usually sticks to the same schedule (which can be a good or a bad thing!).
On the first day, you’ll depart from Glasgow, hitting the highlights of the Highlands on the way to Skye, including Luss Pier on Loch Lomond, the green hills of Glencoe, and the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis. You’ll end the day in Portree and get to stay amongst the colorful cottages that line its streets.
On the second day, you’ll stop at all of the greatest hits of Skye, including Kilt Rock, the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Dunvegan Castle, and Lealt Falls. In between these attractions, the guides also make sure to make plenty of other stops along the way, so you can see Highland cows, sheep, and the spectacular scenery of the island.
As you drive back to Glasgow on your last day, you’ll stop at the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle and the pretty village of Fort Augustus, along the banks of Loch Ness.
The guides with Timberbush Tours are full of energy and are clearly passionate about Scottish history, culture, and music (which they play LOTS of!).
The one downside I want to highlight is that this trip is pretty jam-packed and you’ll have less time to do small hikes or just soak in the views at overlooks than some of the other options.
Isle of Skye Tours from Inverness
8. The Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness Tour
- Duration: 12 hours
- Includes: Transportation
For a day trip from Inverness to the Isle of Skye, check out this fast-paced tour that will take you around to the best sights of the island.
The first stop will be to explore Eilean Donan Castle, which is believed to be the most photographed castle in all of Scotland.
You’ll spend the rest of the tour on the Isle of Skye itself, stopping for an hour or so to mosey around the charming streets of Portree and then on to make stops to take in the views at the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and Loch Carron, which overlooks Strome Castle. One of my favorite aspects of this tour is that you stop in Kyle of Lochalsh, the cutest historic village that most companies just whiz by.
The guides with this company are so funny and packed with quirky urban legends, historical facts, and personal anecdotes about the places you’ll explore on this tour. They also try to squeeze in stops so that you can see the famed Highland cows and just soak in the magic of the Isle of Skye.
9. Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness
- Duration: 12 hours
- Includes: Transportation
For yet another day trip option from Inverness to the Isle of Skye, this option with Highland Explorer Tours offers a bit of a different itinerary.
On your way to Skye, you’ll make a quick stop at Loch Ness to see if you can scope out any monsters before stopping to explore the Eilean Donan Castle.
From here, you’ll make stops at Sligachan Old Bridge, which has all kinds of fascinating history involving battling clans and local legends (pssst… apparently, if you stick your face in the water here and let it air dry, you’ll be granted eternal beauty. Sounds like a good deal to me!); the Old Man of Storr; Lealt Falls; and Kilt Rock. Plus, you’ll have over an hour to wander around the streets of Portree, grab some lunch, and soak up those cute Scottish village vibes.
This is an excellent option for a single day tour from Inverness to the Isle of Skye—the company uses a comfy van and, despite the jam-packed schedule, the guides never make you feel rushed.
10. Isle of Skye Full Day Private Tour from Inverness
- Duration: 9 hours
- Includes: Transportation and a tour guide wearing a kilt (sorry, I had to mention it!)
If you’re traveling with a large group (up to 8) or would just prefer to have a more VIP experience, consider booking this private tour from Inverness to the Isle of Skye.
This itinerary makes many of the same stops as other Isle of Skye tours, starting off with a quick stop at Loch Ness before taking time to explore the Eilean Donan Castle.
Afterwards, you’ll head to Skye itself, visiting the Sligachan Old Bridge, the impossibly green Cuillin Mountains, the village of Portree and the dramatic Old Man of Storr. While these stops are definitely popular with other tour groups, this company seems to have a knack for getting there before all of the tour buses descend and you can even customize your tour with a bit more off-the-beaten path options, like Uig Village or Talisker Distillery (I mean, did you go to Scotland if you didn’t try some Scotch?!).
The guides with this company are everything that you’d hope for—knowledgeable, engaging, and funny. More importantly, though, given that this is a private tour, they’re adept at tailoring the tour to suit your group, whether that’s rattling off silly jokes for your kiddos or sharing historical facts for the history lovers.
11. 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles
- Duration: 2 days
- Includes: One night’s accommodations, transportation
If you have a bit more time, consider this two day tour, which packs in seeing a LOT of the island—in fact, it packs in seeing more of the highlights than most of the Isle of Skye tours from Glasgow and Edinburgh, in my opinion!
The trip kicks off by heading straight to the Dunvegan Castle, where you’ll have time to mosey around its beautiful botanical gardens and explore its interior, dating back to the 13th century. From here, you’ll make stops at the Quiraing, Kilt Rock, Old Man of Storr, and Lealt Falls, before heading to the town of Portree, where you’ll have time to mosey around and grab dinner, before heading back to your hotel for the evening.
The second day kicks off by stopping at the Fairy Pools, a moderately challenging hiking trail that meanders past a series of seemingly countless waterfalls, all set against the Cuillin Mountains. The Fairy Pools were one of my favorite things we did in Scotland and, as far as I’m aware, this is one of the only Isle of Skye tours to actually stop here!
From here, you’ll slowly start making your way back to Inverness, stopping at the Sligachan Old Bridge and the cute fishing village of Broadford. Not only is this town home to one of our favorite places we ate in Scotland, Siaway Fish & Chips, its also an excellent place to spot marine life, like otters, seals, and even dolphins!
Your final stop will be touring inside the Eilean Donan Castle, with interesting weaponry from the Jacobite era, centuries old furniture, and of course, epic views of the surrounding loch.
If I had to pick one tour that departs from Inverness, it would definitely be this one. You get to see SO much of the Isle of Skye; the tour guides have perfected the balance of offering information and support with plenty of time for you to explore on your own; and the pacing of the itinerary is fantastic. If you can swing allotting two days to the Isle of Skye, do it!
I hope one of these Isle of Skye tours is perfect for your time in Scotland. Do you have any questions about any of the options above or visiting the Isle of Skye? Let us know in the comments below!
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