Our most recommended things to do in Dalwhinnie, Scotland

From Edinburgh: Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour with Accommodation

1. From Edinburgh: Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour with Accommodation

Enjoy a full 3 days exploring the dramatic scenery of the Scottish Highlands and the romance of the island of Skye in a small group tour. Dhoose your accommodation to suit your own budget and you will get an exclusive discount card to receive discounts at local restaurants and shops. Day 1: Depart Edinburgh by luxury Mercedes minibus at and travel west, passing Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Continue towards Stirling with its imposing castle and views of the Wallace Monument. You will pass Doune Castle, movie location for scenes from Monty Python's infamous "Holy Grail," before stopping at the edge of the Highlands for refreshments. As you drive into the Highlands you will pass Loch Luibnaig, Loch Earn, Crianlarich and Tyndrum, stopping for lunch along the way. Drive north through Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Continue to Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, offering magnificent views over Ben Nevis. Next you will take the "Road to the Isles," through the splendor of the 5 Sisters of Kintail, the mountains that guard the pass to the Isle of Skye. Stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander" and located at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, you head north to Portree where you will be dropped off at your accommodation. Enjoy an evening and dinner at leisure, exploring the town’s Gaelic attractions and harborside. Day 2: You will spend the day on the Isle of Skye with flexible arrangements. There are many possibilities, depending on the weather, and the dynamics of your group. Your driver/ guide's local knowledge will come to the fore to arrange the best day for everyone. You could travel north to explore the Trotternish Peninsula with its stunning Quiraing mountain pass and some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery. Or head to Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns that are reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt. Enjoy the magic of the waterfall, cascading over cliffs and down into the sea below. Take a short break for lunch, before continuing to explore this most dramatic of islands. Head in a westerly direction to Dunvegan castle, the ancestral home of Clan Macleod, or enjoy spectacular views at Neist Point, the most westerly point of Skye. Return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening to enjoy dinner and the rest of the evening at leisure. Day 3: Your driver will collect you from your accommodation and head south through the Cuillin Hills, back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Move on to Loch Ness for lunch. Look out for "Nessie," the mysterious monster that has haunted and confounded visitors since the 1950s. Head south through the Grampian Mountains along Loch Laggan, famous as the location for the TV miniseries "Monarch of the Glen," before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky distillery. You will pause for refreshments at Blair Castle, before heading back to Edinburgh via Perth and over the extraordinary Forth Road Bridge.

Isle of Skye 3-Day Small Group Tour from Glasgow

2. Isle of Skye 3-Day Small Group Tour from Glasgow

Spend 3 days exploring some of the most dramatic and beautiful places in the Highlands and the romantic island of Skye. Highlights also include Glencoe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Itinerary Day 1: Depart Glasgow at 9.00 AM and travel north towards the Highlands along the “bonnie, bonnie” banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. Crossing the ancient natural fault line that runs across Scotland, you travel into the majestic Highlands where the scenery changes quickly and dramatically - the flat fertile plains of the Lowlands give way to shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens. From Loch Lomond the tour travels north over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor into Glencoe. This haunting glen was the scene of a great massacre in 1692 that left many of the Clan Macdonald slaughtered. The tour stops at this imposing mountain pass so you can enjoy the spectacular views. From here you travel past Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with great views over Ben Nevis. On the "Road to the Isles" you will pass through the splendor of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. Stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle. Featured in the film "Highlander," the castle is set at the junction of 3 lochs and once provided protection against Viking raiders. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, the tour heads north to Portree. You are dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening where you are free to go out and explore the town. Day 2: This is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and the wants of the group. Your driver/ guide's knowledge will come to the fore in arranging the best day for everyone. For example: Travel north to explore the Trotternish peninsula with its stunning Quiraing mountain pass and some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery. See Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with its waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. Take a short break for lunch before continuing to enjoy this most dramatic of islands. Heading in a westerly direction you will find Dunvegan castle, the ancestral home of Clan Macleod. You could also enjoy spectacular views at Neist Point, the westernmost point on Skye. You return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening and enjoy a free night in Portree. Day 3: You will be collected from your accommodation and will travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Head to Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting "Nessie." Continue south through the Grampian Mountains along Loch Laggan, famous now as "Monarch of the Glen Country" before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky Distillery. The tour then proceeds past Blair Castle stopping for refreshments before heading back to Glasgow. Arrive back in Glascow at approximately 7:30 PM.

From Edinburgh: Speyside Whisky Trail 3-Day Small Group Tour

3. From Edinburgh: Speyside Whisky Trail 3-Day Small Group Tour

Day 1 You head north through the Kingdom of Fife to Lindores Abbey Distillery. This modern Scottish distillery is built on the site of the first ever recorded distiller in the country. After lunch in Braemar, you can sample the delights of the Royal Lochnagar distillery. The outstanding flavour of its whisky was appreciated by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on one of many visits to their summer residence, Balmoral Castle. Once you’ve warmed with this dram of “the gentle spirit”, you continue through the Cairngorms National Park before reaching Grantown-on-Spey, your base for two nights. Day 2 Time for some fun. Today you spend the whole day exploring Scotland’s most famous whisky region. After a scenic drive towards the coast, your first stop of the day is at Glen Moray, where you can try whisky matured in a wide selection of casks. You travel back up the Spey River to Craigellachie for a visit to the Speyside Cooperage**, where you see another aspect of the whisky making process. After lunch in nearby Aberlour, you visit Cardhu Distillery, which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. Today, Cardhu is the most important whisky in Johnnie Walker Black Label. From here you travel back to Grantown-on-Spey. **Speyside Cooperage will remain closed till 22nd May 2023. If your tour departs on 15th May, you will visit Strathisla distillery instead. And if your tour departs on the 17th May, you will visit Glen Grant Distillery instead. After 22nd May 2023 the Cooperage is visited on Monday and Wednesday departures. Day 3 In the morning you visit Scotland's highest distillery at Dalwhinnie, set in splendid mountain scenery at the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. You then leave the Highlands and journey south to Perthshire. Pitlochry is your lunch stop and later you drive to the Hermitage to get close to nature. Here you can take a fantastic woodland walk amongst the tallest trees in Britain and admire the Black Linn Falls. From here the route south takes you to Dunkeld, where you've got some time to explore, and then over the Firth of Forth and back to Edinburgh. **Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Iona, Mull, and Isle of Skye: 5-Day Tour from Edinburgh

4. Iona, Mull, and Isle of Skye: 5-Day Tour from Edinburgh

Spend 5 spectacular days exploring the unruly beauty and fascinating history of the Scottish west coast, and visiting 4 of its beautiful islands. On your second day, take a ferry to explore the dramatic coastlines of the island of Mull, and then continue to the island of Iona to visit its ancient abbey and craggy cliff-side. Take advantage of the opportunity to take a small boat to Staffa to explore its beautiful basalt columns, and spend the majority of your third day exploring the famous Isle of Skye. Day 1: Edinburgh – Loch Lomond – Oban Your first day of the journey takes you north past Stirling Castle, and then west to Scotland’s first National Park near Loch Lomond. Travel through the mountains of the West Highlands, passing the magnificent white-washed town of Inveraray, and spend the afternoon in the heart of Argyll before arriving to bustling town of Oban, the gateway to the islands, for your 2-night stay. Day 2: Oban – Mull – Iona Begin early with a ferry ride across the Mull and spend the morning exploring the island’s dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before taking the small ferry to Iona – the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Visit the historic abbey and its intricate carved crosses or explore the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem. There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa (except Saturday departures in September) and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalized by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture “Fingal’s Cave”. You then return on the ferry to Oban for your second night. Day 3: Oban – Glencoe – Plockton Today takes you north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the MacDonald clan in 1692. You then pass through Fort William nestling in the shadow of Ben Nevis which at 1,344 meters is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The tour continues through the Great Glen, a natural fault in the earth’s crust that runs through Scotland and on through Ireland. From here you travel north to the picturesque fishing village of Plockton. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening. Day 4: Flexible Day  Your fourth day of the journey is very flexible, with many possibilities (depending on the weather). Your driver/guide will use his/her local knowledge to decide on the best day out for the group, which could include traveling north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass for a walk through some of Skye’s extraordinary geological scenery or a visit to the Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns and cascading waterfalls. After lunch, you may travel to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse at the most westerly point on Skye, or you may pay a visit to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod, returning to your accommodation in Plockton in the late afternoon to enjoy a free evening in the village. Day 5: Loch Duich – Loch Ness – Edinburgh You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills, stopping to visit the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, before traveling east to take in the stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting “Nessie,” and then head south through the Grampian mountains and long Loch Laggan, passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland’s highest whisky Distillery. Stop in at Perthshire for some refreshments before heading back to Edinburgh over the Forth Road Bridge, arriving at approximately 19:00.

From Ediburgh: 3 Day Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness

5. From Ediburgh: 3 Day Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness

Day 1 : Starting in Edinburgh you will head to the Kelpies. Enjoy the impressive giant horse sculptures and take some photos. From there, make your way to Stirling Castle. After that continue to Doune Castle, known for its appearance in movies and TV shows such as Monty Python and Outlander. Make your way through the beautiful Scottish countryside towards Glencoe. From here you will go to Fort William, town nestled below Ben Nevis, we you will spend the night. Day 2: Start with the drive to Glenfinnan, where you can see the Jacobite train crossing over the viaduct. Take the ferry from Mallaig to reach enchanting Isle of Skye. You will visit Fairy Pools, a natural waterfall phenomenon in Glen Brittle. Overnight on Skye in accommodation of your choice. Day 3: Starting early to make the most of your day. Skye stunning landscapes, so you will explore its top attractions such as the Old Man of Storr, Lealt falls. We leave Skye behind and head towards Inverness. You will make a stop at Eilean Donan Castle. This picturesque castle sits on a small island and is one of most iconic castles in Scotland. Continue your journey to Loch Ness and then to Urquhart Castle. Heading south you'll pass through Cairngorms national Park with its breathtaking landscapes, mountains and wild life before passing Dalwhinnie and Blair Castle. Heading past Perth over the Firth of Forth and back to Edinburgh *this tour can be customise to leave Glasgow instead of Edinburgh.

Other Sightseeing Options in Dalwhinnie, Scotland

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What people are saying about Dalwhinnie, Scotland

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 57 reviews

Wonderful, well planned tour. There aren't any stops to visit the inside of castles along the way, but it makes up for it by taking you to breathtaking sights of the isle of Skye, loch Ness, 5 sisters of Kintail, and so much more. This trip is a great way to familiarize yourself with what the beautiful country of Scotland has to offer, especially if you have no private transportation. You will be put up in a cozy little B&B for the 2 nights where you get to explore the local town. Our guide, Robert, was accommodating, enthusiastic, kind, and eager to show off his home. He had so much information and so many stories to tell. We had a marvelous time and half of it was attributable to the proficiency of our guide and the other half to the wonders of nature that is Scotland. We will definitely be back!

My tour guide Doug was amazing! He was funny, knowledgeable and very accommodating. We didn’t get to see a few places in the itinerary because of the icy roads, which was very unfortunate. But still managed to visit a places and see beautiful sceneries across Isle of Skye. Highly recommended, and will definitely give it a go again.

One amazing experience. History of the land and languages were so interesting. The best were the walk to Neist Point lighthouse - just do it ! Keith made an effort to show us the hidden gems. Thank you so much

Wonderful way to experience skye. Comfortable, convenient and entertaining. We had an excellent tour guide and good travel companions. Would highly recommend this trip.

The absolute perfect trip, thank you to Rabbie's Tours and to the greatest tour guide Ross. I am already planning my next Scotland trip