An extensive journey through Scotland’s wintry landscapes, exploring Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and Inverness.
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- 2 - 8 Day Tours
- 5 Day Tour Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
Experience the Scottish Highlands on a tour from Edinburgh, as you travel through iconic landscapes, explore the Isle of Skye, and uncover both natural wonders and historic landmarks. The journey takes you from the dramatic peaks of Glen Coe to the serene West Coast, with every new sight more breathtaking than the last. Along the way, you’ll enjoy Scotland’s top whisky, visit impressive castles, and have the chance to board the legendary Jacobite Steam Train. From start to finish, every part of this trip reveals a little more of Scotland’s quintessential charm.
Tour Highlights
Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
Did you know that today, only 1% of Scotland's native forests remain? At Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, you'll learn about Trees for Life's inspiring mission to rewild the Scottish Highlands. You'll not only meet lively experts who talk you through the secrets of the forest, but also witness their rewilding success during a scenic woodland walk. (© Ashley Coombes)
Inclusions
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
Four-Night Stay at Bed & Breakfast Accommodation (Shared Hostel Option Available)
Complimentary Breakfast Each Morning of Your Stay (B&B Only)
Whisky Distillery Tour
Visit at the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
Culloden Battlefield
Clava Cairns Stones
Ferry Crossing to the Isle of Skye
Accommodation
Bed & Breakfast or Guest House
Your tour includes carefully chosen Bed and Breakfast (B&B) or guest house accommodations, hand-picked for their unique charm. B&Bs are renowned for their warm Highland hospitality, often including a complimentary Scottish cooked breakfast. At times, you'll stay at a guest house hosted by local families, giving you the opportunity to experience Scotland in an authentic way. Conveniently situated within a mile of the town centre, both B&Bs and guest houses offer easy access to local attractions and restaurants. During peak season, accommodations may be slightly farther from the town centre.
Room Types
Optional: Shared Hostel Dormitory
Enjoy our reduced rate option with a comfortable and sociable stay at a local hostel, where you'll be in a mixed-gender, shared dormitory-style room with other travellers. Our hostel dormitories provide a relaxed and authentic experience amidst the stunning Scottish Highlands. It’s the perfect setting to connect with fellow explorers and discover local dinner spots together! Please note that breakfast is not included in hostel accommodation.
(Images for illustrative purposes only – accommodation may vary by location and availability.)
Room Types
Accessibility and Facilities
For more information, see our Accessibility Statement.
This Trip is just as Great in Winter!
Explore the winter edition of this itinerary, running from November to March. They say Scotland’s magic truly shines during the colder months – come see why!
What Other Explorers Say
We loved this trip. Our driver, Connor has a real gift of story telling which he will entertain you with whilst he takes you on a journey through the picturesque Scottish highlands. He will drip feed you with history but leave you waiting in anticipation for further details until you are approaching the place where the historic event took place. We would highly recommend this tour.
Veronica
15/09/2025Connor was a fantastic guide. He is loaded with knowledge. As two girls in their late 20’s, the group was mixed but a lot of fun. Isle of Skye is so special and Connor is a great storyteller. It made each location we visited even more special. Thank you Connor & Scotland!
Sophie
15/09/2025What an experience! Graeme gave us the perfect mix of history, humor, music, and legend. We felt safe and comfortable and couldn’t have expected anything better! 5 stars!
Lori
13/09/2025The tour was fantastic and Dusty our guide was also fantastic and we couldn’t have wished for better. The itinerary was great, the choice of accommodation great, all breakfasts and hospitality great. Love to come back and do another tour. Chris and Toni Scorer
Chris
08/09/2025Wonderful tour of one of the most beautiful areas of the British Isles. Scenery is magnificent and a breathtaking backdrop to enjoy while soaking up the area’s history, culture and folklore as told by Karis our wonderful guide. Karis brought the tour to life and was incredibly well informed, engaging and upbeat. If you are thinking of booking this tour, just do it! You will not regret it. And hopefully you will be lucky enough to get Karis as your guide !
Jo
11/08/2025Paul was a great safe driver- wonderful way to see Scotland without renting a car. It’s a long day but totally worth it. History facts along the way…. And our weather was amazing
Aja
31/07/2025I took the 5 day Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and Inverness tour with Ry as the guide, and it was amazing! Ry was very knowledgeable about Scottish history, folklore, and geography and explained it all to the group in very interesting stories. He was also a very safe and skilled driver who easily manoeuvred a big bus through some challenging terrain. Ry went above and beyond to ensure everyone got what they wanted and needed out of the trip, including making bonus stops and s...
Rachel
20/07/2025We had an amazing 5 days trip through Scotland. Everything was so wonderful: landscapes (the mountains, the sea, the hills), the old castles, the Jacobite steam train and the Loch Ness cruise. We do not know how to describe the feeling we have now, after finishing this trip… bitterswet would be most suitable: happy we had a wonderful experience, sad that it is already over. The accomodation and breakfast were good for each night, you made very good choices. The coach was...
Magdalena
15/07/2025I was on holiday with my family and It was one of the best experiences I had in a trip. The others who joined us were from different countries. It was a wholesome multicultural experience. Few notable experiences include the Harry potter train ride(Jacobite), views in Portree, and best of all the Ceilidh ("kay-lee") in Inverness. Special mention to our tour guide Mr Ry. I have no idea how he could remember all the routes and information, also one of the sweetest person I...
Leo
14/07/2025I went with my 3 sisters and brother, Laurie was our tour guide. She was fun, made our tour exciting and told great stories. She took great care of us. Thank you Laurie for all the great memories.
Sharon
11/06/2025My family and I took the 5 day Scotland highland tour , our tour guide Laurie did a great job she is funny, knowledgeable and told great folklore stories. Both myself and sister have mobility problems, she made sure we were taken care of and felt safe. Thank you Laurie! The BEST driver I have ever seen!
Lindy
11/06/20254 unforgettable days in the Highlands and on Skye - thank you Bobby Thompson!! Incredible landscapes accompanied by a warm and entertaining tour guide. Bobby has created a wonderful atmosphere among the 16 fellow travellers with confidence.
Markus
06/06/2025We had an excellent experience with our tour guide Graeme his folklore tales were a daily treat his ease of operation made everything a pleasure
Robert
16/05/2025Our Driver Paul went above and beyond during this 5 day tour from Edinburgh. Paul has an enthusiastic knowledge of local history that really added to the experience. Including great local recommendations on where to go during our time to explore each stop.
Han
09/05/2025Excellent tour with Rich our fantastic tour guide and driver. Great knowledge of the areas visited, great sense of humour and great jokes. New bus very comfortable. Highly recommended tour
Vacation
02/05/2025This tour was fantastic! Matt, Tom, and Dave were outstanding hosts. I learned so much and saw so many things I never associated with Scotland. I would high recommend to anyone!
Nancy
11/04/2025Charlie was a great tour guide and made an effort to get to know everyone on the tour bus and cater experiences to a wide range of ages. We had a great time and would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to get a taste of Scotland.
Aneesha
17/09/2024Laurie was an amazing guide! I’d absolutely recommend this tour to anyone. We travelled with 3 kids and it was great. None of us can agree on the highlight. The kids loved the Hogwarts Express, my wife and I have never seen any landscapes as beautiful as Skye. Laurie is an ace driver and adapted to all situations. The accommodations were quite good and the logistics as well. We’d happily tour with them again.
Jeremy
16/08/2024This tour of the Highlands has something for everyone! The food recommendations were delicious, the accommodations were charming, and the activities were fun and educational. Our guide Emma is a treasure! She is extremely knowledgeable and made sure we were safe and on time. Whether you’re visiting Scotland to learn history; experience culture; taste test some whiskey; see some hairy coos; search for Nessie; visit Outlander/Harry Potter sites; hear tales of Robert the Br...
Amanda
05/07/2024Excellent views, Isle of Skye was a highlight. This tour is a good amount of time of 5 days and was a great route to see Scotland’s beauty. We saw a lot of the countryside and scenery of Scotland and learnt about stories of Scotland history which were interesting. We passed through many historic towns and cities. Additionally there were many stops for bathroom and opportunities to grab coffee and snacks if needed. Accomodation was decent. Our tour guide Emma was truly fa...
Simon
05/07/2024We did the five day tour from Edinburgh with the Jacobite train and the Isle of Skye. We were blessed with good weather but even more blessed with our phenomenal tour guide, Rich Lawrence. He was very informative with history and folklore and Gaelic terms. He had great advice about food and things to see at each stop. He had a banger of a Scottish playlist for the whole five days with all kinds of music, and all Scottish. Best of all he is a master storyteller complete w...
Beth
17/05/2024Martin (our tour guide) was incredible. I really could list a million things but to name a few: kind soul, great story teller, safe driver, positive attitude, super knowledgeable. The tour was incredible, but made even better with Martin as our tour guide! It will be sad to say goodbye to everyone that I got to know on this tour. It was an amazing time. Highly recommend it!
Hannah
10/05/2024Sophie was a talented, lyrical, wee Baird. She won our hearts and ears. Got to see a lot more than expected and want to come back to do more tours especially Iona. I hope I get her again!
Joy
29/03/2024Share your Scottish Highlands tour with @highextours
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Frequently Asked Questions
Your Scottish Highlands tour departs from the city centre in Edinburgh. For more details on your pick-up location, please visit our Departure Info page.
Yes, four nights bed & breakfast or guest house accommodation is included in the tour price. You can also choose to stay in a shared hostel dormitory at a reduced rate (mixed-gender, multi-share rooms). Select your preferred accommodation type at the time of booking.
Accommodation is carefully selected by our experienced team ensuring a hearty Scottish welcome. While the specific bed & breakfast, guest house, or hostel may vary, you can be confident your stay will be comfortable.
Find more info on our Accommodation page.
We have made some of the activities optional so you can tailor your Scotland trip to your liking.
Reserve at the time of booking
- Jacobite Steam Train
- Loch Ness Boat Cruise
Pay on arrival at the site:
- Culloden Battlefield
All essential information about the Jacobite Steam Train on our tours can be found here.
If you choose bed & breakfast or guesthouse accommodation, you'll enjoy a freshly made breakfast each morning. Please note that breakfast is not provided with hostel accommodation. Both options do not include lunch, dinner, or snacks.
During your 5-day tour of Scotland, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore outstanding restaurants and cafes throughout the Scottish Highlands. We highly recommend trying these local spots to experience Scottish flavours at your own pace, tailored to your preferences and dietary needs.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are consciously curated travel activities offered on our tours. They are selected with careful consideration for their positive environmental or social impact on Scotland's communities and travellers.
Your tour includes the following MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience:
Visit to Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, managed by the local charity Trees for Life, is dedicated to restoring Scotland’s Caledonian Forest, an ancient woodland habitat that has dwindled to less than 1% of its original extent. During your visit, you'll delve into the importance of the Caledonian Forest, learn about rewilding efforts, and embark on a scenic woodland walk to witness firsthand the success of rewilding initiatives.
This tour runs from April until October. If you're planning to travel between November and March, check out our Winter Tours, specifically designed for the winter season.
Absolutely! Joining us solo is a fantastic way to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. You'll typically find a mix of couples, friends, and fellow solo adventurers on our tours. Please note that single room availability for Bed & Breakfast accommodation is limited.
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Our itinerary (in tab 2, 'Itinerary & Departure') provides a helpful outline of what to expect on the day. We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined there, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. We also believe that part of the excitement comes from the unexpected surprises along the way! Rest assured, your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other.
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
- Home
- 2 - 8 Day Tours
- 5 Day Tour Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
After lunch we visit the mysterious chambered cairns and standing stones of Clava Cairns; followed by Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle fought on British soil; both locations provided inspiration for the hit TV series Outlander (Overnight: Inverness)
5 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
We leave Edinburgh and head to the iconic Kelpies. We then head north past Stirling and take in views of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. We will make a stop for lunch before entering the Highlands heading through wild Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe and on to the quaint fishing town of Oban. (Overnight: Oban)
Day Highlights
Today, you have the option to embark the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig and discover why this spectacular trip has been described as the greatest railway journey in the world. Cross the Glenfinnan viaduct, as seen in the Harry Potter movies, and take in the sweeping views the Scottish Highlands and Loch Shiel. We arrive in Mallaig and take the ferry to the Isle of Skye before driving to our overnight destination in Portree. (Overnight: Portree)
Day Highlights
We explore more of the mysterious Isle of Skye with its awe-inspiring mountains, stunning coastline, and local folklore before returning to the mainland. On the way to Loch Ness, we stop at the incredibly photogenic Eilean Donan Castle and wind our way along the Great Glen where we also visit Dundreggan Rewilding Centre to learn about Scotland’s ancient Caledonian Forest and then on to Inverness, home for the next two nights. (Overnight: Inverness)
Day Highlights
*What's Make Travel Matter?
Keep an eye out for the elusive monster, ‘Nessie’, while we take an optional cruise on Loch Ness before heading north towards the quaint town of Beauly. The ruins of Beauly Priory were used in the filming of Outlander and have a history stretching back to 1230AD.
After lunch we visit the mysterious chambered cairns and standing stones of Clava Cairns; followed by Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle fought on British soil; both locations provided inspiration for the hit TV series Outlander (Overnight: Inverness)
Day Highlights
Leaving Inverness, we visit the Highland Folk Museum to get a real taste of Scottish Highland life from the past centuries before heading to a local whisky distillery for a tour and a taste of the ‘water of life’. For our final stop we visit Dunkeld and take a walk through the quaint village, on to the River Tay and make a visit to the cathedral. Our tour returns to Edinburgh in the evening.
Day Highlights
Tours Dates & Prices
Choose a departure date, number of people and accommodation option.
Departure Point
60 High Street, EH1 1TB, Edinburgh
We depart from our blue corner shop at 60 High Street, centrally located on the Royal Mile in the Old Town of Edinburgh. A useful landmark to find us is the Radisson Blu Hotel, situated just one street further along.
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
- Home
- 2 - 8 Day Tours
- 5 Day Tour Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
Loch Ness Cruise
Reserve at the time of bookingA cruise on the mysterious and beautiful Loch Ness is an unforgettable experience. Get the chance to catch a glimpse of Nessie, the legendary monster of Loch Ness, and enjoy the charming views of its bonnie banks. The boat uses the very latest hi-tech colour sonar and underwater imaging systems to enhance the search for Nessie. You can also relax with a coffee or dram of whisky in the on-board bar.
Jacobite Steam Train aka 'The Hogwarts Express'
Reserve at the time of bookingFollow the footsteps of the wizard Harry Potter and experience a magical ride on the Jacobite Steam Train aka the ‘Hogwarts Express’. The steam train between Fort William and Mallaig is said to be the greatest rail journey in the world. The steam train crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct and passes along the west coast, offering astonishing views of distant isles and white sand beaches. *Please note: Jacobite Steam Train tickets have limited availability and we only offer standard class seating, we are unable to offer first class seating or upgrades.
Culloden Battlefield
Pay locallyExplore the historic site of the intense Battle of Culloden, where the Jacobite clansmen faced their final defeat. This visit offers a profound glimpse into the dramatic end of the Jacobite uprising and the heritage of the Scottish clans. Adult from £14. Tickets are subject to availability.
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