Skye Cuillin Views One Day Tour: Loch Corruisk Boat Trip, The Fairy Pools, Elgol and Torrin

8 hours

Moderate

The best views of the Cuillin Mountains, including a boat trip to Loch Corruisk and a walk to the Fairy Pools

Full day scenic tour with a private guide, featuring the best of Skye's mountain views.  Go on a boat trip from Elgol to Loch Coruisk, in the heart of the Cuillin.  Explore the dramatic landscapes of Skye, spot wildlife, & visit the Fairy Pools.

  • Your private guide picks you up from Portree or your Skye accommodation and then take you to Elgol, a small village on Skye’s rugged southwest coast, where you will join a 2.5hr boat trip to Loch Corruisk. 
  • The boat passes rocky shores and small islands, with views stretching toward the Inner Hebrides. On clear days, the light on the water and mountains is extraordinary and the jagged outline of the Black Cuillin rise across the sea.  
  • Wildlife is a big part of the experience. Look out for seals lounging on rocks near the shore, seabirds like razorbills, cormorants, and sometimes puffins, and occasional sightings of dolphins, porpoises, or even sea eagles.  
  • The skipper often shares local stories about the landscape, the wildlife, and the beauty of life on Skye and your guide will be on hand to share his knowledge of the area. 
  • You will have time ashore to explore and soak up the incredible views. Your guide will show you to the best spots, including the UK's shortest river and Loch Corruisk itself, a striking glacial bowl in a dramatic amphitheater of mountains. This must be one of the best spots in the world to have a picnic lunch!  
  • After the boat trip, on our way to the next location, we will stop at Torrin, the presence of Blà Bheinn (Blaven), a black Cuillin, transforms the whole landscape. It sits alone, slightly apart from the main Black Cuillin ridge, which makes it stand out even more. From Torrin, you see it across Loch Slapin, its steep, pyramidal shape reflected in the water.  
  • We stop at Sligachan Old Bridge. At Sligachan you’re right at the heart of Skye’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Sligachan sits at the meeting point of glens, with the jagged skyline of the Black Cuillin rising sharply to the west and the softer Red Cuillin to the east. The old stone bridge is part of the old drovers road crossing the river Sligachan and is a perfect vantage point to see the mountain views.  
  • The walk to the Fairy Pools is one of the most accessible ways to experience the wild beauty of the Black Cuillin. The walk begins at the foot of the Cuillin. A gravel path leads you across open moorland until you meet the River Brittle, which becomes your companion for most of the walk. The path runs alongside and crosses it several times via stepping stones and small bridges. The water is incredibly clear, often tinted blue or green depending on the light and you will soon see a series of crystal-clear pools connected by waterfalls with the Black Cuillin rising steeply behind them.  
  • We return to Portree or your Skye Accommodation.

You can also convert your experience into a two day tour to fit in more stops or to spend longer at each site, just get in touch.

Your guide, Rod, lives on Skye and is very knowledgeable about this beautiful island.  He offers a range of themed Skye tours and also a fully bespoke option which can include guided hikes to more adventurous off the beaten track spots.  Have a look at all our tours or get in touch.

What's included?
  • Parking fees

Luxury private transport, door-to-door drop off and pick up. 

Friendly and knowledgeable local guide. 

Reservations on boat trip to Loch Coruisk with guided time ashore at Loch Coruisk

Your guide can offer complimentary Scottish shortbread or similar snacks and bottled water during your tour. 

Exclusions
  • Tip or gratuity
  • Food & drinks

Boat trip tickets are not included in price but your guide will reserve tickets for you and your group with a local boat tour operator (either Misty Isle or Bella Jane depending on availability).  At the time of writing tickets were approximately £30 per adult

Lunch is not included. You should bring a packed lunch but stops can be made at local cafes or supermarkets if needed.

Please note
    • Your guide will reserve tickets for your boat trip with either The Misty Isle or Bella Jane boat tour operators, depending on availability.  This part of the day is not private and there will be other passengers on board.
    • Boat trips are subject to cancellation if there is bad weather and in this case your tour may be modified. We have plenty of alternative suggestions. Boat trip ticket availability is not guaranteed for last minute bookings.  We advise booking two weeks ahead.  
    • Price does not include boat trip tickets but your guide will arrange for places to be reserved on your behalf.  At the time of writing, tickets were approximately £30 per adult 
    • Get in touch if you have reduced fitness or mobility and want to modify your tour. All walks are optional and many attractions are immediately accessible from the parking areas.
    • Lunch is not included.  You should bring a packed lunch but stops can be made at local tea/coffee vans and we can stop at a local shop if you need to pick up lunch. We can provide bottled water and small snacks.
    • If your group is 4 adults, three passengers will be sharing the back seat of the vehicle.  For additional room there is the option of using a fold down seat in the rear.
    • Any special requests for alterations to itinerary or additional stops please email 48 hours in advance of tour.


    What to bring
      • Walking shoes or boots
      • Waterproof jacket (and trousers if you have them)
      • Packed lunch, snacks and drinks
      • Midge repellent if required (between Mid-May and September)