Inverness: The Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Viator Experience Award winning tour.
Leave the city for the day and explore the beautiful Isle of Skye. Visit Eilean Donan Castle; one of Scotland's most photographed castles and cross the bridge to the scenic Isle of Skye. Visit Portree, it's village-capital and marvel in the beautiful scenic nature all in one day.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age is 4 years old.
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Digital translations in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian & Mandarin available on request.
Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before your tour's departure time.
If you are driving, we recommend parking at the Old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey Car Park, 24 Rose St, IV1 1NQ, conveniently located next to our departure point.
Please note: from 22nd December to 1st February 2025, Eilean Donan Castle will be closed. We will still stop at the castle for photos and access to the bridge will be available. However, the Visitor Centre and toilet facilities will be closed.
What To Expect
Invermoriston
We pause at Invermoriston for photos of the bridge and a toilet stop.
Eilean Donan Castle
After Loch Ness, our Skye Tour continues on to Eilean Donan Castle*; one of Scotland’s most photographed castles. The castle is situated on its own island at the head of Loch Duich. We take time here to explore the castle and its atmospheric surroundings.
Options
The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness
What‘s Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
Live commentary on board
Knowledgeable driver-guide
Food and drinks
Optional: Eilean Donan Castle Tickets
Gratuities
Restroom on board
WiFi on board
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,151 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Well worth it!
bethsterten,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was Alex. Alex made the 12 hour site-seeing go by easily. He was an excellent driver and very careful - especially along the narrow parts of the way. He had stories and history tales that filled the dramatic landscape with human interest. We had many brief stops and the option to visit the Eilean Donan castle before our lunch stop at Portree. We opted to have a snack at the cafe instead of paying to see the castle (20 euros each which I thought was too much) and just enjoy the site. I have to say, the food offerings at Eilean Donan were way above expectation so you don't have to worry about taking snacks with you. The Timberbush bus was comfortable with large windows and not too big. I was glad we opted for this tour and it certainly gave me the view of the Highlands that I had hoped for.
The Isle of Skye with Family
Freedom114101,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A Day very well speant with Family. A special shout-out to Caz...she is a superb driver / guide and carries an amazing sense of humor.
Too long and boring
DistrictTraveler,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I found this tour to be excruciatingly boring. It is a 12-hour drive with beautiful scenery and lots of stops for photos, but it's mostly dead silence from the van driver. You learn almost nothing about what you are looking at. Yes, lambs and calves are adorable, but could you tell us anything about them at all? Or the geography, industry, vegetation or environment? We did learn a little bit about local schools and how lava formed the Kilt rock formation. There was no guidance of where to eat or what to do at the longer stops. The last, 45-minute stop was at a parking area next to a petrol station. We consulted Google maps to find a bar nearby. I don't think our driver knew anything about the Isle of Skye. He mostly knew how to drive around, which I could have done myself.
Excellent company to...
Barry F,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent company to travel with.The driver Liall was good,hegave us some excellent information about thenplaces we were visiting
Fantastic tour!
Sujee M,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely fantastic experience. Well organized tour with great stops. Not rushed at all. Plenty of time to explore and take photos. Our driver + guide, Lial was very friendly, organized and kept the tour lively with lots of Scottish history, trivias , jokes and most importantly playing awesome songs to keep us all entertained.
Skip this one
DistrictTraveler,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The tour was long stretches of total silence in between stops for photos, which I found to be excruciatingly boring. The scenery was beautiful but you learned almost nothing about it. No geology, history, industry, life style, etc. Midway through, I was fantasizing about a helicopter swooping in to take me back to Inverness. There was a mandatory 45-minute stop for the driver's rest, which is fine, but it was at a petrol station with no instructions on where to spend your time. There was no guidance for lunch either. I don't think the van driver knew anything at all about the Isle of Skye. He was just a nice person giving you a ride.
Anura Rajapakse
Radha R,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was great to travel with Karen. Her explanation and time management was superb. We had a great time.
It was a quick way to get...
Suzanne F,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00It was a quick way to get out and see Isle of Skye on a short trip. Scenery was beautiful. Stops are short, but need to be to cover the distance. Our driver stopped at beautiful sights for pictures. I would avoid large bus in the future, as our driver skipped stops and rearranged timetable when she couldn’t find parking spots. We chose this tour to see Eilean Donan castle (it was supposed to be 1 1/2 hr stop with time for lunch) and it was skipped and left until the end. We arrived 1/2 hour before closing and had to choose between food and seeing the castle. We chose the castle but you could not bring food or drink in. So we raced through it, but couldn’t even buy a beverage anywhere after. The stop was also shortened to an hour. We have to leave bags on the bus (can’t bring in castle) so left our water bottles empty in the bus. That was a bit disappointing. Tip: we brought our own snacks, but make sure you fill your water bottle.
Beautiful trip
Valerie O,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Dont know why i forgot to write this review from last year, but one of my favorites and very memorable..
A taste iPod the Skye.
41carlg,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great small tour,,,trust me you don’t want to be on a big bus on this one.It was only a taste of Isle of Skye but made me want to re visit in the future.
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Operated by Timberbush Tours