Wild Skye Community & Outdoor Adventure
The Experience
Day by Day
DAY 1: INVERNESS TO PORTREE
We depart Inverness and head west, driving through heart-dropping mountain scenery and along the legendary, world-famous Loch Ness, where you might just catch a glimpse of the almighty monster herself. As we venture into Glen Shiel, we soak in stories of historic battles once fought here. Eilean Donan Castle is up next, perched majestically on a sea loch island. Crossing The Skye Bridge, we learn about what makes the Isle of Skye so ‘mythical and mysterious’ and enjoy our legendary guide’s tales as we head to Portree, the island’s vibrant hub.
Lunch at Portree fuels us for the journey ahead: it’s time to explore Skye! Get up close with Kilt Rock with its cascading waterfall, the mysterious rock formation Old Man of Storr, and the stunningly beautiful Quiraing.
As the day winds down, we make for The Skye Inn, our cosy home for the coming four nights. The Skye Inn’s amazing team ensure a comfy and personal stay, making you feel right at home!
(Overnight: Portree)
Inverness → Portree
DAY 2: PORTREE
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, we gallivant through the awesome Cuillin Mountain Range, hearing gruesome tales of Clan feuds and bloody warfare, before heading to Tormore Forest located in the most southerly part of Skye, the wild and rugged Sleat Peninsula. We don our boots and meet the local crew from the Sleat Community Trust who will explain what’s in store for the coming days – then it’s time to get our hands dirty!
We enjoy a picnic lunch at our volunteer base before heading for a scenic walk by the infamous Fairy Pools, a series of crystal-clear waterfalls surrounded by the staggering peaks of the Cuillin Mountains. Lose yourself in your imagination as you hear the local myths and tales about the faerie folk.
On our return to Portree in the evening, explore the shores of the harbour or cosy up by the fire and enjoy a dram with your fellow travellers, marvelling on an afternoon’s graft.
(Overnight: Portree)
Portree → Portree
DAY 3: PORTREE
Our adventure continues with a spectacular morning in the forest. In the afternoon, we immerse ourselves in local island culture and learn about the founding language of Scotland – Gaelic! Try your tongue at the spectacular National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, Sabhal Mor Ostaig. Throw yourself into some basic phrases and try to converse like a true Scot with this legendary taster session.
(Overnight: Portree)
Portree → Portree
DAY 4: PORTREE
Today’s adventure sees this morning’s physical graft pay off with the afternoon spent soaking up the heart of Sleat’s hidden beaches and rugged coastlines. A wonder up the Southernmost point of Skye passes a wild and white sandy beach with crystal clear turquoise waters.; a spectacular spot for some Scottish grub.
Heading to the lighthouse, we give our eyes a wee treat with epic views out to the small Isles of Rum, Canna and Eigg. Let that wild energy loose in the wide, open spaces. Journeying back home, we stop at local art galleries and quaint shops – perfect for your dose of wild Scottish souvenirs.
(Overnight: Portree)
Portree → Portree
DAY 5: PORTREE TO INVERNESS
Our morning spent getting our hands dirty with our volunteering project will be rewarded by hanging up our muddy boots, filling our bellies and heading for a well-earned dram at the Island distillery of Torabhaig, the second ever licenced Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery on the Isle of Skye. Take the tour* to discover how Scotland’s ‘water of life’ is made. Toast to hard work, new friends and making a difference – Slainte! The time has come to bid farewell to our newfound pals as we return to Inverness, knowing it’s more of a ‘see you later’ than a goodbye. What a cracking five days we’ve had!
*optional, pay locally
Portree → Inverness
Tour Highlights
Day 1
Day 1
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Day 2
Days 2, 3, 4, 5
Days 2, 3, 4
Days 2, 3, 4
Days 2, 3, 4
Day 2
Day 3
Day 5
What's Included
In the Moment
Frequently Asked Questions
We are super excited about this trip and we pride ourselves in offering a way of travel with a balanced mix between supporting a recognised Scottish charity and sightseeing on the Isle of Skye.
We believe that it gives our passengers an easily accessed but genuine opportunity to explore the destination while being active outdoors, connecting with the island and its community, and make a positive impact for generations to come.
The tour price is substantially lower than our other Scottish trips and covers being guided by one of our awesome local guides, a 4-night stay at our super cosy B&B The Skye Inn, with a full range of freshly cooked breakfast options each morning, as well as a tutoring session at the Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig – an experience that our passengers loved last year.
The tour is divided into two parts:
The volunteering activities in Tormore Forest - free of charge:
These take place during the morning hours each day and are, of course, free of charge. The project is coordinated by our mates the Sleat Community Trust, a local charity that supports the sustainable economic, environmental and social development in the Sleat Peninsula on the Isle of Skye.
Exploring and sightseeing on Isle of Skye – reflected in tour price:
After our morning of volunteering, we have time in the afternoon to experience the richness of Isle of Skye – nature, culture, local cuisine, and all-round island hospitality. The trip is fully guided by one of our legendary HAGGiS driver guides who has been trained by us to ensure a safe, comfortable, and inclusive journey throughout. The guided exploring and activities form an essential part of the service we offer and is reflected in the tour price.
Like for any of our trips in Scotland, there are basic costs involved in running a guided tour. Some of these include:
- Transport and fuel cost
- Vehicle maintenance
- Insurances
- Staff wages (driver guide, catering, housekeeping, reservations, operations, etc)
- Accommodation
- Heating and electricity
- Food
If you have any questions about the price and costs involved in this trip, feel free to reach out to us via email or give us a ring!
Your 5-Day Wild Skye Volunteer Adventure tour departs from Inverness city centre. Check out our departure info page for more details on your pick-up location.
Yes, twin-share B&B accommodation and a traditional Scottish cooked breakfast each morning is included in the tour price. Solo adventurers will be allocated to share with another member of the group.
You will be staying at HAGGiS Adventures’ very own deluxe B&B The Skye Inn, renowned as the coziest spot in Portree, Isle of Skye's capital town.
The Skye Inn offers a warm Highland welcome, creating a relaxed, homely atmosphere. Optional fine dinners and a cosy Grand Room bar await you in the evenings. In colder weather, a crackling open fire adds to the inviting ambiance after a busy day of exploring and volunteering.
Note: The Skye Inn is pet-friendly. While pets aren't allowed on our tours, other guests may have dogs in shared areas like the reception and Grand Room during your stay.
Breakfast is included at your accommodation each morning, with veggie, vegan, and gluten-free options available. Lunch, dinner, and snacks are up to you – Skye’s full of cracking cafes, pubs, and restaurants, so you’ll have plenty of chances to sample local food and eat the way you want.
We usually swing by Armadale Community Shop* in the mornings, a small-but-mighty local store run by Sleat Community Trust. It’s perfect for grabbing lunch supplies, a hot pie, or some snacks for the day ahead. They’re all about local produce, cutting food waste, and putting money back into the community – plus, they were named Sustainability Champion at the Scottish Grocers Awards, which says it all.
*There may be occasions on which we’ll visit an alternative store, depending on the day.
Tormore Community Woodland
You’ll spend part of the trip at Tormore Forest, working alongside the Sleat Community Trust to help improve access and biodiversity. It’s all part of a bigger plan to make the woodland a space for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Sleat is a stunning corner of Skye that doesn’t see as many tourists as the north, so this project also helps spread the benefits of tourism across the island. The Trust publishes twice-yearly reports that include the work done by our tour groups.
Supporting local businesses
Throughout the week, we stop at places like Torabhaig Distillery, Ardvasar Hall, and Armadale Community Store. The store is run by the local community and puts all its profits back into local projects and services – like home deliveries for people who can’t get there themselves. By picking up your snacks and supplies here, you’re helping create local jobs and keep money in the community.
Connecting with Gaelic culture
At Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye’s Gaelic college, you'll get a taste of the language, place names, and stories that are woven into the island’s identity. It’s a great way to add context to the places you visit and hear from the people who live here. Some guests have even gone on to keep learning after the tour – with Duolingo or the college’s part-time courses.
For this trip, we travel on a comfy mini bus, just the right size for a small-group adventure!
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are conscious travel experiences offered on our tours. They are chosen with great care based on the positive environmental or social impact they have on Scotland's communities and those who experience them.
The 5 Day Wild Skye Volunteer Adventure includes two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences:
The Sleat Communty Trust Volunteer Experience: We are partnering with the Sleat Community Trust to help transform Tormore Forest and make it more accessible to the local residents and future visitors. The Sleat Community Trust is a recognised Scottish charity supporting sustainable economic, environmental and social development in the Sleat Peninsula on the Isle of Skye.
Gaelic tutoring session at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig: Gaelic was spoken in most of Scotland until the 11th century, but a gradual decline in the language means that today, only 1.1% of the population is Gaelic speaking, making it an endangered language. Here's what you can expect from your visit at the school:
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A talk in the school's library on Gaelic culture and history, with a chance to explore the Special Collection.
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A campus tour covering the history of the College and Gaelic in Sleat, and the role of the College as the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture.
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A language taster session where you'll:
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Learn a few basic Gaelic phrases.
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Discover Gaelic words you might already recognise or that have English/Scots counterparts.
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Explore key differences between Gaelic and English, plus similarities with other European languages.
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Learn a Gaelic song to enjoy throughout the week, perhaps even on the bus or while working at Tormore!
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Using our Make Travel Matter E-Assessment, travel experiences will be rated against a set of robust criteria, selected from the Global Indicator Framework for the Global Goals, in order to identify the ways in which they advance the 11 Global Goals that our sustainability strategy prioritises.
The tour offers a good split between some physical work in the morning and time to explore the island in the afternoon; therefore, a reasonable degree of physical fitness is required. The morning activity on each day would include one of the following*:
- Step building on paths
- Boardwalk construction
- Bridge construction
- Brash & bracken clearing
- Path marking along the Carn Beag Track
- Tree planting in Tormore Forest
- Beach cleans
* Some activities might have two groups operating at the same time. All activities may be affected by the weather. Beach cleanings will also need to take into account the tidal state.
While all working tools are available on-site, workwear and waterproofs are not provided. To make the most out of your time on the Isle of Skye and stay comfortable and safe during the volunteering activities, it is essential that you bring with you the following:
- Pair of wellies
- Wind and waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Working gloves
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm clothing
It's always good to bring a change of waterproofs with you.
Absolutely. All our tours are perfectly suitable to those of you travelling solo. You’ll be part of a small group, so it’s a great way to meet others and make new connections. You may be travelling with fellow-adventurers from our sister company Highland Explorer Tours, creating a good mix between solo travellers, couples, and friends.
Parking is available at the Old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey Car Park, just under a 10-minute walk from our Inverness departure point.