Skye, The Highlands and Inverness

Leaving Edinburgh behind, we drive through the Forth Valley to reach the historic city of Stirling, where you should catch a glimpse of Stirling Castle and The Wallace Monument. Along the way, be transfixed by stories from your guide of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. 

Our first stop is at Doune, where you can visit 14th-century Doune Castle. It has had a starring role in Outlander (Castle Leoch), Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Game of Thrones. Soon we’ll enter the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, where we’ll meet some of our famous Scottish Highland Cows (Hairy Coos)!

Follow in the footsteps of James Bond (Skyfall) and Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), as we stop in beautiful and haunting Glen Coe, the most magnificent and famous valley in Scotland.

At Fort William, we’ll make a diversion along the picturesque “Road to the Isles” to watch the Hogwarts Express (Jacobite Steam Train) cross the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The last part of our journey today takes us along the banks of Loch Ness, so keep your camera ready, just in case! We’ll stop to enjoy the view over Urquhart Castle, which overlooks the deepest part of the loch.

On arrival in Inverness, you’ll be dropped off in central Inverness. Make your own way to the accommodation that you have arranged (2 nights).

After breakfast at your accommodation, make your way to the pick-up point, and we’re off to the magical Isle of Skye! Our journey starts by crossing the Kessock Bridge and making our way across the Black Isle. We’ll travel through some of the most remote communities on mainland Britain to reach the spectacular scenery of Loch Carron.

We stop for photographs of the famous Skye Bridge with Skye’s Cuillin Mountain range in the background. It makes a wonderful introduction to the “winged isle” as the Vikings called Skye.

Once on the island, we’ll make our way, following the Black Cuillin Mountains, to Portree, the island’s main town. Along the way, enjoy stories of the faeries and giants that are so important in the folklore of the island.

Enjoy time for lunch in Portree before setting out to explore the dramatic Trotternish Peninsula, with iconic rock formations which have made this area the perfect setting for recent movies such as B.F.G, Prometheus and Stardust. Highlights this afternoon will include the Fairy waterfalls, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, The Quiraing and Uig.

We return to the mainland and stop to photograph picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, which makes for an iconic image of your time in Scotland. We’ll return to central Inverness later this evening.

Join the rest of the group in central Inverness, then make the short drive to Culloden Moor, where you’ll hear the story of this infamous battle, which in 1746, brought the end of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hopes of becoming King.

Next, we visit Clava Cairns to see the amazing Bronze Age standing stones and burial chambers, thought to be over 4,000 years old. Diana Gabaldon found inspiration here for ‘Craig Na Dun’ in her Outlander books.

We travel through the beauty of the Cairngorms National Park to visit the Highland Folk Museum. Here we’ll have the chance to see authentic Highland blackhouses and discover all about Highland life in the 18th century. The museum was used as a location for the Outlander TV series and makes for a fascinating visit.

After a break for lunch, we’ll stop at Dalwhinnie Malt Whisky Distillery. You’ll have the opportunity to discover how Scotland’s national drink is produced in the heart of these beautiful surroundings after our distillery tour, enjoy a tutored tasting, and visit the distillery shop. 

Our journey continues through the heart of the Grampian Mountains to reach the pretty little village of Dunkeld, the final stop on our tour. Take time out to visit Dunkeld Cathedral, which is attractively located on the banks of the River Tay. This cathedral boasts a history stretching back over 1,200 years.

Later, we depart for Edinburgh, arriving back in the city centre around 90 minutes later.