Private Tour
Available languages
72 hours
Mobile ticket
Let Macleod Heilan Tours whisk you away to Scotland's most famous Island and do it with a local guide who has extensive knowledge of Scotland.
• Private Tour, exclusively for your group. Luxury Minivan Mercedes V Class or Ford Custom.
• Learn about Scotland’s rich history, culture, and geography.
• Tailor your experience on Skye to visit the must see locations like the Fairy Pools, Neist Point Lighthouse & Old Man of Storr.
Unlike larger group tours YOU can decide where you visit.
Enjoy the splendour of Glencoe, visit the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct on the way to the Isles and Loch Ness on the way South.
Complimentary bottled Scottish Highland water & Ferry(if available)
Group accommodation is requested to be booked independently in the south of Skye or Portree. We will assist but can't book this on your behalf to observe UK regulations. We can send out a PDF guide with more information.
Luggage restrictions apply - get in touch to find out how much will fit onboard the vehicle.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Private Luxury Minivan
Air-conditioned vehicle
Skye Ferry (Optional/Weather & Itinerary Permitting)
Complimentary Bottled Scottish Water
Travellers B&B, Hotels and Accommodation are not included
Meals
Attractions & Entrance Fees
Select a pickup point
Callander
Edinburgh Departures our first stop will be in the beautiful town of Callander in the Trossachs National Park. We can add a photo stop at Doune Castle by request. Alternatively also by request we can go via Loch Lomond (Add 30 Mins) Glasgow Departures our first stop will be the conservation village of Luss on Loch Lomond where we will spend some time taking in the bonnie bonnie banks.
Glencoe
After refreshments and photos we will continue North going deeper into the North West Highlands into Glencoe making photo stops as we pass through & take in the most photographed Mountain in Scotland "Buchaille Etive Mor" & the famous Three Sisters.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Lunch will be in the Lochaber area before going out to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct made world famous with the Harry Potter series. This area has more to it than Hogwarts and Wizards which your guide will tell you. Loch Shiel is where Hogwarts was computer generated onto the side of the Loch but it was also famous for the start of the most famous Jacobite rising of 1745.
Old Inverlochy Castle
We will then make our way up to back to Fort William stopping for photos at the ruined Inverlochy Castle which is one of the best preserved ruins from the 12 century. Burnt to its current state by Robert the Bruce one of Scotlands most famous Kings in 1306.
Sligachan Old Bridge
Today you will experience the magnificent Isle of Skye voted the 4th best island by National Geographic. What better way to enjoy it with a guide who grew up on the Island. We will have our first stop at Sligachan where we can marvel at the Black & Red Cuillin Mountains. Possibly wash our faces in the river Sligachan (Legend says its gives eternal beauty!) & your guide will tell you about the famous mountains and where the name Cuillin comes from.
Fairy Pools
We will then drive the short distance to the Fairy Pools where there is the option to hike up to the main pools and capture that spectacular photo which has made the Fairy Pools so popular. We will learn about some of the clan rivalry on the island and some of the battles. One fought here at the site of the pools called the battle of the one eyed lady.
Talisker Distillery
After a hike the best way to relax is with a "Wee Dram" so we can visit the famous Talisker Whisky Distillery for a taster if you like or just explore the distillery visitor centre which has just completed a huge renovation. Talisker is one of the most prestigious distilleries in Scotland and "officially' opened in 1830.
Portree
We will lunch in the capital of the island Portree just a small town of 3000 it has lots to offer in terms of views, shopping and eateries. The Harbour designed by Thomas Telford makes a great photo with the colourful houses, church and the lump (The Meall) in the background.
Kilt Rock
After lunch in Portree we will complete the impressive Trotternish Ridge circuit taking in famous sights such as the Old Man of Storr & Mealt Falls which is an impressive Sea waterfall with Kilt Rock as its back drop. This area has had various Dinosaur footprints found and there is even a Dinosaur museum in the nearby village of Staffin.
Quiraing
The Quiraing is Britains largest landslide and the landscape in this area is like no other you will find in the United Kingdom. Used as a film location for many movies including Transformers, BFG & Stardust to name a few you will see why they chose to film in this magical area.
Fairy Glen
We will end the day in Fairy Glen which has a fairy like feel to it. Spelt Faerie Glen it is full of cone shaped grassy hills and interesting rock formations one being called Castle Euan as it looks like an old ruined castle. Your guide will tell you about some stories of the fairy folklore on Skye and where the connection to Fairies and Skye comes from.
Isle of Skye
End your day exploring the Isle of Skye.
Eilean Donan Castle
We leave Skye behind & still have so much to see as we travel South. Our first stop of the day will be the "biscuit tin castle" Scotlands most photographed Castle Eilean Donan. This has featured in movies such as Bridesmaids and Highlander and is a popular location for those wanting to tie the knot.
Loch Ness
We will arrive at Loch Ness just an hours drive from Eilean Donan at a little town called Fort Augustus where there is an option to go onto the water and do the cruise on the Loch. Loch Ness is one of the most famous of all the Lochs in Scotland with nearly double the volume of water than all of the Lakes in England & Wales combined and is rumoured to have a famous resident in the waters called "Nessie" We will have time to do the cruise and explore the town which will also be the lunch stop of the day.
Pitlochry
After Loch Ness we will drive towards Spean Bridge and the Ben Nevis viewpoint (Commando Memorial) taking in the grandeur off the Nevis Range before heading East and South via the Laggan road entering into the Cairngorm National Park. Gradually making our way through the Cairngorms down towards "Big Tree Country" Perthshire passing by Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery & Blair Castle. We will have a final stop of the tour in the beautiful town of Pitlochry which is the gateway between Highlands and Lowlands made famous through Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who would regularly visit.
Forth Bridge
As we make our way back to Edinburgh we will cross over the famous forth road bridge and the Firth of Forth which has three famous bridges one being a World Uniseco heritage site (Forth Railway Bridge) The tour will end at your chosen destination.
Pickup included
25 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Warren H,
Jun 11, 2025
- Viator
Gosh, I don’t know where to start with the compliments. John was an absolute delight to your us all through the Scottish Highlands for 3 days. He is highly personable and kind. He definitely goes out of his way to make sure you are comfortable, fed, and will keep you on schedule without making you feel rushed and still not miss any of the sites. Due to tardy train schedule, we unfortunately parley missed the viaduct train go by, but that was the only mishap. We would have stayed to wait, but had the frrry to catch. Glencoe was a dream, and the sites on the Isle I will never forget, John and McLeod Highland Tours is the best and I will book again.
Laurel F,
Aug 10, 2024
- Viator
We just got back from our second trip to Scotland and it was nothing short of magic. I want to give the biggest shout out to John from Macleod Heilon Tours who brought us around Skye on a 4 day private tour. We do a lot of tours when we travel and my husband and I agree that this has been hands down the greatest touring experience we have ever had. John is an incredible professional, a phenominal story teller and has great sense of humor. He has so much knowledge of his country and shares it so well. When my kids are asked what their favorite part of the trip is they respond with their tour with John!
Gary l,
Jul 3, 2024
- Viator
John, our guide brought the trip to life with his knowledge of the area and of Scottish history. Amazing landscape, beautiful scenery
DrRuchir P,
Jun 23, 2024
- Viator
This trip was great! We had Marco as our tour guide and he was just amazing! Plenty of knowledge , very patient and took us to great spots for exploring the beauty of Skye! Definitely recommend him for anyone looking to tour Scotland.
andrea b,
Jun 3, 2024
- Viator
I can’t say enough about our wonderful time with John on this tour. He was so kind in adjusting our itinerary to our interests. Our day is Skye was rainy and foggy but the day was still wonderful due to his personality and concern for our needs. He ensured we made it to Glennfinnan Viaduct to see the train and we even managed to take the speed boat tour in Loch Ness and see an extra castle by working with us to adjust our schedule. If you want a guide who is truly passionate about sharing his culture, you won’t be disappointed by booking with him.
Operated by Macleod Heilan Tours