Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our Skye private tours.
If you can’t find the answer here, then drop us a line, and we’ll be happy to help!
What makes Adventures Around Skye Private Tours different?
What sets us apart is our reasons for founding Adventures Around Skye and our commitment to ensuring you receive the Skye tour you genuinely desire.
You may or may not know that we’ve been running the Isle of Skye – Travel Tips group on Facebook since we moved here as a family, and that we’ve helped countless people plan their trips. We do this by answering questions, providing advice and a little guidance. We are now a community of 50k+ and we’re proud that it remains one of the friendliest groups of its kind.
One thing led to another, and after being constantly asked to take people on tour, we now do it ourselves.
We do it because we have seen how overwhelming it can be, but also how essential it is to get a visit to Skye just right for people, and we want to ensure we are with you from the very start.
Join the group, ask questions and find out for yourself.
We want to help you get the most out of your time on Skye. That means your Skye tour guide will take you to the sights you want to see, as well as places you may not even know about, and ensure you don’t miss out on the wealth of history and culture this island has to offer.
How can I book my tour?
Booking your Skye day tour with us is easy. Simply send us a message through our contact form or email us at tours@adventuresaroundskye.com with a few details, including your proposed tour dates, the number of people, your potential pickup location, and any interests/ideas you have.
We will get back to you as soon as possible with our availability, Terms and Conditions, and a few further questions.
Once you’re happy, you can book! Your private tour is confirmed only once a deposit is paid.
Easy right?
How much is a tour?
A full 8-hour Skye day tour starts from £575 for up to 7 passengers. Extra hours can be negotiated at £50 per hour.
How far in advance should I book?
We are a family-run company, and there is only one Sonja who can be your private Skye guide, so our availability is run on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you book, the more likely we’ll be free for the dates you want to join Sonja exploring Skye.
How do I pay?
We offer various payment methods, which we can share with you when you contact us about your tour. These include bank transfers and online card payments. We kindly request that you make a non-refundable deposit to secure your tour date, with the remaining balance due closer to the tour date.
If you book close to your tour time, you will be required to make the full payment. We will share all this information and determine the best option for you once you get in touch with us.
What’s the maximum number of people you can take?
Our van can take up to seven passengers.
Do you operate all year?
We take enquiries for tours at any time, but please note that Skye is very seasonal, so many attractions are closed in winter and daylight hours are much shorter. If you would like a tour during the winter months, please get in touch, as the tour may be shorter depending on the time of year, and we will adjust the price accordingly.
Do you offer a half-day tour?
Our Skye day tours are generally 8 hours, to make the most of exploring an island of this size. We do not offer any half-day tour options as standard. However, you would like to discuss the possibility of a tour for less than 8 hours, then please get in touch.
Where will we go on our tour?
That’s entirely up to you! As part of your tour, we will arrange a one-hour Zoom Consultation to get to know you and what you’d like to do, and go from there (note: if you book very close to the tour time, this may not be possible, but we will still engage with you to make a plan before the tour itself).
We pride ourselves on making every tour unique by combining the highlights of Skye with lesser-known places you might not have discovered otherwise.
Do you take children on tour?
Unfortunately, we do not take children under the age of 12 on tour. An adult must accompany under-18s at all times.
Can I join another group on tour?
Unfortunately, we do not book more than one group on each Skye day tour. This is because all of our tours are bespoke and tailored to each group. It is also for insurance purposes.
Can I change the date of my confirmed tour?
We can accommodate tour date changes if and when we have availability, but there is no guarantee. If the date you wish to change is available, then there is no charge to do so. However, please note our cancellation policy in case changing is not an option.
What is your cancellation policy?
Tours are confirmed with a 25% non-refundable deposit. Tours cancelled with 14 days’ notice or less incur a 50% charge of the total fee, 7 days’ notice or less incur a 75% charge of the total fee, and 48 hours’ notice or less incur a 100% charge of the total fee.
We recommend that you arrange suitable travel, medical, and cancellation insurance at the time
of booking. This may allow you to claim back costs mentioned above in the event of a
cancellation.
You can read our Terms & Conditions for more information.
Are your tours accessible?
You must be able to climb safely in and out of the van to take one of our tours. Many of the stops will involve uneven ground. We are happy to discuss your needs and determine whether we can arrange a suitable tour, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
What if the weather is bad?
The weather in Skye is extremely changeable! You should come prepared for all types of weather, with proper waterproof clothing and shoes. There aren’t many indoor options, but the weather often changes throughout the day, so we can work around it so you can still have an enjoyable day exploring the island. That’s the benefit of having a private tour guide in Skye!
We do need to be flexible, and you may not always be able to see everything you have your heart set on, but we have many alternatives to offer.
If there are weather warnings and the weather is too dangerous to travel (which would be very rare during the travel season), we will attempt to reschedule your tour to another date at no additional cost, or cancel with a full refund if that is not possible.
Do I need to bring lunch?
There are many places to eat across Skye, including takeaway and sit-in options. We will discuss your ideas with you before the tour and have a rough idea of possible lunch options. We love introducing our tour guests to local operators!
If you would like to bring a packed lunch, then that’s no problem, as you can bring food and drink in the vehicle. Let us know if you need recommendations!
Is the cost of attractions included?
No, they are not. If you would like to visit locations such as Dunvegan Castle, Armadale Castle & Gardens, or the Skye Museum of Island Life, or take a distillery tour, you will need to cover the cost of these yourself, in addition to the tour.
We will cover any car parking charges.
Do you have insurance?
We are fully insured to carry paying passengers in our van and have public liability insurance.
All participants are strongly advised to hold comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellations, delays, loss or damage to belongings, medical expenses, and any activities included in the tour.
What language are the tours in?
We conduct our tours in English. If you are interested in Scottish Gaelic, we have some (currently very limited, but learning!) knowledge that we’re more than willing to share!
Tipping your guide
We’re aware that tipping is a customary practice for some, but there is no obligation to do so here; it is entirely up to you.
Card or cash?
Most places on Skye accept card payments, although some prefer cash due to the associated fees.
We suggest carrying a small amount of cash, but card payments should be accepted for most transactions.
What should I wear?
The weather on Skye can change at the drop of a hat, so we suggest wearing clothing to suit both the potential weather and the planned day.
Good waterproof trousers and jackets are the best idea, but they could just be packed away in a bag. Comfortable shoes suitable for hiking and outdoor use are recommended, especially for longer walks.
We suggest avoiding jeans, as they take a long time to dry, opting for quick-drying fabrics instead, and ponchos should be left at home, as the wind tends to blow them around.
More information about clothing and gear to bring can be discussed once you’ve booked and have your Zoom consultation with us.
Luggage
If you will be bringing suitcases on tour for any reason, please let us know in advance so we can ensure we have enough space to get everything from A to B.
Comfort Breaks
We can take as many comfort breaks as needed, but please be aware that facilities are not always available at every stop.
Time on and off the bus?
We aim to give you the most time off the tour bus so you can experience as much of Skye as possible. However, this will also depend on your pick-up/drop-off location and the places we plan to visit.
Reviews and feedback
We continually strive to enhance our Skye private tour experience, so we welcome any feedback. As a small family business, we also really appreciate reviews and sharing your experiences with others.
Still have a question?
If you have any further questions, you can check our Terms & Conditions, or please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!