I'm looking for suggestions for a car hire for 6 people from Inverness Airport to just outside of Portree in early September. We will stay overnight there and then want to hire a guide for a full day tour of Skye the next day. We're staying overnight again and then need transport back to Inverness. Thanks so much for your responses.
Posted by
Penzance
117 posts
I am a bit confused. Car hire here means you are driving yourself to Skye. Are you leaving the car on Skye?
Posted by
Chicagoland
2050 posts
Are you wanting to rent a car? If so, try Arnold Clark Car Rental or their partner Celtic Legend. Celtic Legend usually includes free extra drivers and GPS.
IMO, one day on Skye isn't worth the aggrevation when there are so many other beautiful places in Scotland.
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1597 posts
If you are looking for a driver to bring 6 people plus luggage from Inverness Airport to Portree you need to bear in mind that you will be paying for the driver to do the journey in both directions. This will be a 7 hour round trip for the driver, so costs will be high, even assuming you can get someone to do that journey, which I think is unlikely. I'm not aware of any company that offers that service. Most locals who want to use public transport to travel from Inverness to Portree do so on the Citylink bus service. An alternative is to take the train to Kyle of Lochalsh and then the Citylink bus from there to Portree.
If you want to rent a car then others have given you the best advice above (i.e. Arnold Clark), but you will need a very large vehicle for 6 plus luggage. And no one way hires to Skye are possible.
You could consider Tour Skye for your day on the island.
Posted by
OP
Ellicott City, Md, USA
18 posts
Thanks for your advice! No we didn't want to rent a car. Just thinking we could get some sort of taxi/limo service, but if we have to pay for the back and forth, I'm not sure it's worth it.
Posted by
OP
Ellicott City, Md, USA
18 posts
@jean Where else would you suggest we go instead of Skye? We are going to Edinburgh after our retreat. So our options might be limited. Thanks!
Posted by
Chicagoland
2050 posts
Lynn, how many nights do you have after available between your retreat and Edinburgh? Will you have already seen other parts of Scotland?
Posted by
OP
Ellicott City, Md, USA
18 posts
@jeanm We are arriving Inverness 9/3 and will be there until 9/6 when we go to our yoga retreat at Alladale Lodge further north. The retreat ends 9/13 and we will then be on our way to Edinburgh by train and then depart for US on 9/16.
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1597 posts
So not counting your travel days you will only have 2 full days before you fly home. Personally I would spend those 2 days in Edinburgh.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2050 posts
What are your plans from 03 Sep to 06 Sep?
As Skyegirl suggests, you could spend the time in Edinburgh. There is plenty to see and do in Edinburgh.
If you do want an overnight there are a few places along the train route between Inverness and Edinburgh you might find interesting. Many of the sights are walkable from town or easily reached by short bus or taxi ride.
- Aviemore - resort town with hiking to nearby Lochs. Highland Wildlife Park, steam train, gateway to Cairngorms & funicular for views
- Blair Atholl - village on the river with Blair Castle & Gardens, Falls of Bruar
- Pitlochry - tourist town with access to Linn of Tummel, Falls of Bruar, Blair Castle & Gardens, Salmon Ladder & Dam, Queen's View
- Dunkeld - town on River Tay with Cathedral, walks, The Hermitage, Loch of the Lowes, Ossian's Cave
- Stirling - historic city with the Old Town, Stirling Castle, National Wallace Monument