Scotland: Isle of Skye Short Break

Skye Highs Short Break

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.6 Read 5 reviews

The perfect 4-night escape to explore the magical Isle of Skye.
Crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct on the Jacobite Steam Train, ‘Hogwarts Express’.
A guided day trip; learning about Skye’s stories, history & wildlife from a local.
Walks to explore Skye’s Cuillin mountains, rocky Storr and wild beaches.
Kicking back with a cup of tea, large slice of cake and maybe a wee dram!

Escape to the Isle of Skye on the perfect 4-night short break, including a magical steam train ride on the ’Hogwarts Express’, an expertly guided day trip taking in Skye’s mountains, rocky peninsulas, remote lochs and wild beaches, topped off with some great walking. Starting with one of the world’s greatest rail journeys, take the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to the west coast station of Mallaig where you’ll overnight. Then take a ferry across to Skye where you’ll stay 3 nights in pretty Portree.

What To Expect

A 4-night short break to the Isle of Skye. Immerse yourself in some of the most dramatic scenery Scotland has to offer. You can choose to simply relax in a pretty Highland village with cosy pubs and local ale, or enjoy some walks. Enjoy the added bonus of a steam train ride, and guided tour of Skye. This tour is also an ideal add-on to any trip starting/ending in Fort William, such as the West Highland Way

Tour Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active trip.

Activity:

Rail & Hike | See more of a destination by mixing train travel with walks accessible from the rail-line. Travel inn-to-inn by train & enjoy hikes from each stopping point. Train fare inc- no baggage transfers.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travelers, First Timers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 16 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wildlife
Historical Journeys
Coastal & Island

Inspiration:

Most Popular
Classic

Activity Level & Terrain

This trip is graded easy to moderate overall, although you will find some suggested walks are more on the moderate end of the scale e.g. The Storr to Portree coastal walk. We include suggested daily walks of up to 9 miles, the terrain is rugged underfoot and takes in some not to strenuous ascents. Perfect for those with a relatively good level of fitness.

Navigation

You will find GPX tracks for the top choice walks on our free Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app with access to detailed mapping. With access to the app you shouldn't have any problem finding your way but we also include turn by turn route notes and a 1:40,000 scale Harvey map of Skye. The routes are generally well-walked with the exception of the more remote The Storr to Portree coastal route which should only by attempted by those happy using a compass and map to navigate. A bad weather alternative, or more relaxed day alternative for this walk is simply to spend time exploring the rocky formations at the The Storr and return to Portree via bus.

Accommodations

4 nights accommodation is included in hand-picked guesthouses and B&B’s of a 3-star standard.

We carefully select small and friendly accommodation that offers great value, food and welcomes. The properties we normally use are detailed below, however are subject to availability and therefore alternatives of an equal standard may be offered.

You can add extra nights at either side of your tour in Fort William, Glasgow or Edinburgh - please contact us for details.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This holiday is available to solo walkers, although a single supplement is payable. If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate your request, although it is not generally possible to secure more than three single rooms in a party. A single supplement is payable.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning while lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival, alternatively your guidebook also includes details of local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants.

Included

4 Nights in 3* guesthouses and B&B’s
4 Breakfasts
Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig (standard class)
Mallaig to Armadale ferry
Guided group tour of Skye on day 3
Maps & route notes (and access to our free Macs App GPX tracks).
24/7 Telephone support from our UK office.

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Public transportation on Skye (payable locally)
Lunches, dinner, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Suggested optional excursions on Day 4 from Portree.
Mountain rescue/emergency assistance.

Extras

Additional nights
Accommodation upgrades

When To Go

Skye is a popular destination year round with enthusiatist walkers, cyclists and sight-seers alike, especially during the summer months. If you prefer a bustling atmosphere you may relish this experience, but please make sure to book well ahead of time to avoid disappointment. It will help if you are flexible with your dates if you'd like to travel in peak season. If you are seeking a more peaceful island experience then we recommend travelling at the beginning and end of the season in May and October.

Getting to the Start

By air: Convenient airports for getting to Fort William are Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness. Glasgow and Edinburgh in particular are well-served by low-cost and scheduled airlines. With each of these airports a regular shuttle bus (and also a tram for Edinburgh) operates into the city centre; duration approx. 30 mins.

By bus and train to Fort William: from Glasgow take a bus (3hrs) or train (4hrs), from Inverness take a bus (1h50), from Edinburgh take a train or bus first to Glasgow (1hr) then onward travel as aforementioned.

Getting from the End

By air: Again, Glasgow and Inverness are the most convenient airports. You can also travel to Edinburgh.

By bus and train from Portree: to reach Glasgow take a bus all the way (6h20) or bus to Fort William (3 hrs) then a train (4 hrs). To reach Inverness take a bus (3hrs). To get to Edinburgh take a bus to Glasgow (6h20), then train or bus (1hr) to Edinburgh.

The website www.travelinescotland.com is fantastic for researching train and bus timetables throughout Scotland. Your pre-departure information pack will also have handy hints and tips about journeys and transport services. Please note that outside the Scottish school holidays and peak summer months, bus timetables are reduced.

Luggage Transfer

When you travel with public transport, you take your luggage with you. Baggage transfers are not included.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Fort William to Mallaig by Jacobite steam train 9 miles / 14.5 km Day 2 Travel from Mallaig to Portree and optional walk 3 miles / 5 km Day 3 Full day guided tour of the Isle of Skye

From Portree you'll join our local friend Donald on a small group guided day tour of Skye's popular spots while he regails you with tales, both recent and historical. Discover Skye from the perspective of a local! Whatever the weather your guide will ensure you see Skye’s highlights but bear in mind that the exact route and inclusions are weather-dependent.

Weather-permitting you'll visit a few of the island's must-see spots with time for walks, including the Fairy Pools (first thing in the morning as they can get very busy in the afternoon). This small series of waterfalls at situated in Glenbrittle below the towering Cuillin Ridge and in the sunshine it's easy to see how this magical landscape got it's nickname. Later you'll drive to Neist Point, the island's most westerly point, where a lighthouse stands sentry-like on the dramatic clifftops, drive past Dunvegan Castle, and visit the Fairy Glen. Finish with a 2 hour walk through the other-wordly landscape of the Quiraing on the island's east coast and squeeze in a photo opportunity at Kilt Rock on the way back to Portree.

There are plenty of dining options in Portree from classic fish & chips to Michelin-listed restaurants.

Overnight Portree

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Duirinish Guesthouse

The owners would like to welcome you to Duirinish Guest House B&B, Portree, the Isle of Skye's largest town. The B&B is located on Viewfield Road and only a five-minute walk from the lively town centre, where there are parks, restaurants, pubs, shops and banks. All guest rooms are en-suite and have blackout curtains, complimentary toiletries, Freeview TV and WIFI.

Bosville Hotel

This quality Hotel offers fresh, stress free accommodation with many rooms overlooking idyllic Portree and the busy harbour. They have an unrivalled reputation for superb, award winning cuisine created using the freshest of local produce and first class service.

Portree Hotel

The Portree Hotel has recently undergone extensive refurbishment, now offering 24 redesigned en-suite rooms, with all the expected facilities including 32” flat screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryers and irons. The new Antlers Bar and Grill and West Highland Bar have also been tastefully refurbished, this includes wood burning stoves, which creates a cosy and comfortable atmosphere.

Day 4 The Storr and coastal walk to Portree or optional boat trip 8.5 miles / 14 km

If you’re keen to explore Skye’s mountains and coastline on foot, then we recommend taking a bus (25 mins) to The Storr; a rocky hill on the Trotternish peninsula. From here, walk along the wild and remote coastline before returning to bustling Portree. Or simply explore unique landscape at The Storr and take the bus back to Portree for a more relaxed day.

Alternatively, choose the option of a 2 hour cruise through the Sound of Raasay with the Cuillin Ridge as your backdrop. Look out for golden- and white-taled seaeages! You're also likely to see common seals and possibly even dolphins or porpoises surfing alongside on the boat's waves. If you wish to book a wildlife boat cruise, please advise us at the time of booking to avoid disappointment.

If a cup of tea and slice of cake is more your style, you can relax in a café and do a spot of souvenir shopping. Calmac also operates a ferry service from nearby Sconser to Raasay if you prefer to explore one of the islands.

Overnight Portree

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Duirinish Guesthouse

Bosville Hotel

Portree Hotel

Day 5 Onward Travel