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- 3 Day Isle of Skye & The Jacobite Steam Train
Prepare for a spectacular experience of the Highlands on this enchanting 3-day Isle of Skye tour from Inverness. Venture through a range of iconic scenery and get the chance to ride the world-famous Jacobite Steam Train. Be inspired by Scottish myths and legends as you take in many local gems: from the legendary Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle to cascading waterfalls and Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. Every part of this journey uncovers a little more of Scotland’s unique heritage.
Tour Highlights
Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express)
The Jacobite Steam Train shot to worldwide fame as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. The route between Fort William and Mallaig on the West Highland Line has been voted the most scenic rail journey in the world.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is the most well-known loch in Scotland, thanks to tales of the Loch Ness Monster. Glaciers carved the deep cavity of the loch, which holds more water than all the lakes in England and Wales.
Isle of Skye
Skye is Scotland’s most popular isle, and you’ll quickly understand why. Skye exudes magic from every mountain, waterfall and rainbow, while its unique geology and beguiling mythology are unlike anywhere else in Scotland. Skye is an ancient and truly enchanting island.
Small Group Tour
Small groups, big adventures! Our small group tours offer an intimate, relaxed way to explore while you soak up Scotland's magic. Please note that, due to vehicle availability, there may be instances where this tour operates on a larger bus.
The Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are a series of small waterfalls and turquoise pools, famed for their natural beauty and magical charm. Set against the stunning Cuillin mountains, they offer a truly enchanting and unforgettable sight.
Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is a striking pinnacle of rock, perched high upon Skye’s otherworldly landscape. This geological wonder is one of the island’s most iconic sights - it looks even more impressive on a misty day.
Kilt Rock
Kilt Rock is a breath-taking sight on Skye’s dramatic coastline. Marvel at the magic of Mealt Falls, as it cascades down the striking cliff face - which is said to be shaped by a mythical giant’s kilt.
Commando Memorial
The Commando Memorial pays tribute to the elite Commando unit who bravely fought in World War II. The statue looks out across the stunning Nevis Range, and the area where the Commandos trained with live ammunition.
Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle is perfectly formed and instantly recognisable. A charming stone bridge leads out to the island, which is surrounded by three lochs and a backdrop of mountains. The castle is one of the most photographed sights in Scotland.
Whisky Distillery
Our national drink is enjoyed around the world, but there’s nowhere better to try whisky than in Scotland itself. Learn about whisky production, and sample the ‘water of life’ straight from the source at a whisky distillery.
Culloden Battlefield
Culloden was the last battle fought on British soil in 1746. The Jacobite defeat against the Hanoverian army inspired the Outlander story, and was a pivotal point in Scottish history. Learn about the conflict, and visit the graves of the fallen clan.
Clava Cairns
Clava Cairns is a special place, from the peaceful setting to the arrangement of 4000 year old stones. The prehistoric structures include ring cairns, passage graves, and standing stones; perfect for staging your very own Outlander-inspired photo!
Inclusions
Small Group Tour
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
Two-Night Stay at the The Skye Inn
Complimentary Breakfast on Day 2 and 3
Ferry Crossing to the Isle of Skye
Accommodation
Deluxe Bed & Breakfast 'The Skye Inn'
Located in the heart of the beautiful town of Portree, The Skye Inn offers the warmest of Highland welcomes, ensuring a relaxed and personal atmosphere - making you feel right at home! Enjoy an optional dinner in the evenings or cosy up at the bar in the Grand Room. During colder weather, a crackling open fire adds to the relaxing atmosphere to wind down after a busy day of exploring. Please note that accommodation can be subject to change.
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
Fantastic trip from the minute we stepped on the bus. The tour had so much packed into this 3 day trip. With breathtaking views and scenery. Our tour guide Torquil made this trip all the more memorable, fun and we loved his stories, knowledge, humour, and choice in music which complented each part of the tour. Amazing🤩
Stacey
14/09/2025Torquil was an excellent and informative guide. The scenery of the highlands was incredible. The train crossing the viaduct was amazing.
Joshua
14/09/2025We did the 3 day highlands tour with Donnie as our guide. The tour was awesome! Donnie is a fantastic guide. The accommodations were great. We had plenty of time to see everything we wanted and Donnie was very knowledgeable with the highlands, the history and also the area giving great recommendations throughout. Would 100% recommend this trip to everyone!!
Conner
07/09/2025We had a great experience on this tour with our family (2 adults, 3 teenagers). We saw so many beautiful sights on Skye and in the highlands. Our guide, Emma, was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Nicole
10/08/2025Our tour guide, Torquil, really made the tour come alive for us. The Highlands of Scotland and the Isle of Skye are breathtakingly beautiful. There is plenty to see and do, and the quality of the food exceeded our expectations. Torquil, however, put the finishing touches on our trip - from his vast knowledge of the history of the area, to awesome food recommendations, and a customised playlist to accompany us over the three days. Highly recommended. Ask for Torquil!
Lilcharis
03/08/2025This tour was amazing. We saw the most important scenes that we were looking for, but more importantly we saw far more great things than that. Our guide Torquil was great. He waw funny, engaging, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable. His stories really made the trip come alive. A really good value for money. The accomodation in Skye is also outstanding
Coen
03/08/2025We had a PHENOMENAL time on the three day Isle of the Skye tour! It was the perfect amount of time to see many things without being rushed. There was a good mix of short hikes, viewpoints and historical/cultural experiences. We had perfect weather, which isn’t always the case, but all the stops were beautiful and/or interesting - definitely a good itinerary. We really appreciated the small group size (14 people but 16 max); it allowed us to go to many places we wouldn’t ...
Lauren
13/07/2025It was an incredible experience. Our guide Harrison was excellent. He discussed the history of all of the stops which I loved. He also was very humorous and friendly. I hope our next tour guides are close to as good as he was. They have very big shoes to fill.
Dina
13/07/2025Best tour ever!! Our guide Harrison was amazing and our group gelled in an awesome way. So much fun- every stop on every day was great!!
Terrence
13/07/2025What a magnificent tour! It covered all the places we wanted to visit and Sonia made the trip an absolute pleasure and informative!. She was an amazing tour guide from the beginning till the end we all became her family. The views and culture were fantastic. This is a most memorable tour!
Resort
11/06/2025Absolutely fantastic time! our guide, Harrison was knowledgeable, fun and a great driver. He gave us a perfect amount of history as well as folklore and myth. The views were stunning, the company was wonderful, and the accommodations were nice. I could not recommend this more.
KCTravel
03/06/2025What a memorable adventure. Great locations, amazing people, and delicious food. Would recommended 10/10 to everyone. I also cannot speak enough praise of our tour guide Harrison! We did an incredible job and was such a knowledgeable, and authentic guide.
Shea
02/06/2025Emily was a great tour guide. Very friendly and entertaining, making for a really fun trip. Didn’t hurt that we had the best weather possible but Skye was beautiful! The Skye Inn, where we stayed, was also very nice and the staff friendly and customer oriented. We considered touring Skye on our own and I am so glad we booked this tour instead. I highly recommend it.
Betty
18/05/2025We really enjoyed our day. We saw so many stunning sights along the way, beautiful weather helped also! Emily was so lovely and seemed to enjoy the trip and group throughout the day, making it more enjoyable for all.
Susan
07/05/2025Skye is amazing, all the locations we visited are amazing, and Torquil is amazing! We got to see so much more than we would’ve on our own and had a local to tell us fun stories and all the history. Loved having the music themed to where we were too.
Abbie
04/05/2025My husband and I recently took this Highlands Explorer 3-Day tour from Inverness. It was AMAZING in every way! Harrison was our incredible guide, providing interesting tidbits throughout the entire trip. He was a safe driver and his pacing was perfect: There were plenty of scenic stops, food breaks, and mini-hikes. He made the experience fun with music too. You couldn’t ask for a better guide.
Vanessa
14/04/2025We can't say enough good things about this tour. We got back to Inverness yesterday, and we're still glowing at the fun, the landscapes, the history and the culture we were exposed to. A three day small group tour is a commitment, and we were apprehensive when we stepped on the bus Friday morning. But our guide Harrison was an expert van driver on challenging roads, a goldmine of information and charming and entertaining. We made such nice friendships with our fellow tra...
Rob
14/04/2025We booked with HIGHLAND EXPLORER TOURS for a three day/two night tour from Inverness. From start to finish everything was amazing. Yes, we got lucky with the weather which helped, but our guide and driver HARRISON made this trip very special. I've never know anyone know so much about everything.
Howard
14/04/2025The tour was absolutely incredible. The places we went were beautiful and the tour helped me see places I definitely wouldn't have known to stop at otherwise. Our tour guide, Harrison, was amazing. He did a great job of making everyone feel comfortable, was incredibly knowledgeable, very, very funny, and has great music taste. The places we went were amazing but he made the tour incredible.
Ethan
14/04/2025This was a great tour! Our guide, Amber, was amazing! Her knowledge of Scotland, its history, geology and ecology was engaging and entertaining! The Sky Inn was wonderful and Portree was a perfect base with lots of great pubs, restaurants and shops. We visited a lot of sights none of which disappointed plus we always felt safe on the road.
John
06/10/2024Sonia was an absolutely FANTASTIC tour guide! She was a delight as a tour guide and showed us all the best spots along the way. She put thought and care into crafting an itinerary that would get us to all the best spots on the Isle of Skye and was receptive to the interests of people on the tour. She also went out of our way to make the experience memorable and fun.
Erica
08/09/2024Our trip was amazing and Harrison was a big reason why. The trip was perfectly organised from start to end. We had an amazing time and we highly recommend the tour.
Leonidas
18/08/2024A great company with the best guide Harrison was so adorable and made our tour experience really funny with a smile always in his face explain us every amazing landscape. Great company for knowing The Highlands and Sky Island and Scottish culture.
Carmen
21/07/2024My friend and I enjoyed the 3 day tour a lot. Harrison was our guide and he’s been very nice, helpful, informative and lively! No dull moment with this guy, I highly recommend him to everyone who’s looking for a tour in Inverness. Can’t thank him enough, so glad he was our tour guide. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy, comfortable and safe. Thank you so much Harrison and Highland Explorer Tours! :)
Mau
21/07/2024The tour was outstanding! Due in large part to our tour guide Amber. She was so knowledgeable and informative about every place we went and she did it in such a way that made it a lot of fun. Amber was definitely the best tour guide I have ever had!
William
10/06/2024Explore the Highlands & Isle of Skye with @highextours
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Frequently Asked Questions
Your 3-Day Highland & Isle of Skye tour departs from the city centre in Inverness. For more details on your pick-up location, please visit our Departure Info page.
Yes, two nights bed & breakfast accommodation on the Isle of Skye is included in the tour price.
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
Pay on arrival at the site:
- Highland Whisky Distillery Experience
- Eilean Donan Castle
- Culloden Battlefield
All essential information about the Jacobite Steam Train on our tours can be found here.
Typically, on this tour you’ll stay at our deluxe B&B in Portree, The Skye Inn. Please note that accommodation may be subject to change.
Find more info on our Accommodation page.
While your stay at The Skye Inn includes a freshly made breakfast each morning, we encourage you to also try their exceptional dinner menu, showcasing the best of Scotland’s produce with delicious, locally sourced dishes.
Please note that lunch, dinner, and snacks are not included in the tour price.
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 the Isle of Skye tour 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 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
- Tours from Inverness
- 3 Day Isle of Skye & The Jacobite Steam Train
We drive to Fort William, where you have the option to board the Jacobite Steam Train for a scenic two-hour ride with spectacular views of the Highlands and Scotland’s scenic west coast. After experiencing what is said to be the greatest rail journey in the world, we disembark the train in Mallaig to relish fresh seafood for lunch.
We take the ferry across the sea to the Isle of Skye and travel through the marvellous Cuillin Mountains before arriving at our overnight destination in Portree.
Hear more about the history of Scotland’s most magical isles before taking a fabulous walk through the Quiraing. Our journey continues to the cascading waterfall of the Kilt Rock and the breath-taking viewpoint of the Old Man of Storr before arriving back in Portree with free time to explore the colourful harbour and village.
With our energy replenished, we visit a Highland whisky distillery to warm our bellies with Scotland’s favourite national drink and learn how ‘uisge beatha’ is made. Listen to the tales of the last battle fought on British soil as you explore the grounds of Culloden Battlefield, followed by a visit to the standing stones of Clava Cairns; made famous by the hit TV series Outlander. Our Isle of Skye tour comes to an end as we cross back into Inverness in the early evening.
3 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
Our Isle of Skye tour departs from Inverness in the morning and begin our journey along the mysterious Loch Ness. Keep an eye out for the legendary monster ‘Nessie’ as we stop at the ruins of Urquhart Castle with panoramic views of the loch. We head south through dramatic glens before visiting the historic Commando Memorial and view Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, from afar.
We drive to Fort William, where you have the option to board the Jacobite Steam Train for a scenic two-hour ride with spectacular views of the Highlands and Scotland’s scenic west coast. After experiencing what is said to be the greatest rail journey in the world, we disembark the train in Mallaig to relish fresh seafood for lunch.
We take the ferry across the sea to the Isle of Skye and travel through the marvellous Cuillin Mountains before arriving at our overnight destination in Portree.
Day Highlights
A day of tales, myths, and iconic scenery awaits! We begin our morning exploring the enchanting Fairy Pools, a series of natural waterfalls with crystal clear water on the River Brittle. Hear stories of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape from the mainland as we drive to the thriving village of Dunvegan for lunch to indulge in local delights.
Hear more about the history of Scotland’s most magical isles before taking a fabulous walk through the Quiraing. Our journey continues to the cascading waterfall of the Kilt Rock and the breath-taking viewpoint of the Old Man of Storr before arriving back in Portree with free time to explore the colourful harbour and village.
Day Highlights
We bid farewell to the Isle of Skye and head to the romantic Eilean Donan Castle, reputedly the most photographed castle in Scotland. We continue south-west and soak in the stunning scenery before stopping for lunch at the picturesque village of Beauly.
With our energy replenished, we visit a Highland whisky distillery to warm our bellies with Scotland’s favourite national drink and learn how ‘uisge beatha’ is made. Listen to the tales of the last battle fought on British soil as you explore the grounds of Culloden Battlefield, followed by a visit to the standing stones of Clava Cairns; made famous by the hit TV series Outlander. Our Isle of Skye tour comes to an end as we cross back into Inverness in the early evening.
Day Highlights
Departure Point
Inverness City Centre
15 Union St Inverness*, IV1 1PP *Across from the entrance to the Victorian Market. Look out for a blue or yellow coach bus. For parking, we recommend the Old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey – less than a 10-minute walk from our departure point.
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
Tours Dates & Prices
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- Home
- Tours from Inverness
- 3 Day Isle of Skye & The Jacobite Steam Train
Highland Whisky Distillery Experience
Pay locallyDiscover at your leisure how 'uisge beatha' (the 'water of life') is made and explore the history behind one of Scotland's most iconic exports. Local whisky experts are on hand to share their in-depth knowledge and suggest rare drams to sample. Whisky dram flights from £12 and whisky cocktails from £8.
