Magical Isle of Skye and Harry Potter Steam Train - Easter Bank Holiday

(Register your interest for free now, and pay closer to the date once we are sure there are no travel restrictions)

Visit the most magical place on Earth! 

Birthplace to the fairies and all things subliminal.

On this trip we have packed all the main places you want to visit, including a few walks and full travel while in Scotland.

Fly or take a train to Inverness any time on Thursday and book yourself a nice room in the city. We will meet somewhere near Inverness Station on Friday at 9 am to start our adventure. Exact location to be decided.

The trip will be run by private minibus from Inverness and our hotel to every attraction, then back to Inverness.

ITINERARY

Below is a sample itinerary. The exact times and dates when each event will happen may change to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Day two, three and four times are open to allow for hikes, which will be arranged according to the weather a week before the trip starts.

Friday Day One:

9:00 - Meet at Inverness and drive along Loch Ness with a stop at Urquhart Castle for picturesLoch Ness is the largest Loch by volume in the British Isles, and one of the deepest ones too. Worldwide famous for its elusive monster, it hosts one of the most iconic castles of Scotland: Urquhart Castle.

10:00 - Drive to Fort William

12:30 - Lunch and visit Ben Nevis base for pictures

14:30 - Catch “Harry Potter’s” Jacobite Steam Train to MallaigOption to stay with the bus and watch the train pass over Glenfinnan Viaduct and meet the group at the Isle of Skye16:45 - Arrive at Mallaig and free explore18:00 - Board the ferry to the Isle of Skye

18:45 - Meet the bus at the Isle of Skye ferry terminal

19:30 - Check in our hotel and dinner

NOTE: Your guide will not be with you from the moment you board the Jacobite Train until you arrive at the Isle of Skye’s ferry terminal. We will be waiting for you on the other side. You have the option of skipping the train and riding with us on the bus.

Day Two and Three:

The Fairy Pools - 1 or 2 hours hike

The pools are located in one of the most dramatic landscapes on Skye. The fairies regularly bathe here, in the crystal clear green pools of the River Brittle. Weather permitting, you can swim in the pools of the river, one of the UK’s best wild swimming spots.We in no way endorse swimming in the pools and it is done entirely at your own risk.

Neist Point - 2 hours hike

This is the best place on the island to spot whales, dolphins and sharks. Here we transport you to the edge of the world, with its beautiful scenery, awesome skies and endless ocean.

Fairy Glen - 1 or 2 hours hike

Wander between countless conical mounds, known in the Highlands as fairy knowes; put your ears to the grass and listen for the fairies at work inside.Bend down to search for elves in the glen’s miniature forests, take the twisted path to the top of the fairy castle or walk the faun’s maze and have a wish granted!

Rha waterfalls - 30 mins stop

We make it to Rha waterfalls, called by some as the hidden waterfalls, certainly off the beaten track, hear you can do some more wild swimming.

Quiraing and Staffin - 3 hours hike

Next up is the Quiraing, a landscape used in many sci-fi films, and known for its other-worldly rock formations and stunning vistas. This is a place like no other, part of the largest landslip in Europe.

Kilt Rock - 30 mins to 1 hour picture stop

Home to the dinosaurs of Skye’s ancient past,Kilt Rock will take your breath away with its distinctive pillars and beautiful waterfall with views across to the Torridon Hills on the mainland.

The Old Man of Storr - 2 to 3 hours hike

The ridge is a mighty inland cliff, rising to a height of 720m. The Old Man is a 200ft stone pillar, which has detached itself from the highest point of the ridge, creating a fantastical landscape of twisted rocks, looming shadows and swirling mists, taking in a stunning clifftop view out to the islands of Rhona, Raasay and the mountains of Assynt.

Dunvegan Castle - 2 hours for pictures and optional guided tour

Built on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Loch Dunvegan, Dunvegan is the oldest continuously-inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.We are including this very touristic stop because it will give you a chance to learn and experience a bit about the incredible Scottish history with actual Scots.

Portree Harbour - 1 or 2 hours free explore or short hike

The Instagram famous coloured houses of Portree Harbour cannot be passed by.

Glen Shiel and the Five Sisters of Kintail - 30 mins stop for pictures

Soaring mountains, sparkling rivers and wild moorlands on the way out from the Isle of Skye.

Eilean Donan Castle - 20 mins stop for pictures

Stronghold of the Clan MacRae and the headquarters of James Bond in “The World is not Enough” also on the way out of Isle of Skye.

Distillery - 1 hour visit with option of tasting

Because, why not?

Day Four Return:

12:00 Drive back to Inverness

15:00 Arrive at Inverness with drops at the railway station and airport

Daylight hours

In April, Scotland has 14 hours of daylight.

Our tour activities from day two to day four will take around 20 hours over 2.5 days, not including driving.

Hotel

The Dunollie Hotel

Shared twin rooms - same gender

There are no options for single occupancy on this trip because finding hotels in the area is super hard and expensive. If you can find a room in or near Broadford and you would rather book it for yourself, let us know. Try our hotel first.

Flights

Please book return flight to leave Monday after 5 pm from Inverness

 FEE 

£420 per person

Early bird £380 until 31st January

 INCLUDED IN FEE 

• 3 nights hotel accommodation - per person per bed
• Full minibus travel from Inverness and throughout the trip
• Guided hikes

 NOT INCLUDED IN FEE 

• Meals
• Flights
• Distillery visit
• Jacobite Train
• Ferry
• Dunvegan Castle

We will book the below for you in advance unless you opt-out. Prices are from 2020 and maybe a bit higher when we visit:

• Jacobite train £36.00
• Ferry £5.00
• Dunvegan Castle and Gardens £14.00
• Distillery tour £10 - not including tasters

MEALS 

Meals are not included in the fee.

Breakfasts will likely be in the hotel unless we decide to go on a sunrise hike (very unlikely).

Lunches will be bought from a local supermarket to save us time during the day.

Dinners to be arranged near the start of the trip

ATTENTION:  1 - It is your responsibility to ensure you check messages on this event and private messages sent to you before the trip starts and up to the morning of the trip. On occasions, meeting location, time and other details might have to be changed and the event could also be cancelled last minute in case of extreme weather or other unexpected events.  

2 - This is a mountain hike. You must ensure you are fit and have adequate insurance to cover you in case of an accident. The guide or anyone else involved in organising this trips does not accept responsibilities for injuries, loss or death during this trip.  

3 - Refunds due to illness or any other unforeseen events are not possible, but good travel insurance should cover you in such cases.  

4- A full refunds or credit will be offered if we cancel the trip at any time for any reason.