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From Inverness: Isle of Skye Scenery Tour with Fairy Pools

1. From Inverness: Isle of Skye Scenery Tour with Fairy Pools

Visit Eilean Donan Castle and the spectacular Isle of Skye on a guided day trip from Inverness. Drive along Loch Ness and explore an iconic Scottish landscape of wind-swept valleys, rock formations, and coastal cliffs. Make a stop at the Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillin Mountains. Depart from a central meeting point in Inverness, where you will meet your guide and board the mini-bus. First, stop at Eilean Donan Castle and take plenty of photos as you admire the majestic beauty of this iconic sight in its wonderful coastal location. Upon arrival in Portree, make your way to the harbor viewpoint where you can see the pretty pastel-colored houses. Enjoy a short stop here, where you can also purchase a light lunch. Next, stop at a loch-side viewpoint, and discover the unique rock formation of the Old Man of Storr. See the 50-meter high pinnacle that juts out from the Trotternish Ridge and is recognizable from blockbuster films including Ronin 47, Snow White & The Huntsman, Prometheus, and The BFG. Continue to the Fairy Pools, a series of crystal-clear waterfalls and pools surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the Cuillin Mountains. Finally, stop for some photos of Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness. Admire the sight of the castle on a distinctive peninsula jutting out onto the mysterious Loch Ness, before heading back to Inverness.

From Inverness: Skye Explorer Full-Day Tour with 3 Hikes

2. From Inverness: Skye Explorer Full-Day Tour with 3 Hikes

Departure from Inverness This tour departs from Inverness city centre at 7.45am. Eilean Donan Castle Our first stop is at one of the world's most photographed castles and we are here (you guessed it!) to snap a photo, from an iconic viewpoint. We will spend around 10 minutes admiring the castle in its coastal location and, from here, we are just a few minutes' drive to the Skye Bridge. Please note that there is not enough time to go into the castle. Fairy Pools The Fairy Pools are a series of stunning rock pools and waterfalls, which are famed for their clear aquamarine waters, and their impressive Cuillin mountain backdrop. We will spend around 1 1/2 hours at this wonderful location, which gives you plenty of time to walk up to the pools. The walk to the main pools is around 1.8 miles in total and will take around 40 minutes for someone of average fitness. Portree We will have a lunch stop in the cute coastal town of Portree. For those who have used our lunch pre-ordering service at the start of the day, this is your opportunity to collect your lunch, without having to wait around. For those who prefer to do their own thing there are a number of bakeries and eateries in the village (please note that there is not enough time for a sit down lunch). We'd recommend taking a wander down to see the pretty pastel-coloured houses that hug the shoreline, or explore some of the village's unique independent shops. Old Man of Storr As we drive north the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic - these are the awesome landscapes that draw visitors from all over the world to this tiny isle. Soon it's time for our second hike of the day, to the base of the mighty Old Man of Storr, a jagged basalt rock which is said to be a giant's thumb! From the base of the Old Man of Storr there are fantastic views of the surrounding rock pinnacles. On a clear day you will also be rewarded with the striking outlines of the Red and Black Cuillins, and views out over the Sound of Raasay to the isles of Raasay and Rona. We will spend around 1 3/4 hours here. Quiraing Our last stop is definitely one of the absolute highlights on Skye, instantly recognisable from films such as Stardust, Prometheus and many others. The Quiraing is a series of landslips that have combined to form awe-inspiring scenery. We will spend around 40 minutes here, and you won't have to venture far from the mini-coach to find your very own slice of Skye wilderness. The journey home After a day of adventure you will be able to sit back and relax on the journey home, knowing that you have truly experienced the wonderful Isle of Skye. Rest assured that your guide will still have plenty of stories and music up his sleeve to keep you entertained on the way back. We will arrive back into Inverness at 9pm, with stories and memories to last a lifetime.

From Edinburgh: 3-Day Isle of Skye & Highlands Private Tour

3. From Edinburgh: 3-Day Isle of Skye & Highlands Private Tour

Your Macleod Heilan Tours guide will pick your group up at your chosen location ready to make our way out of the city and into the Highlands. The Next 3 Days are broken down into a more detailed itinary which can be altered or adjusted if time permits. Please Note: When booking please let us know where your group have booked the two nights accommodation required and the prefered pick up/drop off location. Accommodation must be within a 10 mile radius of the village of Kyleakin at the South end of the island. This can include the villages of Kyle, Balmacara, Broadford, Breakish, Plockton and of course Kyleakin itself. We can go outwith these locations but an extra charge will be added. Day 1 Our first stop will be the beautiful conservation village of Luss on Loch Lomond. After refreshments and photos we will continue North going further into the Highlands & into Glencoe making photo stops as we pass through & take in the most photographed Mountain in Scotland "Buchaille Etive Mor" & the famous Three Sisters. Lunch will be in the Lochaber area before going out to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct. We will then make our way up to back to Fort William stopping for photos at the ruined Inverlochy Castle before driving up through Glen Shiel past the 5 Sisters of Kintail and "Over the Sea to Skye" via the Skye Bridge. Day 2 Today you will experience the magnificent Isle of Skye voted the 4th best island by National Geographic. What better way to enjoy it with a guide who grew up on the Island. We will have our first stop at Sligachan where we can marvel at the Black & Red Cuillin Mountains. Possibly wash our faces in the river Sligachan (Legend says its gives eternal beauty!) We will drive the short distance to the Fairy Pools where there is the option to hike up to the main pools and capture that spectacular photo. After a hike the best way to relax is with a "Wee Dram" so we can visit the famous Talisker Whisky Distillery before heading to the town of Portree for Lunch. After lunch we will complete the impressive Trotternish Ridge circuit taking in famous sights such as the Old Man of Storr, Mealt Falls an impressive Sea waterfall with Kilt Rock as its back drop, Lealt Falls, Britains largest landslide the Quiraing used for many movie locations and then end the day at the Fairy Glen. Day 3 We leave Skye behind & still have so much to see as we travel South. Our first stop of the day will be the "biscuit tin castle" Scotlands most photographed Castle Eilean Donan. From there we will then drive to Loch Ness where there is the option to enjoy the Loch from the water and also time to explore the village of Fort Augustus & the Caledonian Canal. After lunch we will then drive towards Spean Bridge and the Ben Nevis viewpoint (Commando Memorial) taking in the grandeur off the Nevis Range before heading East and South via the Lagoon road entering into the Cairngorm National Park. Gradually making our way through the Cairngorms down towards "Big Tree Country" Perthshire passing by Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery & Blair Castle. We will have a final stop of the tour in the beautiful town of Pitlochry which is the gateway between Highlands and Lowlands made famous through Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who would regularly visit. We will end the tour at your chosen drop off point.

From Inverness: 2-Day Isle of Skye and The Fairy Pools Tour

4. From Inverness: 2-Day Isle of Skye and The Fairy Pools Tour

Begin your 2-day tour at the meeting point in Inverness. From there, drive with your guide to your first stop at Loch Ness, the largest loch in the British Isles, and one of the deepest too. Keep an eye out for the world-famous yet elusive monster, and discover one of the most iconic castles in Scotland: Urguhart Castle. Next, continue via the soaring mountains, sparkling rivers, and wild moorlands of Glien Shiel and the Five Sisters of Kintal to the Isle of Skye. Enjoy the view of the rocky Cuillin Mountains when you arrive on Skye before heading to the Fairy Pools, one of the most dramatic landscapes on the island. The fairies regularly bathe here, in the crystal clear green pools of the River Brittle. Weather permitting, swim in the pools of the river, one of the UK’s best wild swimming spots. Have fun diving under natural arches and waterfalls, but please do not spy on the fairies, as they can easily take offense. After enjoying the company of the fairies, move on to Neist Point, the best place on the island to spot whales, dolphins, and sharks. Here, get transported to the edge of the world, with its beautiful scenery, awesome skies, and endless ocean. Your driver-guide will then drop you off at your accommodation (not included in the tour price) for the night. On the second day, get picked up from your accommodation by your driver-guide and make your way to Fairy Glen. Wander between countless conical mounds, known in the Highlands as fairy knowes; put your ears to the grass and listen for the fairies at work inside. Bend down to search for elves in the glen's miniature forests, take the twisted path to the top of the fairy castle, or walk the faun’s maze and have a wish granted! Then, head off the beaten track to Rha waterfalls, also known as the hidden waterfalls, and do some more wild swimming. Next up is the Quiraing, a landscape used in many sci-fi films known for its otherworldly rock formations and stunning vistas. From there, move on to the breathtaking Kilt Rock, home to the dinosaurs of Skye’s ancient past. Admire its distinctive pillars and beautiful waterfall with views across to the Torridon Hills on the mainland. After leaving Kilt Rock, view the Old Man of Storr, a 61-meter (200-foot) stone pillar that has detached itself from the highest point of the 720-meter (2,362-foot) ride. Marvel at a fantastical landscape of twisted rocks, looming shadows, and swirling mists, and take in a stunning clifftop view out to the islands of Rhona, Raasay, and the mountains of Assynt. Make your last stop on your 2-day tour at Eilean Donan Castle, the stronghold of the Clan MacRae and the headquarters of James Bond in “The World is not Enough,” on your way back to Inverness. The tour concludes at the original meeting point.

Northwest Highlands: Private Tour with Hike

5. Northwest Highlands: Private Tour with Hike

If you like wide-open spaces, lonely glens to hike up, and dramatic mountian scenery, this tour has it all. After getting picked up, your guide will explain the course of the day and make any adjustments that you may require. Leaving Inverness and heading northwest over the Black Isle, you will be entertained with stories and legends of the area before stopping off at the beautiful, old Silver Bridge. Follow the Black Water river to the huge Aultguish Dam and onto Wester Ross. At Corrieshalloch Gorge, you’ll take a 30-minute walk and learn about the traces left from the ice age that formed the landscape. Take in the breathtaking views of this spectacular ravine. The fishing village Ullapool is the next stop, where you can take time to wander the streets and have a light refreshment. Then you’ll venture into one of the last wildernesses in Europe. Stop and take in the peculiar yet stunning Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, and An Tealach mountains. After traveling through some of the oldest mountains in the world, you’ll stop at the tiny fishing village of Lochinver for lunch. Depending on the weather, your lunch will be served in the restaurant or on a sandy beach under the shadow of Ardvreck Castle before you head into a lonely glen for your main 2-hour hike of the day: the Bone Caves of Inchnadamph. From here continue on through Sutherland and onto the east coast of Ross and Cromarty where the landscape changes again to flatter and greener farmland. Journey through the beautiful Strath Okyel and onto the Kyle of Sutherland, where a spectacular view awaits. From there you’ll return to Inverness, taking in the old navy port of Invergordon and a curious monument on top of Fyrish Hill.

Edinburgh: Isle of Skye & Highlands 3-Day Spanish Tour

6. Edinburgh: Isle of Skye & Highlands 3-Day Spanish Tour

Discover everything the beautiful, wild Scottish Highlands has to offer on a 3-day tour with an expert Spanish guide. Capture the stunning views of the famous Loch Ness, explore the Isle of Skye, and stroll around the medieval Inverness castle. Day 1: Meet your group in the morning, hop onto the van and head into the Highlands to Pitlochry, home to one of Scotland's oldest and most beautiful distilleries - Blair Athol Distillery. Explore the 37 kilometer long Loch Ness with a fascinating history. Learn some anecdotes of the lake and gaze at Urquhart Castle, the 13th-century castle which sits on the shore of Loch Ness. Visit Inverness, known as the capital of the Highlands, and enjoy the panoramic views from Inverness castle. Day 2: Stroll around Portree in your free time, trek along the well-known Man of Storr trail and contemplate the view at the stunning waterfall, Lealt Falls. See Kilt Rock, a section of sea cliffs 55 meters in height with an incredible waterfall. Finally, head to the famous Neist lighthouse a short walk along a cliff path. Featured on the cover of numerous magazines and postcards, the lighthouse is only five minutes away from the parking lot. Day 3: Visit Fort Augustus and learn about the Caledonian Canal lock system. From here, explore the majestic and deep valley of Glen Coe. Admire the beautiful scenery and narrow stone bridge in Killin, followed by a walk to see the monument of national hero, William Wallace. Lastly, see The Kelpies, two giant, Scottish folklore horse sculptures, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Scotland, in recent years. Take the opportunity to explore the River Carron before returning back to Edinburgh on the van.

Inverness: Private Secret Hike to the Shores of Loch Ness

7. Inverness: Private Secret Hike to the Shores of Loch Ness

Leaving Inverness down the old "Wade" road and along the alternative side of Loch Ness, take in the spectacular views before you explore the magnificent Caledonian pine woods of Foyers. Pass one of the highest waterfalls in Scotland and learn about the national bard, Rabbie Burns, including how he visited these falls before continuing down to the shores of Loch Ness itself. The track you'll take is only really used by locals, so when the loch opens before you you will more than likely be the only one their to enjoy the atmosphere and views. You'll stay for a while, taking in the calmness of this special place before heading back where some local baking will be waiting for you in the Waterfall Cafe. From there it's back up the loch via some more hidden roads, taking in the typical Highland scenery and wildlife before descending back down to the north end of the Loch at Dores Beach. Take another short walk along the pebble beach to reward yourself with a magnificent perspective of the great glen fault that Loch Ness is a part of. Before returning to Inverness, visit the 4,000-year-old burial chambers of Clava, where you can soak in the history and atmosphere of these ancient monuments.

Other Sightseeing Options in Inverness

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What people are saying about Inverness

Our guide, Andrew, was very funny, and super helpful/informative. The weather was perfect and because of that Andrew stopped multiple times to allow us to take photos of the gorgeous scenery. Andrew would give us plenty of time for breaks, to explore and to use any facilities/take photos. He gave great recommendations throughout and his stories were not only entertaining but definitely worked to help break down the travel time between attractions. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience, I would definitely recommend taking this tour.

We really enjoyed the tour. We managed to see the best of Isle of Skye despite of the rain and all thanks to our tourist guide, he made sure to go back and showed us the best view and falls of the island. This tour is really reccommended

Extremely knowledgeable guide with a great sense of humour! They are a small family run business that you should definitely support, you won’t regret it!

It was the time of my life, I had never felt this way before. I swear, this is true. We had a great time, and we enjoyed this song.

It was lovely a bit rushed but you can only do so much in a day. I would do it all over again though