Scotland: Isle of Skye Short Break

Skye Highs Short Break

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.6 Read 10 reviews

The perfect 4-night escape to explore the magical Isle of Skye
Crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct on the Jacobite Steam Train, the ‘Hogwarts Express’
Walks to explore Skye’s Cuillin mountains, rocky Storr and wild beaches
Visit the Isle of Raasay and visit its first small-batch whisky distillery
Kicking back with a cup of tea, large slice of cake and maybe a wee dram

This short break itinerary truly packs a punch showcasing the rugged beauty of the Isle of Skye and the famous Jacobite steam train, one of the world's greatest rail journeys. We have selected easy-going walks that take in the rocky Highlands, remote lochs, and wild beaches that Skye is famed for. Combine this with a free day in Portree to take an optional expertly guided day trip from a local taking in all the highlights or a boat trip with a backdrop of the Cuillins, and you have all the right ingredients for a trip of a lifetime.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

This is a 4-night trip to the Isle of Skye to immerse yourself in some of the most dramatic scenery Scotland has to offer. You can enjoy some exceptional low-level local walks with big views, opt for a day tour, or simply relax in a cosy pub and mingle with the locals. This tour is easily combined with a pre-tour extra night in Fort William where this relaxed holiday kicks off.

Tour Type:

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 10 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands
Short Break
Coastal Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

The walks on this tour are graded as easy to moderate with distances ranging from 5 to 7 km (3 to 5 mi) which are optional and can be completed at your own pace. The ascent/descent is gentle and the highest elevation is +338/-336m (+1109/-1102ft) on Day 4 when completing The Old Man of Storr linear walk. Please view the itinerary for more details. It is advisable to do several walks of similar length before setting off to make the most of your adventure.

The terrain is a mixture of well-established tracks and faint paths including forest trails, and farm tracks. During or after rainfall the trails through the woodlands may be boggy when wet, and progress along the route may slow you down. You may like to use walking poles as these can help by taking some pressure off your knees, or help with balance when the ground underfoot could be slippery.

Navigation

The routes are partially waymarked and easy to follow. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost.

You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

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)
Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale
Information pack and access to the maps and GPX tracks via the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24/7 Emergency support from our office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Public transport on Skye (payable locally)
Lunches, dinner, drinks & snacks
Suggested excursions from Portree

Extras

Extra nights
Hotel upgrades
Sound of Raasay cruise (Day 3)
Small group guided day tour of Skye (Day 3)

When To Go

Skye is a popular destination year-round with enthusiast 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 traveling at the beginning or at the end of the season.

The Jacobite steam train is very popular and although we will try our best to secure tickets for you, we can't guarantee that there will be availability for your chosen dates. If we are unable to book the railway journey, it is often possible to book you on the regular train service to Mallaig as an alternative.

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.

General Information

Optional Excursions

This itinerary has a free day in Portree which is the perfect base to explore all that Skye has to offer. We have two beautiful loop walks that allow you to explore the woodlands on the outskirts of Portree and takes you along the banks of Portree Loch, or you can hop on a ferry to explore the Isle of Raasay, a well-kept secret. Please find a couple of excursions below and please get in touch if you are interested. It should be noted that these excursions are subject to availability and should be booked in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

Skye in a Day tour: Visit the most beautiful locations on Skye on our 8-hour small group tour seating a maximum of 8 passengers. This itinerary includes The Fairy Pools, Neist Point, Dunvegan Castle (photostop), Fairy Glens, The Quiraing, Kilt Rock & Old Man of Storr (photo stop). The tour starts at 08.50 am and returns around 5 pm. It is suitable for those with reasonable levels of fitness and mobility.

Sound of Raasay cruise: Another memorable experience is a 2-hour cruise through the Sound of Raasay with a backdrop of the Cuillin Ridge. Look out for golden- and white-tailed sea eagles, and you're also likely to see common seals and possibly even dolphins or porpoises surfing alongside the boat's waves.

Equipment

The weather in Scotland can be variable all year so make sure you have waterproofs, warm layers, and a hat, buff/scarf, and gloves with you. 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 Arrive Fort William, travel to Mallaig by Jacobite 4 miles / 6 km

Your short break to the Isle of Skye begins at Fort William, the finish point of the West Highland Way, and at the foot of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis. Speak to a Destination Specialist to book pre-holiday accommodation in Fort William.

Hop on board the historic Jacobite steam train on one of the world’s greatest rail journeys (2h15m). The 'Hogwarts Express' puffs its way over the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan viaduct, past mountains, sandy beaches, and lochs, to arrive in Mallaig. There’s time to enjoy an afternoon walk with views of the Small Isles of Eigg and Rum.

Loch an Nostarie Loop Walk: 6km (4mi), ascent/descent: +155m/-154m

Overnight Mallaig

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.

Seaview Guest house | Guest House

Seaview Guesthouse is a comfortable guesthouse in the centre of Mallaig. Overlooking the harbour of this pretty fishing village, the guesthouse provides all you need for a relaxing stay. A hearty Scottish breakfast is cooked to order and special dietary requirements are catered with advance notice.

The Moorings Guest house | Guest House

Heather looks forward to meeting you at the Moorings which has super views over the working fishing port of Mallaig. Moorings is located approximately a 5 minute walk from Mallaig Train station, with ferries for Skye, the Outer Isles and other local amenities nearby. All bedrooms are comfortably furnished with TV, radio, en suite shower, tea and coffee making facilities and room hairdryer.

West Highland Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

Overlooking the village, this 4-star hotel retains the traditional charm of a bygone age combined with modern touches in the comfortable surroundings. Dining is a delight with views out to the Cuillin mountains in Skye. All rooms are en-suite with Freeview TVs and some boasting views of the harbour and isles beyond.

Day 2 Travel from Mallaig to Portree 3 miles / 5 km Day 3 Free day on the Isle of Skye 4 miles / 7 km

You are spoiled for choice with things to do during a free day on Skye! If you would like to discover Skye with a local on a small group guided day tour of Skye's popular spots from Portree, we can organise this for you (this can be booked as an add-on, subject to availability).

Another memorable experience is a 2-hour cruise through the Sound of Raasay with a backdrop of the Cuillin Ridge. Look out for golden- and white-tailed sea eagles, and you're also likely to see common seals and possibly even dolphins or porpoises surfing alongside the boat's waves. If you wish to book a wildlife boat cruise as an add-on, please advise us at the time of booking to avoid disappointment.

If a cup of tea and a 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 (25m) if you prefer to explore one of the islands on a gentle walk along its coastline and secluded beaches with far-reaching views of Skye. The path takes you above North Bay towards Raasay House and offers views across the Red Hills before reaching the tiny capital, Inverarish, which has a small whisky distillery.

Isle of Raasay Loop Walk: 6.5km (4mi), ascent/descent: 118/-118m

Portree Loop Walk: 7km (4.5mi), ascent/descent: 119/-127m

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 | Guest House

This B&B is located 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 and wifi.

Portree Hotel | 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.