Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Tour – Itinerary
The Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Tour from Inverness begins with a photostop on Loch Ness side with Urquhart Castle. The first visit of the day is Eilean Donan Castle. Then, crossing the Skye Bridge we have three choices – and weather on the day could affect your decision. One option takes you to Portree, pretty Island Capital, through the Cuillin Mountains. Another takes you to the pretty port of Elgol, and the third is to the southern Sleat Peninsula, often called the Garden of Skye.
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle make a great stop because you can capture two icons in one photo. One of the great castles of Scotland, Urquhart was first held by Pictish tribal chiefs, later becoming a mighty royal castle, and finally a Clan Grant stronghold. It saw 1,000 years of continuous occupation before its fall, in 1692. It overlooks the dark waters of Loch Ness – the largest lake in the country. This is more than enough water to hide its most famous inhabitant – Nessie!
The Five Sisters of Kintail
The mountains known as the Five Sisters of Kintail are very popular with photographers and hikers due to their five jagged peaks. The Battle of Glen Shiel was fought between Jacobites and redcoats on the lower slopes in 1719. Legends and tales abound in the Kintail area.
Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle is called the “most romantic castle in the Highlands” due to the number of weddings it hosts. A Clan Macrae stronghold, it has a great exhibition, shop and café and has been in movies like Highlander, James Bond and Made of Honor. It is a favourite with photographers, and as a result appears on many postcards and calendar pictures.
Isle of Skye
Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides. It is known the world over for breathtaking scenery and its rich body of myth and legend. Skye has featured in many TV shows and films in both Hollywood and Bollywood, and plenty homegrown productions too.
Portree
Portree, (meaning the King’s harbour) is the capital of the Isle of Skye. It has attracted an interesting range of people over the centuries – including Bonnie Prince Charlie, Turner, Tennyson and R. L. Stevenson. It is a very pretty town, popular with our visitors because it has a great range of shops and eating places, and has many brightly coloured houses along its harbour side.
Elgol
Elgol, on the Strathaird Peninsula, is a crofting and fishing village in a stunning location. The views of the Black Cuillin Mountain Range and its neighbour, Bla Bheinn, are among the best on the island. There are also sweeping seascapes towards the archipelago called the Small Isles.
The Sleat Peninsula
The Sleat Peninsula is the south of Skye, with fantastic coastal drives, isolated bays & beaches and the ruins of Dunskaith Castle. Alternately you may wish to tour Torabhaig Distillery and at Armadale you will find a number of shops and also the gardens & museum at the Clan Donald Centre.
The Return
The Return is by a different route and the leisurely drive back to Inverness takes in lonely Achnasheen, the Black Isle and views of both the Beauly Firth and the Moray Firth.
Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Tour – Price
£590
Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Tour – Departure
The tour can depart from your Inverness accommodation, or any transport hub you prefer, such as bus station, train station or airport. You tell us, and we’ll be there.