The Isle of Skye takes its name from the Vikings, who so aptly described the <i> sky-a</i> (clouds) that frequently shroud the dramatic landscape in whirls of mist. This island off Scotland's northwest coast draws visitors with promises of rugged scenery and spellbinding views - and more than a little ancient history.

Take a private Isle of Skye tour with a native Gaelic speaker, and get real local insight on this compelling island.

Avid hikers will want to head straight for the Cuillin Mountains, the highest and most dramatic mountain range in the British Isles. Not a hiker? No worries - there are plenty of beautiful viewpoints accessible with minimal walking. You'll want to visit the popular Dunvegan Castle, parts of which date back to the 14th century. See the lighthouse at Neist Point, and perhaps take a wander through the ancient gravestones on St. Columba's Island.

Enjoy lunch at a cosy pub, and let your guide regale you with island lore on your private Isle of Skye tour.

Isle-of-Skye

I understand that many people only have a short time available to see the Isle of Skye. Therefore many will want to see as many of the island's highlights as possible and to experience as much of Highland life and culture as possible in a single day.

Don't worry - I have the perfect solution for you! Combining my local knowledge with my long background in Skye tourism I have managed to pack an incredible Skye tour into a single, unforgettable day!

This is a relaxed and flexible tour through Skye's most scenic areas such as the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, the Quiraing and much more. There is also time to visit Dunvegan Castle (admission fee applies) or to visit the Fairy Pools and even call in at the Talisker whisky distillery. An ideal option for those who only have a single day to see Skye. I am often able to be flexible with timings and itineraries if there are specific places not listed which you would like to visit whilst on Skye.

The Black Cuillins from below the old Sligachan bridge

This is the little road that leads up to the wondeful view of the Quiraing in north Skye

Looking out over the loch to the Old Man of Storr. Rainbows are a common feature on the island (one of the upsides of having so much rain!)

Preparing a little taster of Skye's local single malt whisky, Talisker, right outside the distillery.

Visit the Isle of Skye's Most Iconic and Beautiful Locations

Luxury Skye Highlights Full Day Tour

I understand that many people only have a short time available to see the Isle of Skye. Therefore many will want to see as many of the island's highlights as possible and to experience as much of Highland life and culture as possible in the little time they have available.

Don't worry - I have the perfect solution for you! Combining my local knowledge with my long background in Skye tourism I have managed to pack an incredible Skye tour into a a single morning or afternoon tour lasting 3 hours.

I love giving visitors my unique perspective as a local, born and raised on Skye. I will entertaining you with stories of the unique Highland upbringing and lifestyle as passing on some of the wonderful local stories and legends.

An ideal option for those who only have a short time to see Skye.

Highland Cows are one of the most popular 'residents' of the Isle of Skye

Kilt Rock is a very popular viewpoint we will stop at along the way.

A previous group enjoying the beautiful evening light shining on the Cuillin Hills behind them.

Duntulm Castle on the very north of the island is one of Skye's many wonderful castle ruins.

The Fairy Glen. During the tour I will tell you some of Skye's ancient tales and legends... and when you see the Fairy Glen you will realize why these stories abound in the area.

Memorable Trip of the Best of Skye!

Isle of Skye - Luxury Half Day Tour

This is a fantastically memorable day out! My Family have been Farmers and Doctors on Skye for the past 300 years, for me, this was our Island of Holidays.

We start by traveling to the most westerly area of Skye, Neist Point. Its dramatic views and isolated lighthouse and cliff face coastline are simply stunning. We're out of the Mercedes getting to the best places for your photos.

From here we will then travel the drovers road towards, Dunvegan Castle and Gardens, Once we depart from here, we then travel towards the Jurassic coastline of Trotternish, up and onto the Quiraing, known for its wonderful rock formations and stunning coastal views.

A short drive down the mountain to Kilt Rock then onto one of the most Iconic natural features, the Old Man of Storr. from here its just a lazy drive back to your accommodation.

N. B, If you wish to visit Talisker Distillery, then we could incorporate that, but we would omit Neist Point, whatever you decide, I would need to know in advance.

Full Day Tour Exploring and Experiancing the Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye Day Tour from Portree

Luxury Shore Excursion from Portree, Skye

For many people on a cruise ship holiday shore excursions can be the highlights of their vacation.

My Luxury Shore Excursion from Portree is of the very highest quality and I will do my utmost to accommodate any special requests you have. Born and brought up on the Isle of Skye, I love to share my stories of what life is like in such a remote island and to give you a window into our uniquely Highland culture and history.

This will be done whilst treating you to some of the most spectacular scenery you have ever seen and in the luxury of my high spec, comfortable Jaguar JF.

The Talisker whisky distillery is a possible stop along the way where you can have a look around and also enjoy a taster of some of their range of single malts.

Waterfalls and mountains abound in the area leading up to the Fairy Pools.

The best of Skye's Scenery, Stories and Culture

Departing your accommodation or from the Port of Portree. . .

You have a choice as to how you start your day.
~ Stretch your legs at the beautiful Fairy Pools where the clear waters run down from the Cuillins mountains AND unlock the secret to enlightenment &amp; youth at Old Sligachan Bridge. . . if you're brave enough!
OR
~ Breathe deeply of the fresh sea air at the remote Neist Point while doing a little whale spotting AND wander amoung the other-worldly landscape of the Fairy Glen

The choice is yours.

Your choice will dictate the day's running but we will always visit the incredible rock formations of the Quiraing and the Trotternish coastline as well as some of Skye's most iconic structures - Kilt Rock &amp; Mealt Falls and the Old Man of Storr - and Dunvegan Castle &amp; Gardens, built in the 13th century and seat of the MacLeod Clan still to this day.

We may have time for a couple of other stops, time allowing, before a gentle meander back to your accommodation or the port.

Iconic Landscapes, Crystal Clear Waters and Amazing Memories!

Isle of Skye Departing Portree

A six hour approximately tour showing the main attractions of the Isle of Skye. This tour is designed to fit in with your cruise liner visit to Portree making the most of your time ashore

Portree, Dunvegan Castle, Talisker Distillery, Eilean Donan Castle

Best of Isle of Skye Full Day Tour

On this tour you will experience the island life on the biggest island in the inner Hebrides.

Leaving Portree, we will travel north to our first stop, The Storr and then The Kilt Rock ( photo stop ). This is a famous sea cliff in north east Trotternish. It is said to resemble a kilt, with vertical ballast columns to form the pleats and intruded sills of dolerite forming the pattern and then the Quiraing for more amazing views.

From here, a short drive to Duntulm Castle ruins for a short photo stop. This was the seat of
the clan MacDonald in the 17 th century.

Heading south-west we will visit a small museum dedicated to life on this island with its  beautiful thatched houses, illustrating how people lived 200 years ago. After a short visit we will drive to Dunvegan Castle for a visit and lunch. This was the seat of the chiefs of the clan MacLeod.
Heading back to Portree, we will stop at Sligachan and the Fairy bridge and enjoy some whisky at Seumas bar displaying over 300 whiskies.

Full Day Private Tour from Portree

Explore the Isle of Skye

From your collection point of Portree Harbour or your address, we start the day heading north. . .

The iconic Old Man of Storr is our first photo stop of the day before we continue north to the Staffin Dinosaur Museum where you can find out about the prehistoric dinosaur remains found on Skye. From here, we crest the breath-taking Quiraing (with time for a photo stop) and keep going north to the Museum of Island Life and Flora MacDonald's grave where you can learn about how the people of Skye lived and of Flora's part in hiding Bonny Prince Charlie.

Heading to Portree, we take some time for lunch and shopping before continuing to either a guided afternoon walk along a stunning coastline to white coral beaches or a workshop tour of one of Skye's local woolen producers where you'll have the opportunity to buy a keepsake or gift before we return to our drop off point.

Skye's Better Kept Secrets - All of the Beauty, Less of the Crowds!

The Clear Skye Full Day Tour

Isle of Skye Full Day Tour from your Cruise Ship in Portree

Welcome to the the land of my Family! I will help you explore and experience a rugged land of magnificent peaks, Jurassic Coastline, fast flowing rivers and isolated moors.

We will depart the quayside and travel to the far northern peninsula of Skye to Trotternish, the area is known for its fantastical landscapes and stunning coastal vistas, within this area we have the famous Old Man of Storr, the 200ft stone pillar is one of the iconic natural features of the dramatic Trotternish Ridge, from here its then onto Kilt Rock with the distinctive pillars and beautiful waterfall.

We take the opportunity to drive up the Quiraing, lying in the far North of Skye. This is a place like no other, simply stunning, its part of the largest landslip in Europe. Come to the cliff edge with me and see it for yourself!

We continue our journey towards Dunvegan Castle and Gardens. It is the only castle in northern Scotland to have been continuously inhabited by the same Clan, Chiefs of MacLeod for over 800yrs.

Day Trip of Skye Departing from Portree Cruise Ship Port

Starting from the railway station at Strathcarron we visit Attadale Gardens. The road hugs the shore of Loch Carron and then climbs over to Eilean Donan Castle.

The castle originally dates back to the 13th century but, after being destroyed in 1719 during the Jacobite uprising - it remained a ruin for nearly 200 years until a 20-year restoration was begun in 1911.

We then take the road alongside Loch Duich to Shiel Bridge from where we take the old military road to Glenelg. This road climbs up high via Mam Ratagan with fine views of Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail.

At Glenelg we visit the 3, 500 year old Iron Age brochs - Dun Telve and Dun Troddan. We then take the small turntable vehicle ferry 'over the sea to Skye'.

Once on Skye, we travel to Kyleakin crossing back to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland via the spectacular Skye Bridge, and then return to Strathcarron where you catch your return train.

Tour takes 7 hours and can be amended to suit your requirements.

Attadale Gardens, Eilean Donan Castle, Glenelg Brochs and Skye

Over the Sea to Skye - Full Day Tour

Starting from the railway station at Strathcarron the road hugs the shore of Loch Carron. At Kyle of Lochcalsh we cross over to Skye via the Skye Bridge (opened in 1995 replacing the ferry that ran from 1600).

We then travel to the town of Portree (an Anglicised version of the Gaelic "Port-an-Righ" meaning "King's Port" and relates to a visit by King James V in 1540).

After stopping in Portree we continue to Trotternish passing the Old Man of Storr, a 165 foot rock pinnacle, and the 200 foot Kilt Rock waterfall.

We continue up the coast to Staffin, then take the little mountain road via the Quiraing to Uig. We then head to Dunvegan Castle - the seat of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for over eight centuries.

After leaving Dunvegan we will travel on to the Talisker Distillery on the shores of Loch Harport (if time permits).

We then return to the mainland via the Skye Bridge in order for you to catch the return train from Strathcarron Station.

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Explore with 11 tours and 5 guides.

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