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2026

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Who is travelling?

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From
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5 Day Skye & Highland Fling

Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
5 days
From Inverness to Bannockburn
4.9
1,027 reviews
From
US $504 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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2026

Jan
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May
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2027

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Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

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Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
City & Culture
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
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 Inverness

    Start point
    15 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW (Please check in at Castle Rock Hostel from 8.30 for a 9am departure, 09:00)

    Included Activities

    • Cross the Forth Bridges
    • Forest walk in Dunkeld
    • Visit Culloden
    • Swim in Loch Ness

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Hermitage/Killiecrankie
    • Visit Clava Cairns
    Landmarks
    Forth Bridges
    Hermitage/Killiecrankie
    Culloden
    Clava Cairns
    Loch Ness
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  2. Day 2

    Inverness to Isle of Skye

    Included Activities

    • Walk over Corrieshalloch Gorge
    • Cross to Isle of Skye via ferry

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Rogie Falls
    • Visit Kinlochewe
    • Visit Eilean Donan Castle
    Landmarks
    Rogie Falls
    Corrieshalloch Gorge
    Kinlochewe
    Torridon
    Eilean Donan Castle
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 3

    Isle of Skye

    Included Activities

    • Hike to distinctive rock formation on Skye
    • Guided tour of Skye with local folklore

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Sligachan
    • Visit Cuillin Ridge
    • Visit Portree
    • Visit The Old Man of Storr
    • Visit Kilt Rock
    • Visit Quiraing
    • Visit Faerie Pools
    Landmarks
    Sligachan
    Cuillin Ridge
    Portree
    The Old Man of Storr
    Kilt Rock
    Quiraing
    Faerie Pools
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  4. Day 4

    Isle of Skye to Oban

    Included Activities

    • Ferry from Isle of Skye
    • Visit Glenfinnan Viaduct

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Armadale
    • Visit Sands of Morar
    • Visit Bonnie Prince Charlie monument
    • Visit Glen Coe
    Landmarks
    Armadale
    Sands of Morar
    Glenfinnan Viaduct
    Fort William
    Glen Coe
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 5

    Argyll - Trossachs National Park - Edinburgh

    End point
    15 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW (Castle Rock Hostel, 17:00 - 18:00)

    Included Activities

    • Visit St. Conan's Kirk
    • Travel through Argyll and Trossachs National Park
    • Learn about William Wallace country and Scotland's fight for independence

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Kilchurn Castle (Summer months only - entrance fee applies)
    • Visit Doune Castle (entrance fee applies)
    • Visit Wallace Monument (entrance fee applies)
    • Visit Bannockburn Battlefield (entrance fee applies)
    • See Hairy Coos along the way
    Landmarks
    St. Conan's Kirk
    Kilchurn Castle
    Callander
    Doune Castle
    Wallace Monument
    Bannockburn Battlefield
    Trossachs National Park
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Guide
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Optional

Operated by

MacBackpackers

Platinum Operator
Rating
4.9(2,869 reviews)
Response time
11 hours
Response rate
100%
Tour of the Year Winner
2016
Cancellation policy

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

4.9
Overall rating based on 1027 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    4.9
  • Transport
    4.9
  • Guide
    5.0
  • Accommodation
    4.4
  • Food
    4.4
  • 4.9

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  • 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling reviewer 1
    May 30th, 2026
    My wife and I recently completed a backpacking tour through some of Scotland’s most beautiful destinations, including...
    Show more
    Traveled in May 2026
  • B
    May 9th, 2026
    The 5-day Skye & Highland Fling tour was one of the best vacations I have ever been on! Our tour guide Mark, made the...
    Show more
    Traveled in April 2026
  • K
    May 6th, 2026
    I went on the 5 day trip with Mark and 12 other solo travelers, and it was an absolute incredible experience! The...
    Show more
    Traveled in April 2026
  • S
    May 1st, 2026
    Neil was an outstanding guide on our 5-day MacBackpackers tour through the Highlands in Scotland. From the very...
    Show more
    Traveled in April 2026
  • 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling reviewer 5
    November 1st, 2025
    Led by Neil
    Brilliant operation, Neil was a high energy character with a story for every occasion and a great blend of gauging...
    Show more
    Traveled in October 2025
    Reply from: MacBackpackers
    We are so glad you enjoyed your stay!
    Show more
  • K
    September 30th, 2025
    Led by Neil
    Great tour, and our guide Neil was fantastic - knowledgeable and engaging! Have lived in Scotland for a while but...
    Show more
    Traveled in September 2025
    Reply from: MacBackpackers
    Wow we are so glad to hear you are falling more in love with Scotland! Thank you for coming with us.
    Show more
  • A
    September 29th, 2025
    Take this tour! The ideal length of time. I had as much fun on the bus as I did walking the sites. Accommodations...
    Show more
    Traveled in September 2025
    Reply from: MacBackpackers
    What lovely photos! We are so glad you had such an amazing time.
    Show more
  • 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling reviewer 8
    September 5th, 2025
    Led by Neil
    There were many amazing places we were unable to go to cuz it was too crowded and the bus wasn't allowed to park...
    Show more
    Traveled in August 2025
    Reply from: MacBackpackers
    Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry some stops felt rushed and that parking restrictions limited your time at certain sites. There is a problem with crowds in summer and we do our best to navigate the Island safely while taking you to see as much as we can. We do our best to balance travel times with exploring, but we understand it can feel short. We’d love to welcome you back for an even better experience next time, possibly in the autumn, winter or spring if your priority is seeing every site.
    Show more
  • A
    August 25th, 2025
    Led by Mark
    Absolutely fantastic.
    Traveled in August 2025
  • 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling reviewer 10
    August 17th, 2025
    Led by Stewart
    Automatic translation available in English. View in English
    I had trouble with English but otherwise it was cool. Beautiful country !!!!!!!!
    Traveled in August 2025
    Reply from: MacBackpackers
    Thank you for taking the time to share this! We are so glad you enjoyed Scotland :)
    Show more

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Dates & Availability

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2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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Dec

2027

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

2028

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
Upcoming departures
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    To Friday
    4 Sep, 2026
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    • Rated excellent on
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    • 24/7 customer support
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More benefits

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
  • A

    Arthur

    Asked on May 19th, 2026

    Do you happen to know what would be the approximate additional cost in Canadian dollars for the hostel night stays? And what are the other possible additional costs?

    Accommodation
    Price / Availability
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten May 2026

      The accommodation for the tour is an extra £38 per night which is approximately 70 Canadian Dollars. So for a 5 day tour you are in looking at about 280 Canadian Dollars. Please remember that this is an estimation and will differ depending on conversion rates at the time of booking. There should not be any other additional costs. However, please keep in mind that food is not included in the tour and you will have to account for meals during the tour. Also, whilst we try our best not to visit places which have entry fees, the guide may choose to take you somewhere that does have an entry fee. The guide will let you know in advance if this is the case and entry into those places is alwasy optional, however, the entry fees will be your own responsibility if this is the case.

    • A

      Arthur

      TravelerWritten May 2026

      Will I get an itinerary once I book on where I am to meet the tour guide? And is there a phone number I can call if I get lost? And any recommendations on anything I should bring with me on my trip?

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten May 2026

      You will receive all the details about where to go and when the tour begins once you make the booking. However just in case, the tour begins at 9am and departs from Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh. There is an example itinerary on our operator page, however, we allow our drivers the freedom to change the itinerary if they feel it will enhance your experience, so nothing is set in stone. If you get lost on your way to begin the tour, you can phone Castle Rock Hostel reception on [phone visible after confirmation]. If you somehow get lost whilst you are on tour, you can phone the MacBackpackers office at [phone visible after confirmation]. Make sure you pack comfortable shoes or boots to hike in, waterproof layers, a swimsuit and warm clothing.

    • A
      2 more answers
  • J

    Joseph

    Asked on May 6th, 2026

    I am very interested in this trip! I was just wondering if the price of the trip includes everything, or is it just a baseline fee and the hostels we still have to pay for as an addition? Also what is the age group relatively?

    Accommodation
    Age Range
    Price / Availability
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten May 2026

      The price is just for the tour, accommodation can be added for just £38 per night which also includes breakfast. All other meals are not included and we will drop you off at different local spots for cafes, supermarkets and we can also recommend some pubs for dinner (or you can cook in the hostel). The ages are varied but the most common is between 22-32.

  • D

    Daniela

    Asked on May 6th, 2026

    What's the availability for May 2026 in the Scottish Highlands? I'm travelling solo and are open to both shorter (3-day) and slightly longer (5-day) options depending on what fits best. What accommodation setup do you have for solo travellers? Any key differences or standout elements in your tour?

    Accommodation
    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten May 2026

      We currently have availability throughout May 2026 on our tours which depart every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, although two departures are not available (22nd & 25th May).

      For your preferred date of Monday 18th May 2026, there is currently availability on our 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling tour. This is our ultimate Highlands adventure. It includes 1 night near Loch Ness, 2 nights on Skye and 1 night in Oban — a lively coastal town with great pubs and the chance to experience a traditional Scottish ceilidh. The extra time also allows travellers to see more of Scotland and spend longer getting to know others on the tour.

      For a shorter option, our 3-day tours are; the 3 Day Isle of Skye tour, which includes 2 nights staying on Skye and gives plenty of time to explore the island; and, the 3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic tour, which includes the first overnight stay on the shores of Loch Ness, followed by a second night on Skye. This tour also visits Glenfinnan.

      All three tours visit Glencoe, Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye. The 5-day and Loch Ness & Skye Magic tours also include Glenfinnan (Harry Potter bridge) as well as many other gems along the way. Accommodation on all tours is hostel-style and shared. We get lots of solo travellers joining our trips, so it's a very social atmosphere and easy to make friends along the way.

  • J

    Jacob

    Asked on May 1st, 2026

    Do you have a "Harry Potter Tour"??

    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten May 2026

      We do not have a Harry Potter tour.

  • V

    Vincent

    Asked on April 24th, 2026

    Can you confirm that I'll have an opportunity to visit Fingal's Cave during the five days?

    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten April 2026

      Unfortunately our tours do not go near the Fingal's Cave.

  • W

    Wayne

    Asked on April 10th, 2026

    How do I know exactly which airport to arrive in?

    Flights / Transfers
    • W

      Wayne

      TravelerWritten April 2026

      will I get the exact address of where I will be staying since it seems like it's different location during the booking time?

    • W

      Wayne

      TravelerWritten April 2026

      Will the hostel still be the same price posted online or will it change? 38 pounds

    • W

      Wayne

      TravelerWritten April 2026

      Will I be sent an itinerary?

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten April 2026

      Just to confirm our tours begin and end in Edinburgh City centre so Edinburgh aiport is your best option, however, please keep in mind that airport transfers are not included in the tour.

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten April 2026

      Once you make the booking, you will receive a confirmation which will detail where your tour departs from and what time it departs as well.

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten April 2026

      The hostels we use during the 5 day tour are in different locations and we can provide you with a list of the hostels so that you can look them up. We have a pre-agreed price with the hostels of £38 per night which also includes a light breakfast.

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten April 2026

      There is an example itinerary already available for download on our TourRadar page, however our itineraries are not set in stone as we allow our guides to change the itinerary if they think it will enhance your experience.

    • W

      Wayne

      TravelerWritten April 2026

      how many days does it take for your company to have confirmation that I will be accepted for the tour when I choose this tour?

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten April 2026

      You should receive a booking confirmation within 24hours of booking the tour.

    • W
      W
      8 more answers
  • J

    Judith

    Asked on March 27th, 2026

    Im interested in booking this trip, it looks great! However, I am 40 and see the age range is listed as up to 39. Would it be ok for me to join still? I am happy with hostel accommodation etc.. Also, can I ask how many travellers are booked onto the trip on April 6th currently?

    Accommodation
    Age Range
    Group size
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten March 2026

      Yes, we are happy for you to book the tour :)

      The tour on the 6th of April if already hall full! So don't worry, the tour will definitely be going ahead.

  • S

    Sophie

    Asked on March 9th, 2026

    What is the usual age range of people you normally get? And I saw it's based on sharing rooms… would it be sharing rooms with the same gender?

    Accommodation
    Age Range
    • S

      Sophie

      TravelerWritten March 2026

      This would be my first time booking trip like this what would be your recommendation to make me feel a little less nervous?

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten March 2026

      Our tours are designed for people between the ages of 18-40 and our average traveller is in their late 20s or early 30s, however we do get a good mix across the board. We generally try and keep our passengers seperated into same sex dorms if at all possible, however if you want, we can add an extra note on your booking for you to be in a same sex dorm if it would make you feel more comfortable.

    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten March 2026

      I would get yourself booked into Castle Rock Hostel the night before the tour so that you are at the pick up place already. You may even meet others that are travelling on the tour there the night before! My best advice is to sit next to someone on the bus who is also travelling solo and make a friend on the first day. Our tours are very relaxed and are curated in such a way to make it easy for any traveller to make friends along the way.

    • 2 more answers
  • V

    Vanessa

    Asked on February 23rd, 2026

    Do you have a 7 day tour that includes first night before rute stars and last night?

    Tour Details
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten February 2026

      We do not have a 7 day tour option.

  • M

    Morgan

    Asked on February 1st, 2026

    What Airport we take for this tour. From Vancouver

    Flights / Transfers
    • MacBackpackersOperatorWritten February 2026

      This tour does not begin at an Airport, but departs from Castle Rock Hostel, located at 15 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at MacBackpackers with your enquiry, they usually respond within 11 hours.
From
US $504 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

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

2028

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

Best price guarantee Learn More

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 255

  • 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
    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 August 21st, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 21st, 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

  • Neil Exploring Spean Bridge and Ben Nevis
  • Richard on top of a Blustery Old Man of Storr
  • Neil Sight Spotting from Wester Ross
  • Relaxing Clouds overlooking the Old Man of Storr
  • What happens when you set the guides free at the beach...
  • Who are MacBackpackers?
  • Neil showing off the Old Man of Storr
  • Western Europe Travel Guide
  • 3 Day Loch Ness & Skye
Neil Exploring Spean Bridge and Ben Nevis

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

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

2028

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