Isle of Skye Weekend from Edinburgh: Our £118 Per-Person Trip
Two people, one overnight stay and a very long return journey: we travelled from Edinburgh through Glasgow and Inverness, drove to Skye, completed two full hikes and returned to Edinburgh at 1 AM.
This was a compressed but memorable Highlands journey. On Friday evening we took the slower train from Edinburgh to Glasgow via Airdrie, continued overnight by coach to Inverness and checked into our Airbnb after 1 AM. On Saturday we collected an Enterprise Car Club vehicle and visited every stop in our planned Skye route before taking a direct night bus from Inverness back to Edinburgh.
Exactly what we spent
| Expense | For two |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh → Glasgow train via Airdrie | £26 |
| Coach booking: Glasgow → Inverness and Inverness → Edinburgh | £50 |
| Inverness Airbnb | £35 |
| Enterprise Car Club hire | £90 |
| Fuel for the Skye return drive | £35 |
| Food brought from home | £0 |
| Parking | £0 |
| Attractions | £0 |
| Total | £236 |
Divided between two people, our confirmed cost was £118 per person.
Friday: Edinburgh to Inverness
We used the slower route via Airdrie. The two one-way tickets cost £26 in total, and we ate food brought from home during the journey.
We crossed central Glasgow to reach the coach station.
Our outward Glasgow–Inverness coach and direct Inverness–Edinburgh return were booked together for £25 per person.
We checked in late, rested briefly and had coffee at the Airbnb before starting early.
Saturday: our complete Skye road trip
We picked up our Enterprise Car Club vehicle and started the drive southwest.
We stopped outside for photographs from the viewpoint and did not pay to enter the castle.
After crossing the Skye Bridge, we stopped at Sligachan for the stone bridge and Black Cuillin views.
We completed the walk rather than stopping at the lower viewpoint, carrying our own lunch and water.
We continued north to the coastal viewpoint, where the waterfall drops over the basalt cliffs.
We completed the Quiraing walk and took in the Trotternish landscape before beginning the long drive back.
We refuelled, returned the vehicle and walked to the bus station.
We travelled directly from Inverness to Edinburgh and arrived at approximately 1:00 AM on Sunday, 10 August.
Edinburgh → Glasgow → Inverness → Eilean Donan Castle → Sligachan → Old Man of Storr → Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls → Quiraing → Inverness → Edinburgh.
View the route in Google Maps →Eilean Donan Castle viewpoint
We used the exterior viewpoint rather than buying castle tickets. It was a scenic first stop before crossing towards Skye.
Sligachan Old Bridge
Sligachan gave us a classic Skye scene: the old stone bridge, river and jagged Cuillin mountains.
Old Man of Storr
We completed the full walk, making this one of the most physically demanding and rewarding parts of our short trip.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
The waterfall and basalt cliffs made this an efficient roadside stop between the two longer walks.
The Quiraing
We completed the walk across the dramatic landslip terrain before returning to Inverness.
Why the trip stayed affordable
Our main savings came from sharing the car and Airbnb, packing every meal, using the exterior Eilean Donan viewpoint and choosing free natural attractions. The trade-off was an intense schedule and a 1 AM arrival back in Edinburgh.
Compare guided Skye tours
If you do not want to drive the long route yourself, compare current Skye day tours and multi-day options. Check the pickup point, walking time, total price and cancellation terms before booking.
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Budget traveller’s quick summary
Trip: Edinburgh → Glasgow → Inverness → Isle of Skye → Edinburgh
Dates: 8–9 August 2025, arriving home at 1 AM on 10 August
Cost: £236 for two; £118 per person
Highlights: Eilean Donan, Sligachan, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls and the Quiraing
Walking: Full Old Man of Storr and Quiraing walks completed
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Scotland NC500Transparency: This guide uses our own trip details and prices from August 2025. Historical costs are not current quotations; verify today’s fares, vehicle terms, access and weather before travelling.
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