View allBeautiful sights, and Tim was a brilliant guide.
Anonymous, traveled in July
Price based on Cheapest Room
Price based on Shared Room
Price based on Private Single Room
Price based on Private Double Room
Booking needs min. 2 travelers
Best price guarantee Learn More
- Platinum Operator
- Highland Explorer Tours
- In-depth Cultural
- Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided
- An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Low Intensity
- Travelers can expect some light physical activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 1 - 30
- All Ages Welcome
Places You’ll See
Highlights
- Enjoy the greatest railway journey in the world (Mid April – Mid Oct)
- Keep an eye out for the monster of Loch Ness
- Learn the secrets of historic Glencoe
- Wander through the halls of Eilean Donan Castle
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Day 1 Edinburgh to Oban
- Day 2 Oban to Isle of Skye
- Day 3 Isle of Skye to Inverness
- Day 4 Inverness
- Day 5 Inverness to Edinburgh
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Meals
- Optional
Adventure Type
- Group AdventuresJoin a group and forge lifelong friendships.What to expect
- Group of 30 travelers max.
- Fast booking confirmation
- Carefully planned itineraries
- Travel with like-minded people
- Personalized AdventuresCustomize an existing itinerary or create your own.What to expect
- Choose your preferred dates and duration
- Upgrade your accommodation
- Customize the itineraries
Customer Photos
Operated by
Highland Explorer Tours
Number of tours
7
Age Range
5 to 99 years old
Response time
within 2 days
Response rate
88%
Highland Explorer Tours are dedicated to delivering the very best travel...
Read moreCustomer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationExcellent
- FoodExcellent
- MMike· October 22nd, 2025Our driver and guide Tim was outstanding. He taught a lot of history, told fables ,pointed out good pubs and restaurants and hustled our luggage at each stop. He played music on spotify from the selections of the passengers and kept us entertained with corny jokes. The stops were all very scenic and the accommodations were all comfortable and the breakfasts quite good, Tim even pointed out where the free toilets were!Show more
Highland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewHi Mike, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Tim. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the history and scenery. We will be... Show moreTrip date: October 2025 - MCMartina· October 19th, 2025It was a great experience, we had a good guide.Show moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewHi Martina, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 3 star review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with us. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. We look forward to... Show moreTrip date: October 2025
- PWPamela· October 18th, 2025I recently took the 5-day Isle of Skye, Highlands, and Inverness tour with Highland Explorer Tours, traveling with my 81-year-old father — and it was truly one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever shared. The Scottish Highlands were simply breathtaking, and the tour was perfectly paced so we could take in every bit of the wonder — from the dramatic landscapes of Glencoe to the mystical beauty of the Isle of Skye. Each stop felt thoughtfully chosen and timed, giving us the chance to really experience the magic rather than just pass through. Our guide, Paul, was absolutely outstanding. His deep knowledge of Scotland’s history, folklore, and landscape brought every place to life, and his humor and warmth made the journey even more enjoyable. What really stood out to me, though, was how kind and attentive he was to my father — always checking in, helping him when needed, and making sure he could fully enjoy every moment. That level of care meant the world to us. If you’re thinking about exploring Scotland, I can’t recommend this tour enough. It was the perfect mix of adventure, history, and heartfelt moments — and we’ll cherish the memories forever.Show moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewThank you for taking the time to leave us a review of your tour! We're glad you were able to have such a memorable experience to share with your father enjoying the breath taking Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye. It's great to hear you found Paul... Show moreTrip date: October 2025
- RSRichard· October 13th, 2025After leaving Edinburgh the hotels we stayed in did not have heat in the rooms until we returned to Inverness. Day 3 there was not enough time to enjoy the Folklore Village. Charlie our guide was excellent. I would highly recommend her to anyone and would enjoy taking another tour with her.Show moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewHi Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 4 star review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Charlie. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. We are sorry to hear... Show moreTrip date: September 2025
- Kimberly· October 1st, 2025Fabulous 5 days and 1250 miles and no shortage of food , stories , entertainment, and the most beautiful scenery imaginable Charlie our driver and guide was outstanding in her informative, joking - and fun way of explaining some difficult questions from the group! Would absolutely do this tour againShow moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewDear Kimberly, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Charlie and the stories and scenery. We will be sure to pass on your kind... Show moreTrip date: September 2025
- Barbara· September 28th, 2025Our tour guide was nice, friendly and helpful, but perhaps a bit out of his depth? I know the “way too fast” schedule was probably not within his planning. But to have only 30 minutes at the stop for the Kelpies -when it took 15 minutes to get to and from the sculptures -gave us not one minute to simply gaze at them. Just snap a picture and we’re off. Bummer. And to advertise the Isle of Skye as a part of the tour when we didn’t get to see a single Skye highlight was rather a misnomer. We’re glad we got to see what we did, but we’re constantly too rushed and left disappointed.Show moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewDear Barbara, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had found your driver guide friendly and helpful. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. I am sorry to hear... Show moreTrip date: September 2025
- DSDarren· September 25th, 2025The trip was awesome start to finish. Everything went well. Thank you.Show moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewDear Darren, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with us. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. We look forward to... Show moreTrip date: August 2025
- Cathy· September 10th, 2025Wonderful tour, thoroughly enjoyedShow moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewDear Cathy, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with us. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. We look forward to... Show more
Trip date: September 2025 - DHDon· August 31st, 2025What a fantastic 5 days tour we had visiting the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness. The weather was amazing as was the scenery and activities on this tour. The tour was well paced with loads of stops along the way and arriving at our overnight stops with plenty of time to get something to eat. The accommodation was exceptional and breakfasts were very good with lots of choices. We enjoyed the extra activities such as the 'Harry Potter' steam train ride over the Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig and the cruise on Loch Ness. Our guide, Cliff was exceptional. A great story teller, with interesting antidotes about people and places of the area we were travelling through. He was very knowledgeable about Scottish history and his love for the outdoors meant he was keen to show us extra gems along the way. We would definitely recommend this tour. It was amazing!Show moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewDear Don, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Cliff. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. Thank you so much for the... Show moreTrip date: July 2025
- SJSally· August 24th, 2025Our five day tour of Scotland was fantastic! Paul was excellent and told many stories of Scotland history. He fit in extra stops when he could which made the trip special:)Show moreHighland Explorer Tours commented on this reviewDear Sally Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent tour experience. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Paul. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. Thank you so much for the... Show moreTrip date: August 2025
Dates & Availability
Select departure month and travellers
- From Monday12 Jan, 2026To Friday16 Jan, 2026EnglishAlmost Sold OutFrom:NZ $1,359 per person
- From Monday19 Jan, 2026To Friday23 Jan, 2026EnglishFilling FastFrom:NZ $1,359 per personMultiple Room Types
- From Monday26 Jan, 2026To Friday30 Jan, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $1,359 per personMultiple Room Types
- From Monday2 Feb, 2026To Friday6 Feb, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $1,359 per personMultiple Room Types
- From Monday9 Feb, 2026To Friday13 Feb, 2026EnglishFilling FastFrom:NZ $1,359 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday16 Feb, 2026To Friday20 Feb, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $1,359 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday23 Feb, 2026To Friday27 Feb, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $1,359 per personMultiple Room Types
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday2 Mar, 2026To Friday6 Mar, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $1,359 per personMultiple Room Types
- From Monday9 Mar, 2026To Friday13 Mar, 2026EnglishAlmost Sold OutFrom:NZ $1,359 per person
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Monday16 Mar, 2026To Friday20 Mar, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $1,359 per personMultiple Room Types
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- Free eSim with every purchase
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What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- S
Sherry
Asked on November 6th, 2025do you have a price please for June 26?
Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written November 2025This tour is available on 15th June 2026 for 2 adults and from £839 GBP per person for a twin/double room. There is an optional extra for steam train at £69 per person and £22.20 GBP Per person for a Loch Ness cruise.
- A
Alexandra
Asked on November 1st, 2025We're looking at booking the "Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness" tour and was hoping to have some more information. 1. As we're starting in April, could you confirm if we're travelling via the Jacobite Steam Train on Day 2? 2. If yes for the steam train, what is the cost per person for this additional service? 3. Where can we pre-purchase the train tickets? 4. Can you provide us an estimated end time for the tour on Day 5 (10 April 2026)?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written November 2025
The Jacobite Steam Train will be available on this tour for an additional £69.00 pp. You can purchase this at the time of booking your tour through TourRadar. You should arrive back to Edinburgh at around 5PM on the last day of the tour.
- N
Naomi
Asked on October 30th, 2025What time does this trip depart from Edinburgh?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written October 2025
This tour is due to depart at 08:30, we ask you to arrive at check in for 08:15
- L
Lorraine
Asked on September 17th, 2025Is breakfast included in the tour?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written September 2025
Lunch and Dinner are not included but Breakfast is indeed!
- L
Lorraine
Traveler•Written September 2025Is the tour available in languages other than English?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written September 2025
Our tours are in English, we do offer some audio guides but unfortunately not in Dutch.
L2 more answers - D
Dawn
Asked on September 4th, 2025Do you alow a baby on the tour? He's a 10mth old.
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written September 2025
Unfortunately, we do not accommodate any children under the age of 5 on our tours.
- J
Jamie
Asked on August 14th, 2025Could you confirm if it's possible for one traveler to skip the train and clarify the train schedule, including whether the coach meets the train in Mallaig?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written August 2025
The steam train is an optional add on. For anyone on the tour who does not wish to go on the train, we stay with the driver guide on the coach and spend extra time in either Fort William or Mallaig.
- G
George
Asked on August 7th, 2025Would I be allocated a single room as I am travelling alone?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written August 2025
You should be given a choice when you book this, you would be welcome to then select a single occupancy room if this is available for you. Otherwise, we have dorm rooms available in our multi-gender shared dorm rooms.
- C
Christopher
Asked on July 31st, 2025Are there options to end this tour in Inverness, Aberdeen, or Glasgow? Can you send me a link to the accommodations included?
- C
Christopher
Traveler•Written July 2025Is it possible to stay in Inverness for 2 nights to visit cemeteries of my ancestors? Could I replace one of the other stops with this?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written August 2025
We are unable to accommodate changes to the tour. We have a set itinerary and require the group to stick together. The tour will begin and end in Edinburgh, we are unable to take you to another end point.
1 more answer - L
Lee
Asked on July 26th, 2025Has the Jacobite Steam train been added to this tour? I was told no availability, however it is on the itinerary for our dates. I would like to purchase tickets if it is available.
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written July 2025
For this tour, it is an optional extra for the steam train, subject to availability.
- L
Lee
Traveler•Written July 2025We would love to be able to include this side excursion during our trip. For some reason it initially was not offered but it looks like the Steam train is running on those dates once again. If there is any way this could be added, we would really appreciate this!
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written July 2025
There is still no availability for the steam train add on for this tour on this date.
- L
Lee
Traveler•Written July 2025If anything changes and a group of seats open up, please keep us on the list if there is an opportunity.
L3 more answers - T
Tina
Asked on June 27th, 2025we're interested in the five day Highland tour in September. We usually like to go in small groups about 12 to 15 people. Or two seems to be up to 30 people, how many people are normally in your tour groups, do you have anysmall group tours with the same itinerary?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written June 2025
We do offer an 8-day tour that takes you to these locations and Orkney, this is generally a smaller group of 16.
- T
Tina
Traveler•Written June 2025Do we stop at Sterling Castle and Wallace monument on the five day trip?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written June 2025
These are not planned stops on the 5-day tour
- T
Tina
Traveler•Written June 2025Do you have similar tour leaving from glasgow instead of Edinburgh with loch boat ride and train ride for the same day, September 29 to October 3?
- Highland Explorer ToursOperator•Written June 2025
We do not offer such tours from Glasgow currently, only from Edinburgh.
T4 more answers
Price based on Cheapest Room
Price based on Shared Room
Price based on Private Single Room
Price based on Private Double Room
Booking needs min. 2 travelers
Best price guarantee Learn More
Good to Know
Tour ID: 127033
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