Is it allowed to bring 2 medium sized backpacks each and 1 carry on bag (around 55x40x23cm)?

We generally recommend one medium/ large bag per person for the trunk of the bus and one smaller backpack to take on the bus with you for easy-to-access items. Anything else can be stored at Castle Rock Hostel until you return to Edinburgh. If the tour is not very full then you can possibly take more bags but it depends on capacity.

Really prefer to travel in 2027 and would like to include the Wardlaw Castle (Pitreavie Castle)

The castle you mentioned is privately owned and is not open for public tours such as ours.

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 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.

What does "shared room" mean?

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.

How much is it with accommodation included?

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic

3 days

•

Start and end in Edinburgh

4.8 (341 reviews)

View all
Fantastic trip – we had three really lovely days in the Highlands. He gave us loads of great info about the places we visited and their background.
Karin•traveled in October5.0
View all

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Platinum Operator: MacBackpackers
City & Culture: 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
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 4 - 27
Ages 18-39

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Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
Edinburgh to Isle of Skye
Edinburgh to Isle of Skye
Start point
Castle Rock Hostel, 15 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2PR, United Kingdom (Check-in at Castle Rock Hostel reception from 8.30 for a 9am departure, 09:00)
Included Activities
- Guided tour through the Scottish Highlands learning about clans and history
- The Hermitage Walk
- Visit Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Travel the Road to the Isles
- Ferry crossing to Isle of Skye
Landmarks
The Hermitage Walk
Pitlochry
Loch Laggan
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Road to the Isles
Kyleakin
Day 2
Isle of Skye to Loch Ness
Isle of Skye to Loch Ness
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Isle of Skye with stories of faeries and Celtic myths
- Hike on Trotternish Peninsula with views of unspoilt wilderness
- Visit Loch Ness
Landmarks
Sligachan
The Cuillin Mountains
Portree
Old Man of Storr
Kilt Rock
Quiraing
Loch Ness
Day 3
Loch Ness to Edinburgh
Loch Ness to Edinburgh
End point
15 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW, United Kingdom (MacBackpackers, 16:30 - 18:00)
Included Activities
- Guided journey through Scottish Highlands with views of Ben Nevis
- Stop in Glen Coe with historical overview of clan massacres
- Travel through Rannoch Moor
- Visit Rob Roy country
- Visit Doune Castle
Landmarks
Fort Augustus
Fort William
Glen Coe
Rannoch Moor
Rob Roy Country
Doune Castle
Ben Nevis

Landmarks
The Hermitage Walk
Pitlochry
Loch Laggan
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Road to the Isles
Kyleakin

Landmarks
Sligachan
The Cuillin Mountains
Portree
Old Man of Storr
Kilt Rock
Quiraing
Loch Ness

Landmarks
Fort Augustus
Fort William
Glen Coe
Rannoch Moor
Rob Roy Country
Doune Castle
Ben Nevis

Guide
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Accommodation
Flights
Insurance
Meals
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

MacBackpackers

Platinum Operator

Rating: 4.9 (2,867 reviews)
Response time: within 1 day
Response rate: 90%
Cancellation policy: Learn more

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

4.8

Overall rating based on 341 Reviews

Itinerary
4.8
Transport
4.9
Guide
4.9
Accommodation
4.6
Food
4.4
Tour Operator
4.9

Oliver4.8•October 2026
Led by Neil
Incredible tour. Lucky to have the best weather after a huge rainstorm a few days prior. Neil was witty,...
Show more
Traveled in October 2026
Reply from: MacBackpackers
Thank you so much for the review!
Show more
Dominique5.0•July 2026
We had an amazing experience on our 3 day tour. But of course, as we were warned, we thought 3 days was not enough in...
We had an amazing experience on our 3 day tour. But of course, as we were warned, we thought 3 days was not enough in the end and should have booked the 5 days instead 🤪 Neil was a wonderful guide. A (fast) walking encyclopedia of all things Scottish, he always kept us entertained with historical tales with a comedic twist (I will always remember to not let a wallaby play Call of Duty…) Would definitely come again to experience the 5 days tour !Show more
Traveled in July 2026
Reply from: MacBackpackers
We think he is the fastest hiker in Scotland! Thank you for the lovely review :)
Show more
Maxime5.0•July 2026
Very good way to explore the Highlands and a bit of Skye, bathing in Loch Ness was a magical moment. Would definitely...
Very good way to explore the Highlands and a bit of Skye, bathing in Loch Ness was a magical moment. Would definitely recommand! Neil was a wonderful guide, with lots of stories to tell, as well as good recommandations for activities during and after the tour.Show more
Traveled in July 2026
Emma5.0•June 2026
Super fun tour!!! Saw so much amazing stuff! Good mix of walks, photo stops and educational things. Realllly enjoyed...
Show more
Traveled in June 2026
Maximilian4.0•June 2026
Shrek was very knowledgeable about historical lineages and a proud Scotsman at heart with an Irn Bru in hand.
Traveled in May 2026
Maria5.0•April 2026
Automatically translated. View in Original Language Rate this translation
Automatic translation available in English. View in English
We really enjoyed the landscapes and stories of the Highlands with Stewart. A guide of 10!
Traveled in April 2026
Reply from: MacBackpackers
Thank you for sharing this! We are so glad you had a nice trip :)
Show more
Patrick5.0•November 2025
Led by Mark
Amazing experience, very nice locations and the accommodation is more than adequate for the experience.
Traveled in October 2025
Reply from: MacBackpackers
Thank you so much for leaving this review! We are glad you enjoyed Scotland.
Show more
Karin5.0•October 2025
Led by Stewart
Fantastic trip – we had three really lovely days in the Highlands. Stewart is kind and nice (yes, both!) and has an...
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
Traveled in September 2025
Reply from: MacBackpackers
Thank you Karin, what lovely photos!
Show more
Christine5.0•August 2025
Led by Mark
Nice Trip. It was verry funny and we had a nice Guide.
Traveled in August 2025
Reply from: MacBackpackers
We are so glad you had such a good time! Thank you for taking the time to share this :)
Show more
Lily5.0•August 2025
Led by Neil
Such an awesome trip, I felt very at home on the cosy and clean bus. Neil, our driver, is an amazing story teller,...
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
Traveled in August 2025
Reply from: MacBackpackers
Thank you for taking the time to share this! We are so glad you had such a good time :)
Show more

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

We couldn't find results

Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

K
Kerry
Asked on August 10th, 2026
Is it allowed to bring 2 medium sized backpacks each and 1 carry on bag (around 55x40x23cm)?
Transport
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written August 2026
  We generally recommend one medium/ large bag per person for the trunk of the bus and one smaller backpack to take on the bus with you for easy-to-access items. Anything else can be stored at Castle Rock Hostel until you return to Edinburgh. If the tour is not very full then you can possibly take more bags but it depends on capacity.
J
Jen
Asked on April 15th, 2026
Really prefer to travel in 2027 and would like to include the Wardlaw Castle (Pitreavie Castle)
Tour Details
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written April 2026
  The castle you mentioned is privately owned and is not open for public tours such as ours.
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
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written 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
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written 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
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written 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
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written 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
  Traveler•Written 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.
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written 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.
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
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written June 2025
  Hi Linda, How old are you if you don't mind me asking?
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written June 2025
  you need to be within our required age range to join our tours...sorry
- E
  Esther
  Traveler•Written June 2025
  know of a similar option for older folks?
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written June 2025
  There are a few other tour companies in Edinburgh. The Hairy Coo for example!
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
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written 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
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written 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
- MacBackpackersOperator•Written 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.

Good to know

Tour ID: 14326

The practical details for your trip across Scotland: money, plugs and flexible ways to pay, all in one place.

Have a question? Chat with a travel expert

Deposit only
Book now with just a 25% deposit. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure.
£ - Pound Sterling
You’ll encounter Pound Sterling in Scotland.
Plug type G
You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in Scotland.

Currency
£
Pound Sterling
Scotland
Plugs & adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.
- Type G
  Used in Scotland
Visa
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and how long you stay. We can’t process visas for you, but here’s a quick indication for this trip.
This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.
Payment information
Pay now
A 25% deposit
Balance due
60 days before departure
Currency
USD
Booking fee
None
Book now with just a 25% deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure, charged automatically to your card. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before January 3rd, 2027 will need to be paid in full at checkout.
Accepted for MacBackpackers tours
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Videos from MacBackpackers

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

3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic

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Explore our featured adventures

Itinerary

Introduction

Edinburgh to Isle of Skye

Included Activities

Isle of Skye to Loch Ness

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Loch Ness to Edinburgh

Included Activities

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Deposit only

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Plug type G

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3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic

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Want to read it later?

What's Included

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Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

What our customers ask about this tour

Deposit only

£ - Pound Sterling

Plug type G

Currency

Plugs & adapters

Visa

Payment information

Accepted for MacBackpackers tours

Cancellation Policy

Insurance

Best price guarantee

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Your quote needs

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