11 4-Day Experiences in Britain to Build a Day Around

1.4-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $907Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh to the Highlands and Isle of Skye in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a local driver-guide. You’ll see the Kelpies, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Skye’s Old Man of Storr and Neist Point, Eilean Donan Castle, and Loch Ness. Three nights of en-suite lodging and breakfast are included, while daily routes change with weather and group interests.

“the highlight of the trip was hiking the cliffs in dunvegan! Pete was an awesome tour guide with great story telling talent. he made Scotland come alive and told stories that I won't soon forget. in spite of the rain we had an awesome time.”

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2.4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,520

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay with a driver-guide such as Moray, Jamie, Stefan, or Murray, then visit Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig. You’ll enjoy tastings, a warehouse visit, three nights of B&B accommodation, and ferry rides through beautiful island scenery.

“This was well worth the cost to have all the details taken care of in advance. Moray was a great guide, and the quantity/variety/pace of the experiences at the various distilleries (and the Whisky Vault) was pretty perfect. (But when they tell you you need dinner reservations in Bowmore, you really do - even for 1.)”

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3.Isle of Skye and Hogwarts Express 4-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 142 reviews · 83 hours · from $1,071

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye in a group of up to 16. You’ll spend two nights on Skye, ride the Jacobite Steam Train if operating, and hear Scottish history, folklore and Harry Potter stories from an English-speaking driver-guide such as Rose, Brodie or John.

“Our guide, Rob was wonderful, very accommodating and helpful, he also made the driving portion enjoyable and entertaining with his stories and humor! Highly recommended”

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4.Isle of Skye and West Highlands: 4-Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 98 reviews · 4 days · from $808Best value

See the Highlands and Isle of Skye in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a driver-guide such as Mark, Andy, or Peter. Over four days, you’ll visit Glencoe, Glenfinnan, the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and Eilean Donan Castle, with three nights in small local B&Bs and plenty of photo stops.

“This tour was by far the BEST tour I’ve ever done. The tour guide, Iain, was insanely kind, knowledgeable, funny, witty, and intelligent. He made sure that we saw everything we wanted to see, with excellent driving and amazing commentary. Iain made sure the whole group (which was 6 of us) felt comfortable, safe, and had fun while we toured the beautiful West Highlands and the Isle of Skye for 4 days. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the West Highlands and the Isle of Skye. I’ll probably end up taking this tour again in my lifetime, it was that fantastic. 5+ stars!!”

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5.4-Day Isle of Skye & Jacobite Steam Train (train ride included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,096

Travel from Edinburgh in a small group of up to 16, with a guide, three nights of lodging, breakfast, and transport included. You’ll see Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, the Old Man of Storr, and Kilt Rock, then ride the Jacobite Steam Train in summer. Guides such as Craig, John, Stefan, Cameron, and Rose add local stories and flexible stops.

“It was one of the best tours I've ever been on. Our guide, Craig, was incredible; he tailored the tour to everyone. We visited more places than planned, allowing us to see even more of Scotland's beauty. He shared some of Scotland's history as we passed through the various places and provided information on the various topics related to the landscape of Scotland. On the first day, we stopped to see the various bridges that connect Edinburgh with the east of Scotland and had the opportunity to see a train passing over the Forth Bridge. Then we headed north, where we stopped in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park…”

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6.4-Day Outlander Trail Tour from Edinburgh Including Admissions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,087

Trace Outlander filming sites and Scottish history on a four-day trip from Edinburgh. A driver-guide takes you in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach to Doune, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Falkland, Culross, Blackness Castle, and the Highlands. Three nights, breakfast, and selected admissions are included. Expect long days, short walks, weather changes, and a 20kg luggage limit.

“I loved this trip. Our driver/guide, Willie, was great. He supplied us with lots of interesting and historic information on the sites we were visiting, as well as on the Outlander series. He added the nice touch of playing Scottish music that was appropriate to the next site we were visiting. The accommodations were fine, well run and their hosts friendly. What a beautiful country. Outlander or not, this trip has something for everyone.”

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7.4-Day Islay & Whisky Tour Including Admissions from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,351

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, with ferry crossings, scenic stops, and up to six distillery visits. You will tour Bowmore, Kilchoman, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig, with Bunnahabhain and possibly Lagavulin added. Guides such as Adam, Andy, Emily, and Duncan are known for mixing whisky know-how with Scottish stories.

“Lagavoulin tasting direct from the casks and Adam's good stories as we went trough the highlands. A memory for life.”

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8.Islay and The Whisky Coast 4-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 4 days · from $1,205

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay with a Rabbie’s driver-guide, staying three nights in Bowmore and visiting famous distilleries including Bowmore, Kilchoman, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin. Expect small-group travel, ferry crossings, local history, sandy west-coast beaches, and plenty of smoky whisky, with guides such as Al, Stevie, and Robbie bringing the route to life.

“Great trip for whisky enthusiasts! My husband and myself thoroughly enjoyed this trip with Stewart our guide. I’ve learnt to appreciate this magical water of life! We visited 7/9 distilleries on the island and came home to London with a suitcase full of whisky.”

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9.4-Day Magical Mull, Iona & West Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,080

Set out from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a driver-guide such as Rob, Alan, or Murray. Spend three nights in Tobermory, then explore Iona, Calgary Bay, Staffa, Glencoe, Inveraray, and Loch Lomond. Choose between Iona Abbey and the optional Staffa boat trip, with ferries and breakfast included.

“Covered lots of ground in a short amount of time with a very knowledgeable Tour guide. Many favorite picturesque stops.”

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10.4-Day Outlander Trail From Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 4 days · from $969

Follow Outlander from Edinburgh to the Highlands in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. Visit Doune, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Glen Affric, Culross, Blackness Castle, and Lallybroch, with three nights in local B&Bs. English-speaking guides such as Martin, Lizzie, Alistair, and Mac add Scottish history and filming stories along the way.

“Alistair was excellent! Very knowledgable, friendly, and caring. We saw everything Outlander that was promised and a few more.”

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11.4 Day Mull, Iona and Staffa Puffin Experience from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,177

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Oban to Mull, Staffa and Iona. A guide such as Dusty, Tim, Louise or Laurie handles the driving, stories and ferry connections while you look for puffins, dolphins and sea eagles. The tour includes three nights, breakfasts, a wildlife boat trip and a whisky distillery visit.

“I've thoroughly enjoyed this tour even though we were affected by Storm Floris. Our guide Dusty made sure we had an enjoyable trip with his skilfull driving and interesting commentaries. The sceneries on Iona and Staffa were absolutely stunning. Highly recommended!”

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