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A trip to the Scottish Highlands isn’t complete without a visit to the Isle of Skye.
If you’re visiting Inverness, you may be tempted to take the 1 day tour to the Isle of Skye (like dozens of tourists do every day).
Well, I’m here to suggest spending TWO days to visit the Isle of Skye from Inverness (spoiler: one is not enough).
Is it worth spending an extra day in Skye?
Here’s my honest review of my experience on a 2-day tour to the Isle of Skye to help you decide for yourself.
Why I Joined This Group Tour
My mom and I were part of the first group to experience Timberbush Tours’ brand-new, two-day tour departing from Inverness, Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles.
It had nearly everything we wanted to do and see on the Isle of Skye, all compacted into two days, all guided by a local driver.
We fit a lot into those two days, waking up early, going to sleep late. It was one of the best tours I’ve ever experienced, and I can’t recommend it enough.
We opted to join a group tour to the Isle of Skye for a few reasons:
- Not used to driving on the left side. Personally, we are from the United States and used to driving on the right side of the road. We have yet to try driving on the left and just weren’t comfortable testing it out on our vacation.
- Group tours give you a local’s perspective. We love hearing stories from local guides, and we feel like we learn so much on group tours.
- Local guides know the roads better. The Isle of Skye is full of one-lane roads, some dirt, some gravel. Our driver guide navigated them like an expert. Much better than we could’ve done.
Group tours aren’t for everyone, but if you’re considering it, and you’ve landed on this post, I hope I can help you decide one way or the other.
2 Day Itinerary Overview
On my 2-day tour to the Isle of Skye from Inverness, we got to visit ALL of these places:
- Dunvegan Castle (2 hours, lunch stop)
- Hector’s Highland Coos
- Skyeskyns in Waternish
- The Quiraing (45 minutes)
- Old Man of Storr
- Lealt Falls
- Kilt Rock
- Portree (overnight stay)
- Fairy Pools (2 hours)
- Sligachan
- Manuela’s Wee Bakery
- Eilean Donan Castle (with time to go INSIDE the castle)
What Do You See on the 1-Day Tour?
On the 1-day tour from Inverness, you’ll get to visit and go inside Eilean Donan Castle and have lunch in Portree, but all the other stops will be short, photo stops.
You’ll miss:
- Touring Dunvegan Castle (my FAVORITE thing I did in Isle of Skye)
- Hiking the Fairy Pools (another can’t-miss activity)
- Walking around the Quiraing
These are all must-sees in the Isle of Skye, definitely not worth missing!
My Overall Experience on the 2-Day Tour
When did we go? We first visited Inverness and Isle of Skye in April, the start of the tourist season, a shoulder month.
How many people were on our tour? There were only six of us (plus the driver guide) on the 2-day tour, and by the end of the trip it felt like we’d undergone a road trip with friends. Alternatively, the 1-day tour from Inverness had 48+ people aboard their bus!
What was our guide like? Our driver, Marita, was incredible — sharing so many interesting stories and facts with us as we drove all over the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye.
Let’s get into everything we did and saw on those two days in the Isle of Skye.
Day 1: Drive to the Isle of Skye
Depart from Inverness
The group tour with Timberbush Tours departs from Inverness, which was our home base while visiting the Scottish Highlands.
Inverness is 110 miles away from Portree, the main city on the Isle of Skye.
Our tour company had us meet their bus on a random street, which was a bit confusing. There were other people waiting on that street so we felt more confident we were in the right place.
A few buses eventually showed up. A large bus was taking dozens of people on a one-day trip to the Isle of Skye.
I’m glad we opted for the two-day tour because there were only six of us on that bus.
Stop for Photos on the Way
Our driver stopped often, not just for photo opportunities, but also for bathroom breaks (I mean, toilet breaks). If anyone is anxious about that, don’t worry, if you have to go, your driver will stop for you.
We were never on the bus too long before it was pulled over on the side of the road so we could hop out and take in the view.
And there was so much beauty to see.
Drink Drambuie at Cafe Sia in Broadford
One of the stories our driver, Marita, told us was about the origins of a whisky liqueur called drambuie.
It’s quite a long story involving Bonnie Prince Charlie who gave up the secret recipe (to Clan MacKinnon) while fleeing after the Battle of Culloden. The drink became very popular on the Isle of Skye, eventually making Clan MacKinnon loads of money.
The recipe is still under tight wraps today, but you can try it in almost any cafe or pub in Scotland.
We stopped at Cafe Sia in Broadford and ordered a few glasses.
I’m not a big drinker, but even I could tell this drink was special. It has so many interesting flavors, such as honey, citrus, and vanilla; they come in waves, both the herbs and spices and the sweetness.
If you see drambuie on the menu, definitely order a glass!
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Feed Hairy Coos
On the way to our next stop, we pulled over to meet a few hairy residents of the Isle of Skye — the Highlands’ famous hairy coos. The Highland cow is native to Scotland, a unique, hairy breed of cow that is often red or black colored.
Our driver handed out carrots so we could feed the coos, something that draws them to you quite quickly. If you need help making friends with the locals, bring carrots.
The farm where we saw the hairy coos was called Hector’s Highland Coos.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Tour Dunvegan Castle (and Have Lunch)
Visiting Dunvegan Castle was a definite highlight of the trip — it’s one of the main things I wanted to do and experience on the Isle of Skye. I
t’s been the seat of Clan MacLeod for about 800 years. It’s near where Bonnie Prince Charlie sought refuge after the Battle of Culloden. It’s where the fairy flag currently resides.
All that to say, this place is not only historic but magical.
I had to visit.
Luckily, our group tour gave us more than two hours to tour the castle, see the fairy flag, stroll the gardens, and eat lunch in the cafe. Our lunch was a little rushed but overall it was just enough time.
Read my more detailed guide to visiting Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Stop at a Sheepskin Shop, Skyeskyns in Waternish
We had some extra time after visiting Dunvegan Castle, so our driver, Marita, took us to an extra stop — to a sheepskin shop called Skyeskyns in Waternish. (Try saying that 10 times fast.)
At Skyeskyns, we were given a brief tour of the workroom, where they turn sheepskins into fluffy rugs and slippers. Our guide told us that they save the sheepskins from local sheep farms, to reuse them, to be sustainable.
Upstairs is the showroom, and we were encourage to touch everything, to feel how soft it all is.
The shop itself is located on a beautiful part of Waternish, overlooking the sea and many green hills.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Hike the Quiraing
The Quiraing is a gorgeous, natural area in Trotternish, with sweeping green cliffs and beautiful vistas. There’s a hiking trail that loops to the top and back to the car park.
We were able to spend about 45 minutes wandering the Quiraing, though you can definitely stay longer, especially if you want to hike the entire 4-mile trail.
We didn’t hike that much; we walked as far as we could before heading back. (We also weren’t wearing proper hiking shoes, and the path was pretty muddy.)
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Visit Lealt Falls and the Old Man of Storr
Originally, the itinerary called for a visit to Kilt Rock, but at the time we went, Kilt Rock was inaccessible due to cliff breakage. (It’s now open again!)
Instead, we visited Lealt Falls before driving by Old Man of Storr. It’s a short walk from the car park to view Lealt Falls, and then you can walk in the opposite direction to view the cliff side.
It’s a gorgeous view, one I probably would have appreciated more if I wasn’t so tired. This was our last stop of a very long day, but I’m glad I at least had enough energy to snap a few photos.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Get Dropped Off at Hotel in Portree
When booking your group tour with Timberbush Tours, you can decide if you’d like to book your own accommodations or have Timberbush book them for you. You save money by booking your own.
Timberbush asks you to ensure your hotel is within a certain radius of central Portree, so the bus can easily pick you up and drop you off.
It was late in the evening when we finally made it to Portree; I think it was almost 7 p.m. We didn’t have much time to explore the town that night as our dinner reservation at the hotel was for 7:30 p.m. (And we were so tired.) But we did do a little exploring the next morning.
Luckily, we could see a bit of Portree from our hotel — this famous row of colorful houses was just across the bay.
Recommended Hotels in Portree:
- Cuillin Hills Hotel (where I stayed)
- Portree Hotel
- The Skye Inn
Where We Stayed: Cuillin Hills Hotel
We decided to find our own accommodations, and I used credit card points to cover our stay.
We stayed at Cuillin Hills Hotel in Portree (which was within the radius for pick-up service), and I can’t say enough about how amazing our stay was. It’s a beautiful hotel with outstanding customer service. It’s a bit of a splurge to stay here, but it’s worth it.
We had dinner and breakfast at Cuillin Hills Hotel, and both meals were incredible. Both times, we were lucky to get seated right in front of the window looking out to the bay. It was an incredible view of the famous colorful row of houses in Portree.
Dinner at Cuillin Hills Hotel: Dinner is exclusively for hotel guests 6:30-8 p.m., so if you’re a guest, you’re almost guaranteed a table during those times, but you do need to book in advance. Note that there’s a regular dinner menu and a separate vegetarian/vegan menu that you have to request.
Breakfast at Cuillin Hills Hotel: Breakfast is exclusive for guests and comes free with your stay, but be sure to wake up early to be there when it opens so you can get the best table (in front of the window). No booking is required. See the breakfast menu.
Day 2: Drive Back to Inverness
On the morning of day two, our driver picked us up at the hotel and we headed into the town center for coffee and treats.
This was the only time we had in Portree, which was a bit of a bummer as we would have liked to explore more. But there just wasn’t enough time.
We did wake up early today to try to walk into town before breakfast, but the winds were insane. It was not windy the day before, but the winds came out of nowhere on day 2, making it difficult to go anywhere.
Hike to the Fairy Pools
Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation gain: 509 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Our first major stop of the day was the Fairy Pools, and unfortunately the winds had not died down. We were given more than two hours to walk to the Fairy Pools and back (about 2.3 miles round trip). Easy right?
Well, the winds were hurricane level. I am not joking. It felt impossible. But we zipped up our coats and trudged on, completing the entire walk.
What are the Fairy Pools?
The Fairy Pools are a series of pools on the Isle of Skye that are full of myth and legend. Fairies are apart of the history of the island, and many landmarks are named after them.
It’s a beautiful walk alongside the pools, and some of the pools are large and deep enough to swim in, if you don’t mind the freezing temperatures. We did see some people braving the waters, something we weren’t keen to try considering the windy, cold weather.
The hike to the Fairy Pools has gotten so popular in recent years that it’s been revitalized. The trail, once muddy, is now covered in small, dry rocks. The parking lot, once small, has been expanded to fit many more cars and buses.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Visit Sligachan
After the Fairy Pools, we made a short stop to Sligachan, an enchanted river whose water is said to make you younger.
All you have to do is dunk your head in the freezing cold river for a few seconds.
I didn’t end up doing this the first time (I did the second time I visited!), but my mom splashed some water on her face.
Nevertheless the area is very beautiful, and we even saw some sheep near the parking lot.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Visit Manuela’s Wee Bakery
Just before reaching our next major stop, Eilean Donan Castle, we visited Manuela’s Wee Bakery. It was an extra stop, not on the itinerary. Our tour guide, Marita, threw it in to surprise us. We all enjoyed it.
Manuela’s Wee Bakery is a bakery set in this cute fairy tale village, which the owners created/built themselves. You can walk around the village and then order a few treats. There are a lot of picnic tables to sit at as you eat.
Its location is very close to Eilean Donan Castle, so definitely stop here if you’re planning to visit the castle.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Tour Eilean Donan Castle
We had about an hour and a half to tour Eilean Donan Castle as well as eat lunch. The castle is not that large, and there is no garden, so it’s very doable to see it all within that time frame.
Eilean Donan is one of the most photographed castles in the world. It’s beautiful. This was something we really wanted to visit, and not just view from the street, so I’m very glad our tour allowed us the time to properly explore the castle.
The history of the castle is quite interesting, and you’ll learn more from the audio guides, as you walk around.
A castle or fortification of some sort has been in this location, on this little island, since the 13th century; but the castle as it stands now was reconstructed and completed in 1932, the design plans inspired by a dream, a more elaborate rendition of the original.
The castle has been featured in films such as James Bond and Made of Honor.
We really enjoyed walking around Eilean Donan Castle and learning of its history. Afterward, we walked over to the visitor center where there is a gift shop and restaurant, and we had some lunch before they closed.
Read more about visiting Eilean Donan Castle in my blog post, “Is It Worth Going Inside Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland?“
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Visit Five Sisters Vista Point
Our stop to see the five sisters mountain range was one of many photo stops along the way to/from Inverness. This one stood out to me because of the story our driver told us.
Why is this mountain range called the five sisters? You can see five mountaintop points on the range, and legend has it that five sisters were turned into mountains, waiting for their Irish husbands to come for them.
I guess they still haven’t come, so mountains they remain. Read the full legend of the five sisters.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Stop at Fort Augustus (Loch Ness)
Our last stop before arriving in Inverness was a comfort break at Fort Augustus. Most shops were closed this late in the day, but we got to use the toilets and see a glimpse of Loch Ness. It wasn’t much of a loss since we’ve been to Fort Augustus before, on our last group trip to the Scottish Highlands.
Soon we were back on the bus and back in Inverness.
Tour I Took: Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles
Overall Thoughts: Do I Recommend Timberbush’s 2-Day Trip to the Isle of Skye?
Yes. BOOK THIS TOUR. It’s amazing. I 100% recommend the Isle of Skye, the Fairy Pools, and Highland Castles tour with Timberbush Tours.
We had an incredible time and couldn’t be more happy with our experience.
If you do book this tour, ask for Marita, she was an incredible driver guide.
What to Pack for a Trip to the Isle of Skye
Warm, waterproof wear
If you’re visiting the Scottish Highlands during its cold and rainy season (almost every month of the year besides a few weeks in summer), you should definitely bring a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots.
- This waterproof jacket and these waterproof boots I took with me to Scotland helped me explore no matter the weather. I even hiked to the Fairy Pools in near-hurricane-level winds in this jacket! Be prepared for rainy weather, and dress for it, so you don’t miss out.
- Also consider bringing fleece-lined leggings — I loved this pair I packed!
Favorite travel essentials
- I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
- I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
- I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
- I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Scotland
Isle of Skye
- Best Isle of Skye Attractions: What’s Worth Seeing?
- Guide to Visiting Dunvegan Castle on Isle of Skye
- Is It Worth Going Inside Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland?
Inverness
- 2 Day Itinerary in Inverness Scotland + Map!
- 20 Best Things to Do in Inverness, Scotland
- Day Trip from Inverness to Dunrobin Castle (and Dornoch)
Edinburgh
Wow what a detailed story love all the links pictures and answers to all questions can’t wait to visit!!