We are traveling by train to Fort William and plan to train to Mallaig. Can anyone recommend a tour company who will take us around Skye? Also we would need some type of tour to see Glen Coe, any recommendations ? Thanks Decb

I can't recommend a tour company, but I can tell you that the drive to the Isle of Skye is the most dramatic scenery I have ever seen. It looks like the highlands come out of a three-d book. Absolutely beautiful.

Last year we took the train to Mallaig and used the service of a local who picked us up at the ferry port and delivered us to our nice small hotel. The next day we had a private tour followed by taking us to the train station at Kyle of Lochalsh. It really worked well for us. Should you want specific information let me know and I will give you his name and e-mail.

It may not run any more, but in 1988 we took a ScotRail "Days Out" from Fort William that was great. Train to Mallaig (sometimes a steam train), ferry to Kyle of Lochalsh (this probably no longer runs since the bridge was built), another ferry across to Skye (there's a bridge now), bus to Ardvasar, train back to Fort William. It was a great trip. There is a very dramatic viaduct at Glenfinnon.

We were cycle touring and the previous day had cycled out here, where there is a towering monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie at the head of Loch Shiel - a wonderful place.

Charles

I am afraid I don't know about any tour; several years ago, I took local bus from Fort Willaim to Glencoe village, then walked up to the site.

Most any tours will be day trips from Ft William - definitely not from Mallaig.

Do you want to stay on Skye overnight? If so you are most likely going to have to do it on your own. Cna be done - take the ferry across to Armadale and then local buses around the Isle - or as Roger mentions - hire a local guide/driver for a personal tour.

As for Glen Coe - don't think there are any tours just to Glencoe. It will be on the itinerary of coach tours through the highlands from Glasgow/Edinburgh, maybe from Inverness. But just a tour to Glencoe - none that I know of.

I notice from another of your threads that you are also visiting the Lake District.

Is there a specific reason you can't or don't want to rent a car? If you drove you would be able to see a LOT more of the Lakes/Glencoe/Skye and just Scotland in general.

Even when there are local tours - they are mainly during the height of the summer season. In the off season it really isn't as profitable.

I cheated and used Undiscovered Scotland to find what you're looking for,

The following are links to people who run the sort of tours you're after. the first three are based on Skye and the second three in Fort William.

http://www.isle-of-skye-tour-guide.co.uk/

http://www.mountainwizard.co.uk/

http://www.skyehost.co.uk/

http://www.retrotouring.com/

http://www.als-taxi-tours.co.uk/

http://bruceshighlandtours.co.uk/

Have a great trip.

Thanks for all the info. I've had computer problems and I am just getting back here. Afraid to try and drive in UK. So we are relying on trains and buses. I will contact the recommended private hires. Looking forward to our trip! Decb