Edinburgh, Skye and the Highlands - 4 day tour

Day 2 - Edinburgh - Glen Coe - Inverness

Join your guide and fellow passengers for the start of your Scottish Highland adventure. We leave Edinburgh and make our northwards into the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Soon we cross into the Highlands and make the dramatic ascent of the “Black Mount” Pass to reach the Great moor of Rannoch. This desolate wilderness extends for some 50 miles and is sprinkled with little lochans, wild rivers and rocky crags.

We take time to enjoy the haunting beauty of Glen Coe, probably Scotland’s most famous glen. In 1692 that 40 of the resident MacDonald clan were murdered by troops of the Clan Campbell acting under Government orders.

Fort William is next. “The Fort”, as it’s known locally, makes the most of its stunning location on the banks of Loch Linnhe and is a popular spot with outdoor sports enthusiasts. On the outskirts, we’ll pause to take in the view of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain.

Next is the beauty of the Great Glen. We’ll drive along the banks of Loch Lochy and Loch Oich to reach Scotland’s most enigmatic lake, Loch Ness.

During the stop at Loch Ness, there will be a chance to learn more about the area’s most famous ‘resident’ on a cruise across the deep and dark waters to see majestic Urquhart Castle.

On the outskirts of Inverness, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city.

Overnight: Premier Inn Inverness Centre River Ness, Inverness (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 3 - Isle of Skye Excursion

From Inverness, travel to reach the remote village of Achnasheen, then through picturesque Glen Carron, where there is a stop at the viewpoint to enjoy the stunning panorama over Loch Carron and the Applecross Mountains.

After crossing the majestic Skye Bridge, there is a stop in Kyleakin, so we can enjoy the views over Loch Alsh to the tiny island of Eilean Ban.

The magical island of Skye is famous for its charm and beauty. Our tour of the island starts with a coastal drive to Broadford. The landscape becomes more rugged as the impressive Cuillin Hills come into view, greeting us with some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland.  

Portree, the main town on Skye, sits attractively around a natural harbour. You'll have time to discover Portree's many craft shops or breathe in the sea air on a stroll around the harbour.

The next visit is to the Trotternish Peninsula, famous for its spectacular rock scenery. During our scenic drive, see The Quiraing and its strange rock formations known as The Prison, The Needle and The Table.

Stop at Kilt Rock, a 61m (200 ft) cliff where the basalt resembles the tartan of a pleated kilt. Look out for the nearby Falls of Mealt cascading into the sea below.

The last visit will be to the Old Man of Storr, a 49m (160 ft) pinnacle that stands overlooking Loch Leanthan below. Its scenic location has been featured in several movies, including King Arthur and the Big Friendly Giant.  

Back on the mainland, there is a photo-stop at Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's best-known icons. The castle stands on an islet in Loch Duich connected by a little bridge and is one of the most unmistakable Scottish scenes.

As we travel through remote Glen Shiel, look out for the towering mountain range known as "The Five Sisters of Kintail".

The last part of the tour will take us along the banks of mysterious Loch Ness to Inverness.

Day 4 - Inverness - Edinburgh - London

Enjoy an early breakfast, then make your way to Inverness Railway Station, where the “Highland Chieftain” Azuma train awaits to return us to the heart of London.

On leaving Inverness, the train will cross the 29 arches of the impressive Culloden viaduct then skirt Drumossie Moor, the location of the famous battle in 1746.

Later the route enters the Cairngorms National Park with stops scheduled in Aviemore, the popular winter sports resort and Newtonmore.

After leaving Dalwhinnie, the train will reach the Drumochter summit, the highest point on the British rail network. From here, we descend through the Grampian Mountains to reach Highland Perthshire.

Look out for white-washed Blair Castle and the dramatic Pass of Killiecrankie, the scene of another battle associated with the Jacobite cause.

Departing Edinburgh, the train will follow the same route as the northbound journey calling at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York.

You can expect a mid-afternoon arrival in London’s Kings Cross Station (Sunday departures will reach London a little bit later).