Current as of: March 12, 2025 - 23:44
Walking the Isle of Skye - Private Group Adventure Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
- Destination: United Kingdom
- Programmes: Walking & Trekking
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Activity Level:
3 out of 7 - Moderate
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: TEC
Trip Overview
Explore rugged landscapes, abandoned villages and Fairy Pools on a wild adventure in the Inner Hebrides
Off the west coast of mainland Scotland, the Isle of Skye offers wild walking trails across wind-whipped landscapes and through time-stood-still fishing villages. It’s the star attraction in the Inner Hebrides and for good reason with wonderfully rugged scenery providing a sensational setting for an adventure on foot. For this hiking trip, we are based in the hill-cradled fishing town of Portree, heading out each day to explore a different part of the island led by our expert local guide.
This tour is specially designed as a private departure and can be operated on a date of your choice. Please contact our sales team for prices and more information, or visit our Private Group Adventures page.
At a Glance
- Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels)
- Five days of guided walking
- Private Group size 6 to 16
- Moderate walks, leisurely pace; good level of fitness recommended
- Option to travel by train to your adventure
Highlights
- Visit the magical Fairy Pools, where hardy souls swim in the frigid waters
- Stay in the pretty fishing village of Portree
- Discover the dramatic Quiraing landslip on foot
- Tour a Scotch whisky distillery with a tasting on the Isle of Raasay
Is This Trip for You?
This trip has been graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
- Walking days: Five
- Maximum height gained: 2,297ft (700m)
- Maximum distance walked: 11mi (17km)
The Isle of Skye is known for its beautiful rugged landscape. The paths used can be narrow at times with a lot of steep steps, and rocky, loose stone sections. So it is important to be confident with your footing.
A good level of fitness is required and it is important to pack for the potential for unpredictable Scottish weather (see packing list).
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 6
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Inverness
- End City: Inverness
Land Only Itinerary
Arrive Inverness
Our adventure begins in Inverness, the most northerly city in the UK. Perched on the northeast coast of Scotland, it is the cultural hub of the Scottish Highlands and an ideal place for us to begin. If you have free time after checking into the hotel, you may want to explore the old town, home to the 19th-century Inverness Cathedral and an indoor Victorian market. This evening, there is a welcome meeting and dinner with your tour leader and the rest of the group.
Accommodation: Ardross & Glencairn Guesthouse (or similar)
Transfer to Isle of Skye; hike at Fairy Pools; to Portree
We travel to the port town of Mallaig, where we board the ferry for Armadale on Skye (a 45-minute journey). On arrival, we transfer to the Fairy Pools, a magical collection of waterfalls and swimming spots where hardy souls brave the chilly waters – bring your swimwear if you want to test yourself with an icy dip. After exploring the pools, we continue to Portree where we check into our hotel.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Quiraing landslip region hike; Fairy Glen exploration
This morning, we travel to Trotternish, the northernmost peninsula on the island, for a circular walk of the Quiraing, an enormous landslip created over millions of years. It is wild, rugged and atmospheric.
Our route passes spectacular rock formations, including two of the most famous in the region, the Prison and the Needle. After, we head to the Fairy Glen (a smaller yet still spectacular version of the Quiraing) to explore this geologically fascinating area at your leisure. We then return to Portree.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Explore Isle of Raasay; distillery tour and tasting
We catch the ferry from Sconser to the Isle of Raasay, arriving at 10.50am where we begin our hike for the day.
Though compact, the island is home to an extraordinary collection of wildlife; you may see white-tailed sea eagles, golden eagles, oystercatchers, guillemots, red deer, dolphins and seals, depending on the weather and time of year.
We end with a tour and tasting at the Raasay Distillery, where they produce single-malt Scotch whisky and gin inspired by the island. After a full day on Raasay, we return by ferry and bus to Portree.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Highland Clearance villages
We head south for a circular walk around Suisnish and Boreraig, two villages emptied during the Highland Clearances. In this dark chapter of Scottish history, thousands of families were forcibly driven from their ancestral homes to make way for sheep. The remains of long-abandoned villages can be seen all over the Isle of Skye, but Boreraig is perhaps the most hauntingly beautiful.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Kilt Rock; circular walk visiting Rubha Hunish
This morning, we head to the magnificent Kilt Rock, a towering sea cliff formed of basalt columns, which resembles a pleated kilt. From here, we head to Duntulm where we begin a circular walk taking in Rubha Hunish, the northernmost point on Skye. On our return journey, we stop for a coffee and cake at an arty café. This afternoon, we have free time in Portree.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Transfer to Inverness via Eilean Donan Castle
After breakfast, we travel back to Inverness stopping at Eilean Donan Castle en route. This ancient island fort has become a symbol of the region and marks the meeting point of three lochs. After stopping for photos, we continue and the tour ends at Inverness railway station.
Accommodation
Rosedale Hotel, Skye, and Ardross Glencairn Guesthouse, Inverness
Occupying a trio of old fisherman houses on the working harbour of Portree, the Rosedale Hotel provides an idyllic retreat for our time in Skye. Outside the front door, the waters are navigated by local fishing boats, while the town itself has cafes and restaurants to explore.
Our 17-room traditional hotel has an intimate sea-view restaurant, serving a selection of dishes based on fresh, seasonal, local produce. The rooms are unfussy and homely and all come with complimentary toiletries and tea/coffee-making facilities.
In Inverness, we stay at the Ardross Glencairn Guesthouse, close to the River Ness and only a few minutes’ walk to the city centre.
Accommodation - Pre Trip
Pre-tour accommodation is available in Inverness.
Accommodation - Post Trip
Post tour accommodation is available in Inverness.
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, three picnic lunches and two dinners are included.
At Ardross & Glencairn provide a hot and cold buffet-style breakfast, guests can help themselves to a continental selection and a full cooked breakfast. The Rosedale Hotel provides a continental breakfast with a changing selection of fruit, cereals, pastries, cheese, cold meats etc.
The picnic lunches consist of a sandwich, a piece of cake and fruit.
Dinners are 2 course from a small menu choice.
Transport
We use a minibus for all transfers to the areas where we are walking.
Weather & Seasonality
Rain can fall at any time of year; however, the temperatures typically rise from around 12C (54F) in April to the high 20Cs (around 80F-85F) or above in September. Like most of the UK in recent years, there have been some hotter days in the middle of summer.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Ardross & Glencairn Guesthouse, 19 Ardross St, Inverness, IV3 5NS
Phone: (+44) 1463 232965
Recommended arrival time: Meet at 6pm at the start hotel
Getting to the start hotel
There are trains from London Kings Cross railway station to Inverness railway station approximately every hour. It’s a 20-minute walk or just over a five-minute drive to our start hotel. There are also flights from London Gatwick (LGW) to Inverness Airport (INV). A taxi from the airport to the start hotel takes just over 20 minutes.
Return journey
The tour ends at Inverness railway station, from where you can catch trains to London Kings Cross approximately every hour. As it is quite a long journey, you may like to take the sleeper train. You can also get flights to London Gatwick from Inverness Airport.
If you would like further information on joining this trip or your return journey, please speak to your sales representative.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Inverness
Location end: Inverness
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Walking boots with good grip and ankle support
- Small backpack (for water bottle, camera etc)
- Large water container or Thermos flask (1-2 litre), as some days it is not possible to fill up on the trek
- Hat and gloves
- A warm two-season jacket or sweater/fleece
- Waterproof/windproof jacket (preferably Gore Tex) and waterproof trousers
- We also advise using dry flow wicking clothing rather than cotton as it dries much quicker and is more comfortable when trekking
Optional Equipment
- Walking poles
Practical Information
Visa
United Kingdom
Travellers from the US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/united-kingdom
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-kingdom
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/UnitedKingdom.html
Scotland
UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.
For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Vaccinations and Health
United Kingdom
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Scotland
No vaccinations are obligatory.
Ticks are known to be present in this region and can carry lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis and other diseases. Please take care to protect yourself. You can read more about ticks here.
Local Time
United Kingdom's time zone: Europe/London (UTC +00:00)
Electricity
United Kingdom's electricity: Plug type G (three rectangular pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
United Kingdom's currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
ATM Availability
ATMs are available in most towns.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
- A typical lunch costs £15, dinner £25, a pint of beer £5, and a glass of wine £4-£7
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.