Description

This is a tour for those of you who have heard about the dramatic landscapes of Scotland and of the Isle of Skye in particular. By adding an extra day to our very popular three day Skye tour, we think this tour gives you that little bit extra; another day of sightseeing and the ability to travel at a more relaxed pace. This will give you more flexibility to get off the bus more often to take in a view, go for a walk with your driver/guide or spend some time photographing an area.

By spending two nights on Skye on this tour, we can slow down the pace a bit and spend a day travelling around the impressive geological sights of the rugged north of the island and then a second day taking in the more gentle and pretty areas of the south. See the Cuillin Mountains from different angles. Take in the fabulous coastlines. Maybe spot some of our wildlife and birdlife.

For those of you keen on photography this is a 'must do tour'. Scotland has it all: an amazing variety of landscapes, flora and fauna and incredible weather that can make for the most fabulous photography. Yes, we get rain but this can often prove to be the most dramatic time to get out there with your camera just before or after a 'wee storm'. Scotland's light and her skies can be breath-taking.

Like all our tours, our aim is to get you to the best places at the best times after that it’s up to you! We are offering the chance to tour Scotland with a group of like-minded people who share a passion for photography and the Scottish landscape. The tour covers a wide variety of potential subjects, including the dramatic mountain scenery of Glencoe and the Highlands, The Isle of Skye, stunning seascapes and potential sunsets on the West Coast, fascinating towns and villages, beautiful woodlands and waterfalls, historic castles, and friendly local people.

Flexibility is the key to this tour. Our main aim is to make the best of the weather and lighting conditions and so the timings and locations visited will be subject to change – even on the day itself! We will always try to fit in as much variety in subjects as is possible and your guide will do his/her best to make sure everyone gets the shots they are looking for.

Day 1: You leave Edinburgh and travel north west. On this route, you see one of Scotland's most amazing modern marvels, The Kelpies. These massive steel horse heads are fantastic to photograph and intriguingly engineered. For lunch, you refuel at your driver-guide's favourite spot and continue with your journey through the Highland scenery. After ambling along and enjoying beautiful views of rivers, lochs, and forests, you cross the wild and remote Rannoch Moor. This is a favourite location for photographers and nature lovers, so make sure you’ve charged your camera. You then head to the majestic and historic Glencoe. Here, you can learn about one of the most tragic tales in Scottish history. We then drive along the shore of Loch Linnhe before reaching our base for the night in Fort William.

Day 2: You go on a breath-taking drive from Fort William and pass the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. This is one of the most beautiful railway bends in Britain and featured in the Harry Potter movies. There’s also an iconic monument that commemorates the Jacobites who died fighting for the Jacobite cause. After arriving in Mallaig, you take the ferry over the sea to Skye to the southern area of the island.*
Your afternoon will be spent exploring the incredible landscapes of the Sleat Peninsula. Your guide may take you to the famed waterfalls of Glenbrittle or to the Cuillin Mountains in Elgol, where you can revel in the stunning views. After all these sublime sights, you head to your overnight base in the Lochalsh and Skye area.**
* During the winter months (October till the end of March) you take a scenic route through Kyle of Lochalsh and drive over the Skye Bridge.
**Tours departing from 1st November 2023 till the end of March 2024 stay in Portree for two nights.
**If your tour departs after 1st April 2024, you will spend this night either in Kyleakin or in Balmacara.

Day 3: Today is your opportunity to see some of the most famous wonders of Skye. The Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point: the options are endless. Your guide will choose a unique itinerary to suit the weather and what’s happening on the island. And they'll always ensure you get a chance to get off the beaten track and discover the best spots for photos.In the late afternoon, you return to your overnight base*.
*If your tour departs after 1st April 2024, you will spend this night either in Kyleakin or in Balmacara.

Day 4:

You start your day from a visit to the famous stronghold, Eilean Donan Castle*. Then you travel south through Glen Shiel and past magnificent Loch Cluanie, as we head east for a view of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Continuing south, your route passes through the Monadhliath Mountains and into the Central Highlands, where you stop in the historic village of Dunkeld. Here you have the chance to visit the ruins of the old cathedral. Travelling south, you head through the Lowlands, over the Firth of Forth, and into Edinburgh.
*Please note that Eilean Donan Castle has reduced opening hours between 1st October and 22nd December, which may affect some tours. The castle is fully closed from 22nd December 2023 until 1st February 2024 (opening date TBC). The castle will also be closed due to weddings on the following dates: November 1st, 4th, 9th, 10th, 11th  & 18th, and December 1st & 7th. 

Stay two nights in Portree, the ‘capital’ of the Isle of Skye and 1 night in Fort William, under the shadows of Ben Nevis!!