3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Inc Accommodation from Edinburgh
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Inc Accommodation from Edinburgh
By Highland Experience Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeFree cancellation
Ages 3-99, max of 35 per group
Duration: 3 days
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- 2 nights accommodation, as per selected
- Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Driver/guide
What's not included- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Entry/Admission - Eilean Donan Castle
- Entry/Admission - Culloden Battlefield
- Entry/Admission - Loch Ness
- Entry/Admission - Urquhart Castle
- Day 1: Edinburgh to Isle of Skye Edinburgh to Isle of Skye Your tour begins with pickup from central Edinburgh by mini or midi bus and a leisurely drive to Inverness, discovering Scottish Highlands sights along the way. The first stop is Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where you explore Lochside villages. Continue north, to Glencoe, where you walk and admire the area’s rugged mountains and waterfalls. Next, break for lunch (own expense) in Fort William, with views of Ben Nevis, UK’s highest mountain. Then we’ll travel along the length of Loch Ness before you check into your accommodation. Day 2: Isle of Skye It’s an early start as we begin our journey to the Isle of Skye after breakfast. We have a full-day tour of Isle of Skye, covering all of its most popular landmarks and attractions. Before we reach the island we will stop to take in views of the impressive Eilean Donan Castle. Journey along the coast, admire natural wonders such as Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr, and enjoy free time for shopping, sightseeing, and lunch (own expense) in the port town of Portree. Return to your accommodation in Inverness to enjoy the evening at your leisure. Day 3: Isle of Skye to Edinburgh Inverness to Edinburgh After breakfast, you head back to Edinburgh, taking a different route that winds through the wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. We will visit Culloden Battlefield, the site of one of the region’s most important battles. If you choose to take a tour (own expense), you explore the battlefield and learn more about Scotland’s clans at the visitor center. We next visit Clava Cairns – if you’re an Outlander fan you’ll especially love this stop! Make a final visit to the rural town of Pitlochry, before heading to Edinburgh, where you are returned to the departure point.
- Start:
- 1 Parliament Sqr, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, UKPlease check in with Highland Experience staff inside/outside Caffe Nero by 8.15am
End:- Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1, UKPlease note: During August, and other times when there are events taking place at Edinburgh Castle we will use an alternative end point in Edinburgh's New Town.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5256P19- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age 3 years old
- Luggage restriction: 1 suitcase 55x40x20cm - 15 kg & 1 backpack/handbag per person
- Double/twin room: these rooms are for 2 people. If 3 people choose this option, you will be allocated a family room for 3, subject to availability. If you prefer 2 rooms, you must choose ‘Single Room’ for one person
- If you are travelling alone, please choose the ‘Single Room’ option or we may not be able to accept your booking
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travellers
- If you cancel at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
- If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
- If you cancel within 2 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5256P19
From
₹44,140.01
per adult
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- jjohanns030 contributions1 day Scotland tourTerry our guide did a wonderful job of keeping us entertained. It was great to see and learn about the sights. And who doesn't love a Hairy Coo!!Written 10 February 2025
- Sue B0 contributionsExcellentExcellent tour Christina and Alan were superb Could not fault their knowledgable humour music and safe driving . Excellent tour and inventory Would recommend to anyoneWritten 9 February 2025
- C1323WYsharong0 contributionsScottish Highlands Amazing Day TripHad an amazing day yesterday doing the Scottish Highlands tour. Our guide Dean was so full of information and lots of jokes. The scenery was amazing. Really recommend to get a real taste of Scottish Culture. Great driver Alan. Just sit back and enjoy the views. Sharon and Edel from IrelandWritten 8 February 2025
- T7264HGfrancoc0 contributionsAmazing trip to loch nessAmazing trip, the guide was great telling a lot of stories about Scotland and so great driving by the bus driver Alan, we had a great timeWritten 7 February 2025
- MALZAY20220 contributionsA must do experienceI had booked for my Birthday on 4/2 but due to problems with Taxi I missed the bus but I was called at 7.50 to see where I was.I was booked on the next day trip and it was wonderful the hosts were brilliant and we had such a good day.It didn't feel like 12 hours until I got back to Hotel.I would highly recommend.A great way to see the best of ScotlandWritten 6 February 2025
- kathyrO1785FM0 contributionsInverness - Isle of Skye/eilean Donal castleTruly wonderful trip, Hugh was really friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, making us feel very welcome , even with the wheelchair, would come again to Scotland from wales just for this!Written 4 February 2025
- carab7040 contributionsGreat Highland experience.Today we took a trip to the Highlands and was it a great experience with a great tour guide Dejan. He was funny, knew his stuff and overall did everything so we could have a great day. It was such a great day and I had so much. Will definitely be booking with him again.Written 1 February 2025
- sennas20240 contributionsObanToday we had a tour booked to Oban, one word; Fantastic! Our guide Hugh was amazing! Very passionate about the things he told us and even stopped somewhere where i could see some cow’s! The tour itself was also very beautiful. We saw some loch’s, little towns and a few castles along the way. Oban itself was fantastic as-well. Would really recommend this tour. Thank you so much Hugh and Highland experience. Greetings from the Netherlands! See you next time!Written 31 January 2025
- sennas20240 contributionsFlavour and caskThis was our first tour with Highland Experience tours and it was amazing. Very helpful lady’s at the desk and our tour guide Graham was also very kind and friendly. At the distillery we had the flavour and cask tour and it was absolutely fantastic. Would really recommend this tour. Thankyou Graham and Highland experience! See you next time. Greatings from the Netherlands.Written 31 January 2025
- GOwalksportugal0 contributionsMemorable experience with the most wonderful guide 👏What an amazing day touring the Highlands! We have seen so much and learnt a lot! Thanks for the opportunity, and for having us being guided by Jimmy. This man deserves a statue 😊 he was the most wonderful guide/driver we could have, always in good mood and very clear in organizing the group, sharing all his knowledge which is very vast and just spot on. I loved that he combined that with the music, it made the trip even more memorable. As tour guides ourselves, we know how much you have to study and practice, and how passionate and committed you have to be in order to provide such great quality services, so 👏👏wow👏👏just👏wow👏👏👏. Thank you Jimmy - when you come to Portugal don't forget to contact, we'll be happy to welcome you too! SaraWritten 28 January 2025
- Madison M0 contributionsGreat way to see the highlandsThis tour is a great way to see the Scottish highlands without doing a road trip yourself. My tour guide was Jamie and he was great at telling stories of Scottish history and folklore to entertain you on the drive and we took many stops not on the itinerary to see the beautiful scenery. As a solo female traveler I also thought this was a great option because you’re with a group of people and have someone who knows the area in case anything were to happen. Wish we had more time to hangout at the beautiful sites rather than spending the larger chunks of time in the small towns but that’s what you get when you do a guided tour rather than going on your own. They do pick up and drops offs in both Glasgow and Edinburgh so this was awesome for me because instead of taking a train to go to the other city I got picked up in Glasgow and dropped off in Edinburgh. Overall I would recommend this to anyone hoping to see some beautiful parts of Scotland on their trip. If you get car sick do be mindful of that but you stop very often at restrooms and it unfortunately cannot be avoided on those roads.Written 27 January 2025
- Rugilė R0 contributionsBest trip!Amazing trip! So educational and heartwarming! The views were extraordinary! Totally recommend! Guide Dejan is the best! 😁Written 26 January 2025
- enywoj0 contributionsSeamless and Lovely Tour of Highlands and Isle of SkyeSuch a nice and lovely 3 day tour of the Highlands and Isle of Skye. We were picked up in Glasgow but there is an option from Edinburgh as well. Note that they will provide train ticket from Edinburgh to Glasgow on the last day as drop off, which were fine wit us as we wanted to spend some time in Edinburgh as well (you keep on coming back to a beautiful city yeah). Graham was our driver and tour guide, he made sure everyone was comfortable and at ease. I hoped at times the coaster was a bit warmer, I was just thinking maybe it’s his way to be awake especially during the long drives. Do not think twice, book this tour if you want a seamless feel of the highlands of Scotland.Written 25 January 2025
- sarahv4230 contributionsGreat GuideMy husband and I had the pleasure of having Chloe as our guide! She was fantastic!! Wonderful wealth of knowledge (sharing little tidbits of information not even the castle tour guides told us), funny and engaging! Highly recommend requesting her on your next tour!Written 20 January 2025
- Leah D0 contributionsDefinitely Recommended to EveryoneThe entire trip went smoothly and having the dynamic duo of Hugh and Dejan made it even better! Dejan and Hugh are both clearly passionate about Scotland, with Dejan knowing so much about the history and having the knack for storytelling to make the tour both informative and engaging. Hugh’s smooth driving throughout the windy roads was also really appreciated as was his own commentary. Both tried connecting with each and every group in the bus while also working their hardest to find the most spectacular sites to stop at.Written 18 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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S T
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Friends
I went as a group of 3 adults and really enjoyed this tour. It just happened that our tour group had about 10-15 people total, so we had a smaller bus that doesn't have a bathroom.
Our tour guide was Paul, and he is a great storyteller, very entertaining and knowledgable about Scottish history, and even asked our group for music preferences. Paul has a positive tone and is passionate about Scottish history. He does everything from demonstrating Scottish swords to singing Scottish tunes.
We enjoyed the bed and breakfast that Highland Experience Tours arranged for us. We had an odd-sized group, and the room had one full-sized bed and one twin bed, which fit our group perfectly. The lodging also included breakfast, which had a lot of variety in terms of food options (both cold and hot).
If you have a family with kids or anyone in your party that needs to use the bathroom frequently, keep in mind that this tour make stops every few hours to use the bathroom. All in all, I highly recommend this tour.
The tour provided 1 hour to hike Old Man Storr, but the average non-avid hiker likely needs more than one hour to hike there and back. If you want to hike Old ManStorr or Glen Coe, I recommend booking a walking tour or one that gives you more time at these sites.
Our tour guide was Paul, and he is a great storyteller, very entertaining and knowledgable about Scottish history, and even asked our group for music preferences. Paul has a positive tone and is passionate about Scottish history. He does everything from demonstrating Scottish swords to singing Scottish tunes.
We enjoyed the bed and breakfast that Highland Experience Tours arranged for us. We had an odd-sized group, and the room had one full-sized bed and one twin bed, which fit our group perfectly. The lodging also included breakfast, which had a lot of variety in terms of food options (both cold and hot).
If you have a family with kids or anyone in your party that needs to use the bathroom frequently, keep in mind that this tour make stops every few hours to use the bathroom. All in all, I highly recommend this tour.
The tour provided 1 hour to hike Old Man Storr, but the average non-avid hiker likely needs more than one hour to hike there and back. If you want to hike Old ManStorr or Glen Coe, I recommend booking a walking tour or one that gives you more time at these sites.
Written 6 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Thank you so much for your kind words and 5* review! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the stunning views of Scotland and had such a fantastic time with Paul as your guide. His storytelling truly brings the history and beauty of the country to life. I’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to him!
We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Kind regards,
Terri
Highland Experience Tours
Written 8 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
work-to-travelMI
Grand Rapids, MI379 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Neal was our very competent and personable driver/tour guide. He has a great sense of humor and wonderful people skills. He took our group’s interests and preferences into consideration by adding or varying lengths of the frequent stops and went out of his way to accommodate our needs and requests. Our room at the 3 Star B&B was tiny but adequate with good plentiful breakfasts.
There were 16 participants on our tour, the perfect size. The itinerary was full but not crowded and touched many of the destinations we had always wanted to visit and experience, beyond our expectations! Unfortunately the speaker system on our brand-new bus kept malfunctioning so the back of the bus missed parts of his comments but Neal handled this with grace and a lot of patience.
There were 16 participants on our tour, the perfect size. The itinerary was full but not crowded and touched many of the destinations we had always wanted to visit and experience, beyond our expectations! Unfortunately the speaker system on our brand-new bus kept malfunctioning so the back of the bus missed parts of his comments but Neal handled this with grace and a lot of patience.
Written 17 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Thank you for leaving such a positive review, it really means a great deal to our company!
I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed the scenery of the Scottish Highlands and all the wonderful, breath-taking scenery it has to offer, we love it here, so we're glad you loved it too!
Your kind words shall be passed onto Neil and we hope to see you on tour again soon!
Kind regards,
Gracie Mae
Highland Experience
Written 6 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ian M
Hobart, Australia6 contributions
As the company depicts, this tour is really a positive 'experience'. Our guide Kieth was professional, witty, and knew his history. He was very passionate when delivering narratives of the Scottish history & took us to places we would never have visited if touring alone, in fact we were able to set fast more than what what we originally paid for. Kieth was an amazing guide, tailoring the tour to meet the interests of a diverse party of people and keeping us all engaged. Very early into the tour, we all connected, as if we were long-lost friends. This made the experience even better! We highly recommend this tour over other companies & I would go one step further and insist on Kieth as your tour guide. Five stars from the both of us. Ps.. wait for the story about the emu's!!
Written 19 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed your trip with Keith!
Thanks again,
Audrey
Highland Experience Tours
Written 21 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeremy M
11 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This bus trip is a long distance (with no A/C) hop on hop off bus tour. The motto is “don’t just see, experience” but what we experienced was a hot, stuffy bus with little to no a/c, or leg room. We had a rushed itinerary which didn’t allow for exploring or experiencing much of anything. If you don’t take the “optional” Loch Ness cruise you stay at a hotel and wait for those that have. The cruise is the ONLY way you get to see the ruins of the castle. The tour at Culloden was not possible to take because we were so rushed to eat and get back on the bus. The guide offered small bits of information, but we learned more about his personal life than Scotland. The additional pickup in Glasgow that was unknowingly added to our trip added 6 hours of drive time to the tour (drop off/pickup and each morning pickup and drop offs) this should have been a separate tour with Glasgow departure and was not on our itinerary. We got into Inverness late each night which meant we couldn’t make dinner reservations and got turned away from 5 restaurants the first night we arrived. The accommodation at Ardross was excellent with a great breakfast with options for allergies and preferences. I feel this was a shallow form of travel that didn’t allow us the time or freedom to explore and experience the towns we stopped in. I experienced lines for the toilets, lines for food, lines for photos, get off the bus, get on the bus…herded around like a highland coo…
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello there,
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback with us. We're genuinely sorry to hear that your tour experience fell short of expectations.
All of our buses do have air-conditioning and the leg room is standard for touring vehicles.
We understand that your journey felt rushed, and that isn’t the kind of immersive experience we strive to provide. We’re taking your comments seriously, as they highlight several areas where we can make important improvements. Your feedback will help us revisit the itinerary to ensure guests have more time to explore each destination, and we’re reviewing our schedules and transport arrangements to make future journeys more comfortable and relaxed. We’re also discussing ways to improve our guides' delivery to ensure a more focused and informative experience.
We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the Ardross accommodation and its breakfast offerings—it's good to know this part of the trip met your expectations.
Thank you again for helping us improve. We hope you might consider joining us in the future to experience a revised tour that provides a richer, more enjoyable adventure.
Warm regards,
Clare
Written 3 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carol W
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
Great scenery. Actually, really great scenery. Atrocious guide/driver.
The tour started in Edinburgh with the PA not working meaning the back half of the bus were unable to hear almost all of what the driver, Moray, had to say. Several times it was called out that we couldn’t hear him without any response. When a response did finally come it was to say that he would look at it at the first stop which was two hours later (not one hour later when he stopped for 15 minutes to pick up passengers in Glasgow).
Then at the end of the first break when I asked if the PA was fixed. I was told that we’d find out when we get back on the bus. Furthermore, when I asked about the information that we didn’t hear up to then, he replied that it wasn’t important information. As it turned out the problem had indeed been rectified during the break but with no mention about what the problem was. This flippant attitude was repeated a number of times over the three days, for example, when asked how long we’ll be on a break for his reply was “till we’re not”)l.
At lunch on the first day only vague direction was given regarding where food could be found resulting in much time being lost searching for a cafe and subsequently having to quickly eat to get back to the bus on time.
Admittedly by mid-afternoon things did improve and much helpful information began to be provided. Whether this was due to a complaint sent to the head office is unknown.
Fortunately Day 2 saw helpful information continue to be provided. On Day 3 there was the disappointing development where for those of us who chose not to go on the optional cruise on Loch Ness (for an extra 19 pounds) no alternate activity was provided.
Day 3 ended up ending before 5 pm despite the expectation of it ending around 7 pm with no explanation given for this. No explanation was also given for why we were dropped off at a different place to where we left from and thus my friends and I had no idea where we were (it perhaps should be noted that some instructions were given however this was not heard at the back due to the PA suddenly not working again and no effort was made to repeat it despite being told we could not hear.
Staggering also is that I recently found a review from 9 months ago by a Linder Akers repeating very similar experiences about what can only be the same driver (given by her depiction of him and who she referred to as “Morrey or Murray”.
Finally, I would definitely do another tour through Scotland but NEVER with Highland Experience
The tour started in Edinburgh with the PA not working meaning the back half of the bus were unable to hear almost all of what the driver, Moray, had to say. Several times it was called out that we couldn’t hear him without any response. When a response did finally come it was to say that he would look at it at the first stop which was two hours later (not one hour later when he stopped for 15 minutes to pick up passengers in Glasgow).
Then at the end of the first break when I asked if the PA was fixed. I was told that we’d find out when we get back on the bus. Furthermore, when I asked about the information that we didn’t hear up to then, he replied that it wasn’t important information. As it turned out the problem had indeed been rectified during the break but with no mention about what the problem was. This flippant attitude was repeated a number of times over the three days, for example, when asked how long we’ll be on a break for his reply was “till we’re not”)l.
At lunch on the first day only vague direction was given regarding where food could be found resulting in much time being lost searching for a cafe and subsequently having to quickly eat to get back to the bus on time.
Admittedly by mid-afternoon things did improve and much helpful information began to be provided. Whether this was due to a complaint sent to the head office is unknown.
Fortunately Day 2 saw helpful information continue to be provided. On Day 3 there was the disappointing development where for those of us who chose not to go on the optional cruise on Loch Ness (for an extra 19 pounds) no alternate activity was provided.
Day 3 ended up ending before 5 pm despite the expectation of it ending around 7 pm with no explanation given for this. No explanation was also given for why we were dropped off at a different place to where we left from and thus my friends and I had no idea where we were (it perhaps should be noted that some instructions were given however this was not heard at the back due to the PA suddenly not working again and no effort was made to repeat it despite being told we could not hear.
Staggering also is that I recently found a review from 9 months ago by a Linder Akers repeating very similar experiences about what can only be the same driver (given by her depiction of him and who she referred to as “Morrey or Murray”.
Finally, I would definitely do another tour through Scotland but NEVER with Highland Experience
Written 13 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your thorough feedback for our 3-Day Isle of Skye & Highlands Tour.
We are saddened to read that you did not have a positive experience with your guide, and we are so glad that you were still able to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands.
First, we offer our sincere apologies for the audio issues during your tour. Our tours are run on modern luxury vehicles and are regularly tested for any faults, but unfortunately technology failures can occur on occasion. Our guides will do their best to identify the problem and resolve the situation quickly and efficiently. We apologise if you felt dismissed by your guide while he was working to fix the issue.
We are so glad that you began to feel you were provided with helpful information- our customer service team is always on hand to assist as well with recommendations and tour details. Your comments have been passed to our transport management- rude behaviour will not be tolerated.
The cruise on Loch Ness is one of the highlights of this tour, but it is provided as an optional extra to give passengers maximum flexibility. Most passengers opt in to the cruise as it is listed on the itinerary. However, for those who do not wish to partake, you are welcome to explore the banks of the loch at your leisure.
The itinerary remains flexible so there is a possibility of arriving back earlier or later than the scheduled arrival time. The drop off point is located a short 3 minute walk from our departure point, on the same street, and this is listed clearly on the website when you book.
We are very sorry to hear that you would not take another tour with us but we can understand your frustrations at your experience. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and we will use your constructive feedback to help improve our tours in the future.
Kind regards,
Sofia
Highland Experience Tours
Written 25 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
nigel r
Colchester, UK284 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
WOW ! From the moment Hugh our driver and guide introduced himself we knew it was going to be a great trip and all 15 on the bus were treated as individuals with Hugh making time for all of us whilst making sure we all gelled together especially for his corny jokes!
His knowledge was phenomenal and his love of the Highlands clearly evident. Apparently we were very lucky with the weather as the sun shone and we could see for miles. The trip made even more poignant by Hugh's expertise on the bagpipes which added to the occasion especially at Glencoe and on a ledge at the top of Skye.
Every evening he made sure we all had recommendations for evening meals which were spoton. The accommodation was absolutely brilliant though you need to check on breakfast times as it was quite hilarious at ours as we all sat there at 7.25 to see the waitresses look when she walked in to start breakfast at 7.30. we had to leave by 8.00 and we made it.
The whole tour was just great.
looking at other reviews it seems you are excellent but Hugh is the best as far as we are concerned.
His knowledge was phenomenal and his love of the Highlands clearly evident. Apparently we were very lucky with the weather as the sun shone and we could see for miles. The trip made even more poignant by Hugh's expertise on the bagpipes which added to the occasion especially at Glencoe and on a ledge at the top of Skye.
Every evening he made sure we all had recommendations for evening meals which were spoton. The accommodation was absolutely brilliant though you need to check on breakfast times as it was quite hilarious at ours as we all sat there at 7.25 to see the waitresses look when she walked in to start breakfast at 7.30. we had to leave by 8.00 and we made it.
The whole tour was just great.
looking at other reviews it seems you are excellent but Hugh is the best as far as we are concerned.
Written 9 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello!
Thank you for your incredible review! I’m thrilled to hear that from the moment Hugh introduced himself, you felt the trip was off to a great start. It’s fantastic that Hugh’s personal touch, knowledge, and humour made such a positive impact on your experience. I will be sure to pass along your kind words to Hugh.
I’m delighted that you enjoyed the sunny weather and the breath-taking views, and that Hugh’s bagpipe performances at Glencoe and Skye added to the magic of the tour. It’s also wonderful to hear that his dining recommendations were spot-on and that the accommodation was brilliant.
Your kind words about Hugh truly mean a lot, and I’m glad to hear he stood out as the best guide for you. We really appreciate your feedback and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another adventure soon.
Kind regards,
Cameron
Highland Experience Tours
Written 11 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aileen R
24 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This tour was a great way to see Skye in a short amount of time. The bus was nice, the accommodations were good, and everyone was friendly. I also liked our add on excursion of a boat ride on Loch Ness. That being said, there were several areas for improvement.
My biggest complaint is that half our itinerary in Skye was not able to be completed because our bus was too large to get up the Quiraing which was a view point that led to other locations. Because we couldn’t get there, our driver did not know what to do with us so instead we spent 45 minutes at a viewpoint (parking lot) and stopped at a location we had already been to again. I am not upset with the guide - he actually made a safety decision not to take our bus up the Quiraing which I appreciated. However, the tour company should have an alternative itinerary for when a larger vehicle is used; this is a known barrier and there should be a plan B in place. I am not sure why that’s not the case.
Our guide was friendly, funny, and an excellent driver. However, his Scottish history was severely lacking and I felt I didn’t learn much about Scotland or the highlands on the trip at all. It was more about sightseeing - which was beautiful - and getting to know each other.
Otherwise the tour was as advertised; 3 days is not a lot of time to travel so much ground in Scotland and I’m glad we got to see what we did, but if others can do the 4 day I would recommend it as spending a day on Skye seemed worthwhile to break up some of the long driving days.
My biggest complaint is that half our itinerary in Skye was not able to be completed because our bus was too large to get up the Quiraing which was a view point that led to other locations. Because we couldn’t get there, our driver did not know what to do with us so instead we spent 45 minutes at a viewpoint (parking lot) and stopped at a location we had already been to again. I am not upset with the guide - he actually made a safety decision not to take our bus up the Quiraing which I appreciated. However, the tour company should have an alternative itinerary for when a larger vehicle is used; this is a known barrier and there should be a plan B in place. I am not sure why that’s not the case.
Our guide was friendly, funny, and an excellent driver. However, his Scottish history was severely lacking and I felt I didn’t learn much about Scotland or the highlands on the trip at all. It was more about sightseeing - which was beautiful - and getting to know each other.
Otherwise the tour was as advertised; 3 days is not a lot of time to travel so much ground in Scotland and I’m glad we got to see what we did, but if others can do the 4 day I would recommend it as spending a day on Skye seemed worthwhile to break up some of the long driving days.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
We are very sorry to read you did not have a 5* experience with us, which we hope everyone who travels with us will experience. We're very surprised to read your comments, as, as you can see we regularly get fantastic feedback about our tours. I have passed this on to our Transport Management team who will investigate this issue.
We hope you enjoyed your time in Scotland.
Kind regards,
Sarah
Written 24 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wouter v
14 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Great 3 day tour to see the highlights of the highlands. And very nice that this tour departed directly from our hotel (Hotel CoDe Pod The CoURT) in Edinburgh. Our humorous and spontaneous guide Chris could tell us a lot about the Scottish landscape and took the wishes of all passengers into account. Despite not being able to see everything due to a weather warning (code yellow) on Isle of Skye, our guide had taken an alternative route (to the Fairy Pools) which, despite not being able to see the north anymore, was a wonderful alternative to see. If you have your overnight stay in Inverness then I definitely recommend going to The Black Isle bar and the Highlander. These are super cozy pubs (especially on weekends) to fill your evening program with. You get plenty of moments during the tour for stops to walk around freely at the venues, and even though you spend a lot of time on the bus, you look out through the beautiful scenery. In any case, the people in Scotland are very friendly and you always have a claim with someone. I'm already excited to go back to Scotland!
Automatically translated
Written 28 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thank you for your detailed feedback! We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed the three-day tour and that Chris was able to provide a memorable experience despite the weather challenges. It’s great to know that the alternative route worked well for you and that you appreciated the stops along the way. Thank you for the pub recommendations as well; a cosy evening in a pub is always a hit with our guests. We hope to welcome you back to Scotland soon!
Kind regards,
Beth
Highland Experience Tours
Written 30 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
john g
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
WE had a wonderful tour that was hosted by Alex. He took us from Edinburgh to Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond, through Glenco, along the shores of the Caledonian canal and Loch Ness and then to Inverness on Day#1. On Day #2, we drove from Inverness to Isle of Skye where we stopped to see some Highland 'Coos', visited Portree and then stopped at the Staffin cliffs and the Kiltrock formation on the coast as well as seeing th 'Old Man of Storr from the bus. We did not stop because it was raining at the time. We then drove back to Inverness. On the third day we cruised Loch Ness and visited Urquhart Castle with its beautiful shoreline views. We then stopped at the site of the Cullodin Battle followed by the picturesque small city of Pitlochery before returning to Edinburgh.
Alex was pleasant and very helpful with his suggestions for dining such as MacGregors for dinner and a pint in Inverness, and MacKenzies for ice cream in Pitlochery. He also played a nice assortment of bagpipe music, Scottish folksongs and ACDC on the bus. Alex gave good historical background on all the regions and stops, and was an excellent driver which made us feel safe on the bus. You will have a memorable experience if you book this tour. John and Darelle from New York
Alex was pleasant and very helpful with his suggestions for dining such as MacGregors for dinner and a pint in Inverness, and MacKenzies for ice cream in Pitlochery. He also played a nice assortment of bagpipe music, Scottish folksongs and ACDC on the bus. Alex gave good historical background on all the regions and stops, and was an excellent driver which made us feel safe on the bus. You will have a memorable experience if you book this tour. John and Darelle from New York
Written 27 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi John and Darelle,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review. It is so great to hear that your experience on our 3-Day Ultimate Skye tour was filled with amazing scenery, fun facts and great Scottish music.
I will be sure to pass your kind words onto Alex who will be delighted to hear how much you enjoyed your tour. I'm thrilled that his passion for Scotland and history lessons added so much to your experience.
Thank you again for your kind words, I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Scotland!
Kind regards,
Cameron
Highland Experience Tours
Written 29 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ricky Z
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Solo
I booked the tour to check out the Highlands as I am a bagpiper and this is my first time in the UK. We went to some spectacular and iconic locations like Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Inverness, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye, as well as many other historical and cultural spots along the way.
Our driver/guide Hugh, who I have met at the Basel Tattoo last year, really brought out the spirit of the Highlands to us, from the choice of music in the bus to his sense of humour and love of Scotland. When we were approaching a location he would play music about that place to really set the mood while introducing us to it with facts, stories and myths. He even surprised us at The Three Sisters by playing ‘The Massacre of Glencoe’ on the bagpipes to really get the vibe and emotions going while we took in the stunning views and learned about the harrowing story of that glen.
Once we arrived at Inverness to our accommodation, I couldn’t help but admire the Highland Hospitality that I received from the B&B; from the breakfast service to the shortbread that I received when I checked out. It was something that I have never experienced before, even from luxury hotels around the world.
My favourite part of the tour was the Isle of Skye. The best way I can describe it is “Heaven”; from the sea to the mountains and glens, and all the cows and sheep roaming about all over the island. I was worried at first since there were sporadic rain while we drove around, but I can say with great confidence that the rain and clouds did not take anything away from the beauty of that Island.
I had asked Hugh prior to Skye if I could bring out my own pipes and play a tune. He told me he knew a spot at the Quiraing that would be perfect. When we arrived he took me to a ledge and we played ‘Skye Boat Song’ together. Afterwards, I played the only tune that I think fits the atmosphere of the location: ‘The Dark Island’ as the lyrics to the first verse was what I was feeling when I stood there. I was almost in tears afterwards but it was soooo windy that I had to focus on not getting blown over lol.
On the third day I was a little disappointed since we were supposed to go on a little cruise to a castle, but there weren’t enough people interested so we cancelled that part. I really can’t complain though because Hugh immediately informed us that we could go see and maybe feed some Heilan’ Coos on our way back to Edinburgh! That was in my opinion the perfect way to end the tour.
Overall, I can say this was the best experience I’ve ever had with a tour. I saw things that I’ve been wanting to see since I was a little kid and fulfilled my dream of playing the bagpipes in the Highlands. Hugh was knowledgeable, witty and flexible throughout the tour to give us the best that the Highlands can offer… in three days of course 😂. My only complaint was that it wasn’t long enough, I could probably tour the Highlands for a year and not be bored!
I’ve already recommended this tour to a few of my friends who are thinking of visiting. I just love it.
Our driver/guide Hugh, who I have met at the Basel Tattoo last year, really brought out the spirit of the Highlands to us, from the choice of music in the bus to his sense of humour and love of Scotland. When we were approaching a location he would play music about that place to really set the mood while introducing us to it with facts, stories and myths. He even surprised us at The Three Sisters by playing ‘The Massacre of Glencoe’ on the bagpipes to really get the vibe and emotions going while we took in the stunning views and learned about the harrowing story of that glen.
Once we arrived at Inverness to our accommodation, I couldn’t help but admire the Highland Hospitality that I received from the B&B; from the breakfast service to the shortbread that I received when I checked out. It was something that I have never experienced before, even from luxury hotels around the world.
My favourite part of the tour was the Isle of Skye. The best way I can describe it is “Heaven”; from the sea to the mountains and glens, and all the cows and sheep roaming about all over the island. I was worried at first since there were sporadic rain while we drove around, but I can say with great confidence that the rain and clouds did not take anything away from the beauty of that Island.
I had asked Hugh prior to Skye if I could bring out my own pipes and play a tune. He told me he knew a spot at the Quiraing that would be perfect. When we arrived he took me to a ledge and we played ‘Skye Boat Song’ together. Afterwards, I played the only tune that I think fits the atmosphere of the location: ‘The Dark Island’ as the lyrics to the first verse was what I was feeling when I stood there. I was almost in tears afterwards but it was soooo windy that I had to focus on not getting blown over lol.
On the third day I was a little disappointed since we were supposed to go on a little cruise to a castle, but there weren’t enough people interested so we cancelled that part. I really can’t complain though because Hugh immediately informed us that we could go see and maybe feed some Heilan’ Coos on our way back to Edinburgh! That was in my opinion the perfect way to end the tour.
Overall, I can say this was the best experience I’ve ever had with a tour. I saw things that I’ve been wanting to see since I was a little kid and fulfilled my dream of playing the bagpipes in the Highlands. Hugh was knowledgeable, witty and flexible throughout the tour to give us the best that the Highlands can offer… in three days of course 😂. My only complaint was that it wasn’t long enough, I could probably tour the Highlands for a year and not be bored!
I’ve already recommended this tour to a few of my friends who are thinking of visiting. I just love it.
Written 13 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there!
Wow, what an incredible review! Thank you for sharing your deeply personal experience of your Highlands tour—it’s clear that this trip meant a great deal to you, especially as a bagpiper visiting the UK for the first time. I’m thrilled that Hugh was able to bring the spirit of the Highlands to life for you, from his music selections to his storytelling and humour.
It’s wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed the iconic stops like Loch Lomond, Glencoe, and Skye, and I’m especially touched by your story of playing the bagpipes with Hugh at the Quiraing. What a magical moment that must have been! I’m glad the weather didn’t take away from the beauty of Skye, and your description of the island as “Heaven” really captures its unique charm.
Highland hospitality is something special, and I’m glad your B&B experience stood out as a highlight. It’s those little touches, like shortbread and warm breakfasts, that make a stay memorable. While I understand your disappointment about the cancelled cruise, I’m glad the visit to the Heilan’ Coos made up for it and gave your tour the perfect ending.
Your kind recommendation means the world to us, and I’m so grateful that we could help you fulfil your dream of playing the bagpipes in the Highlands. I truly hope to welcome you back for another adventure—perhaps a longer one next time! Thank you again for sharing such a remarkable experience.
Kind regards,
Cameron
Highland Experience Tours
Written 14 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you book it that way, yes. WHere we stayed, all rooms regardless of # of people had a private bath. Shower was really nice actually. Enjoy
Written 13 July 2023
Does this tour stop at Loch Ness leave enough time for a Loch Ness cruise?
I'm debating if I need to schedule a separate tour just for Loch Ness
Written 10 November 2022
Our group went on the boat cruise. The guide asked the group who was interested in the cruise and everyone was interested. Our guide dropped us off at Urquhart castle where we explored the castle and then boarded the boat. The guide picked us up where the boat docked, it was fun. The cruise was $25 that we paid the guide and it took us through the line.
Written 10 November 2022
Hello, at what time does the tour return to Edinburgh … is it practical to take a 9 pm flight on the day of return or will it be too rushed?
Written 4 June 2022
Hi there, we returned to Edinburgh at around 5-6pm. Dropped off in the Royal Mile not too far away from the pickup point at the start of the trip. It might be a bit tight since your return time would also depend on traffic and weather conditions. For me, I wouldn’t take the risk and opt to fly the next day.
Written 8 June 2022
Hello,
Your best bet is to contact the Trip Operator directly. By posting here, you are asking fellow travellers.
Written 3 August 2020
Hi. A friend and I are interested in this tour for the end of March or beginning of April 2021. Are some of the castles closest during that time? If so, when is everything open?
Written 30 March 2020
Hello,
We went on this tour and most of what we see, we see from the outside. There was one castle we had the option to go inside and we did. I suggest you contact the tour operator and check which ones will be open during the time you plan to be there. I can say that I highly recommend the 3 Day Isle of Skye tour, in general. The scenery is beautiful!
Written 14 April 2020
Hello .Can I stay in Inverness on the third and return on my own via Glascow and Jacobin train? Or do you have any packages that return this way? Thankful
Written 19 September 2019
Ola .Posso ficar em Inverness no terceiro e retornar por conta própria via Glascow e trem Jacobino?Ou vocês tem algum pacote que retorne por este caminho? Grata
Hello .Can I stay in Inverness on the third and return on my own via Glascow and Jacobin train? Or do you have any packages that return this way? Thanks Sandra
Written 19 September 2019
Hello,
I recommend you contact Highlands Tour directly and ask these questions. But my guess is that you could leave the tour when you want, although you would have still needed to pay full price as they couldn't have sold your half way seat to anyone else. But that's just my guess. Contact the company directly.
Written 20 September 2019
My tour returned to Edinburgh about 630pm. The itinerary on the company website gives more details.
Written 6 September 2019
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