Lowest price here5,019 reviews
12 hInverness: Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip
★ 4.8 · 5,019 reviews
- Twelve hours, Old Man of Storr photo stop
- Lunch stop in Portree
- Bestseller
- Free cancellation
$91$7.58 / hour
Check availability→ Skye in one day
Isle of Skye day trip: what fits into twelve hours
An Isle of Skye day trip on this site means one of four 12-hour days out of Inverness, priced $91 to $105 per person. Each crosses to the island, stops at Eilean Donan Castle and in Portree, then splits: the Old Man of Storr on three of them, 90 minutes at the Fairy Pools on the fourth. Below: the order of the day, what the price covers and which day suits you.
Quick answer
The short answer. For the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and a group of no more than 16, book the $94 Isle of Skye day trip rated 4.9. For the Fairy Pools, book the $105 day: it is the one that walks you there. For the lowest price and the most reviews, 5,019 at 4.8, book the $91 day. All three start in Inverness; from Edinburgh or Glasgow, every Skye tour here takes several days.
The Isle of Skye day trip at a glance
- Price
- $91 to $105per person, four day trips
- Length
- 12 hourson all four
- Starts in
- InvernessRailway Terrace, Ardross Street or Union Street
- On all four
- Eilean Donan, Portreeand a Loch Ness stop or view
- Trotternish
- Old Man of Storron three of the four days
- Fairy Pools
- 90 minuteson one day trip only
- Lunch
- Not includeda lunch stop in Portree
- Group size
- Up to 16stated on one day trip
- Guide
- Live, in Englishaudio guide in five languages on one day
- Reviews
- 8,286across the four days
- Cancellation
- Free cancellationreserve now, pay later
How the day works
Inverness to the island and back in one long day
Four days out, one pattern, and the stop lengths the listings give.
All four Skye day tours on this site leave from Inverness and are listed at 12 hours. The pattern is similar: Loch Ness, a stop at Eilean Donan Castle, the bridge to the island, lunch in Portree, a loop of the island’s best-known sights, and back to Inverness the same evening. The listings do not say how long the drive to the island takes, or how many of the 12 hours you spend on Skye itself.
What they do give is the length of some stops. The Fairy Pools day lists 90 minutes at the pools and an hour in Portree. The myths and legends day lists an hour in Portree, 30 minutes at the Quiraing and 15 minutes each at the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock. So an Isle of Skye day trip is a sampler, not a slow day: you see a lot, briefly. Christine from France: «The tour was very well paced, with enough time at each stop while keeping the day moving smoothly.»
An Inverness to Skye day trip returns the same night; for a night on the island, see the two-day trip below.
Stop by stop
The Isle of Skye day trip itinerary, stop by stop
The order of the day as the four listings give it, with the days that make each stop.
- Morning in Inverness
Railway Terrace for the $91 day; Ardross Street by Inverness Cathedral for the $94 day; Union Street for the Fairy Pools and myths days.
- Loch Ness
A short break at Invermoriston on the $91 day; a 10-minute photo stop on the Fairy Pools and myths days. The $94 day passes by, with Urquhart Castle seen from afar.
- Eilean Donan Castle
Set on its own island at the head of Loch Duich. Time to go inside or admire it from outside on two days; a 20-minute photo stop on the Fairy Pools day; inside at your own expense on the myths day.
- Over the Skye Bridge
Kyleakin and the Cuillin Hills on the $94 and Fairy Pools days, with the bridge at Sligachan.
- Portree
The island’s capital and the lunch stop on all four days. Lunch is not in the price. The Fairy Pools and myths days give you an hour.
- Trotternish
The Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock on three days; the Quiraing on the $94 and myths days; Lealt Falls, a waterfall and gorge, on the $91 day.
- The Fairy Pools
Only on the $105 day: 90 minutes in Glen Brittle. The walk is moderately challenging, so wear proper footwear.
- Back to Inverness
Around 20:00 on the $94 day, by a different route from the morning. Also named: Rogie Falls on the myths day; Strome viewpoint over Loch Carron on the $91 day, April to October.
Along the way
Pinnacle, castle, harbour and pools, frame by frame
Four places an Isle of Skye day trip from this list can stop at.
Castle and causeway bridge
A square keep on a small rocky island, reached by a long arched stone bridge.
Painted houses on the harbour
Pink, blue and cream houses above a stone harbour wall, boats moored in the bay.
Ridges and a footpath
Green slopes below a flat-topped peak, with walkers on a narrow path.
Water over dark rock
A stream drops over black stone in short falls into a clear pool.
Every trip, current fare
What each day costs and what the price covers
Every Isle of Skye day trip on this list, with the two-day trip and our top pick for scale. Lunch is not included on any, and every price is per person.
| Trip | Price | Price is for | Length | What the price covers | Where it starts | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eilean Donan, Storr and Lealt Falls | $91 | per person | 12 hours | Air-conditioned bus with a live guide; the castle ticket is not stated | Railway Terrace, Inverness | 4.8 · 5,019 |
| Eilean Donan, Storr and Quiraing | $94 | per person | 12 hours | Live guide, up to 16 people; time to go inside the castle, ticket not stated | Ardross Street, by Inverness Cathedral | 4.9 · 1,809 |
| Fairy Pools and Portree | $105 | per person | 12 hours | Air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide; 90 minutes at the Fairy Pools | 25 Union Street, Inverness | 4.7 · 1,278 |
| Myths and legends day | $94 | per person | 12 hours | Live guide plus an audio guide; castle entry at your own expense | Opposite the Victorian Market, 15 Union Street | 4.7 · 180 |
| Two days from Inverness | $224 | per person | 2 days | Transport with a driver-guide; a hike to the Fairy Pools on day two | Railway Terrace, Inverness | 4.8 · 513 |
| Three days, our top pick | $304 | per person | 3 days | Two nights in Portree; whether the room is in the price is not stated | Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, 9:00 | 4.8 · 1,239 |
The price
What the extra few dollars buy
Four Isle of Skye day trip prices close together, and what separates them.
The four days sit within $14 of each other. The $91 day, at $7.58 per listed hour, is the lowest price on the site and has the most reviews of any trip here, 5,019 at 4.8. For $94 you get the highest rating on the site, 4.9 from 1,809 reviews, and a stated cap of 16 people. The myths and legends day costs the same $94 and adds an audio guide. The $105 day buys the Fairy Pools.
None of the four includes lunch or promises a castle ticket.
Who it suits
Which of the four days to book
Picking an Isle of Skye one day tour comes down to what you most want to stand in front of.
- Book the $94 day for the Trotternish loop in a small group
Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing, up to 16 people, back around 20:00. Victoria from the United States: «This tour packed a lot of sites and scenery into one day and was a great overview of the Isle of Skye!»
- Book the $105 day for the Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are the one stop no other Isle of Skye day tour here makes. In winter a visit is, on occasion, not possible.
- Book the $91 day if price and reviews decide it
5,019 reviews at 4.8, with Lealt Falls and Strome viewpoint on the route.
- Book the myths and legends day if English is not your first language
An audio guide in French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Portuguese; bring a headset. Expect legends, folklore, rival clans and a fugitive prince.
From Edinburgh or Glasgow
Why there is no one-day trip from the south
From the south, Skye takes longer than a day.
Every Skye trip on this site that starts in Edinburgh or Glasgow is a tour of several days, from two and a half to four. There is no one-day Skye trip from either city in our list: base yourself in Inverness for a day tour, or book a longer one.
Our top pick is the three-day tour from Edinburgh at $304, rated 4.8 from 1,239 reviews. It passes through Glencoe and spends two nights in Portree, with Eilean Donan on the way back; Glasgow passengers join at 10:00. Whether the room is in the price is not stated.
If one Isle of Skye day trip feels too short, the two-day trip from Inverness at $224 adds a night and a hike to the Fairy Pools on the second morning.
Before you book
Six things to check before you pay
A few minutes on the listing make an Isle of Skye day trip easier on the day.
- Your meeting point
No pickup on any of the four: each day has its own spot in Inverness.
- Money for lunch
Lunch is not included on any day. The stop is in Portree, so bring money for food.
- Shoes for the Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools walk is moderately challenging; the listing asks for adequate footwear.
- Your evening plans
Return times are approximate. Only one day gives a time, around 20:00, so do not book a tight onward connection.
- Children’s ages
The minimum age is 3, 4 or 5 depending on the day; the myths day does not state one.
- Cancellation
All four offer free cancellation and reserve now, pay later. Check the deadline on the listing before you pay.
Our verdict
Our verdict on Skye in one day
Book the $94 day if you want the island’s classic loop. It is the highest-rated Isle of Skye day trip here, 4.9 from 1,809 reviews, with a stated cap of 16. On a 1 day tour Isle of Skye stops come in minutes, not hours, and this one fits Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing.
If the Fairy Pools matter most, book the $105 day instead.
Book direct
The four Isle of Skye day trip options, side by side
Lowest price first, then the small-group day, the Fairy Pools day and the myths day. All four are priced per person.
Likely to sell out1,809 reviews
12 hFrom Inverness: Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Tour
★ 4.9 · 1,809 reviews
- Twelve hours, Small group, up to 16
- Old Man of Storr, Quiraing
- Likely to sell out
- Free cancellation
$94$7.83 / hour
Check availability→ 
Likely to sell out1,278 reviews
12 hFrom Inverness: Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools Day Trip
★ 4.7 · 1,278 reviews
- Twelve hours, Fairy Pools stop, 90 minutes
- Lunch stop in Portree
- Likely to sell out
- Free cancellation
$105$8.75 / hour
Check availability→ 
Likely to sell out12 h
12 hFrom Inverness: Isle of Skye “Myths & Legends” Full Day Trip
★ 4.7 · 180 reviews
- Twelve hours, Old Man of Storr, Quiraing
- Castle tour optional, extra fee
- Likely to sell out
- Free cancellation
$94$7.83 / hour
Check availability→ Common questions
Isle of Skye day trip: questions, answered
Can you see the Isle of Skye in one day?
You can see part of it. The four 1 day tours from Inverness on this site last 12 hours and cover Eilean Donan, Portree and either the Trotternish sights or the Fairy Pools. Carol from the United States: «of course now that I have done one day I want to go back and do several days.»
Can you visit Skye in a day from Edinburgh or Glasgow?
Not with a tour on this site: from Edinburgh and Glasgow the Skye tours here last two and a half to four days. Each Skye day trip from Inverness lasts 12 hours.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included on any of the four days. The lunch stop is in Portree, where the Fairy Pools and myths days give you an hour.
How long do you get at the Fairy Pools?
90 minutes on the $105 day. In winter the visit is, on occasion, not possible, and other places replace it. The two-day trip also hikes to the pools but does not say for how long.
Is the Eilean Donan Castle ticket in the price?
No listing says it is. On the myths day it is at your own expense, with an optional guided hour for a fee. The Fairy Pools day is a 20-minute photo stop outside. Two of the day trips give you time to go inside, ticket not stated.
What time do you get back to Inverness?
Only the $94 day gives a time: around 20:00. The others call their times approximate, and the Fairy Pools listing advises against booking tight onward connections. Whichever Inverness one day trip you pick, keep the evening open.
Go deeper
More on trips to the Isle of Skye
From Inverness
From Inverness
Four long days and one two-day trip from the Highland capital, side by side.
Fairy PoolsFairy Pools
The walk to the pools, and which tours give you time there.
Eilean DonanEilean Donan
The castle on its island at the head of Loch Duich, and the tours that stop there.
Two daysTwo days
A night on the island: what the second day adds.
From EdinburghFrom Edinburgh
Three- and four-day tours from the capital: route, nights and what the price covers.
