Highland Explorer Tours review: 3-day tour from Edinburgh
Deciding whether or not to embark on Highland Explorer Tours’ unforgettable 3-day adventure through the Scottish Highlands? In this post, I share my honest review of the Highland Explorer Tour in the Highlands and detail everything that you can expect along the way.
I’m just going to come out and say it, okay? You need to book your trip with Highland Explorer Tours ASAP. And that’s coming from a girl who is very picky with tours. Group explorations with strangers where you’re carouled into trinket shops and then feel awkward for not buying anything— yeah, those aren’t really my thing. Highland Explorer Tours, however, wasn’t like that at all. Highland Explorer is a tour company with Scottish guides that are passionate about discovery.
The Highland Explorer Tours’ (HEX) 3-day tour around the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye is the perfect way to get your feet wet. Armed with a local tour guide (who doubles as your bus driver), you’re given key insights into Scottish culture, heritage, and history that you may not have otherwise. You also get to nab amazing recommendations throughout the tour, and for your own travels post-tour.
sustainability + safety on Highland Explorer tours ↴
I couldn’t write this post without addressing the health and safety measures in place given the ongoing state of the world. I believe firmly that safety is not a place, but is found in the everyday actions we take. I am only traveling now that I am fully vaccinated (Luke is too) and to places where the vaccine rollout is relatively robust *or* where safety measures are in place as best as they can be given the present information.
Scotland’s efforts were obvious from the start. The minute we crossed over the border, it became apparent that people were following the rules, giving one another space, and being extra patient. Our main take away was that the Scottish people are really doing their best to care for one another.
On tour with HEX, the following precautions were in place:
hand sanitizer at the bus door for use upon entry and exit
physically-distanced, assigned seating on the bus
masks worn
air-conditioning circulating at all times when the bus is moving
track and trace systems in place at every public indoor area we entered, including museums and castles
I would also be remiss to leave out the sustainability factors regarding tourism in Scotland at large and how HEX are working to become a net zero tour operator. Scotland has seen a dramatic increase in their already booming tourism sector due to current travel restrictions. This is great for their economy, especially after a tough 2020, but it is also incredibly important that those traveling
Some of the ways HEX is working to become a more sustainable tour operator include:
planting 2 trees for every tour that hits the road
lessening road congestion and carbon emissions by lowering the number of cars on the road (group trips = more people and fewer vehicles)
low-emission fleet of Mercedes-Benz climate-controlled midi-coaches, built with onboard recycling zones
who should book a Highland Explorer tour ↴
Overall, I really think Highland Explorer’s 3-day tour has something for everyone. On our tour we met older couples, young solo travelers, and friends traveling together.
I feel the tour we went on with HEX is most ideally suited to four key travel demographics:
those wanting to eliminate any trip-planning pressures
those without cars who want to see as much as they can sans vehicle
solo travelers wanting to make friends
first-time visitors to Scotland that want context for the things they are seeing
the best time to tour Scotland ↴
Scotland is not known for brilliant weather, even in the dead of summer. That said, we actually had cracking weather the entire 10 days we were in Scotland, including our three days with HEX. We took our tour the first week of July and were blessed with sunshine and 23°C/70°F temperatures throughout. Do not let my attire in these photos fool you; I was sweating buckets and my neck was drenched.
As a very general rule, Scotland’s summer travel season is from June to September. Regardless of the weather on tour, it’s important to remember that there is no such thing as bad weather in Scotland, just bad clothing! Bring a raincoat and a sense of adventure.
what to pack for a tour of Scotland ↴
Aside from the regular items you would pack (clothes, toiletries, etc.), there are a few items you should definitely add to your list of things to bring.
CASH | Not all the public bathrooms around Scotland are free to use, and while some do take contactless payment, many still require a good ol’ 20p coin.
RAIN JACKET | We experienced really wonderful weather in Scotland, but it did finally decide to rain while we were on the Jacobite Steam Train and I am so thankful that we both had our rain jackets with us.
DAYPACK | Cameras, sun cream, rain jackets, cash— you need a place to keep everything ready for when you hop off the bus. A small daypack is your best bet.
USB CHARGING CABLE | Being on your phone definitely will not be a priority with the stunning scenery around you, and the 4G connection in the Highlands is hit and miss, but the HEX tour bus has USB charging ports conveniently right at your seat
I packed for our entire journey, including our 3-day tour with HEX, in my Tortuga backpack. It really has become my holy grail piece of luggage. It meets carry-on requirements, has a protective sleeve for my laptop, and offers amazing shoulder support when carrying it from car to hotel, hotel to tour bus, etc.
Highland Explorer tour 3-day itinerary ↴
day 1
Dunkeld
A quick first stop in Dunkeld, not too far outside of Edinburgh, allows for the groups to wander through the picturesque village, walk along the river, and grab an on-the-go breakfast at one of the many cafés along the main street. For me, it was a no brainer to try Aran Bakery, owned and operated by the runners up of the 2013 Great British Bake-off. Hurry off the bus to get in line, so as not to waste too much of your precious off-bus exploring time. Don’t miss the church behind the bus car park— it’s really cute and right by the water!
lunch at Loch Ness
Lunchtime means a nice long stop at Loch Ness! There are a number of pubs and cafés in the area, and I encourage you to help boost the local economy by eating at locally-owned establishments if you can. We actually brought our lunches with us from Edinburgh, as we weren’t sure what to expect or how prepared to be in terms of veggie options. We ate our lunches on the shores of the loch and waited to catch a glimpse of Nessie.
Eilean Donan Castle
Said to be Scotland’s most photographed castle, Eilean Donan is the next stop on your way to the Isle of Skye. For an additional £10 per adult, you can explore the inside of the 13th-century castle. We were told the inside doesn’t have too much to look at and instead opted to enjoy the exterior of Eilean Donan. It’s worth noting that there are free public toilets and a café near the parking lot.
check-in at Isle of Skye accommodation
The first day of the tour ends by checking into your accommodation in Portree on the Isle of Skye. As previously mentioned, accommodation is included in the cost of your HEX tour. We stayed in a lovely double room at The Skye Inn. It was simple, cosy, and had all the Scottish details that most tourists are looking for (read: tartan covered chairs, a massive fireplace in the dining area, and mounted deer taxidermy. It may seem odd but one of the stand out details of The Skye Inn is the soap in the showers. Hear me out! The bathrooms were supplied with Scottish Fine Soap Company’s Sea Kelp shower gel that is essentially my dream scent. It smells clean like the ocean, but still earth-y. It turns out you can buy it online, so there goes all my money.
dinner in Portree
Dinners on tour are on your own, however, Charlie had arranged for those who wanted to dine at the accommodation to do so. We opted to eat at Harbour Chip Shop near the colourful storefronts along the water, as we were eager to see more of the town. The price point was low, the portions were massive, and the views of the fishing boats gave us a truly “in Scotland” moment.
day 2
Breakfast at the Skye Inn
What’s better than waking up on the Isle of Skye? Knowing that breakfast is being freshly prepared and served up with delicious hot tea or coffee. I always have slight anxiety about whether there will be veggie options available for me (and whether they’ll be any good). The Skye Inn had plenty for me to choose from and I can confirm they were delicious. On the first morning, I had the porridge topped with honey, cinnamon, and nuts. The black coffee put a pep in my step, and all the additional toast and bits insured I headed out for the day’s explorations full and fueled.
The Old Man of Storr
This is one of the most famous natural sites on the Isle of Skye. The ‘Old Man of Storr’ is a large pinnacle that can be seen for miles around. There’s Scottish folklore attached to this legendary rock formation that will be explained by your tour guide prior to your photo stop.
HOT TIP: The Old Man of Storr is actually a very popular hike. When you come back to Scotland or if you’re continuing your travels after your tour, make sure you make it back to Skye for the stunning views up Storr.
Lealt Falls
The second stop of the day is Lealt Falls, where you can walk along the cliffside for photos and amazing views of the coastline. We enjoyed intense sunshine on the cliffside and watched a herd of sheep graze near the waterfalls. The falls themselves were like something off the front of a postcard.
Kilt Rock
Kilt Rock is a stunning piece of natural landscape. These 90-meter-high basalt columns have been battered over time by sea erosion. In true Scottish fashion though, there is a more magical explanation for how Kilt Rock came to be.
Uig
In Uig, you’ll have time to wander a local brewery (the Isle of Skye IPA is choice) and a beautiful pottery shop that sells artisan-made bowls, figures, and vases. Suffice to say, I wanted to buy everything at Uig Pottery.
Lunch in Portree
The bus took us back to Portree for lunch on our own. I took Charlie’s recommendation for coffee at Birch seriously and headed straight there. It did not disappoint. As someone who takes coffee seriously, I rated it as some of the best coffee I’d had anywhere in the U.K. The entire café is beautiful, with lots of natural lighting and beautiful wooden tables adorned with small glass vases of wildflowers.
NOTE: Birch does not serve sandwiches or soups on Sundays. However, they do still serve up a variety of homemade pastries and cakes to go with their incredible coffee.
Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan Castle is a tour add-on. For £14 per adult, you get admission into the castle and full access to its extensive gardens. The wallpaper and historic artifacts housed inside the rooms of the castle are exquisite., as are the number of short, scenic walks around the grounds.
dinner in Portree
For our second dinner, we went to a top-rated cheap eat, Fat Panda, so that we could, again, see as much of Portree as possible.
day 3
Breakfast at the Skye Inn
Another wonderful (and included) breakfast at The Skye Inn before loading up on the bus for a day of exploring. This second morning, I kicked off my day with the Vegan Scottish Breakfast complete with a lentil haggis and vegan breakfast sausages! Also, coffee.
Armadale Castle
Armadale Castle is a beautiful Clan Macdonald fortress that now sits in (well-preserved) ruin. Paying the £11 admission to the castle also buys your way into the ground gardens, a lovely playground for those traveling with kids, and access to the castle’s museum. We felt the admission fee was worth it for the museum access alone! It’s many rooms are filled with artifacts and information about Highland culture that you won’t want to miss.
ferry to mallaig
The ferry boat ride takes approximately 30-minutes to get from Armadale to Mallaig, where we caught the Jacobite Steam Train. The top deck is breezy, which is nice on a summer’s day, but I found the second-story seating outside to be less crowded.
Jacobite steam train to Fort William
Known by most as the train from “Harry Potter”, riding the Jacobite Steam Train is an optional add-on to your HEX tour. The ride from Mallaig to Fort William is approximately 2-hours long. The most scenic view of the train (i.e. where you want to be sat for photos) is seen from the right side.
fort William
The end of your time on the steam train lands you in Fort William. Known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, Fort William is a sort of hub for adventure travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and avid hikers.
HOT TIP: If you’re staying in Scotland for longer, or will be hiking Ben Nevis while in Scotland, do not miss having post-hike pizza at Black Isle— I highly recommend!
Glencoe
By far and away my favourite part of Scotland that we explored (on and off the tour) is Glencoe. I might go as far as to say that it’s my happy place in the U.K. The bus parked up, giving us time to take in the mossy mountains we were surrounded by and I was in my personal version of heaven (minus my whānau around me).
Stirling
Often referred to as “the gateway to the Highlands”, Stirling is famously where William Wallace defeated the English. Our tour guide explained to us the significance of William Wallace, his downfall, and the inaccuracies in Braveheart. You’ll see the Wallace Monument on the left hand side of the bus as you pass by— have your camera at the ready! This quick stop on the way back to Edinburgh included seeing “hairy coos”!!!
Return to Edinburgh
Sadly, all good things must come to an end. We were dropped off back in Edinburgh and each said our goodbyes to the new friends we made and our tour guide/driver extraordinaire, Charlie!
book your tour ↴
Ready to explore Scotland on tour? You can book online here or by phone by calling +44 (0)131 558 3738. Also, feel free to hit me with any questions you might have about HEX before booking. My inbox is always open!
