2 Day Tour - Skye and The Highlands

On our tour of Skye and Oban you will witness some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Where you will experience stunning Lochs and Glens dramatic Mountains and get a taste of the real Scotland. This 2 day tour is unique to About Scotland in that we don’t take the typical route larger coach companies take, giving you more time to enjoy your tour. We also get off the beaten track were you will have the chance to get up close and feed wild Stags and if your lucky view some Otters, Whales and Dolphins  

Day 1 

Our journey to Skye takes us along the shores of Loch Lomond. Scotland’s largest fresh water loch. Here we make a stop at the pretty village of Luss which has been designated a conservation village. Take a stroll along the pier and take the opportunity for some memorable pictures for your photo album.

Leaving loch Lomond we drive through the vast open spaces of  Rannoch Moor to Glencoe said to mean “Glen of Weeping“ in reference to the infamous Glencoe Massacre where in 1692  the MacDonald’s on a cold February morning where murdered by government troops led by Captain Robert Campbell. The massacre was even more unforgivable as the troops had been enjoying a traditional Highland hospitality before turning on their hosts.

Driving through the pass of Glencoe we head North West via Fort William and our first view of Ben Nevis Britain’s highest mountain.

Leaving the Ben behind our next stop is the Glenfinnan viaduct the location for many of the scenes in the Harry Potter movies, including the Hogwarts Express and the flying car in the Chamber of Secrets. From the visitor centre there’s a good vantage point for some photos. Opposite the visitor centre stands the Jacobite monument standing at the head of Loch Shiel, one of Scotland’s most beautiful and dramatic lochs. The monument was erected in 1815 as a tribute to the clansmen who fought and died for the cause during the 45 uprising, the story of which is told in the visitor centre.

Leaving Glenfinnan we head for the lovely fishing harbour Malliag and the ferry over to Skye. We always like to arrive in plenty of time allowing you the chance to take a stroll around Mallaig’s many gift shops or even sample some local delicacies.

After lunch we hop on the ferry to Skye this is one of the highlights of our tour and is unique in that no other larger tour operators gives you the opportunity to experience and witness the views as you sail “Over the Sea to Skye” with the wild and remote Knoydart and the jagged peaks of the Cullin Mountains.

Arriving at Armadale on Skye we make our way around the misty isle to the Sligachan Hotel with its dramatic setting we stop for coffee and the opportunity to take some snaps of the Black Cullins for your photo album.

Leaving Sligachan behind our next destination is the fairytale setting of Dunvegan Castle, built on a rocky outcrop the castle is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the home of the Clan Macleod’s since the 12th century. Parts of the castle dates back to the 9th century. You can take a tour of the castle and its gardens were you might just meet the clan chief Macleod on your tour. There is also an option of a boat trip to the Seal Colony.

From Dunvegan we head for Portree the main town in Skye and your accommodation for the night and a chance to rest before heading out for dinner to try some traditional Scottish Fayre with a dram or two. After dinner why not take an evening stroll around this beautiful fishing village and its stunning harbour  

Day 2 

After your traditional Scottish breakfast we leave Portree and head over the Skye Bridge to Eilean Donan Castle possibly the most photographed castle in Scotland and certainly one of the most romantic. The castle is home to the clan Macrae and dates back to the 13th century. There is a visitor centre selling gifts and where you can purchase tickets for your tour of the castle.

From Eilean Donan we drive over 1000ft to Mam Ratagan pass with superb views of the Five Sisters of Kintail and Loch Duich. From here we drive down to Glenelg peninsular lying on the Sound of Sleat and overlooking Skye. Glenelg is still considered remote with a single track road stretching 19mls from Glen Shiel and ending at Arnisdale. Here we make a stop at the Glenelg Brochs dating back 2000 yrs. The Brochs are stone towers thought to have been occupied by Pictish families; it’s thought the Brochs are early examples of Castles.

From here we drive along the peninsular to the beautiful village of Arnisdale sitting on the shores of Loch Hourn and with fantastic views of Knoydart this really is one of Scotland’s hidden gems, take a walk around this tranquil spot meet friendly locals and there’s a tea room to sample some home baking. We can’t come this far without meeting Bin Laden the local wild STAG and if we're lucky, Whales and Dolphins have been spotted in Loch Hourn.

Leaving this wonderful part of Scotland we drive over the Road to the Isles to Fort William the largest town in the Highlands, we stop for lunch here and the opportunity to stroll along the high street with its many gift shops.

From Fort William we head for Port Appin and Castle Stalker. The tower house or “Keep” was built by the Stewarts around the 1440s and is set on a tidal inlet on Loch LaichThis is only accessible at low tide or by boat. In recent times the Castle has been used as a location by Monty Python for the film the Holy Grail and also the film Highlander. The Castles picturesque setting against the dramatic backdrop of Mountains has made the Castle one of the most photographed in Scotland.

From Port Appin we head for the bustling harbour town of Oban where we take the opportunity to browse around the plentiful gift shops.

Leaving Oban our journey takes us along the banks of Loch Awe and a visit to St Conan’s Kirk. Built by Walter Campbell in 1907 the church was first used for worship in 1930. Wandering around this bizarre Kirk you’ll be amazed at the architecture and gothic carvings. Within the church there is a life size effigy of Robert the Bruce (King of Scotland) and a fragment of bone said to be from his finger in a glass chamber brought here from Dunfermline Abbey.  St Conan’s is really one of the highlights of Argyll.

A short drive from the Kirk is the imposing Kilchurn Castle dating back to the 15th century and was once a Campbell strong hold who where the dominant clan in Argyll. You can take a short walk over rough ground to the Castle and climb to the highest tower with magnificent views down Loch Awe (the Jewel of Argyll).

From Kilchurn Castle we make our way along the banks of the Loch and a visit to the picturesque town of Inveraray with its beautiful whitewashed Georgian mansion houses. Located on the western shore of Loch Fyne Inveraray is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll and who still resides at Inveraray Castle. You can take a tour around the Castle or if you prefer take a leisurely stroll around this lovely town and sample its wonderful atmosphere.

From Inveraray we begin our journey home along the shores of Loch Fyne and over the dramatic Rest and be Thankful passing through Tarbert and your last look at Loch Lomond before we reach your accommodation and the end of what we hope has been a wonderful experience touring About Scotland with us .