3 Day
Loch Ness & Skye Magic

Departure Information

Departs from:

Edinburgh

Tours leave:

Every Wednesday

Departs at:

8am winter/ 9am summer

Returns at:

Approx. 5pm on Fridays

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Discover Loch Ness, Skye & Glencoe on this Majestic 3-Day Adventure

Venture into the heart of the Scottish Highlands on this unforgettable 3-day journey to the legendary Loch Ness and the magical Isle of Skye.

Leaving the city behind, travel north through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery — winding through ancient glens, past mirror-like lochs and beneath towering mountains.

Your first night is spent on the shores of the famous Loch Ness, where you can keep watch for the elusive Nessie… or, if you’re feeling brave enough, take a refreshing (and very chilly) dip in its dark waters.

The adventure continues west as you cross the bridge to the enchanting Isle of Skye. Spend the night in the colourful harbour village of Kyleakin and explore an island known for its dramatic coastlines, hidden waterfalls, striking rock formations and rich Highland folklore.

This tour departs every Wednesday (runs April to October only).

loch ness, Scottish castle, Urquhart Castle,

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Glencoe Scotland, group tour of Scotland

Transport in 16 or 28 Seat Coach

Pick up and Drop-off from Edinburgh City Centre

Expert Local Guide

Iconic Locations and Hidden Gems

Luggage Allowance of 1 Cabin Bag and 1 Small Backpack or Purse

Excludes

Flights, Transfers and

Accommodation

Food and Drink

(Shops and Pubs Available)

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour but is available to add to your booking during check-out for £38 per night (includes free continental breakfast). Payment can be made either online or at check-in on the morning of your tour departure date.

You will stay overnight for one night on the shores of the Loch Ness, and one night in the scenic and peaceful fishing village, Kyleakin, on the Isle of Skye. We stay in hostels with dormitory style rooms, shared bathrooms and a shared kitchen and lounge.

Alternatively you can choose to make your own reservations. Please ensure you are within walking distance of the Lochside Hostel (night 1) and Lochbuie Guest House (night 2) as drivers will not be able to pick you up. You must inform us at info@macbackpackers.com.

Includes

TOUR ITINERARY

Herein lies your expertly crafted trip itinerary which has been tried, tested and perfected by our local Scottish tour guides over 30 years of experience. Time for you to show up and enjoy the ride, no stressing over Google Maps!

Please note this is subject to slight changes on the day depending on weather, how busy sites are, and parking availability. We trust our tour guides will do what’s best for your experience and navigate any 'bumps in the road' smoothly.

Day 1: Edinburgh to Loch Ness

We depart from Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh in the morning and begin our journey north into the Scottish Highlands. Our first stop is the charming town of Callander, where you’ll have time to grab food and stretch your legs before continuing deeper into the Highlands. Just a short drive away we stop at Kilmahog Woollen Mill, home to Scotland’s famous “Hairy Coos,” where you can meet these gentle Highland icons up close. Continuing north, the scenery becomes wilder and more dramatic as we travel into the legendary valley of Glen Coe. Surrounded by towering peaks and steeped in haunting history, this is one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. From here we continue toward Fort William, nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis. We may stop briefly here or continue straight on toward the west coast. Our journey then brings us to one of Scotland’s most magical landmarks — the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Overlooking Loch Shiel, its sweeping arches curve across the glen and are known to many as the route of the Hogwarts Express. We finish the day at our lochside hostel near Loch Ness, where you’ll spend the night beside Scotland’s most mysterious loch. Relax in your room, join the hostel’s evening social activities, or keep your eyes peeled for Nessie. Highlights: - Callander - Kilmahog (Hairy Coos) - Glencoe - Fort William - Glenfinnan Viaduct - Lochside hostel (Loch Ness overnight)

Day 2: Isle of Skye

Departing Loch Ness, we travel west through the beautiful valley of Glen Shiel on our way to the Misty Isle of Skye. Along the way we pass the dramatic peaks of the Five Sisters of Kintail and enjoy views of the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. We then cross onto the magical Isle of Skye and begin exploring its wild beauty. Heading north, we travel to the spectacular Trotternish Peninsula, where you’ll enjoy a short hike and incredible views across one of Scotland’s most unspoilt landscapes. Along the way we take in the famous Old Man of Storr and the dramatic sea cliffs at Kilt Rock, with views across to the rugged Cuillin Mountains. We also pass through the colourful harbour town of Portree before heading further north toward the wild and remote beauty of Duntulm. In the evening we return south to the small harbour village of Kyleakin, where we spend the night on this magical island. Highlights: - Glen Shiel - Five Sisters of Kintail - Isle of Skye - Trotternish Peninsula - Old Man of Storr - Kilt Rock - Portree - Kyleakin (overnight on Skye)

Day 3: Skye to Edinburgh

After breakfast we begin our journey back toward Edinburgh, travelling once again through the dramatic landscapes of Glen Shiel before passing the beautiful waters of Loch Cluanie. We continue through the Highlands to Spean Bridge, where we’ll stop for food before taking the scenic Laggan road — one of the most peaceful and beautiful drives in the country. Our next stop is the fascinating Highland Folk Museum, an open-air museum that brings the history of Highland life vividly to life. Travelling south through Pitlochry, we then visit The Hermitage, famous for its towering Douglas firs and dramatic waterfall walk. From here we continue south and return to Edinburgh in the evening. Highlights: - Glen Shiel - Loch Cluanie - Spean Bridge (food stop) - Laggan Road - Highland Folk Museum - Pitlochry - The Hermitage - Return to Edinburgh

Map of Scotland, 3 day loch ness & skye tour, scottish highlands tour

From April

Check-in: 8:45am
Departure: 9am

From November

Check-in: 7:45am
Departure: 8am

Please note: We are unable to wait for guests who are late and no refunds will be issued in this instance. It is your responsibility to make sure you arrive on time for departure.

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

Our meeting point is at Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh, right next to Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal mile. This central location is close to many of the city's hostels and hotels. The address is: 15 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2PW.

We recommend spending the night before your tour at Castle Rock Hostel for ease, or if you'd like to stay in a smaller hostel and don't mind a 10 minute walk in the morning we can also recommend Royal Mile Backpackers or High Street Hostel. You will be given a 10% off code for all three of these hostels when you book a tour with us.

Departure Times

Please check your booking confirmation email to confirm the departure time. We change our departure times in line with UK daylight saving hours to maximise sunlight on tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Restorative Yoga

Accommodation is not included in the price of the tour, but is guaranteed for you whilst on tour. If you opt to stay with us you will be asked to pay on arrival at the departure point (Castle Rock Hostel). We accept both cash and credit/ debit card. You also have the option to pre-pay for your accommodation on tour by adding this option at the point of booking. The cost is £38 per person per night which includes a continental breakfast of cereals, toast, jams, fruit, tea and coffee. There are vegan options available. Please let us know if you have any gluten, nut or other allergies.

It’s important to come prepared for everything we get up to on tour. We spend a lot of time outdoors exploring Scotland’s landscapes and we also do a 2-3 hour moderate hike. We recommend bringing:

- Sturdy walking boots or trail shoes from a reputable brand.

- A lightweight waterproof jacket. Choose a fully waterproof outer shell (not just water-resistant) that can be worn over your layers.

- Warm layers (even in summer). It can get chilly, particularly in the evenings or at higher elevations. Bring a warm jumper or fleece, and in colder months consider a hat and gloves.

- Comfortable everyday clothing. Casual, practical clothes are best for travel days and sightseeing.

- A small day backpack. Ideally with a waterproof lining or rain cover. You’ll need space for daily essentials like water, snacks, waterproofs, extra layers, medication, camera and dry socks.

- A water bottle. Staying hydrated on hikes is essential.

- Personal medication and toiletries. Bring enough for the duration of your trip, plus a little extra just in case.

- Travel adapter (UK plug type G). Scotland uses UK-style sockets.

- Spending money. Whether it’s whisky, meals, or souvenirs to take home, you’ll want some spending money. If you exchange currency and receive Bank of England notes, don’t worry – they are perfectly acceptable in Scotland.

- An open mind. Travelling is about new places, new people and new experiences. Embrace it and make the most of every moment.

You are more than welcome to bring along one smaller bag to use while on the bus, as well as one medium sized piece of luggage, suitcase or backpack, which we will put in the hold of the bus during transit. The luggage restriction has been set because our vehicles do not have the space to hold more than this.

If you are concerned you have too much luggage with you, please arrange with Castle Rock Hostel directly before your departure to store luggage while you are on tour. You can contact reception at castlerock@macbackpackers.com.

While many shops, cafes and restaurants in the Scottish Highlands do accept card, most local businesses prefer cash, and power outages are not uncommon in the area. Therefore, when cashier tills have no power, cash becomes essential. You might also like to tip your driver guide at the end of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend bringing cash.

ATM’s are located at multiple stops along the route, but you could alternatively take out cash in Edinburgh before departure. We recommend around £20 per day if you are buying lunch in cafes/ shops and then cooking your own supermarket food in the hostel at night. However, if you intend on eating in a restaurant at night you would likely need to spend an additional £20-30 per night for this option. If you'd like to buy any souvenirs please factor this in too.

It is very common to see solo travellers on our tours. The majority of our passengers are there by themselves. We do also get groups or friends, siblings or relatives - there is typically a mix of both. Whether you arrive alone or in a group, we encourage everyone to get to know each other and make the most of the incredible opportunity to speak to people from different cultures from all over the world. If you are nervous about coming alone, don't worry! You'll make new friends in no time and be laughing your way around Scotland.

It doesn’t matter what time of year you are travelling, the weather in Scotland can be incredibly unpredictable and sometimes you can even experience several seasons in one day. Even in the summer months!

As a result of this, we would always encourage our passengers to wear waterproof shoes and clothing, ensuring they have several removable layers. You are more than welcome to leave jackets/jumpers on the coach during stops if you find that the weather is nice when you are due to get off. The bus will be locked and your belongings can be left with peace of mind.

If you'd like to make any specific requests for your stay, please email us at info@macbackpackers.com.

We will do our best to ensure that your request is satisfied. We generally aim to keep genders separate. However, please be aware that there are the same number of hostel beds as seats on the bus. Therefore, depending on the mix of genders on the tour, it may not be possible. However it is very rare that we would not be able to satisfy this request.

Our tours do involve long walks and moderate hikes taking 2-3 hours to complete. We only take 18-39 year olds on tours, who agree they are mobile and physically capable of joining all aspects of the tour. This allows us to be one of the only tour companies who take you up the mountains instead of just admiring them from the bus. If you don't think you are physically capable for this tour, please try another tour company. We need to lock the bus while the group is gone so you will need to stand alone for hours outside, even it is raining. Therefore, we would strongly encourage you not to join a tour if you have any injuries or mobility issues.

Check out our full list of FAQs here if you have any more questions!