Taste of Skye: Wild Landscapes & Local Flavours

Skye. Just the name alone is enough to draw people from across the globe to see this stunning Scottish Island and it's your turn to explore this famous region. We depart Edinburgh and head northwest, waving hello to the Scottish Highlands. Your camera will get plenty of use as you travel through this breathtaking and legend-soaked landscape, as we make our way to our first stop: Loch Lubnaig. Will the mist hang lazily over the water? Or will the sunshine down and show off this wee but stunning stretch of freshwater? She's a popular destination for those who love their outdoor water activities. Grab a coffee or snack and wander its shores before we jump back on the bus. 

Oh, the things you’ll see today. Like the Great Moor of Rannoch, one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe, a vast stretch of bog, lochans, and rocky outcrops. This is beauty unrivalled, the Scottish Highlands in all their glory. And it’s calling you deeper into its embrace, and we’ll make several stops at iconic viewpoints along the way. But perhaps the one you’ll be looking forward to most is a stop in the dramatic Glen Coe. Steep mountains loom either side of you as we pass into the gentle blue tones of this famous and scenic valley. You’ll have a chance to gaze upon the iconic white house, see the Three Sisters, and breathe in that fresh Highland air. 

It’s time to refuel for lunch. We’ll keep today’s lunch stop flexible, but no matter where we end up, you’ll begin to understand what the next few days will bring. It’s time to get bold, too. Maybe you’ll try haggis with a wee dram of whisky to pair. When in Scotland, right? 

Our journey continues through fantastical landscapes. Shimmering lochs sleep underneath looming mountains, quiet valleys impress you with their unyielding beauty, as we make our way to Eilean Donan Castle. Perched on a tidal island and surrounded by looming mountains, often shrouded in mist, there’s something moody about this castle. No wonder it’s the most photographed castle in Scotland. 

We cross the yawning Skye Bridge, catching your first glimpse of The Misty Isle. Eerie lochs, heather-clad moors, towering peaks that hide in the mist, stretches of beaches with ancient echoes of dinosaurs and man alike. Skye is beloved. 

They say hame is where the heart is, and you’ll receive a warm welcome at Hame on Skye – your home for the next two nights in the north-western part of Skye. You’ll be hungry after the day’s exploring so luckily there’s a bespoke dinner waiting for you that is included as part of your experience. Sample Skye’s delicious local flavors as you admire the sensational landscapes of the surrounding Roag Peninsula. After dinner, relax by the fire and maybe even enjoy a wee dram before getting a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, you start your day with a breakfast full of local flavors and you start exploring the legendary Isle of Skye. Overnight Hame on Skye.

There is nothing quite like the Isle of Skye, which is why we’re drawn to it time and again. And not just us – travelers from around the world (you) find something to love in this achingly beautiful landscape. And it’s more than just what you see – it's what you don’t. It’s about what whispers in the breeze and hides in the shadows. It’s the stories etched into ruinous castles and the timeline worn into the landscape. 

Do fairies frolic around you? Are the legends true about the Old Man of Storr? That’s for you to discover as we begin our exploration of Skye. This morning, we’ll keep things flexible; who knows where we’ll end up? 

Now you’re getting it, aren’t you? Skye doesn’t do things halfway. It’s a landscape of unfathomable beauty, of sheer rock peaks and powerful moments that stay with you long after you’ve gone. 

Perhaps we’ll find ourselves at the Faerie Pools, following the long winding path towards the black mountains that loom overhead. Or maybe we’ll gaze out over the land as if it were ours to claim at the Quiraing.  

And you might have started to ask yourself: why does this look familiar? Skye made her on-screen debut years ago. From Stardust to Snow White and the Huntsmen, Transformers: The Last Knight to the BFG, Skye makes the perfect dramatic setting for many of our favorite films. 

Another spot you may recognize is the village of Portree. A row of colorful pubs sitting snuggly alongside a quiet harbor packed with boats, the smell of sea and salt lingering in the air... how could such a place not be known? You’ll have free time here for lunch and your driver-guide will be happy to make recommendations. 

Stomachs warmed, it’s now time to warm the cockles of your heart – and in Scotland we do that with a wee dram of whisky. We head for Talisker Distillery for an included tour and tasting. Even if whisky (or drinking) isn’t your thing, the whisky-making process really is fascinating, and you’ll soon see why we call it our uisge beatha - ‘water of life’. 

The day isn’t over. Hame is waiting – and so is another incredible meal. Don’t let that whisky lull you into a nap as we journey back through the landscapes of Skye; who knows what’s left to see? 

We hope your appetite is as eager as ever, as we sit down for another dinner, sampling more of Skye’s quality tastes. Stomachs full, the evening is yours to enjoy by the fire or even a walk in the countryside. Overnight Hame on Skye.

Farewell, Skye. But don’t despair, you’ll have memories to last a lifetime – and we think they make the best souvenirs. Not to mention, Skye’s farewell will be a memorable one as we coast along first thing this morning as we head back towards the mainland. Our big windows make for the best view, and we’re not opposed to stopping here and there when the view absolutely demands it. 

Once more over the Skye Bridge, and we’re back on the mainland of Scotland, heading inland along lochs and through valleys until we reach our first main stop of the day. 

Make sure you wear your walking shoes this morning, as we’ve arrived at Rogie Falls. Situated along the Black Water River in the Highlands, this series of waterfalls are surrounded by a range of woodland walks. But it’s the view below you’ve come to see, and crossing the suspension bridge is a must for those without a fear of heights. From this striking viewpoint, see if you can spot the salmon swimming below. 

After a refreshing morning breathing in the scents and scenery of Scotland, it’s back on the bus just in time to settle that growing grumble in your stomach. This is a foodie experience, after all. 

Inverness. The Capital of the Highlands. A gateway for some, but a hub for you to satisfy your cravings today. There’s plenty to see and do in the capital of the Highlands, but what better way to round off this foodie experience than enjoying some fine Highland cuisine? Your driver-guide can show you some of the city’s hidden culinary gems before we continue our journey back down south.   

We stop for refreshments in the charming Perthshire town of Pitlochry which is worthy of a photo or two itself! This is a great place for one final treat. 

Scotland is one of those places were closing your eyes for even a second could mean you miss something incredible. A herd of deer lingering in a moorscape. A quiet loch sitting pretty in the shadow of a mountain. The echoes of the past spotted in ruins all around you. 

As we cross the Firth of Forth with a view of Scotland’s three iconic Forth Bridges, you’re certain to have a story or two to tell your family and friends upon return – or perhaps a new recipe to try!

You return to Edinburgh at approximately 7:00pm.