The Fairy Glen

Discover the magic of the Isle of Skye on this day trip from Portree. Travel aboard an airconditioned coach on this sightseeing adventure. Try to spot wildlife at Neist Point, or view the fantastical rock formations of Quiraing, and the stone pillar of Old Man of Storr, Be picked up at a centrally-located meeting point in Portree and hop aboard the spacious pus. Relax on the drive to the Fairy Pools in the shadow of the Cuillin Mountains where the fairies are thought to bathe. Have the chance to take a dip in crystal clear green pools of the River Brittle. Admire the natural arches and waterfalls in this picturesque location before heading to the Talisker distillery based in Carbost, one of the three whisky distilleries on the Isle of Skye. Have free time to purchase a single malt Scotch, with a very distinctive peaty-smoky taste. Choose to go to Neist Point or to Dunvegan Castle. Look for whales, dolphins and sharks at Neist Point or capture pictures of the hilltop medieval style castle. Stop at the magnificent Fairy Glen, the most important meeting place of the fairies on Skye. Wander between countless conical mounds, known in the Highlands as Fairy Knowes, and put your ears to the grass to listen for the fairies at work inside. Bend down to search for elves in the glen's miniature forests. Follow the twisted path to the top of the fairy castle or walk the faun’s maze. Continue up to the Trotternish ridge and marvel at the views of the Quiraing, a landscape of rock formations and stunning coastal views. Continue to the 200-foot tall stone pillar called the Old Man of Storr which has been featured in many movies including the Ridley Scott epic 'Prometheus.'

Departure from Inverness This tour departs from Inverness city centre at 7.45am. Eilean Donan Castle Our first stop is at one of the world's most photographed castles and we are here (you guessed it!) to snap a photo, from an iconic viewpoint. We will spend around 10 minutes admiring the castle in its coastal location and, from here, we are just a few minutes' drive to the Skye Bridge. Please note that there is not enough time to go into the castle. Cuillin Mountains Explore the dramatic scenery of the Red and Black Cuillins and take in the awe-inspiring views. Close to the drop off point there is a historic bridge and monument to discover. For those who prefer to get off the beaten path you can join your guide for a walk. Alternatively, there are also stunning pools and waterfalls just a little further afield, which are worth a visit. We will spend around 1 hour at this wonderful location. Portree We will have a lunch stop in the cute coastal town of Portree. For those who have used our lunch pre-ordering service at the start of the day, this is your opportunity to collect your lunch, without having to wait around. We'd recommend taking a wander down to see the pretty pastel-coloured houses that hug the shoreline, or explore some of the village's unique independent shops. We have 45 minutes here. Fairy Glen The Fairy Glen is an intriguing, enchanting and other-worldy sight! Some say this landscape was formed by fairies. Others say it was formed by post-glacier landslides. Whichever version you choose to believe, the result is a bizarre yet delightful landscape of grassy, conical hills, craggy outcrops and windswept lochans. We will spend around 30 minutes here. Old Man of Storr As we drive north the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic. Soon it's time for our third hike of the day, to the base of the mighty Old Man of Storr, a jagged basalt rock which is said to be a giant's thumb! From the base of the Old Man of Storr there are fantastic views of the surrounding rock pinnacles. On a clear day you will also be rewarded with the striking outlines of the Red and Black Cuillins, and views out over the Sound of Raasay. We will spend around 1 3/4 hours here. Quiraing Our last stop is definitely one of the absolute highlights on Skye, instantly recognisable from films such as Stardust, Prometheus and others. The Quiraing is a series of landslips that have combined to form awe-inspiring scenery. We will spend around 40 minutes here, and you won't have to venture far from the mini-coach to find your very own slice of Skye wilderness. The journey home After a day of adventure you will be able to sit back and relax on the journey home, knowing that you have truly experienced the wonderful Isle of Skye. Rest assured that your guide will still have plenty of stories and music up his sleeve to keep you entertained on the way back. We will arrive back into Inverness at 9pm, with stories and memories to last a lifetime.

Begin your adventure at Loch Fada Lake, a serene expanse of water that reflects the tranquility of Skye. A short distance away, you'll be greeted by the ethereal beauty of Brides Veil Falls, a sight that encapsulates the island's enchanting aura. Further along, the towering presence of the Old Man of Storr stands as a testament to the island's geologic past, offering hikers and sightseers an iconic landmark. From there, take in the expansive views at Rigg Viewpoint, a vantage point like no other, showcasing Skye's rugged coastline. As you traverse the island, the thunderous roars of Lealt Falls and Kilt Rock cascade into the sea, a sensory experience that's sure to captivate. For history enthusiasts, the Staffin Dinosaur Museum provides a glimpse into the island's prehistoric days, with well-preserved dinosaur footprints on display. Venturing further, the surreal landscapes of the Quiraing will leave you in awe. This geological masterpiece offers a unique trekking experience, with views that seem almost otherworldly. No trip to Skye would be complete without wandering into the mysterious Fairy Glen, a place where the island's myths and legends come alive. To round off your journey, immerse yourself in the tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the historical remnants of Caisteal Ùisdein, tying together the island's rich tapestry of nature and history.

You will be picked up by your guide from your accommodation at a time to suit you. It is essential that we create the itinerary of your bespoke tour together by email, with the understanding that it's not possible to see all of Skye in one day. A distillery booking will impact on the time available for scenic visits. Most tours begin with the famous Trotternish peninsula including the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls, the Kilt Rock and the Quirang. This stunning topography, a popular location for many film-makers, was created around 60 million years ago by a massive landslip. You may wish to calm your nerves with a wee dram from your guide's mobile bar at some point! After that, we will optionally visit the tragic ruin of Duntulm Castle which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean also optionally visit the Crofters' Museum nearby which centres on 5 ancient 'black' houses recreating the living conditions of 200 years ago. On the western side of the peninsula we continue to the Fairy Glen. If there is a requirement to strike further west to either Dunvegan Castle, Neist Point Lighthouse or the Fairy Pools, this will depend on what previous options have been chosen and whether time remaining on the 8 hour tour allows. We offer an immersive experience so that you are not hurried in any of the locations we visit. Finally your guide will drop you back at your accommodation having immersed yourself in the beauty and violent history of the Island.

3 Day Isle of Skye Adventure Tour Key Highlights: Day 1: Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Rannoch Moor Glencoe Replica of Historic Turf House Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter Train Bridge) Boat to the Isle of Skye Day 2: Dunvegan Castle Old Man of Storr Fairy Glen Portree Kilt Rock Lealt Falls Duntulm Castle Day 3: Eilean Donan Castle Loch Ness Cruise on Loch Ness Nature Reserve Walk Cairngorms National Park Itinerary Day 1: You’ll be whisked away to Scotland’s first National Park, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park where you'll stop and take in the breathtaking views of Loch Lomond. Exiting the national park, we continue our journey through one of Scotland’s most scenic locations, the wild & vast valley of Glencoe. You'll visit gorgeous Highland locations such Rannoch Moor and the Three Sisters of Glencoe, the dramatic scenes will leave you wanting more! Here you'll learn of the tragic history of the Glencoe Massacre. You'll discover a wonderful replica of an ancient Turf & Kreel House, giving a glimpse into what life was like in the past. We’ll continue to Fort William. Driving through this fabulous location, you’ll learn about its involvement with the Jacobite Uprisings. Fort William sits at the foot of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Driving past this incredible mountain will make you feel like you’re in a Lord of the Rings movie set! Next up is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the Harry Potter bridge will be in full view with a mouth-dropping backdrop. This is truly a spectacular location and whilst we’re here, we’ll learn more about Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Uprisings. You'll travel through the beautiful Glen on our way to the quaint town of Mallaig where we'll hop on a boat and cruise across the water to the majestic Isle of Skye. Day 2: A full day exploring the Isle of Skye! Starting with a visit to Dunvegan Castle, where you'll learn about the MacLeod clan chief who married a fairy queen! We'll explore a gorgeous part of the Island now, visiting stunning locations such as Lealt Falls, Kilt Rock, Fairy Glen and the dramatic ruin of Duntulm Castle which looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale. Day 3: We'll start our day by traveling over the Skye Bridge towards the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle. Famous for its dramatic landscape, you’ll have the chance to take plenty of pictures and explore the castle. Next is the most famous loch in the world, Bonnie Loch Ness, where you'll get the chance to take a cruise to find the elusive Loch Ness Monster. We're making the most of our last day so next up is a lovely short walk at a Nature Reserve just outside the Cairngorms National Park. An example of a re-wilding project that is expanding the natural remoteness of Scotland. It'll be the last location we visit on our way home, the Victorian town of Pitlochry, a favorite of the wonderful Queen Victoria.

Your Macleod Heilan Tours guide will pick your group up at your chosen location ready to make our way out of the city and into the Highlands. The Next 3 Days are broken down into a more detailed itinary which can be altered or adjusted if time permits. Please Note: When booking please let us know where your group have booked the two nights accommodation required and the prefered pick up/drop off location. Accommodation must be within a 10 mile radius of the village of Kyleakin at the South end of the island. This can include the villages of Kyle, Balmacara, Broadford, Breakish, Plockton and of course Kyleakin itself. We can go outwith these locations but an extra charge will be added. Day 1 We leave Edinburgh/Glasgow and head for the Highlands making photo stops as we pass through Glencoe & take in the most photographed Mountain in Scotland "Buchaille Etive Mor" & the famous Three Sisters. Lunch will be in the Lochaber area before going out to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct. We will then make our way up to back to Fort William driving up through Glen Shiel past the 5 Sisters of Kintail and "Over the Sea to Skye" via the Skye Bridge. Day 2 Today you will experience the magnificent Isle of Skye voted the 4th best island by National Geographic. What better way to enjoy it with a guide who grew up on the Island. We will have our first stop at Sligachan where we can marvel at the Black & Red Cuillin Mountains. Possibly wash our faces in the river Sligachan (Legend says its gives eternal beauty!) We will drive the short distance to the Fairy Pools where there is the option to hike up to the main pools and capture that spectacular photo. After a hike the best way to relax is with a "Wee Dram" so we can visit the famous Talisker Whisky Distillery before heading to the town of Portree for Lunch. After lunch we will complete the impressive Trotternish Ridge circuit taking in famous sights such as the Old Man of Storr, Mealt Falls an impressive Sea waterfall with Kilt Rock as its back drop, Lealt Falls, Britains largest landslide the Quiraing used for many movie locations and then end the day at the Fairy Glen. Day 3 We leave Skye behind & still have so much to see as we travel South. Our first stop of the day will be the "biscuit tin castle" Scotlands most photographed Castle Eilean Donan. From there we will then drive to Loch Ness where there is the option to enjoy the Loch from the water and also time to explore the village of Fort Augustus & the Caledonian Canal. After lunch we will then drive towards Spean Bridge and the Ben Nevis viewpoint (Commando Memorial) taking in the grandeur off the Nevis Range before heading East and South via the Lagoon road entering into the Cairngorm National Park. Gradually making our way through the Cairngorms down towards "Big Tree Country" Perthshire passing by Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery & Blair Castle. We will have a final stop of the tour in the beautiful town of Pitlochry,