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2025

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3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic

3 days
Start and end in Edinburgh
4.8
334 traveler reviews
From
NZ $564 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2025

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2026

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2027

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity
Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 4 - 27
Ages 18-39
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Edinburgh to Isle of Skye

    You'll leave Edinburgh and head into the Scottish Highlands, where you'll learn about clan history and take a woodland walk to stretch your legs. The Glenfinnan Viaduct is next, that famous bridge from the Harry Potter films. From there you'll drive the Road to the Isles toward Mallaig, passing through some dramatic landscape. A ferry then takes you across to the Isle of Skye, and you'll settle into Kyleakin for the night.

    Included Activities

    • The Hermitage Walk
    • View Glenfinnan Viaduct
    • Ferry to Isle of Skye

    Optional Activities

    • Paid attraction entry at various stops (availability and pricing subject to guide discretion)
    Landmarks/POIs
    The Hermitage Walk
    Pitlochry
    Loch Laggan
    Glenfinnan Viaduct
    Road to the Isles
    Kyleakin
  2. Day 2

    Isle of Skye to Loch Ness

    This morning you'll explore the Isle of Skye, hearing stories about faeries and Celtic myths while taking in the dramatic scenery around you. You'll hike the Trotternish Peninsula for great views of the coastline and surrounding peaks. Later you'll leave Skye and head toward Loch Ness, searching for tales of the famous monster. By evening you'll arrive at your hostel situated right on the shores of Loch Ness with water views from your accommodation.

    Included Activities

    • Hike on Trotternish Peninsula

    Optional Activities

    • Paid attraction entry at Sligachan, The Cuillin Mountains, Portree, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, or Quairaing (availability and pricing subject to guide discretion)
    Landmarks/POIs
    Sligachan
    The Cuillin Mountains
    Portree
    Old Man of Storr
    Kilt Rock
    Quairaing
    Loch Ness
  3. Day 3

    Loch Ness to Edinburgh

    You'll depart Loch Ness and travel southeast through mountain scenery, including views of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak. Glen Coe comes next with its dramatic landscape and history of clan conflicts. After crossing Rannoch Moor, you'll enter Rob Roy country and stop at Doune Castle to explore the ruins. From there it's the drive back to Edinburgh, finishing your journey through the Highlands.

    Included Activities

    • Visit Doune Castle

    Optional Activities

    • Paid attraction entry at Fort Augustus, Fort William, Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor, or Rob Roy Country (availability and pricing subject to guide discretion)
    Landmarks/POIs
    Fort Augustus
    Fort William
    Ben Nevis
    Glen Coe
    Rannoch Moor
    Rob Roy Country
    Doune Castle
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Guide
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar 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

  • Accommodation
  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Meals
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Customer Photos

Operated by

MacBackpackers

Number of tours

3

Age Range

18 to 39 years old

Response time

5 hours

Response rate

91%

MacBackpackers has been running fun filled, fully guided adventures around...

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Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.9
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.9
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.6
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.4
  • 4.9
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • KG
    · October 19th, 2025
    Fantastic trip – we had three really lovely days in the Highlands. Stewart is kind and nice (yes, both!) and has an amazing gift for storytelling, especially when it comes to history. He gave us loads of great info about the places we visited and their background. I also got some brilliant tips for future hikes and walks, which I really appreciate. All in all, a witty and easy-going guy with great humour, thanks a lot for the trip!
    Show more
    3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 13 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 23 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 33 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 43 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 53 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 6
    Trip date: September 2025
  • CV
    · August 31st, 2025
    Nice Trip. It was verry funny and we had a nice Guide.
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    We are so glad you had such a good time! Thank you for taking the time to share this :)
    3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 1
    Trip date: August 2025
  • LP
    · August 24th, 2025
    Such an awesome trip, I felt very at home on the cosy and clean bus. Neil, our driver, is an amazing story teller, musical connoisseur and out right genuine guy who gave us an authentic experience of the highlands. Thanks Neil!!!
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    Thank you for taking the time to share this! We are so glad you had such a good time :)
    3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 13 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 23 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 33 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 43 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 5
    Trip date: August 2025
  • OB
    · August 17th, 2025
    Thank you Marc for the great experience!
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    We are so glad you had such a good time! Thank you for taking the time to share this :)
    Trip date: August 2025
  • KQ
    · August 10th, 2025
    This tour was such a wonderful way to explore the highlands on my first trip to Scotland!!! Our tour guide Stewart (but Stewie as we liked to call him) was so knowledgeable, fun and helpful. Being on that bus listening to him talk about the history and blast Scottish music will always be one of my core memories!! I highly highly recommend!!!
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    Thank you so much for your review, we are so glad you had such a positive experience!
    Trip date: July 2025
  • 3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic reviewer 6
    · August 9th, 2025
    Amazing tour with the incredible tour guide Stewart!
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    Thank you so much for your review, we are so glad you had such a positive experience!
    3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 13 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 23 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 33 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 43 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 5
    Trip date: August 2025
  • JS
    · May 31st, 2025
    This was an awesome tour! A quick snapshot of what the Scottish Highlands are like. I definitely want to go back to some of the areas we drove through and briefly visited. Our tour guide was amazing and I loved the hostels we stayed at during the trip.
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    We are so pleased to hear this :) Glad you had such a great time!
    3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 13 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 23 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 3
    Trip date: May 2025
  • A
    · May 15th, 2025
    This tour was an absolute blast. I’m sure all the tour guides are great, but if you can, book one with Stewart. He’s the epitome of Scotland. Don’t get me wrong, the sites are breathtaking and worthy, but Stewart ultimately made the tour entertaining and engaging. Although he’s a great tour guide, you’ll realize quickly that he’s just a great human.
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    This is such a nice review! We are so glad you enjoyed the tour and had such a blast :)
    Trip date: May 2025
  • 3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic reviewer 9
    · May 10th, 2025
    Educational and breathtaking! Our guide was extremely educated on the history while keeping us entertained and involved.
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    We are so happy to hear about your experience! Thank you for the review, and all the best with the rest of your stay in Scotland.
    3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 13 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic customer review photo 2
    Trip date: May 2025
  • A
    · April 25th, 2025
    Stewart was AMAZING. He is incredibly knowledgeable on everything relating to Scotland from history to ecology and everything in between. He made an effort to engage with all of the guests and relate to them in some way. He was also open to input from everyone on what we wanted to see and answered all of our questions along the way. When he narrates the tour, you can truly hear the love he has for the country. If you want a local guide with funny stories and great insight, this is your guy.
    Show more
    MacBackpackers commented on this review
    Thank you so much for your wonderful review Alexis! We're so glad you had such a good time on tour and enjoyed your time with Stewart so much. We'll be passing on your review to him which we're sure will make his day! We hope to see you up in Scotland... Show more
    Trip date: April 2025

Dates & Availability

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Select Date

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Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Sep
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2026

Jan
Feb
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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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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.
All questions
  • C

    Cynthia

    Asked on August 16th, 2025

    Is accommodation included in the package? If it's not, how can we take the accommodation for 2 nights? We are couple. We need one budget friendly double room

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten August 2025

      Accommodation is not included in the tour, it is set at £34 per person, per night. So for the 3-Day tour, the total accommodation for two of you would be £136. You pay this at Castle Rock Hostel the morning before your tour departs, either cash or card is accepted.

  • L

    Leah

    Asked on August 7th, 2025

    What does "shared room" mean?

    Accommodation
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten August 2025

      The accommodation we use on our tours is all hostels, which means that it is a dorm bed you would be staying in. The number of people per room can vary between 4 to 8 on the 3-day tour.

  • C

    Christopher

    Asked on July 23rd, 2025

    How much is it with accommodation included?

    Accommodation
    Price / Availability
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten July 2025

      When you book the tour through TourRadar, we reserve the accommodation for you as well. This is £34 per night and will need to be paid at Castle Rock Hostel prior to departure.

  • B

    Bianca

    Asked on June 18th, 2025

    We have a group of 5 that will be in Edinburgh late October. We were interested in a 3 day tour to see the Highlands and Isle of Sky. We want to see the Coos for sure if there is a place to stop and meet them and the Kelpies as well. Would you be able to accommodate us and let me know if you have a tour for this. We also want to see the Harry Potter train coming over the bridge and of course do some whiskey tasting.

    Group size
    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten June 2025

      Technically, experiencing all the things you mentioned is possible on our tours but our itineraries are not set in stone and we can't guarantee it for multiple reasons. It is something you would have to suggest to the guide, and it is at their discretion if they can make it happen or not. It all depends on timings, road/ traffic conditions and weather. Also, is everyone in your party between the ages of 18 and 40?

    • B

      Bianca

      TravelerWritten June 2025

      Would you be able to make a plan for us and then of course we alter it if needed due to weather, etc once we arrive. We are a group of 5 50+ all physically fit and active so no concerns about that.

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten June 2025

      Unfortunately you wouldn't be able to join our tours since we have an age restriction in place. I recommend you have a look at other companies which offer similar on TourRadar.

    • B
      2 more answers
  • E

    Esther

    Asked on June 18th, 2025

    we don't fit your age range although we're both walkers/hikers. is that a problem?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten June 2025

      Hi Linda, How old are you if you don't mind me asking?

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten June 2025

      you need to be within our required age range to join our tours...sorry

    • E

      Esther

      TravelerWritten June 2025

      know of a similar option for older folks?

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten June 2025

      There are a few other tour companies in Edinburgh. The Hairy Coo for example!

    • E
      3 more answers
  • J

    Judith

    Asked on May 5th, 2025

    Whats the difference between your 3 day loch ness and sky versus 3 day isle of sky tour? Its my first time in scotland so which one do you recommend? My group of 4 inclues 2 people in early 30s and 2 people in late 50s.

    Age Range
    Group size
    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten May 2025

      Unfortunately, as your are outside of our age range (18-39) we will not be able to accept your group. I can recommend looking into Rabbies, Hairy Coo and Haggis Adventures who would be able to happily take your group.

  • C

    Claudia

    Asked on April 11th, 2025

    I would like to ask regards 3 days Skye and Loch Ness tour at May 14-16. We are two women 48. Could we join or it is impossible?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten April 2025

      We have an age limit not because of physical fitness but because our tours are all about socialising with like-minded young backpackers - on the bus, while hiking, in the hostel and in the pub. Our guests are mostly in their early twenties and book with us specifically because they want to hang out and socialise with other people their age.

  • L

    Laurie

    Asked on March 31st, 2025

    Does this 3 day tour also take you by the fairy pools?

    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten March 2025

      Our tours itineraries are very flexible and it's generally up to the group which things we tick off on Skye, but in the last year we've tended to avoid the Fairy Pools due to the poor state of the road and terrible waiting times for the parking. As such we generally don't get to do the Fairy Pools as they have the chance of taking 2-4 hours to get out of the glen. We do stop at Sligachan Bridge where you can dip your face in the waters of the Cuillin, but we can't guarantee we'll do the Fairy Pools due to the aforementioned issues with the area.

  • B

    Bill

    Asked on March 22nd, 2025

    May I ask if this tour have available quota on 4th April, 2 travelers?

    Price / Availability
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten March 2025

      Unfortunately our Loch Ness and Skye Magic tour only begins running on the 16th of April.

  • A

    Alyssa

    Asked on March 3rd, 2025

    Could we join the 3 days tour from Edinburgh. The reason I ask boss your age range is up to 39 I am the senior.

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten March 2025

      Unfortunately we have a strict 18-39 age range on our tours. This is to enable us to create a more active tour style as well as to help the other guests on the tour mingle and create connections along the way. For this reason we won't be able to accept your group, but there are plenty of other tour companies without age restrictions that would be able to help your family out.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at MacBackpackers with your enquiry, they usually respond within 5 hours.
From
NZ $564 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

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Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 14326

  • Currency
    £
    Pound Sterling
    Scotland
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for type G.

    Type G
    Scotland
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before January 1st, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after January 1st, 2026, a minimum payment of 25% is required to confirm your booking with MacBackpackers. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and MacBackpackers will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "MacBackpackers" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Videos

  • Richard on top of a Blustery Old Man of Storr
  • Sunset Timelapse over Loch Ness - Taken from Lochside Hostel
  • Who are MacBackpackers?
  • Neil showing off the Old Man of Storr
  • Western Europe Travel Guide
  • 3 Day Loch Ness & Skye
Richard on top of a Blustery Old Man of Storr

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2025

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec