Isle of Skye
Mountains, coast & castles — experience Scotland's dramatic west on our 7-day small group tour
Mountains, Coast & Castles
Isle of Skye is often the highlight of any journey through the Highlands — but how you reach it, and what you see along the way, makes all the difference.
On Day 3 of the tour, Skye is approached through some of mainland Scotland's most dramatic scenery, combining iconic viewpoints, coastal villages, and historic landmarks before returning to the calm of Loch Ness for the evening.
Heading West: Classic Highland Scenery
Leaving Fort Augustus in the morning, the route heads west through classic Highland terrain — long glens, steep-sided mountains, and ever-changing light.
Travelling in a small group allows time to stop, take photographs, and properly appreciate the setting rather than simply passing through.
Your Day 3 Journey
From Fort Augustus through Scotland's dramatic west coast and back — a day of mountains, castles, and coastal villages
Five Sisters of Kintail
Breathtaking mountain viewpoint with dramatic Highland scenery
Plockton
Coastal village lunch stop with palm trees and sheltered bay
Eilean Donan Castle
Scotland's most photographed castle at the meeting of three lochs
Invermoriston Waterfall
Gentle woodland walk with rushing water and stone bridges
Fort Augustus
Return to Loch Ness for a relaxed second evening
Five Sisters of Kintail
One of the first major stops is the Five Sisters viewpoint, a breathtaking introduction to the dramatic mountain landscapes that define this part of Scotland.
This area offers:
- Wide, cinematic views
- A strong sense of scale
- A clear contrast between Highland wilderness and the gentler landscapes earlier in the journey
Lunch in Plockton: A Highland Village by the Sea
Lunch is taken in the picturesque village of Plockton, famous for its sheltered bay, palm trees, and relaxed pace.
Plockton works particularly well on this day because:
- It breaks up the westward journey naturally
- The setting offers a complete contrast to mountain scenery
- There's time to explore the waterfront rather than just eat and leave
Eilean Donan Castle: One of Scotland's Most Iconic Landmarks
A major highlight of the day is a visit to Eilean Donan Castle — one of Scotland's most photographed castles.
Set at the meeting point of three sea lochs, Eilean Donan is:
- Dramatically positioned
- Historically significant
- Best experienced with time to explore rather than a rushed roadside stop
Arriving as part of a guided small group tour allows for context — both historical and geographical — helping visitors understand why this location has become so iconic.
Invermoriston Waterfall Walk
Before returning to Loch Ness, the day finishes with a short but dramatic waterfall walk at Invermoriston.
This gentle walk offers:
- Woodland paths
- Rushing water and stone bridges
- A quieter, more reflective end to the day
It's deliberately placed at the end of the itinerary, providing a calm contrast to castles and mountain viewpoints.
Returning to Fort Augustus for the Night
Rather than changing accommodation, the tour returns to Fort Augustus for a second night on Loch Ness.
This avoids unnecessary packing and unpacking and allows guests to:
- Enjoy a relaxed evening by the loch
- Revisit favourite spots
- Fully unwind after a full day of exploration
This pacing is a key benefit of a well-designed small group itinerary.
Why Skye Works So Well on a Small Group Tour
The landscapes of Skye and the west Highlands are vast and exposed, and timing matters. A small group tour allows:
Flexible stops based on conditions
Time at key locations without rushing
A smoother, less tiring day overall
Rather than trying to "see everything," the focus is on seeing the right places, properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Part of a Larger Journey
The Isle of Skye features as Day 3 of our 7 Day Small Group Tour of Scotland, forming a natural progression from the Highlands into Scotland's west coast landscapes.