An amazing day on the original Skye tour !
Our Skye Minibus Tour is packed with stories, legends and laughter that will bring Skye's remarkable history to life.
Discover a story that was three billion years in the making. Learn about the huge natural forces that shaped Skye's incredible landscape. We will also talk about recent discoveries that have began to unravel the mystery of Jurassic Skye, when dinosaurs roamed this land.
You will also learn about the first humans to venture here and leave their mark. First there were nomadic tribes, followed by farmers and Viking settlement. Next, warrior clan chieftains ruled the roost for centuries. Then our story turns to highland landowners that instigated the brutal clearance of women, men and children from Skye, many transported to the new world.
Skye's wildlife, ecology and its conservation are very close to our hearts. We talk about the changing landscape, deforestation and traditional crofting. Finally we discuss Skye today and the revival of the Gaelic language.
We hope our skye tour is the perfect mix of time on the bus, short photo stops and longer stops which allow you time to explore on your own. Our commentary is a blend of information, facts and entertaining tales.
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Highlights
Trip Advisor Review, Peregrinus5
This day trip was the highlight of my trip to Skye.Went to the Fairy Pools,which was a good hike,there and back.Neist Point and the lighthouse was also a good hike.The Quiraing,Kilt Rock and The Old Man of Storr were excellent photo stops.Take this trip,you won't regret it. 
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Departs from: Somerled Square, Portree, Isle of Skye Departs at 09:30 (Please arrive at 09.15) Returns between 18.00 and 19.00 Please note that SkyeBus is not recommended for cruise ship visitors March 2022 to October 2022.
Price: £60
Students & children 5 to 12 years: £50 Minimum age on all scheduled tours is 5 years 1 Day Winter Tour. |
SkyeBus visits:
"The day is a perfect mix of time on the bus with short photo stops and longer stops to allow plenty of time to walk and explore on your own"
PHOTOSTOPS @
- The Old Man of Storr: Photo stop from roadside of the famous rocky pinnacle that marks the southern end of the Trotternish Ridge
- Kilt Rock: Kilt Rock is the best known and most photographed sea cliff on Skye. It is just off the main road in north east Trotternish, between the Storr and the Quiraing. Using a wee bit of imagination, it looks a like a kilt. Vertical columns of basalt form the pleats of this giant highland kilt and dolerite intrusions form the pattern. From the view point you can also see Mealt Falls tumbling 55m in to the sound of Raasay below. The wonderful Black Sheep Snackie lives there in summer months serving tea and coffee. A short, fun photo-stop to see these wonderful basalt cliffs... that really do look like a highland kilt from every angle.
- Quiraing: Drive over the pass that defines northern Skye ... step off the bus for a moment or two and be amazed ! The landslides in Northern Skye are the most remarkable in Britain perhaps Europe. The Trotternish ridge is a think pile of basalt lava that is around 60million years old. It sits on weaker, softer and older Jurassic sandstones. Over many millions of years, the softer and older rock has crumbled which resulted in huge landslides. This has helped to form the awesome landscape of the Quiraing. Names such as the Table, Prisonand Needlefire your imagination. Add to the mix; ice, when glaciers reached down from the frozen north and helped to carve from the rock resulting today in the most remarkable landscape you will ever see.
- Cuillin Mountains: Photos of the most impressive, inspirational and simply ... the most spectacular mountain range in Scotland!
WALKS @
- The Fairy (Faerie) Glen: A wonderful and otherworldly landscape, where your imagination can soar over the fairy castles and cone shaped fairy knowes (hills). Once you see this wee corner of Glen Uig you will never forget it. We have a story to tell too, of a piper who vanished there in the cold light of day. It is easy to understand why the fairy glen continues to inspire storytellers to this day. Stories that unfold on the silver screen have been filmed there recently too. But it is Glen Uig’s amazing geological story that fascinates most of all. The ice scraped and scoured valley, the ancient landslips. Together with Quiraing and Storr this is the most stunning landscape in the whole of the British Isles.
- Fairy Pools: . A chance to walk on your own to see the famous clear blue waters that tumble down from the Cuillin Mountains. The river forms of a series of waterfalls that are now known as the Fairy Pools. The prettiest of them has an under-water arch that is sometimes visible. This area is also the site of the last clan battle fought on Skye. In Coire na Creiche the Macleods were defeated by the Macdonalds in 1601. Perhaps the best part of this walk is the chance to look to the jagged Cuillin ridge. And, the dramatic Sgùrr an Fheadain with a dark gash (waterpipe gully) running down from its summit. Thanks to the wonderful local community there are now public toilets at the Fairy Pools. Note that they close at 1700.
- Neist Point: Neist point is the most Westerly point on the Isle of Skye. The single track road to Neist Point winds around Loch Dunvegan then over the hills to Glendale. As we approach Neist Point there are stunning views over Moonen Bay to Waterstein Head and on a clear day across the Minch to the Western Isles. It is a great place to see whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking shark. There are thousands of seabirds including, gannets, black guillemots, razorbills and shags. There are several different walks that will allow you to explore Neist Point on your own. You can follow the keepers’ path down some steep steps to the old lighthouse, which was built in 1909. It is still operational, helping vessels, big and small to navigate these treacherous waters. The light from the tower is visible for 24 miles. The lighthouse tower is owned and maintained by the northern light house board. The cottages around the tower are in private ownership and although they may seem derelict please do not be enter.
There is a small gift shop at the car park that serves tea and coffee (Currently closed). There are no toilets at Neist Point.
Return to Portree:
We get back to Portree early evening. This is usually around 18.00 - 19.00. Please check with us if you have onward travel plans directly after tour.
Please be aware that this could be the best day out in your entire life :)
What to expect:
There is some unguided trail walking on this tour. Please dress for changeable weather. Please also wear suitable footwear for rough and sometimes muddy ground. Waterproofs, what ever the season. Please do not bring a packed lunch as it not possible to eat lunch or drink hot drinks on the bus. We stop at trusted cafes and shops where you can buy lunch. Credit/Debit cards only.
Covid-19 Mitigation:
We always operate safely under guidance from the Scottish Government.
Important Note:
Very occasionally it may not be possible for you to walk to Fairy Pools. Heavy rainfall can make the path impossible. Bridge planned in 2022. If we have to alter the itinerary we always try to offer an alternative.
