Private Tour
Isle of Skye Adventure from Inverness
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
This is a Tour that you cannot miss out on when you are up in the Highlands. The road trip alone is filled with jaw dropping views that would make you want to stop at every point. Our selection will ensure you get to see the best of the best. The Isle of Skye is as magical as it can get.
Please be aware that it is not feasible to visit all the interesting places of Skye in a day. To make the most of your visit, we offer two distinct Options, focusing on either the North-East (see Tour Detail item 6) or the South-West (see Tour Detail item 7) of the island. This allows for a more in-depth and enjoyable experience within the available time. Whichever Option you choose will have the added time of the other option on it.
Our Itinerary can change at any time due to unforeseen situations like Castle private events, Operating hours of Exhibition Centres, Distilleries, etc. Rest assured that we can take you to other equally amazing alternative Attraction.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
We strive to provide a safe and fun environment for our guests. Booking with us will mean that you have read, understood and agree to our Guidelines listed below. In this way, we can ensure a smooth tour experience so that you can relax and enjoy the best day-tour with us.
1. Our Tours are Private. This tour requires a minimum of 2 people per booking, maximum 7.
2. A tour reminder alert will be sent to you a few days before your tour. It will be through any of the following: Viator message, Email, WhatsApp or iMessage from +44 7481 590163.
3. We offer pick-up and drop-off within Inverness or enroute.
4. Wear appropriate, comfortable clothing. Waterproof hiking shoes and jackets are highly recommended. Carry-ons/Backpacks are welcome but Luggage space is limited.
5. You can bring lunch or snacks in case we miss restaurants/cafes lunchtime schedule.
6. Minors, Seniors and People with Special Needs must always be accompanied by their respective guardians.
7. We kindly ask that all participants observe mindful public awareness, respect the environment, wildlife and guidelines. Please be conscious about carbon footprint during the tour.
8. For everyone's safety, comfort and well-being, we cannot accommodate the following: i. Children under 5 years old ii. Wheelchair/mobility assistance iii. Anyone with high risk health conditions (i.e expecting a baby, feeling unwell or exhibiting contagious symptoms like cough, sneezing, colds or runny nose). Please do not attempt to join our tour if any one in your group is unwell, recovering or still infectious - your group will be refused service without a refund. We can alternatively offer you another date within the tour season (depending on availability) iv. Any untoward behaviour in general that presents a danger to themselves or others will not be tolerated.
9. We will not to be held liable for any accidents, personal injury, damage or loss of property, missed travel schedules or any appointments thereafter.
10. Photos and videos taken during our tours may be used for promotional purposes.
If you have any medical condition, don't forget to bring your prescribed medication or take them before your tour starts. Bring a bug spray if you are prone to insect bites during summer time, meds for motion sickness, etc. Your health, comfort and well-being will ultimately be up to you.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Our first stop is in the mountain pass of Glenshiel. A historic battle was fought here, not as you might expect between warring Highland Clans but between the British Red Coats and the Spanish who were in support of the Jacobite Rising of 1719. Today, it's one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Scotland.
Eilean Donan Castle
Located at the intersection of 3 sea lochs on a small tidal island is the most photographed castle in Scotland. It's interiors are as captivating as it is seen from outside. The castle is a popular location for films, TV, advertisements, fashion shoots and music videos.
What‘s Included
Pick-Up and Drop-Off within Inverness or enroute
Bottled water
Whisky dram or 2 from our collection
Our fun, experienced Tour Guide is an actual Highlander in a Kilt
A sanitized, easy to spot luxury vehicle
Lunch
Whisky Tastings at Distilleries
Eilean Donan Castle's Admission Fee is at your discretion
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Isle of Skye Adventure from Inverness
Pickup included
Reviews
90 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must-do tour
Mary B,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was one of our trip highlights. John was a fantastic and humorous guide and the entirety of the trip was entertaining. As the tour was in a small group, he let you decide what you wanted to stop for and learn more about and what you didn’t want to dedicate more time to. In that way, each tour is personalized to your tastes and interests. We opted to hike up to the Old Man of Storr. It was well-worth it. You absolutely must dress warmly and have on hiking boots at a minimum (in my opinion I would also recommend getting walking sticks). We are still talking about this tour and our guide John to this day. Excellent!
A must-do tour of a lifetime!
ciaoitalia86,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Last October we took a fantastic 2-week trip across Europe that included England, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy, but the most memorable and genuinely overall fun day of our entire trip was the unforgettable day we spent with our wonderful private tour guide, John McGillivray Coleman of Aye Tours, exploring the magical Isle of Skye. The drive from Inverness in his comfortable van flew by as John entertained us with fascinating stories about the dramatic landscapes we passed, the rich history of Scotland, and the tales of the clans — including his own McGillivray Clan. Along the way, we learned so much about Scottish culture, and what life was (and still is) like in the rugged Highlands. John’s storytelling made the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Once on Skye, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. The highlight was the challenging but incredibly rewarding hike to the top of the Old Man of Storr. The views from the summit are jaw-dropping and well worth the effort — just be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring a warm jacket, as the weather can change quickly! What made the day truly special was having such a friendly, genuine Highlander (with Viking ancestry!) as our guide. John’s warmth, knowledge, and passion for his homeland turned a great day into one we’ll never forget. We HIGHLY recommend booking a tour with Aye Tours and John McGillivray Coleman. We’re already hoping to return someday for another adventure with him! Also, my young adult son, Jon, who describes himself as a minimally-speaking autistic with echolalia & high-support needs, who spells to communicate his thoughts he’s unable to verbalize, spelled out his own personal review of our awesome tour guide, John: "So highly informative of a wide range of topics like culture, lifestyle, and charming little tidbits of stories of long ago that brought Scotland to life, not to mention how personable he was, not only to us, but to all the others we encountered throughout the day. He's a gem who is not only a great tour guide, but also a friend like no other--likely the best tour guide in all of Scotland, so now go on one of his wonderful adventures!!"
True Highland Hospitality!
RoxieW19,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did three trips with Aye Tours last summer, to Skye and the Old Man of Storr, Balmoral, and a local tour for lobster and the clootie well on the Black Isle. All the other reviews are spot-on about John's knowledge and sense of humor, the high quality of the tour, and the personal experience Teri and John will plan for you. Also, John wants to know his customers and will get to know you, and will show you true Highland hospitality. (He's one of the few tour guides in the Highlands born and bred there.) John and Teri are really good people.
Amazing Tours with the Best Guide
laurenann42514,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This review is LONG overdue. I had the pleasure of taking two private tours with Aye Tours back in September. Myself and two of my friends took both the Isle of Skye day tour from Inverness and the Outlander tour. I booked the Isle of Skye tour, so I'll mainly focus on that: just do it! And if you can swing it, do two days. John was the BEST guide for a long tour. The conversation never dragged, he was interesting and fun, and he made the drive go by super fast. He knows so much about the area and is realistic about what you can do in one day. We spent time at Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, and were able to complete the Old Man of Storr hike before heading back to Inverness (with a couple scenic stops along the way). It was all incredible and memorable, but the most memorable thing was John and how knowledgeable and fun we was. He went above and beyond to accommodate our group and he'll always have a special place in our hearts. The Outlander tour was also incredible. Only one of us was a huge Outlander fan, and the tour was still extremely memorable and fun. If you're looking for a company with good communication, a fun, knowledgeable guide, and the knowledge and experience to find hidden gems and still show you the popular spots, look no further. We miss you, John and we miss you, Scotland! Slàinte mhath!
Canada Strong
Linda W,Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00John was a delightful and very informative tour guide. He was able to meet all our needs and showed us areas on the tour that suited our abilities. We would highly recommend this tour for people trying to visit this very remote area.
Highly recommend this unforgettable tour with a fantastic guide!
Sherpa19559525933,Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are contemplating booking a private tour from Inverness, I highly recommend Aye Tours. My fiancé and I hired John to take us to the Isle of Skye and we had an incredible day. John is extremely knowledgeable, has a great sense of humor, and is clearly passionate about what he does. These qualities made for an engaging and fun adventure! Teri made the entire booking process seamless and always responded quickly to our questions. We hope to come back for another tour!
You won’t regret your choice to book with John!
Weezie0414,Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I booked a tour for the Isle of Skye with John back in May and had such an amazing time, we booked two more tours with him at the beginning of August to bring our family. Not only is he full of knowledge about the areas we visited, but he has a fantastic sense of humor and a love of adventures! Thank you so much John (and Teri!) for taking such great care of us and for making our trip so fun!!!
Amazing! If this is the area of the Highlands you want to explore book Aye Tours.
JDFMY,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was all our family had hoped for! Beautiful views, John was interesting, informative and fun as our guide. The three “Bairns” ages 10-12 had a great fun. We learned about the history, the geography and the sites along the way. Plenty of stops and John was more than accommodating to tailor timing, stops, and length of stay at each area to our families wishes. We learned about Scottish customs, whiskeys, and life in the Highlands. Skye is amazing. We highly recommend John, Aye Tours, and working with them to develop one of the itineraries he suggests on his listing. The communication leading up to the tour after the booking was excellent, and all questions answered. Highly recommend!
Authentic Highlander Experience
tinsley h,Jun 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour! John was a wonderful guide, full of energy and character. We enjoyed every moment of this experience and highly recommend this authentic journey in the Highlands!
Wonderful Day on the Isle of Skye
400SusanG,May 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Out trip to the Isle of Skye with John was a major highlight of our two weeks in Scotland. John shared his vast knowledge of the island, of Scottish history and tradition in such an entertaining way: laughing and learning is a great way to spend a day! Plus all the logistics were perfectly handled.
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Operated by Aye Tours Scotland