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Isle of Skye in wintertime

Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye Winter - Private

(8 days / 7 nights)

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A week of winter discoveries around Scotland

With 8 days and a private tour guide, this trip will be a great experience for anyone who wants to discover Scotland’s rugged beauty and breathtaking scenery. This private tour has been designed to fit in some of Scotland’s top attractions, spanning from the historic capital Edinburgh into the Highlands, passing by the enchanting Glen Coe and Loch Ness, and to the iconic Isle of Skye. All in a comfortable vehicle with a private guide at the wheel.

8 days / 7 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in GBP

Approx 4106 GBP

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Experienced private tour guide with extensive local knowledge
  • Travel in comfort with a private driver
  • Handpicked hotels & routes designed by our trusted local experts
  • Private airport transfer upon arrival & departure
  • Outstanding experience and personal service
  • Comprehensive itinerary, personalised map & travel guide
  • 24/7 helpline during your tour of Scotland
  • 5-star customer reviews
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Explore some of Scotland’s top sights on the famous and breathtaking Isle of Skye
  • See the striking wintry beauty of the Scottish Highlands
  • Walk along the mysterious Loch Ness and visit the castle on its shores
  • Discover Scotland‘s historic capital Edinburgh and stroll up the Royal Mile
  • Enjoy some quiet time in nature at the Trossachs National Park
  • Explore the Capital of the Highlands, Inverness, and its surroundings
  • Photograph the iconic Eilean Donan Castle
  • Take in the breathtaking beauty of Glen Coe
  • Learn about the sights from a trusted, knowledgeable private guide

Travel style

Privately Guided i

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, Classic i, Culture and History i, Heritage i, Highlands i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Isles i

Season

Nov - Mar

Departure

Daily

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, Classic i, Culture and History i, Heritage i, Highlands i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Isles i

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: ARRIVAL IN EDINBURGH

    Upon your arrival in Edinburgh, you will be greeted by a private driver who will take you to your hotel in the city centre. For those arriving early in the day, we recommend spending the day walking through the city, strolling along the The Royal Mile and exploring the Old Town and New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also plenty of museums and landmarks to visit within the city centre, including the beautiful St Giles Cathedral and the majestic Edinburgh Castle.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh. 

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: INTO THE HIGHLANDS

    Today your private tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in a comfortable vehicle. On the way you can stop at the charming village of Dunkeld and enjoy a walk at the picturesque Hermitage. We also recommend passing by the town of Pitlochry, before heading into the Cairngorms National Park. Arriving near Inverness, you have the option to visit the Battlefield of Culloden Moor, to see where the last battle on British soil occurred in 1746, marking "the beginning of the end for the Highlands." Nearby you could also roam around Clava Cairns, a series of tombs and standing stones dating back roughly 4,000 years.

    Spend the night in the Inverness area.

    Driving distance: 251 km / 156 miles
    Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 9-10 hours 

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 3: LOCH NESS, CASTLES & ISLE OF SKYE

    Today, the guide will take you from Inverness to the famous Isle of Skye. You’ll be driven along the shores Loch Ness and, if you have time, take a boat tour in search of its notorious and elusive monster, or go explore the nearby Urquhart Castle ruins. Further along the drive, make a stop at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. When you arrive on Skye, your first stop will be at the scenic village of Portree, where you can explore and admire its colourful buildings and dine at a local restaurant.

    Spend the night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.

    Driving distance: 185 km / 115 miles
    Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 6-7 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 4: THE ISLE OF SKYE

    Today you can take advantage of a full day on Skye, a haven for nature lovers. We recommend exploring the northern part of the island and taking your time around all the attractions on the breathtaking Trotternish Peninsula. There you can enjoy a walk up to “Old Man of Storr” rock pinnacle and see the beautiful Kilt Rock waterfall. Other highlights include the Quiraing rock face, the An Corran Beach at Staffin, where you may spot ancient dinosaur footprints, and the mystical Fairy Glen.

    Spend another night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.

    Driving distance: 70 km / 45 miles
    Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 6-7 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: SLEAT PENINSULA & GLENFINNAN

    Heading south to the Sleat Peninsula, you’ll be able to admire the beautiful beaches, lochs, and glens of the region. You may wish to stop on the way to enjoy a walk to the crystal-clear Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillin Hills or to sample Single Malt Whisky at the Talisker Distillery. In the afternoon return over the Skye Bridge and make your way south to Fort William.  If time allows, you may want to make the detour to Glenfinnan to admire the Glenfinnan Monument, overlooking Loch Shiel, and the viaduct, featured in Harry Potter.

    Spend the night in the Fort William area.

    Driving distance: 135 km / 85 miles
    Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 7-8 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 6: TRAVEL ALONG DRAMATIC GLENS

    Today’s drive will take you down from Fort William, passing by Scotland’s most famous valley, Glen Coe, which offers jaw-dropping scenery. Further on, you could stop at the grave of Rob Roy at Balquhidder and at the beautiful Falls of Dochart in the village of Killin.

    You’ll continue along to the glittering shores of Loch Lubnaig and Loch Lomond. Make a pit stop to explore the towns in this area and snap some photos.

    Spend the night in the Trossachs National Park area.

    Average distance via Glen Coe: 130 km / 80 miles

    Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 6–7 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 7: TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK TO EDINBURGH

    Your guide will bring you back to Edinburgh (you can choose to end your trip in Glasgow in the optional activities below). You will pass through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where you could stop to take a walk in nature, enjoy an optional steamship tour on Loch Katrine, or visit a local whisky distillery. For a fun photo opportunity, don’t miss Doune Castle, featured in Monty Python & the Holy Grail and Outlander. If time allows, you could also stop by Stirling & Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s top attractions, or at the impressive The Kelpies, two giant horse-head sculptures.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Driving distance: 130 km / 80 miles
    Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 6-7 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 8: DEPARTURE FROM SCOTLAND

    On your day of departure, a private driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you directly to the airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you may take your last few hours to do some last-minute shopping, visit one of Edinburgh’s many museums, or take one last stroll through the charming city centre.

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this private tour in Scotland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Scotland Travel Guide.

On a private tour with Nordic Visitor, you can sit back and enjoy a curated itinerary, led by your personal driver-guide.

Your guide will be an expert in Scottish history and culture. They’ll share their local knowledge and stories with you and take you to hidden gems across the country. They will also be happy to tailor your journey to your unique needs and interests along the way.

Your experience will also begin and end with private airport transfers.

Depending on availability and on the size of your travelling party, we can offer a range of vehicles, such as premium executive cars, 4-wheel drives and touring vans.

During the booking process, you'll be able to book a group up to 7 people. Should you have 8 people in your travelling group, please contact us.

Your Scottish experience begins the moment you land at Edinburgh Airport. Make your way to the arrivals hall, where a driver will be waiting to greet you. From there, you’ll enjoy a comfortable ride in a private vehicle to your accommodation in the city.

On the day of your departure from Scotland, a private car will pick you up from your accommodation in Edinburgh. Your driver will then take you straight to the airport in time to catch your flight home.

During your Scotland tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

In Scotland, you can choose from single or double rooms. Twin, triple and family rooms are not commonly available. Please also note that in Scotland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double room often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

Due to the historic nature of the properties we usually select, most of the rooms are only accessible by stairs. Lifts are not common in Scottish hotels. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are not able to walk up stairs.

This tour includes a few guided walks along the itinerary. This means you must be prepared and able to walk between 1-3 kilometres (0.6–2 miles) daily. You also need to be able to carry your own luggage when boarding the vehicle and at each accommodation.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! Just let your travel consultant know during the booking process. We’ll arrange any cots needed at your accommodation.

If you need multiple rooms, please note that we can't guarantee family rooms or interconnecting rooms at all accommodation. You may even have rooms on different floors.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. This will incur a small extra cost.

Winter in Scotland isn’t as cold as you might expect. That said, the weather is more changeable at this time of year, and it can definitely get chilly. It’s good to come prepared for wind, rain and maybe some snow when travelling to Scotland between November and March.

You’ll want to pack lots of layers and rain gear to keep yourself warm and dry. We have a handy packing guide to help you decide what to bring in your suitcase.

Whatever time of year you’re in Scotland, you’re likely to see lots of different types of weather. As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

  • A warm jumper or fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
  • Good walking shoes or boots (especially if you intend to hike and go on nature walks)
  • Light scarf or thin sweater
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat

In some areas of Scotland, such as the Highlands and islands, you might notice small, pesky insects called midges. They’re most active on summer evenings and tend to swarm near still water. You can avoid bites by wearing long-sleeves and trousers and by packing an insect repellent.

And here’s our recommendations for a winter getaway:

  • A warm, windproof and waterproof jacket
  • Thermal base layers and cosy jumpers
  • A scarf, gloves and hat
  • Sturdy boots and some woollen socks

For more information, check this packing list suggestion.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can ask your guide or call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

The Edinburgh-based travel expert on call will handle any unforeseen situations for you, such as unusual weather or events.

Whether or not you need a visa to visit Scotland depends on your nationality.

From 2025, you need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. This also applies to visitors from countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and the EU.

You can check if you need a visa or an ETA on the UK government website.

Your passport needs to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the UK. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early, in case you need to renew it.

There are limited laundry facilities in Scotland’s countryside, though you’ll find laundrettes in the cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.

Your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Scotland. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

Budget between £15–£20 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between £20–£25. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay £40–£50 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

If you enjoy your experience with your guide, it’s a nice idea to give them a tip.

This tour includes the service of a personal guide who will be happy to help you customise your experience along the way. They will get to know your interests, and you can tell them about any places where you would like to stop on the drive.

You can also customise this tour online during the booking process. You’ll be able to add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our Scotland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Scotland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.

Upon your arrival in Scotland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Scotland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Scotland?

After picking up your luggage, make your way to the arrivals hall, where the driver of your private transfer will be waiting for you. They’ll welcome you to the country and take you straight to your accommodation in Edinburgh.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.

All bookings are billed in British Pounds (GBP), the local currency in Scotland and the UK.

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from GBP to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

So much fun

We had such a great trip in Scotland. Our travel consultant, Duncan was so patient with us in putting the trip together for us and was very responsive when we had any questions or concerns. We could not have had a better guide than Peter. He was so much fun and we learned so much from him. He became part of our group immediately and we consider him a friend. This is the 2nd time we've used Nordic Visitor and can't imagine using another tour company now.

Everything I imagined and more

My guide (Peter) tailored my trip according to my wish list of places to see. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he made the journey a fantastic experience. His local knowledge is exceptional about everything Scotland. Scotland was everything I imagined and more. I am coming back!

I can't thank Nordic Visitor enough

This is our second trip in two years to Scotland with Nordic Visitor, and we are seriously thinking about another. I can't thank Chris enough for his patience and expertise when booking this trip.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in good quality 3-star guesthouses or country hotels.

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Superior

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses.

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Vehicle

Be comfortable and enjoy the journey as a passenger in the vehicle of your choosing.

Private car

  • x7
  • x5
  • x5
  • A

Private car

  • Comfortable vehicle depending on the size of your travel group.

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in GBP

Approx 4106 GBP

Monthly price comparison

Our best price per person when booking for two.

2024
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