Highland Explorer: Skye & Far North
5 day tour

  • Isle of Skye Tours
  • Isle of Skye tours from Edinburgh
  • Man in Kilt Torridon
  • Cairngorms National Park
  • Eilean Donan Castle
  • Torridon

Soak up the romantic beauty of the Isle of Skye and the Far North.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Mountains
Lochs
Walks
Castles
Beaches
National Parks

Cairngorms National Park - Gaze in awe at Scotland’s most beautifully rounded peaks.

Loch Ness - This loch holds more fresh water than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined.

Ullapool and Assynt - Explore outstanding natural scenery and breathtaking views in these beautiful locations.

Applecross & Torridon - Looking for some serenity? This peaceful spot offers unblemished landscapes in their most natural state.

Eilean Donan Castle - Located on its own little island, this famous castle is sure to be a favourite.

Glencoe - Famous for an ancient massacre, this beautiful spot offers intriguing tales and mystical views.

Five Sisters of Kintail - Gaze in awe at the powerful peaks and rising ridges of this impressive mountain chain.

Isle of Skye - The beauty of this island has inspired movie makers, poets and travellers from all round the world.

 

Your journey

 

Mountains, valleys, forests: we love all the wild places.

And there’s nothing we love more than sharing this passion with our passengers.

So on this trip we get you out exploring Scotland’s great wilderness. From the wind swept lighthouse on the edge of the Isle of Skye to the untouched beaches of the Northern Highlands.

But not everything on this trip is wild.

Because in the evenings we make sure you rest easy in Scotland’s calm and cosy little villages.

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 08:45 (tour departs at 09:00) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Finishes (approx.)
19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Luggage
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Wander around the beautiful village of Dunkeld
  • Try your best to spot the Loch Ness Monster

You head north over the Firth of Forth to the charming highland village of Dunkeld.

From here, you head into the Cairngorms National Park and the ancient pine forests of the Rothiemurchus estate. After lunch, you enjoy panoramic views of Loch Ness as you travel down to the banks of the famous loch, and the village of Dores where you can do some “Nessie” spotting

Then it’s onto the shores of Loch Broom where you spend two nights at Ullapool.

Day 2

  • Visit the crumbling ruins of Ardvreck Castle
  • Admire the pristine beach of Achmelvich Bay

Today, you explore the far northwest Highlands and the mountains of Assynt. This area is famous as being the first crofting area to be bought by the local crofters, the Assynt Crofters’ Trust.

You’re immersed in the history of the area and visit the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle, once the stronghold of the MacLeods of Assynt.

The day is full of amazing views of some of Europe’s oldest landscapes, the stunning white sand beach at Achmelvich Bay, and the traditional fishing village of Lochinver.

You spend the night in the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool.

Day 3

  • Find out how palm trees arrived in the village of Plockton
  • Take the Bealach na Ba road, one of Scotland’s most beautiful routes

You head south to take in the drama of the River Droma’s 60m plunge into the Corrieshalloch Gorge.

From here, you travel past the mountains of the Beinn Eighe nature reserve and along the picturesque coastline of Loch Torridon.

After your lunch stop in Applecross, you take one of the highest and most exhilarating roads in Scotland, Bealach na Ba.

In the afternoon, you stop in “tropical” Plockton, where you can see palm trees growing alongside Loch Carron and take time to enjoy its sheltered serenity. Then it’s over the sea to Skye and the delightful harbour town of Portree.

Day 4

  • Learn about Skye’s heroic landscapes
  • Spend an evening in the delightful town of Portree

Today is a flexible day on Skye; and your driver-guide ensures you take a unique route that suits the weather, the local events, and your group's interests.

You can travel north to the Trotternish Ridge and beyond. Here you find the geological wonders like Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. Or your guide may take you back in time and teach you about the legends and clan culture surrounding the 13th-century home of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle.

You return from to Portree in the evening.

Day 5

  • Take a picture of Scotland’s ‘most photographed castle’, Eilean Donan Castle
  • Travel through the mysterious landscape of Glencoe

Travel south from Skye and visit the famous stronghold, Eilean Donan Castle.

Continuing east through the rugged mountains of Kintail, you drive down through Glen Garry past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and onto Fort William for lunch.

In the afternoon, you explore spectacular Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692.

You then start your journey towards Edinburgh.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay two nights in the fishing village of Ullapool* and two nights in the harbour town of Portree, on the Isle of Skye (some tours may stay in Inverness instead of Ullapool).

 

*Please be aware that Ullapool is busy. You may need to be flexible with rooms we're able to reserve for you here. If you'd prefer to find your own accommodation for this location, please choose the 'book your own accommodation' option when you book your tour.

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£80 - £120

£60 - £80

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €120

€60 - €80

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£100 - £145

£55 - £95

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €145

€55 - €100

Ireland

Hotel

£110 - £190

£75 - £145

UK & Northern Ireland

€130 - €235

€75 - €150

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

We have a cancellation period of 48 hours for our one day tours, 15 days for two to nine day tours, and 21 days for 10+ day tours. If cancelled outside this period, we'll give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this period, refunds are at our discretion. Click here to view full terms and conditions.

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .


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