Highlands, Glens & the Isle of Skye

Edinburgh · Skye · Cairngorms · 8 nights

Eight nights from Edinburgh to Cairngorms, paced around the days that matter.

The Journey

Eight nights across three stops: Edinburgh for three nights, Isle of Skye for three and Cairngorms for two. Every transfer between them is private and timed around the day's plan.

The days are built around Castle Rock and the Old Town; Trotternish Peninsula; Mountain Plateau and Reindeer; and New Town, Arthur's Seat and Whisky. Each one is set out below with what you will see, how you get there and which meals are included.

The defining moment of this route: castle-stay dinner with a piper at dusk. Your travel specialist can add a night, swap a day or change the order before you book.

Signature Highlights

Castle-stay dinner with a piper at dusk
Castle Rock and the Old Town, Edinburgh
New Town, Arthur's Seat and Whisky, Edinburgh
Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye
Cuillin, Elgol and the Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
Mountain Plateau and Reindeer, Cairngorms

Day by day

Your Itinerary

9 days

01
Day 1 · Edinburgh
Arrival in Edinburgh
Arrive at Edinburgh airport, about 30-40 minutes by road to the centre and transfer privately to your base. Time today to walk the Royal Mile in the evening when the day visitors have thinned.
- Private transfer via Edinburgh airport
- Walk the Royal Mile in the evening when the day visitors have thinned
- Time to settle in before dinner
Meals:
D
02
Day 2 · Edinburgh
Castle Rock and the Old Town
Edinburgh Castle first thing, then down the Royal Mile through the closes and wynds to Holyrood, with the Scottish Parliament at the foot.
- Edinburgh Castle
- Royal Mile closes with a guide
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
Meals:
BL
03
Day 3 · Edinburgh
New Town, Arthur's Seat and Whisky
Georgian New Town architecture in the morning, a climb of Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill for the view, and a structured whisky tasting in the afternoon.
- Georgian New Town walk
- Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill climb
- Guided whisky tasting
Meals:
B
04
Day 4 · Isle of Skye
Edinburgh to Isle of Skye
Drive west through Glen Shiel and across the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh. On arrival, drive out to Sligachan for your first view of the Cuillin ridge.
- Drive west through Glen Shiel and across the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh
- Drive out to Sligachan for your first view of the Cuillin ridge
- Timings reconfirmed locally the day before
Meals:
B
05
Day 5 · Isle of Skye
Trotternish Peninsula
The Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing along the island's northern loop. The Quiraing road is narrow and the walks are exposed; weather changes fast here.
- Old Man of Storr walk
- Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
- Quiraing landslip circuit (weather dependent)
Meals:
BL
06
Day 6 · Isle of Skye
Cuillin, Elgol and the Fairy Pools
South to Elgol for the boat view of Loch Coruisk beneath the Black Cuillin, with the Fairy Pools on the return. Boats run seasonally and only in settled seas.
- Elgol boat to Loch Coruisk (seasonal)
- Fairy Pools walk
- Glenbrittle and the Cuillin approach
Meals:
BL
07
Day 7 · Cairngorms
Isle of Skye to Cairngorms
Drive east past Loch Ness and Inverness into the Cairngorms, about three and a half hours. On arrival, walk beside Loch Morlich under the Caledonian pines.
- Drive east past Loch Ness and Inverness into the Cairngorms, about three and a half hours
- Walk beside Loch Morlich under the Caledonian pines
- Timings reconfirmed locally the day before
Meals:
B
08
Day 8 · Cairngorms
Mountain Plateau and Reindeer
The funicular or the Windy Ridge path up Cairn Gorm, and a walk out to the free-ranging reindeer herd on the slopes above Glenmore.
- Cairngorm mountain railway or ascent
- Cairngorm reindeer herd walk
- Loch Morlich shoreline
Meals:
BL
09
Day 9 · Cairngorms
Departure from Cairngorms
A last forest walk before the drive out. Private transfer to Inverness airport in good time for your onward flight.
- A last forest walk before the drive out
- Late check-out arranged where the hotel allows it
- Private departure transfer
Meals:
B

Inclusions

Handpicked luxury accommodations across the journey
Daily breakfast; select lunches and dinners as noted
Private airport transfers and inter-city ground movement
Curated experiences and reserved access as listed
24×7 on-trip concierge from our India desk

Not included

International airfare unless explicitly mentioned
Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses
Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Anything of a personal nature (spa, minibar, laundry)

Transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers with a named driver
Moves between stops by private car, rail, ferry or domestic flight, as shown day by day
Timings reconfirmed with you the evening before each transfer

Visa & Documentation

Visa guidance provided by our documentation desk
Recommended to hold passport valid for 6+ months
Digital pre-arrival forms handled on your behalf where possible

Common Questions

When is the best time for Skye and the Highlands?+

May, June and September for longer days and fewer midges. July and August are busiest on Skye, so we book well ahead.

How long are the drives?+

Edinburgh to Skye is about six hours with stops in Glencoe; Skye to the Cairngorms about three and a half hours. A private driver-guide does the driving.

Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Scotland?+

Yes. A UK Standard Visitor visa covers Scotland.

How far in advance should we book?+

Three to four months ahead gives the widest choice of rooms and guided days, and more for school holidays, festivals and peak season. Shorter notice is often possible; ask and we will check live availability.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Yes. Every journey is a starting point: add or remove nights, swap a day's plan, change hotels or reorder the route, and your travel specialist re-plans the whole trip around it.

What is the payment schedule?+

Your quote sets out the deposit that confirms the booking and the date the balance is due. Both depend on the hotels, airlines and guides involved, so they are agreed with you before you pay anything.