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3 day tour
Magical Skye and the Jacobite Steam Train Small Group Tour
From
£520.00
Tour Summary
Magical Skye and the Jacobite Steam Train
3 day/2 night tour
This fascinating tour starts with an incredible Jacobite Steam Train ride followed by a sail “over the sea to Skye”. From your island base in Portree, explore the magical isle, rich in life and legend. Winding through rocky mountains and peaceful valleys, you'll come across the Fairy Pools, Kilt Rock, and the Trotternish Peninsula. There's also a stop at Eilean Donan Castle, and a chance to hear the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites at Culloden Moor. This tour offers a memorable look into the history and scenery of the Scottish Highlands.
Jacobite Steam Train - experience a trip on the real Hogwarts Express (except April 07, April 28 and September 06 departures)
Fairy Pools - see the crystal blue pools of water positioned against the backdrop of the majestic Cuillin Hills
Portree - enjoy a relaxed two-night stay in this picturesque harbour town
Trotternish Peninsula - experience breathtaking views of the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and The Quirang
Culloden Moor - discover the story behind Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army
Movie locations - The BFG, Stardust and 47 Ronin
Guest house accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Inverness - Jacobite Steam Train - Isle of Skye
Heading south from Inverness, our odyssey begins on the mysterious shores of Loch Ness. Here, we make a brief scenic stop to admire the atmospheric ruins of historic Urquhart Castle.
Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary ‘Nessie’ as we pause at the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle, where sweeping panoramic views stretch across the loch.
Our journey continues through the beauty of the Great Glen, where we’ll stop at the Commando Memorial to see the towering bulk of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain.
More breathtaking views await as we board the famous Jacobite Steam Train (the real Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter movies). Our journey on the West Highland Line is claimed to be one of the World’s best rail journeys, but we’ll let you be the judge! (not available on April 07, April 28 or September 06 departures)
See Ben Nevis from a different angle as we leave Fort William, then travel over the famous Glenfinnan viaduct. Enjoy great views of Loch Eilt before the beautiful sands of Morar stretch out ahead of us as we make our way into Mallaig.
There’s free time to enjoy lunch before catching the ferry “Over the sea to Skye”. Landfall is the port of Armadale on the Sleat Peninsula. Back aboard our coach, there are stunning views of the Cullin Hills as we head to the colourful harbour town of Portree, where accounts of feuds, folklore and faeries accompany the finest local seafood and whisky.
Overnight: Portree (2 nights)
Day 2 - Exploring the Isle of Skye
An enjoyable day of history and impressive scenery awaits. Our tour starts at the magical Fairy Pools. The 2.4 km walk is rewarded with a series of natural pools and waterfalls where the blue and green water provides a magical appearance.
Positioned at the head of Loch Dunvegan is the delightful village of Dunvegan, our lunchtime destination. After enjoying the local delicacies, there will be time to stroll around the village to admire the views and explore the local craft shops.
This afternoon we tour through the Jurassic scenery of the Trotternish Peninsula.
History surrounds us at every turn – not least at Kilmuir and its moving memorial to Flora MacDonald. Here, you’ll hear the fascinating tale of how she disguised Bonnie Prince Charlie as her maid to help him flee Government troops in 1746 before escaping ‘o’er the sea to Skye’.
Stop to enjoy a stimulating walk through The Quiraing to explore one of the most surprising and exciting rock formations in the British Isles.
Our tour continues to Kilt Rock, whose cliff face is formed of black basalt columns that are said to resemble the folds of the garment that give this landmark its name. Later we’ll see the impressive 50m (165 ft) high pinnacle named The Old Man of Storr before returning to Portree.
Day 3 - Isle of Skye - Whisky Distillery - Inverness
A hearty Highland breakfast is an essential start to our last day of discovery. So after enjoying traditional Scottish fare, we return to the mainland and make the short journey to see Eilean Donan, one of Scotland’s most attractive castles. It sits on a little island at the head of Loch Duich and has been featured in several movies, including Highlander and James Bond.
Our next visit is the attractive town of Beauly. It is thought that the town was named “Beau Lieu” - Beautiful Place, by the French monks who built a Priory here in the 13th Century. It was visited by Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1564 and still stands in the centre of the town, surrounded by trees.
There’s a stop at a malt whisky distillery where we can discover how “uisge beatha” is made using time-honoured methods and enjoy a taste of the end product.
After a short drive, there’s a brief stop at Culloden Battlefield, where you can learn about the famous battle, in 1746, between the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Government troops.
Our last visit is to Clava Cairns, a group of three prehistoric burial cairns surrounded by standing stones. This scenic setting is thought to have inspired the Outlander author, Diana Gabaldon, to create the cleft stone of Craigh Na Dun, where Claire time-travels back to 1743.
Our tour ends in the Highland Capital in the early evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Small Group Tour?
With a maximum of just 16 passengers, a Small Group Tour provides a more personal and flexible travelling experience. You’ll enjoy more time off the bus, with freedom to explore free from the crowds.
While you will see all the highlights, these tours are carefully planned to travel off the highways, so you’ll discover quaint villages and picturesque vistas that other tours cannot reach.
Small group tours are operated by purpose-built mini-coaches with air-conditioning, panoramic windows and comfortable seating.
Each group is led by an experienced driver/guide who will entertain and inform you with stories of our history, nature and folklore.
Many travellers prefer small group touring as it’s considered more authentic and there is a better chance to connect with locals as well as their fellow explorers.
What type of room should I choose?
This tour includes guest house accommodation.
There are different bedroom types to choose from. Here is what you can expect:
Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed
Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds
Double room - two people sharing one large bed
Family room - three people sharing a room, sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person)
Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
What is the journey on the Jacobite Steam Train like?
Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world this memorable trip will take you past a list of impressive extremes.
Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis!
Also on the journey is a visit to Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig.
The highlight of the journey is crossing the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument.
The train may pause on the viaduct, time permitting, to allow you to take in the magnificent view.
Standard class tickets are included in the cost of the tour. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to upgrade these tickets to First Class.
Can I reserve specific seats on the coach?
Seating on this tour is on a first come, first served basis and cannot be pre-booked.
If you are travelling as part of a group please make sure that all members of the party arrive at the departure point together.
Should I make dinner reservations for an evening meal in Portree?
Yes! Portree is the capital and main town on the Isle of Skye, and therefore is a very popular destination, especially in the summer months. There are many excellent restaurants in Portree, and they tend to get pretty busy, so we strongly recommend making reservations for your evening meal to avoid disappointment.
We advise not making your dinner reservations for any earlier than 7pm to allow plenty of time for the coach to return to Portree, after a full day of exploring the wonders of the Magical Isle.
You can also check out our Portree blog for more tips and information.
Blogs and Guides
Discover insider tips and ideas
Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
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Rating: (4 /5) 28 Apr 2026
Don't hesitate- this tour is worth it! We especially enjoyed the stops in the Highlands, fairy pools and Eileen Donan castle!
Karre from 4308 Gedney Rd, Gladwin, MI 48624-9454, US
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Rating: (5 /5) 08 Feb 2026
Really enjoyed each stop with my cousin as we explored our heritage. Even on rainy days we had a blast exploring! Treated to amazing meals and cozy accomodations. Highly recommend.
Gwen from Etobicoke, CA
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Rating: (5 /5) 23 Sep 2025
The tour guide/driver was exceptional. The scenery breath taking and the castles magnificent.
Christopher from East Cowes, Isle of Wight, GB
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