Hamilton & Chase Tours
Highlands and Skye — Private Package 8-day Scotland tour: Edinburgh, Glencoe, three nights on the Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan, and Loch Ness.

8-Day Private Package Journey

Highlands and Skye

Edinburgh, Glencoe, three nights on the Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan, and Loch Ness.

Available as Private Semi-Private Self-Guided
From €3,090 per person 8 days / 7 nights
View Itinerary

Tour Overview

8 days across Scotland.

The Isle of Skye is the largest island of the Inner Hebrides — 50 kilometres long, indented by sea lochs on every side, and home to the most dramatic mountain scenery in the British Isles south of Iceland. The Cuillin Ridge is a 12-kilometre arc of Black Gabbro peaks whose summits are accessible only to experienced climbers, but whose lower slopes, the Fairy Pools, the Quiraing, and the Old Man of Storr are as accessible as they are extraordinary. Eilean Donan Castle — rebuilt in the 1920s on the 13th-century foundations of the original Mackenzie fortress — stands on a tidal island at the meeting of three sea lochs and is the most photographed castle in Scotland. This eight-day journey gives Skye and the northwest Highlands the time they require: Edinburgh for context, Stirling for the gateway to the Highlands, Glencoe for the drama, and then three full days on and around Skye before the drive north to Inverness and the Loch Ness shore.

Detailed Itinerary

Your journey, day by day.

Every day is designed with breathing room. Sleep in, take a detour, linger at lunch — the itinerary flexes around you, not the other way around.

Day 1 — Arrival in Edinburgh
Day 1
1

Day 1

Arrival in Edinburgh

The medieval and Georgian capital.

Your private driver meets you at Edinburgh Airport and transfers you to your hotel in the city centre. Edinburgh is simultaneously medieval and Georgian — the Old Town closes and tenements on the volcanic ridge, and the Georgian New Town grid laid out from 1766. The afternoon at leisure: the Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Grassmarket. The Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of the Mile is the official Scottish residence of the monarch and the palace where Mary Queen of Scots spent her most eventful years. Welcome dinner in the Old Town at a restaurant with a serious Scottish larder.

  • Private airport transfer to Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Crown Jewels
  • Royal Mile and the Old Town closes
  • Welcome dinner in the Old Town
4–5★ hotel, Edinburgh city centre
Day 2 — Stirling and the Trossachs
Day 2
2

Day 2

Stirling and the Trossachs

The gateway castle and the first Highland landscape.

Stirling Castle was the most strategically important fortress in Scotland — the Forth Valley is the narrow corridor between the Lowlands and the Highlands, and whoever held Stirling controlled movement between them. The castle was the birthplace and residence of Mary Queen of Scots and the scene of the coronation of James VI (James I of England) in 1567. The Wallace Monument on Abbey Craig above Stirling: the Victorian tower built to William Wallace, whose victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297 is one of the defining moments of Scottish independence. The Trossachs — the wooded, loch-studded landscape between Stirling and Loch Lomond that Rob Roy MacGregor used as his operating territory in the early 18th century — provide the transition from the Lowland city to the Highland landscape. Loch Katrine, Loch Achray, and the Pass of Leny. Overnight near Loch Lomond or at the edge of the Trossachs.

  • Stirling Castle — birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots
  • Wallace Monument — 1297 and the battle that changed Scotland
  • Trossachs — Rob Roy country between the Lowlands and Highlands
  • Loch Katrine and the first Highland lochs
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, Loch Lomond or Trossachs
Day 3 — Glencoe and Fort William
Day 3
3

Day 3

Glencoe and Fort William

The valley of the Massacre and the foot of Ben Nevis.

Rannoch Moor: the vast, empty plateau between the Trossachs and Glencoe that is one of the last true wildernesses in Western Europe — 50 square miles of peat bog, loch, and mountain without a permanent settlement. The A82 crosses its western edge; the railway to Fort William crosses its centre on a raft of heather and brushwood because there was no solid ground to build on. Glencoe opens suddenly from the moor: the glacial trough of the Three Sisters, the valley floor of the River Coe, and the Glencoe Massacre memorial at the head of the valley. Fort William below Ben Nevis — the town that exists as the service centre for the west Highlands, whose most useful feature is the view of Britain's highest mountain rising from its waterfront. The Jacobite Steam Train runs from Fort William to Mallaig past Glenfinnan Viaduct — this is the Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter films, and the viaduct is as dramatic in reality as it is on screen. Your private driver takes you across the Skye Bridge into Portree for the overnight.

  • Rannoch Moor — the last true Highland wilderness
  • Glencoe — glacial valley, Three Sisters, Massacre site
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct — the Hogwarts Express railway and the monument
  • Skye Bridge crossing into Portree
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Portree, Isle of Skye
Day 4 — Isle of Skye — South and West
Day 4
4

Day 4

Isle of Skye — South and West

The Cuillin, the Fairy Pools, and the road to Sleat.

Skye is divided between the dramatic north and the quieter south — this day covers the southern half, which holds the most famous mountain scenery. The Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle: a series of clear blue pools and waterfalls fed by the Cuillin Ridge, reached by a 5-kilometre return walk across open moorland. The Cuillin Ridge itself rises above — the Black Cuillin of gabbro and the Red Cuillin of granite, the hardest rock-climbing in Britain outside specialist mountaineering and the finest mountain skyline in Scotland. Talisker Distillery on the western shore: the only distillery on Skye, producing a peaty, coastal single malt that has been made here since 1830. Sleat in the south: the fertile peninsula called the Garden of Skye, with Dunscaith Castle — the ruined stronghold of the MacAskill clan on a sea stack above Loch Eishort — and the Armadale Castle gardens of the MacDonald clan.

  • Fairy Pools — the blue mountain pools below the Black Cuillin
  • Talisker Distillery — the only distillery on Skye, since 1830
  • Cuillin Ridge viewpoint — the finest mountain skyline in Scotland
  • Sleat peninsula and Dunscaith Castle on its sea stack
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Portree, Isle of Skye
Day 5 — Isle of Skye — North and the Quiraing
Day 5
5

Day 5

Isle of Skye — North and the Quiraing

The Trotternish Ridge and the most alien landscape in Scotland.

The Trotternish Ridge is the spine of northern Skye — a 30-kilometre escarpment of basalt columns, rock pinnacles, and landslip topography that has no equivalent in the British Isles. The Old Man of Storr is the most famous pinnacle: a 50-metre column of black basalt that appears on every photograph of Skye. The Quiraing — the landslip at the northern end of the ridge — is a landscape of tilted grass tables, pinnacles, and vertical rock walls that appears constructed rather than natural. The road between Staffin and Uig crosses the Quiraing on a single-track road with passing places and views over the Hebrides. Kilt Rock: the sea cliff of columnar basalt that falls into the Sound of Raasay in a pattern that resembles the pleats of a Highland kilt. The Fairy Glen near Uig: a miniature landscape of conical hills and terraced grass steps formed by the same landslip geology that created the Quiraing.

  • Old Man of Storr — the 50-metre basalt column above the Sound of Raasay
  • The Quiraing — the landslip landscape of tilted tables and pinnacles
  • Kilt Rock — the columnar basalt sea cliff
  • Fairy Glen near Uig — the miniature landslip landscape
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Portree, Isle of Skye
Day 6 — Eilean Donan and Inverness
Day 6
6

Day 6

Eilean Donan and Inverness

The most photographed castle in Scotland and the Highland capital.

Eilean Donan Castle stands on a tidal island at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long, and Loch Alsh — three sea lochs meeting in the shadow of the Five Sisters of Kintail. The original castle was built in the 13th century as a stronghold of the Mackenzie clan; it was destroyed in 1719 during the Jacobite uprising and rebuilt between 1911 and 1932 by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap, who based the reconstruction on surviving plans and his own imagination. The result is the most recognisably Scottish castle in existence. The drive east along the Kyle of Lochalsh and north through the Great Glen to Inverness passes Loch Ness — Scotland's largest body of water by volume. Inverness by early evening, with time for the city before dinner.

  • Eilean Donan Castle — three sea lochs and the Five Sisters above
  • Kyle of Lochalsh and the Great Glen road
  • Loch Ness — first view of Scotland's largest loch
  • Inverness city centre
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Inverness
Day 7 — Culloden and Loch Ness
Day 7
7

Day 7

Culloden and Loch Ness

The last battle on British soil and the world's most famous loch.

Culloden Moor, four miles east of Inverness: the site of the Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746, where the Jacobite cause ended in forty-five minutes. The visitor centre is among the best battlefield interpretation centres in Europe — the story of the Highland clans, the Stuart succession, and the aftermath of the battle (the Disarming Act, the Dress Act, the end of the clan system) is presented with the clarity and detail that the site deserves. Urquhart Castle on the western shore of Loch Ness: the ruined 13th-century fortress blown up by its own garrison in 1692, now the most-photographed castle in the Scottish Highlands. The southern shore road on the B862 — the quiet side of the loch, with the best views of the water and the Falls of Foyers in the trees below.

  • Culloden Battlefield — 16 April 1746, the end of the Jacobite cause
  • Urquhart Castle above Loch Ness
  • Loch Ness southern shore — the quiet road and the Falls of Foyers
  • Drumnadrochit and the Loch Ness Centre
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Inverness
Day 8 — Departure from Inverness
Day 8
8

Day 8

Departure from Inverness

One last Highland morning.

Inverness in the morning: the Victorian market hall, the River Ness walkway, and the dolphin viewing point at the Kessock Bridge where bottlenose dolphins feed year-round. If time permits before the flight: a short drive east into the Cairngorms — the sub-Arctic plateau that is Britain's largest national park — for the specific quality of Highland light that falls differently at altitude. Your private driver transfers you to Inverness Airport, or south to Edinburgh Airport if required, at the agreed time.

  • Inverness morning — the River Ness walkway and dolphin point
  • Optional: Cairngorms plateau drive
  • Private transfer to Inverness or Edinburgh Airport
Meals: Breakfast

Where You'll Stay

Hand-picked hotels, every night.

We choose properties for character, location, and the kind of service that makes you feel looked after — not just checked in. Every hotel can be swapped for an alternative if you prefer.

4–5★ hotel, Edinburgh

Edinburgh

1 night

4–5★ hotel

Old Town

Old Town location for the evening programme and Royal Mile access

4★ hotel, Loch Lomond / Trossachs

Loch Lomond / Trossachs

1 night

4★ hotel

Lochside

The transition night between urban Edinburgh and the Highland landscape

4–5★ hotel, Isle of Skye (Portree)

Isle of Skye (Portree)

3 nights

4–5★ hotel

Portree

Three nights on Skye allows the south circuit, the Quiraing, and an unscheduled morning for the light

4–5★ hotel, Inverness

Inverness

2 nights

4–5★ hotel

City centre

Two nights covers Eilean Donan/Inverness day and Culloden/Loch Ness day

Hotels shown are indicative of the standard we book. Upon request, we will provide a detailed itinerary with specific hotel options tailored to your preferences and budget.

What's in the Price

Included

  • 7 nights in 4–5★ hotels and Highland lodges
  • Daily breakfast at each property
  • Private airport transfer at Edinburgh
  • Private vehicle and driver throughout
  • Edinburgh guided visit — Old Town and Castle
  • Stirling Castle guided visit
  • Glencoe guided valley walk
  • Skye south circuit including Fairy Pools and Talisker Distillery
  • Skye north circuit including Quiraing and Old Man of Storr
  • Eilean Donan Castle guided visit
  • Culloden Battlefield guided visit
  • Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness circuit
  • All entrance fees for guided visits
  • 24/7 travel specialist support
  • Hamilton & Chase digital travel booklet

Not Included

  • International flights to Edinburgh / from Inverness
  • Travel insurance (required — we can arrange on request)
  • Meals not listed
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers
  • City tax (collected by hotels)

Good to Know

  • Portree on Skye has limited accommodation — we book well in advance, especially for July and August. Flexibility on dates allows better property options.
  • Scottish midges are worst on Skye from June–August in calm weather. Head nets and DEET repellent are strongly recommended for the Fairy Pools walk.
  • The Quiraing road is single-track with passing places — it is not suitable for large vehicles. Your private driver will be an experienced Highland driver.
  • Skye weather is the most variable in Scotland — horizontal rain is possible any day of the year, but the landscape is dramatic in all conditions.

Make It Yours

Optional add-ons & upgrades.

Every trip is different. These extras can be woven into your itinerary — just let your travel specialist know what catches your eye.

Cuillin guided walk

A guided walk on the lower slopes of the Black Cuillin with a qualified mountain leader — not a summit attempt, but access to the ridge environment above the Fairy Pools. Good fitness required.

From €125 pp

Jacobite Steam Train

The Fort William to Mallaig steam train across Glenfinnan Viaduct — can be fitted into Day 3 before crossing to Skye. The most scenic railway journey in Britain.

From €85 pp

Loch Ness boat cruise

A one-hour cruise on Loch Ness from Drumnadrochit — passing below Urquhart Castle and along the deep channel at the centre of the loch. The only way to appreciate the scale of the water.

From €45 pp

Inverness food and whisky evening

A private whisky tasting at one of Inverness's specialist whisky bars, guided by a Scotch Malt Whisky Society member — covering the five whisky regions and the difference between Highland, Speyside, Islay, and Island malts.

From €95 pp

"Skye was the reason we came to Scotland and Hamilton & Chase gave us three days on the island instead of the half-day most tours allow. The Quiraing in the morning mist and the Fairy Pools on a clear afternoon — these are not things you can rush. The guide who explained Culloden as if the battle had happened last week made it the most affecting day of the trip."

Thomas & Emma W.

Amsterdam, Netherlands · Highlands and Skye, July 2025

Common Questions

Questions about this trip.

Why three nights on Skye?

Skye rewards time. The south and north of the island are a full day each — the Fairy Pools and Cuillin in the south, the Quiraing and Trotternish in the north. The third night gives you an unscheduled morning to revisit the best light, or to explore the Sleat peninsula without rushing. Most tours give Skye a half-day. Three nights is the right amount.

Is the Fairy Pools walk suitable for all guests?

The Fairy Pools walk is 5km return on a well-maintained path across moorland — suitable for guests of average fitness who are comfortable on uneven ground. The final section to the upper pools is steeper. The lower pools are accessible without significant climbing. Waterproof boots are strongly recommended.

Private Package Journey

Highlands and Skye

8 days / 7 nights

From €3,090

per person

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