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72 hours
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Scotland is a big place and with so many amazing places to explore you’ll be right to be excited about your 3 day Isle of Skye, Inverness & Highlands tour. With a guarantee of discovering new and interesting things and seeing breathtaking scenery and landscapes around every turn. You’ll see why so many movie locations were based and filmed here in Scotland, with views that inspired the likes of Harry Potter (Glenfinnan Viaduct) and James Bond (Glencoe), and more.
You’ll be spoilt for choice for getting that perfect picture, especially in the Isle of Skye where many of Scotland’s myths and legends come from. See mountains created by giants, enchanted waters that will give you eternal youth, and hear songs of the faerie folk in the wind.
This is a tour that will fill you with joy and leave you with a feeling that can only come from being truly immersed in the moment - something truly priceless.
Don’t just take our word for it, check out our reviews!
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age to travel is 7 years old. Photo ID, such as a passport, may be required. Children (7-17) must be accompanied by an adult.
Please feel free to bring a smaller bag to be brought onboard, and one medium sized piece of luggage, suitcase or backpack, which we will put in the hold of the bus during transit. This can weigh up to 15kgs (33lbs) per passenger .
This tour in an air-conditioned mini/midi-coach, hosted by a local Scottish guide, rated 5-stars by the official Scottish Tourist Board
Please ensure that you have a working phone number for the lead traveler attached to the booking.
You will require a 2-night stay in Inverness for this tour, accommodation is not included in your ticket but we are happy to provide recommendations where needed. We recommend staying within walking distance of our meeting point on Ardross Street by Inverness Cathedral, IV3 5NN.
We strongly recommend you book accommodation with a flexible cancellation policy in the event that you need to cancel or reschedule your tour - we'd hate for you to lose out!
There are opportunities to take short nature walks, it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear.
** Please note that during the winter season, we will be swapping Day 1 and Day 3’s itineraries to enable us to visit as many places as possible while it is still light outside. Due to weather and/or road conditions during the winter season the route may change at the driver/guide’s discretion. **
For insurance purposes, passengers must not be unaccompanied on our buses during tour stops. Drivers take legally required breaks and cannot stay with the vehicle.
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Regular Comfort Breaks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Experienced 'Hairy Coo' Driver-Guide providing live commentary and story telling throughout
Food & Drink
Gratuities
Accommodation during the tour is not included, and arranged by passengers on their own.
Optional Extras: Loch Ness Boat Cruise (cash only), Highland Folk Museum (donation based)
Restroom on board
WiFi on board
Optional Loch Ness Boat Cruise (£20 Adult, £16 Child)
Forth Bridge
As we leave Edinburgh towards the North, you will be met with views of Scotland’s greatest piece of engineering, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forth Bridge. This 19th century engineering marvel was at one point the World’s longest cantilever bridge. Today it neighbours the 20th century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st century Queensferry Crossing which opened in 2017. Three spectacular bridges, from three different centuries, span the Firth of Forth connecting our Capital city and the Kingdom of Fife.
Pitlochry
Stop for a visit of the historic village of Pitlochry, in the heart of Scotland. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, the fresh air and the rich clan history of the region.
Cairngorms National Park
Drive north through the west side of the dramatic Cairngorm National Park, the UK's largest national park. It is known and loved for it's tranquil lochs, imposing Munros and significant historical events.
Highland Folk Museum
You’ll then have the opportunity to experience Highland life in the 18th century and visit authentic Highland blackhouses at the ‘Highland Folk Museum’ (donation-based entry) in Newtonmore. You’ll see the simple homes people lived in 300 years ago, the clothes they wore and how they conducted their daily lives. The folk museum also has an on-site cafe where you can have lunch during our 90-minute visit. Also used as a filming location for ‘Outlander’, this place gives you a unique insight into the lives and struggles of the Highland people. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. **Museum is open seasonally, and replaced by Ruthven Barracks during the winter**
Clava Cairns
After Culloden you’ll arrive at Clava Cairns where Diana Gabaldon found inspiration for ‘Craig Na Dun’ in the Outlander series. These fascinating Bronze-Age Standing-Stones and burial chambers are thought to be over 4,000 years old! Walk between the stones and hear about who built this intriguing place, and why.
Culloden Battlefield
Your guide will take you to the fields of Culloden Moor, where you will hear the story of the infamous battle which took place here in 1746, the very last battle to be fought on British soil. This marked the end of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hopes of becoming King. Walking on one of the most sombre sites in the country where many thousands of Highlanders died, for many Scots, this is where “the old Scotland died”. The battle changed Scotland, Britain and Europe forever.
Inverness Cathedral
You will arrive in Inverness at approximately 7PM at our city centre drop-off - Inverness Cathedral on Ardross Street, IV3 5NN. The evening is then your own to explore the city or meet up with your fellow travellers and enjoy a meal in a local restaurant or traditional Highland pub. Inverness has a huge variety of establishments to choose from, whether you’d like to try our national dish of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, washed down with a wee dram of Scotch Whisky or a Local Organic Beer (try the Black Isle Brewery Bar!). During peak season, it is advisable to book a table ahead if you’re a larger group. After dinner, we recommend you head to the world-famous Hootenanny bar which has traditional Scottish musicians playing every night. Accommodation is not included, and arranged separately by passengers. We encourage staying within walking distance from the meeting point by Inverness Cathedral, and are happy to offer recommendations upon request.
Black Cuillin
Pass by - The Sligachan River flows majestically from the Black Cuillin Mountains, a truly magical location for your guide to introduce you to the local folklore of the island’s Fairies and Giants!
Skye Bridge
We stop at the Kyle of Lochalsh for morning coffee and a photograph opportunity of the famous Skye Bridge, with views of Skye’s Cuillin Mountain range providing a beautiful backdrop. Opened in 1995, this bridge has a remarkable history.
Portree Harbour
Enjoy lunch in the picturesque harbour town of Portree, the largest settlement on Skye. There are numerous cosy pubs, restaurants and bakeries for you to try seafood and other local dishes. Enjoy fish and chips by the harbour as the fishing boats deliver their latest catch!
Trotternish Ridge
Pass by - We explore the dramatic Trotternish Peninsula, with iconic rock formations which have made this area the perfect backdrop for recent movies such as ‘BFG’, ‘Prometheus’ and ‘Stardust’.
Quiraing
One of the best stops for an amazing picture - jaw dropping scenery
Isle of Skye
Finish your day of exploring Isle of Skye and head back to the main land.
Eilean Donan Castle
Having explored Skye, we head back towards the mainland, stopping for photographs at the shores opposite Eilean Donan Castle, which is thought to be the most beautiful castle in Scotland! Built upon a rocky island at the head of three Sea Lochs (similar to Fjords), you will be impressed by this breathtaking Scottish landmark and the beautiful mountains and glistening waters that surround it.
Inverness Cathedral
You will arrive in Inverness at approximately 7:30PM at our city-centre drop off - Inverness Cathedral on Ardross Street, IV3 5NN. You have another evening to explore Inverness, enjoy the local cuisine and take in the atmosphere of cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands. Accommodation is not included, and arranged separately by passengers. We encourage staying within walking distance from the meeting point by Inverness Cathedral, and are happy to offer recommendations upon request.
Loch Ness
Your guide will take you to the northern shores of Loch Ness, where you can join an optional Boat Cruise (tickets not included) exploring the features, history and lore of the beautiful area surrounding the loch.
Commando Monument
Along the route, we’ll stop at the Commando Memorial. In 1942, this setting became the training ground for Britain’s Special Forces. Harsh, unforgiving, and breathtakingly beautiful. A statue of our heroes overlooks the Nevis range. Bring a camera – this is undoubtedly one of our favourite photo-stops in all of Scotland. Here, weather permitting, you could also spot Ben Nevis. The tallest mountain in The United Kingdom.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
If we manage to get our timing right, we try our best to offer guests of the 3-Day tour the opportunity to watch the Jacobite Steam Train (April - late September 2024) crossing the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct. This stunning viewpoint also marks the spot where Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) raised his standard prior to the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion. Go to the top of the monument for the best views of the Glen, as your guide introduces you to the dramatic story of the ‘Young Pretender’ and how his actions changed the course of European history forever.
Glencoe
Follow in the footsteps of James Bond (‘Skyfall’) and Harry Potter (‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’), as you discover the beautiful and haunting ‘Glencoe’, the most magnificent and famous valley in Scotland. The spectacular scenery will stay with you forever. Your guide will recount the tale of the infamous ‘Massacre of Glencoe’ that took place here in February 1692.
Stirling Castle
We'll pass by Stirling Castle, the most important castle in Scottish history due to its strategic location as gateway between the Central Lowlands and the imposing Scottish Highlands to the North.
National Wallace Monument
Your guide will introduce you to our nation’s violent history with tales of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce as we see the monument while driving through Stirling.
Edinburgh
Your journey back to Edinburgh takes you across the famous Forth Bridges. The expected arrival time back in Edinburgh is around 7 PM.
Drop off point to check places to stay Inverness Cathedral, Ardross Street, IV3 5NN List of providers can be sent
1,288 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
C8806OIchrism,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
My wife, daughter, cousin and I had a great time with our tour guide, Fraser. He was very knowledgeable, personable and extremely entertaining and looked very much the part with his kilt. The sites, sounds and experiences were amazing! Would highly recommend! Cheers!
nancyjO4343NO,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
My partner and I had an absolutely fantastic time on the 3-day Highlands tour with The Hairy Coo. Our driver and guide, Ewan, was amazing - incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and full of great stories about Scotland’s history. He made us feel completely safe and comfortable throughout the journey. The tour itself was very well organised and we got to see so many incredible sights across the Highlands. The only thing is we were a bit tight for time at the battle of cullodeon museum and did not get to visit the highland folk museum (due to it being closed in the winter) however we would definitely come back in the springtime. The bus was also really comfortable, with spacious seating and the handy bonus of being able to charge your phone while on the go. Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thank you so much to Ewan and The Hairy Coo team for an unforgettable trip. We’d highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see the best of Scotland in comfort and style.






koenbQ1688LS,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Great experience. Scotland is more beautiful than I could have dreamed of. Ewan, our guide, driver and DJ has definitely taken the tour to the next level! We are very comfortable driving a modern bus through the picturesque Scottish landscapes and have visited the most beautiful locations. An absolute must for anyone who wants to see a lot in a relatively short time. Thank you The Hairy Coo and a warm greeting to Ewan!













Carlos O,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
The trip was great, Paul our tour guide /driver was knowledgeable easy to get along and happy to accommodate every one. Paul is an asset to your organization, he should be recognized for his attention to detail great customer service and knowledge Scottish history
Ami O,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
I did the 3-day Hairy Coo tour from Edinburgh up into the Highlands, with two nights in Inverness, and honestly – it was amazing from start to finish. We saw and did so much in just three days: fed the iconic hairy coos, wandered through The Hermitage, tasted whisky at Dalwhinnie, explored Culloden and Clava Cairns, visited the Isle of Skye with its unreal views at the Quiraing, and finished with a Loch Ness cruise, the Harry Potter viaduct at Glenfinnan, and a drive-by of the Kelpies. Every stop felt thought out and perfectly timed. Pete made the whole trip. He was warm, funny, and full of brilliant stories – mixing Scottish history, clan tales, and local legends in a way that kept everyone hooked. He checked in with everyone, gave great food and photo recommendations, and even shared some Scottish tablet with us. One of my favourite parts was the music. Pete always had the perfect Scottish tunes playing – dramatic bagpipes and instrumentals when we were driving through the mountains, then calming melodies as we rolled past peaceful farmland. It made the scenery come alive. As a solo female traveller from New Zealand, this was my first ever tour – and because of the experience Pete created, it definitely won’t be my last. He made everyone feel welcome and part of the group. Pete’s an absolute legend and a real asset to The Hairy Coo. Couldn’t recommend this tour enough! 🧡🐮🏴










Julie E,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
We had a wonderful experience, tour guide was friendly and helpful. Loved all the stops along the way. Easy stress free trip




OnAir44258525527,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
An incredible tour and can't thank Jason enough. His knowledge, humour, but also understanding of the area was exceptional. The tour was perfect a beautiful way to see the amazing sites!Amazing guide and fantastic trip.

Pioneer25666782522,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had the absolute best time! Pete our driver and guide engaged with us constantly along the way. He told us stories (only true ones of course) and we listened to his "highland bangers" song list. He stopped at all the best places. Isle of Skye was an absolute must for our Scotland vacation and I'm so glad we chose the Hairy Coo.





MIKEL E,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
The excursion is very interesting and intense. The scenery is wonderful and the stops are well organized. The guide, Rod, has proved to be a very good driver by always taking the bus safely and without any danger despite always being rained and having to go through very complicated roads and at night. The worst has been his excess sense of humor that has bordered on impertinence, neglecting to treat his clients with the utmost politeness and without so much aggression. We have felt slighted on several occasions. He also talks too much, telling endless stories for over 30 minutes, plus a very difficult to understand Scottish accent.

Saskatoon8,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
My husband and I took the 3 day Isle of Skye tour with Hairy Coo and it was the highlight of our 3 week UK trip. The scenery of the Highlands and the amazing history was a big part of this but so too was our guide and driver, Peter Richardson. Pete is just a super person- great sense of humor, an amazing story teller and raconteur, a music lover, and so knowledgeable about all aspects of what we saw. On departing, Pete made sure to go through the bus and find out where everyone was from, connecting with us all on a personal level. He set the stage for the trip by outlining what we were about to see and do and then also set the tone by playing curated Scottish music. He interspersed songs with historical facts and pointed out interesting sights along the way, in between stops for coffee, tea, Tunnocks tea cakes, and of course, hairy coos! On the last day of the tour, Pete had a volunteer become the DJ and take requests from each passenger. The resulting playlist could only have come from the Dutch, Saudi, Canadian, American, German, French and Scottish passengers. Pete then played us back to Edinburgh with the playlist his wife Nicki put together (much to Pete's chagrin) which culminated in a sing along to favorites. Truly an unforgettable experience that we will hold dear as we do our memories of that other Scottish treasure, Pete Richardson!
Operated by The Hairy Coo