4-Day Isle of Skye, Glenfinnan Viaduct & The Highlands Tour

After entering into The Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park our first stop of the day will be at the conservation village of Luss on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond here you can get a morning snack, tea or coffee and hopefully get some great views of Ben Lomond (weather dependant). This will be a short walk around the village.

We then travel under the impressive mountains of Crianlarich passing through the old lead mining town of Tyndrum before gaining height and driving through Rannoch Moor. Hear about the locations where movies such as Trainspotting, Skyfall, Rob Roy and Harry Potter were filmed. We then stop at the impressive landscape of Glencoe this is one of Scotland’s most visited glens. Its also the site of the massacre of the MacDonald Clan which your driver will tell you about what happened here back in 1692.

A stop at the visitor centre, Glencoe Visitor Centre sits at the heart of the dramatic Glencoe valley, offering exhibits on local history, geology, and wildlife. It provides maps, walking routes, and panoramic views, helping visitors explore one of Scotland’s most iconic and scenic landscapes.

No Highland tour is complete without a visit to the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. With perfect timing, you may catch the Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express) as it crosses this world-famous bridge. Train operates 7 April – 24 October.

Take in sweeping views of Loch Shiel, the filming location of Hogwarts’ Black Lake. Here you’ll also find the striking Glenfinnan Monument, built in 1815 to honour the Highland clans who rallied to Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite Rising of 1745. This is the very site where the Prince raised his standard and launched the rebellion.

We drive through The Great Glen and along the Caledonian Canal until we reach Fort Augustus a village which sits on the south end of Loch Ness. We then north alongside Loch Ness where we reach Inverness and your accommodation for the next 3 nights. Which you will have booked in advance.

Leaving early in the morning 7.30 am to be exact to head west towards the Isle of Skye. Our first stop will be at Eilean Donan Castle where you can visit inside the castle or just take photos from the outside. From there we head over the bridge to Skye and stop at various locations on the island like Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, The Quiraing, Portree and Sligachan Bridge. Later in the day we make our way back to Inverness making photo stops along the route.

A more relaxed day today after yesterdays long day on Skye. We start off with a short drive back to Loch Ness where you have the option to go on a boat trip or visit Urquhart Castle.

From Loch Ness a 20 minute drive takes us over to Culloden Battlefield.
Culloden Battlefield is the site of the Battle of Culloden (1746), the final and decisive clash of the Jacobite Rising. Here, government forces defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army, ending the Jacobite cause and changing the course of Scottish Highland history. Today, it is a preserved memorial landscape marking one of Scotland’s most tragic and significant battles. Its free to walk around the battlefield or visit the museum for an entry fee.

Clava Cairns is a Bronze Age burial site dating to around 2000 BC, made up of stone circles and passage graves. It is famous for its alignment with the winter solstice sunset and its well-preserved prehistoric setting. From here we make our way back to Inverness where you can enjoy the nightlife in one of the many bars.

After breakfast we leave Inverness making our way back to Glasgow and first stop is the Highland Folk Museum.
Highland Folk Museum is an open-air museum that brings Highland history to life through restored buildings, traditional crafts, and costumed interpreters. It shows how people in the Highlands lived from the 1700s to the early 1900s. Admission is by donation.

Pitlochry is a picturesque Highland town known for its Victorian charm, woodland walks, and salmon fishing on the River Tummel. It is home to the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, a major cultural venue, and the Pitlochry Visitor Centre, which offers local information, shops, and a riverside café. Also the chance for some whisky tasting at Blair Atholl Distillery.

From the roadside viewpoint, Stirling Castle rises dramatically on its rocky hilltop above the surrounding landscape. The view highlights its commanding position over the River Forth and nearby countryside, showing why it was one of Scotland’s most important and strategic royal strongholds. We then drive back into Glasgow.