Highlander Private Tours
ISLE OF SKYE SCENIC TOUR
from Inverness
Eilean a' Cheò and The Misty Isle are 2 other names for the Isle of Skye. Departing Inverness at 8am we travel along Loch Ness side until we reach Invermoriston and here we branch right towards Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye.
We pass through Glenmoriston and climb high up to Loch Cluanie and after the Cluanie Inn if it is a clear day we will see the mountains of Kintail and the peaks of the 5 sisters of Kintail as we descend down into Glen Sheil and reach Loch Duich and continue to our first stop of the day, Eilean Donan Castle. Eilean Donan Castle is strategically placed where 3 sea lochs meet and is one of the most photographed castles in the world and one of the most visited attractions in the Highlands. The current castle is the fourth castle on this site as the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt three times during Scotland's turbulent history.
Continuing along, we cross the Skye bridge where we see the ruins of Castle Moil and we bypass Kyleakin where the old ferry from Kyle of Lochalsh landed.
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The next place we pass through is Broadford, the second largest settlement on Skye, as it nestles beneath the motherly shade of Ben na Calliach ( pronounced kyach ) and also known as The Hill of the Old Woman. The views over the bay to Scalpay, Pabbay and Torridon are pretty impressive.
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We stop briefly at Sligachan where the Black Cuillin mountains meet the western seaboard. The views here of the old stone bridge with the Cuillins in the background make for a wonderful photo opportunity.
From here we head straight to Portree, the largest and main town on Skye. Portree was created as a fishing port in the early 1800s . The picturesque harbour offers a wonderful photo opportunity, and there are many choices here for lunch.
A few miles further long the road, we stop at the viewpoint to see The Old Man of Storr, a large rock standing 160 feet high on The Storr Hill. Local legend has it that The Old Man of Storr was a giant who lived here and when he was laid to rest part of his thumb (The Old Man) remained above the ground. This area has featured in several movies including The Wicker Man in 1973.
Moving on we pass through the little village of Staffin and we stop at the Kilt Rock and Mealt falls viewpoint. As you can see Kilt rock is so called because the rock formations resemble the pleat folds of a kilt. Mealt falls is a spectacular waterfall dropping 180 feet into the Atlantic Ocean.
Next we climb up to the road that leads to the Quiraing ( pronounced kwi ran ) and we make our way to the viewpoint. The Quiraing was created more than 100 million years ago by a landslip, in fact the whole of the Trotternish Escarpment was formed by a great series of landslips. Standing 543 metres high the name Quiraing comes from the Norse language KVI RAND which means round fold. Within the fold there is The Table, an elevated plateau hidden amongst the pillars. It is said that the locals hid cattle here from Viking raiders. This area is still geologically active and moves a few centimetres every year.
After exploring the iconic Quiraing, we conclude our visit at the little village of Carbost which is most famous as the Home of Talisker Distillery which was built in 1831. Loch Harport is a beautiful spot . We stop at the Distillery visitor centre where you can partake of a dram of the local Uisge-Beatha (Water of life).
Leaving Skye behind we head back towards Kyle of Lochalsh and on to Inverness. We will head over the hills to Strathcarron and then head towards Garve , through Strathconon and on to Inverness.
This is our idea of The Isle of Skye Tour, however, it is YOUR tour and if you wish to alter the tour by taking any place out and adding another place in then please let us know because, unlike The Old Man of Storr, this Tour is not set in stone.
Tour Stops
1 – Eilean Donan Castle
2 – Sligachan old bridge
3 – Portree and lunch
4 – Old Man of Storr viewpoint
5 – Kilt Rock / Mealt Falls
6 – Quiraing viewpoint
7 – Talisker Distillery
Subject to availability.
RATES
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Isle of Skye Tour (9-10 hours)
Departing Inverness
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Winter Season
(November 1st - March 31st)
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1-4 People : £400
5-7 People: £500
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Summer Season
(April 1st - October 31st)
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1-4 People : £600
5-7 People : £650​
