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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 11:10 AM
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Scotland day tour

Can anyone suggest a day tour (leaving from either Edinburgh or Inverness) that takes you to both Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye?
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 11:26 AM
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Have you looked at a map? Edinburgh to Inverness/Loch Ness to Skye is NOT a day trip.

In fact just Edinburgh to Skye isn't either (it would mean 12 hours driving w/o any stops)

There are tours out of Inverness (but you'd have to stay overnight in Inverness which may or may not fit in your itinerary). Here is just one http://www.viator.com/tours/Invernes...051-5256SKYEIN . . . but there are many others.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 12:22 PM
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We did a bus tour that stopped in Loch Ness and included a boat tour of the Loch, but Skye was way too far (though we did hate to miss it.) We were between 2 bus companies that were exactly the same, I think we went with Timberbush over Rabbies because of the availability on the day we needed. Excellent and recommended, but typical bus tour. The driving guide made all the difference with his fun and honest commentary!
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 12:28 PM
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Would you say the boat tour is a must or just seeing the Loch from the coast is good enough?
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 12:33 PM
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Are you driving yourself or are you looking for a bus tour? What time of year are you planning on?

It would be possible to do Loch Ness and Isle of Skye from Inverness in a day BUT it does involve a lot of driving.

Do a circular by driving down the north side of loc Ness through Drumnadrochit to Mallaig. Catch the ferry across to Armadale on Skye. Summer timetable here:
http://www.calmac.co.uk/timetables/s...g-armadale.png

Then drive across Skye and take the Skye Bridge back to Kyle of Lochalsh and drive back to Inverness.

This is about 200 miles and will take about 5 hours to drive PLUS time for the ferry and for stops.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 01:03 PM
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Looking for July/august time and wanting to take a bus tour to get the interesting facts along the way. I've found a few companies that do this route and was just wondering if people had used one before they would suggest again.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 02:23 PM
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>> I've found a few companies that do this route and was just wondering if people had used one before they would suggest again.<<

WHICH route? Not Edinburgh/Loch Ness/Skye - that isn't a day trip. So which tours have you located?

Rabbies and Timberbush are terrific companies -- though not 'interchangeable' as itspat suggests. They do VERY similar itineraries - but Rabbies uses smaller vehicles - usually maximum 12 people. Timberbush uses larger coaches.

http://www.rabbies.com/tour_scotland.asp

But they leave from Edinburgh or Glasgow and none will include Skye and Loch Ness on a ONE day tour. BTW - Loch Ness is nothing to write home about really. There are 30 (probably 40+) more attractive lochs.

If you want to go to Skye and only have one day - then you'll have to stay over in Inverness. The Viator one I linked is typical.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 02:27 PM
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I don't think the boat tour was essential, just additive. It was relaxing and pretty, but that's really all I had to say about it. Just a different perspective than sitting in a bus for most of the day. It was included on the particular TimberBush tour we took.

There was a completely different tour that went to Skye. It was not possible to do both in one day or on the same tour, I don't think. Check out their website for the options. Our particular experience with them was pleasant and a good use of a day, in my opinion. Edinburg was a lovely city, we enjoyed our time there plus this bus tour.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 05:22 PM
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janisj- i've seen a bus tour going from Inverness to Loch Ness and Skye and i've seen a bus tour going from Edinburgh to Loch Ness.

I really don't have a schedule set in stone, just trying to find the best way to see these two places.

itspat- thanks for the boat advice. I loved Edinburgh when i visited it so now i want to see the highlands!

Thanks for all of the advice!
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Old Jul 22nd, 2014, 06:33 PM
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>>janisj- i've seen a bus tour going from Inverness to Loch Ness and Skye and i've seen a bus tour going from Edinburgh to Loch Ness. <<

Yes -- as I've said (twice) you can do Loch Ness and Skye as a day trip from Inverness . . . OR . . . Loch Ness/Highlands (not Skye) from Edinburgh.

But you specifically asked for a tour that hits >> <i>both Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye</i> <<. The ONLY way to do that is to take a tour from Inverness (and stay over night there - or at least somewhere up north).
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