3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 276 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh worth booking?
3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh is a 72-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $335 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 276 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (276)
- Duration
- 72 hours
- From
- $335 per person
The Skye High is a wee gem. Ideal for travelers short on time who want to get the most out of their trip to Scotland. All the best stuff is packed in: Nessie hunting, ruined castles, stunning Lochs and dramatic mountains
What you get
- 2 nights mixed gender multi-share dorm accommodation
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Local English Speaking Guide
- Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
About this experience
The Skye High is a wee gem. Ideal for travelers short on time who want to get the most out of their trip to Scotland. All the best stuff is packed in: Nessie hunting, ruined castles, stunning Lochs and dramatic mountains. All this as you listen to tales of Celtic myths and legends before a couple of great nights in a Highland pub. Then there is the star of the show - the beautiful Isle of Skye.
What's included
Included
- 2 nights mixed gender multi-share dorm accommodation
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Local English Speaking Guide
- Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Attraction entry fees
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
This tour will depart at 7:45 am from 60 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB. Meet 15 minutes before departure and look for the check-in staff wearing blue high-visibility vests there to greet you.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This tour will depart at 7:45 am from 60 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB. Meet 15 minutes before departure and look for the check-in staff wearing blue high-visibility vests there to greet you.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, cmn, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- HAGGiS Adventures
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age to stay in the hostel is 18 years old.
- If special assistance is required, passenger must provide their own carer
- It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
- Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
- This tour may run in conjunction with our sister company, Highland Explorer Tours.
- During April and October, the Jacobite Steam Train and the ferry ride to Isle of Skye take place on day 3.
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility concerns
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 276 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
276 verified traveler reviews for 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
AMAZING!!
We had an awesome time on our tour!! Cara was an amazing guide and shared the such engaging and interesting stories with us, the best way to see the Highlands and beautiful Skye 💕
via Tripadvisor
Couple of photos then back in the bus.
- Itinerary was incorrect. We didn't end up doing several things that it specified and it was in a different order than what was listed. We were supposed to "sample Highland whisky at a distillery and learning how Scotch is made" as outlined in the listing on TripAdvisor, however we didn't visit a distillery at all. The whiskey tasting was ultimately what made us decide to book this one out of many and we didn't get to do it. - Many of the places we visited were "viewpoints" which were often kilometres away from the actual landmark, meaning we would get a distant photo instead of seeing it up close. Particularly disappointing was Eileen Donan Castle and the Old Man of Storr (pictures attatched), as we were just so far away and thought we would get up close to both of them. - This was much less active than we thought and more 'get out and take a picture of something that is so far away you can barely see it.' - The Dundreggan Rewilding Centre was an odd choice to put on a budget backpacker tour as it was a long stop and we felt like we were on a school trip learning about the environment. We felt it would have been better to spend more time in other locations. - The tour guide was good. - The crowd was all older individuals who couldn't do much active walking/climbing so it didn't really feel like a 'backpacker' tour.
Response from the operator: Hello and thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback about your experience — we really do appreciate it, and I’m sorry to hear that parts of the tour did not meet your expectations. I’m sorry for the disappointment around how the itinerary felt in practice. Our itineraries are intended as a guide, and while the order of stops can occasionally vary due to operational considerations, we do aim to deliver the overall experience as described. In relation to the whisky tasting, I’m sorry this was something you were expecting and didn’t experience. This particular tour does not include a distillery visit or whisky tasting as part of its itinerary, so it appears there may have been some confusion with the information viewed at the time of booking. We completely understand how this would be disappointing, particularly if it influenced your decision. I’m also sorry that some of the stops, particularly at Eilean Donan Castle and the Old Man of Storr, did not provide the level of access you were expecting. Our tours aim to balance time, safety, and accessibility, though we appreciate that viewpoint-based stops may not suit everyone’s preferences for a more immersive or active experience. Regarding the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, this is a planned and clearly scheduled stop on the itinerary, typically for around one hour. It is included as part of Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences which are all about conscious travel. We handpick these experiences because they make a positive impact on Scotland's communities and the people who enjoy them. I am sorry you did not appreciate this. We’re pleased to hear that you found your guide to be good, and we’ll be sure to pass your kind feedback on to them. Lastly, I’m sorry that the overall pace and group dynamic didn’t match your expectations of a ‘backpacker-style’ tour. We recognise that interpretations of this can vary, and your feedback is valuable as we continue to review how we present the experience. Thank you again for sharing your feedback — it’s really helpful as we continue to improve. Kind regards, Ayla
via Tripadvisor
Louise is the best!!! I...
Louise is the best!!! I couldn’t have asked for a better tourguide and trip. The carefully chosen route, stories, playlists (and jokes ;) were creating a beautiful atmosphere. Felt amazing to be part of the group!
Response from the operator: Thanks for sharing your kind words for our wonderful driver guide Louise, Corinna!. We are glad that you enjoyed your wee adventure on the misty Isle and scenic Highlands and appreciated the personal nature of our small group tour and the cosy atmosphere created! We hope to welcome you back to adventure in Scotland again! Kind regards, Amy Haggis Adventures
via Viator
Tour skye 3 days
This was weird because we were part of a bigger group That was not backpackers. Globaly it was good - the last day was chaotic and too Much charges with stops That were useless. Think about bringing snacks. Was really an ultimate tour - but i think That dôme stops should be planed differently and maybe changed. I think That the Driver was 100% into the tour and was responsible for it being a success.
Response from the operator: Hi Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent tour experience. Our 3 day Skye High tour is combined with our 3 day Skye & Highlands tour with our sister company Highland Explorer Tours. The only difference is that of the accommodations. We do allow time to have toilet breaks, lunches and breaks. We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with us. We will be sure to pass on your kind words and feedback which we will share with our operations team. We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon. Kind Regards Keith, Reservations, Haggis Adventures
via Viator
From Sea to Skye High
Great tour! Louise, our tour guide, was amazing. She was quite the storyteller and a very impressive coach driver!! The Haggis Adventure folk (5 of us total, all solo travellers) were merged with guests that had booked with Highland Experience (23 of them). Meaning we were on a larger coach, but all the activities were the same, the only difference was where we slept! The hostel in Portree was great, We had an 8 bed dorm all to ourselves and an ensuite bathroom which was very convenient. My only comment about our stay is that Breakfast at the hostel starts at 8:00 am, therefore we could not really partake in it, since we had to be at the coach at 8:30 and 8:05 depending on the day.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. We are glad to hear that you had such a great time on our 3-day tour with the wonderful Louise. It sounds like you had a fantastic time and were well looked after. We will pass on your comments to Louise. Thank you for your feedback regarding the breakfast at the Hostel, we will pass this on. We hope to see you again soon, Kind regards, EJ
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 72 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 18+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Sat
- Price range
- $335 to $425
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 97
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by HAGGiS Adventures, who run 16 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 60.9.
See everything HAGGiS Adventures runsWhy this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh cost?
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Prices start at $335 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh take?
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Plan for about 72 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 276 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 18. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 72-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh?
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Around 97 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 72-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 3-Day Budget Backpacker Isle of Skye and the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands, Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William, Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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