5-Day Highlands, Skye & Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh

Explore Scotland by coach on a shared, guided journey from Edinburgh and back, combining Highland scenery, island landscapes and historic sites. Stay in 3-star bed and breakfast accommodation, with double or twin rooms available.

• Admire Eilean Donan Castle at the meeting point of three lochs
• Ride the summer Jacobite Steam Train, the famous "Hogwarts Express", with an optional ticket subject to availability
• Explore Culloden Battlefield, featured in Outlander

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Edinburgh to Oban

   Depart from Highland Explorer Tours in Edinburgh at 08:30. Follow a guided route taking in The Kelpies, the National Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle, Glencoe and Oban, then stay overnight at a 3-star bed and breakfast in Oban.

   Throughout the tour, some sights are drive-by only, and some attractions may be skipped because of capacity or weather conditions.

2. Day 2: Oban to the Isle of Skye

   On the summer itinerary, from mid-April to mid-October, follow a guided route featuring the Jacobite Steam Train, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Shiel, then take the ferry to the Isle of Skye and continue to Portree. On the winter itinerary, from the end of October to mid-April, the route takes in Glenfinnan Viaduct, Eilean Donan Castle and Skye Bridge before reaching Portree on the Isle of Skye.

   Stay overnight at a 3-star bed and breakfast in Portree.

3. Day 3: Isle of Skye to Inverness

   Continue your guided route through Portree and the Isle of Skye, taking in Eilean Donan Castle, the Great Glen, Inverness Station and Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Stay overnight at a 3-star bed and breakfast in Inverness.

4. Day 4: Loch Ness and the surrounding area

   On the summer itinerary, take a Loch Ness cruise, then continue on a guided route taking in Beauly, Beauly Priory, Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns. On the winter itinerary, the guided route takes in Loch Ness, Beauly, Beauly Priory and Culloden Battlefield.

   Stay another night at a 3-star bed and breakfast in Inverness.

5. Day 5: Return to Edinburgh

   On the summer itinerary, follow a guided route taking in the Highland Folk Museum, Dunkeld, the River Tay and Dunkeld Cathedral. On the winter itinerary, take in Clava Cairns.

   Return to Highland Explorer Tours in Edinburgh's city center at 17:00 in summer or 17:30 in winter.

What's Included

• English-speaking guide
• Round-trip coach transport from Edinburgh
• Four nights in 3-star bed and breakfast guesthouses
• Admission to Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
• Summer ferry crossing
• Whisky distillery tour
• Audio guide in Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish and English

Meals, beverages and insurance are not included. Optional Jacobite Steam Train tickets and admission to the Museum of the Isles cost extra and can be purchased during the visit. Optional Culloden Visitor Centre entry requires a separate cash payment; the amount is not specified.

Important details

• Ages 5+ only. Children aged 5–17 require an accompanying paying adult aged 18+.
• Guesthouses have no lifts; accessing your room requires climbing stairs.
• Collapsible wheelchairs are allowed with a companion who can assist with boarding and disembarking. Attractions have only partial wheelchair and stroller access, with uneven surfaces, steep ground or stairs.
• Bring valid ID and a passport with at least 6 months' validity.
• Bring proof of full COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test result.
• Luggage allowance is one standard-sized bag, no larger than 67 × 45 × 25 cm and no heavier than 15 kg.
• Seats together are not guaranteed, even within the same booking.
• Return to the coach by the time your guide gives at each stop; the coach departs on time.
• Check in by 08:15, 15 minutes before departure. Late arrivals and no-shows receive no refund.