Welcome to
ScottOnSkye
Bespoke Isle Of Skye Tours
Bespoke Isle Of Skye Tours
I fell in love with Skye from the moment I arrived here. That was ten years ago. Ever since it has been a joy to explore this island with my family and friends.
I have created ScottOnSkye to share this experience professionally. To welcome fellow travellers from all around the world, with an approach of slow and sustainable tourism uppermost in my mind.
The Isle of Skye is a natural wonder of the world. I want all my guests to feel included in its magic. Fully respecting the rights of the people who live here and protecting this unique environment for generations to come.
I was born and bred in the historic Scottish city of Dunfermline. After school, I worked in a St. Moritz hotel for a year before studying for an English Literature degree at Cambridge University.
Hospitality and Storytelling…the pattern was set for a career of two halves:
15 years creating children’s and educational television for the BBC and Channel Four in London. Followed by 15 years of working as a Waiter, Host, Events and Communications Manager for Scotland’s top chefs.
30 years experience of telling stories and looking after guests, which I am now combining to create the most engaging tours of Skye that I can offer.
I speak fluent German and we can converse auf Deutsch if you prefer.
Why choose ScottOnSkye? Because we begin with the Story.
Most Skye tours are location led with a speedy drive around the island’s famous hot spots.
ScottOnSkye aims to turn this approach on its head and lead by Story.
We have a chat in advance to find out which tour themes excite you most. I then build an extraordinary tour around your preferences.
Instead of following the crowds, we delve deeper into the island’s history and head off the beaten track. Often to remote locations where we will be absolutely alone.
I am also providing drinks and a delicious lunch on the go, featuring Skye’s foraged larder.
So let’s begin creating your ScottOnSkye adventure.
Here are some tour themes to spark your imagination.
A maximum of three topics is usually the most that be combined into an 8 hour day together.
Though please feel warmly invited to book more than one day.
From the highest peaks to the lowest beaches, we can journey above, below and beyond to experience the most dramatic cliffscapes in Scotland.
Wild plunging water from great heights into the sea are now the stuff of Instagram legend. But how about tracing one of these magnificent falls right back to their source or even taking a plunge for yourself?
The geographical birth story of this island is extraordinary. A landmass that originated near Antarctica and slowly drifted northwards across the millennia. A tale of Jurassic dinosaurs on the equator, endless volcanic turmoil and an ice age…before the island we know was fully formed.
The Vikings arrived as raiders and conquerors, becoming powerful leaders and hard-working farmers…often assimilating with the culture and converting to the religion of the Gaels. A tale of ruthlessness, plunder, bloodshed and eventual progress.
Whether it is Macleod or MacDonald, Jacobite or Georgian, Landlord or Crofter… the history of Skye is written in blood and brutal conflict. To survive it all, Skye people have shown endurance, resilience and courage… creating their extraordinary stories of survival and achievement.
Tales of Warriors, Giants, Kelpies, Selkies, Seers and Faery hordes. Skye has them all with their enduring mythology etched into the island’s landscape.
The island is a lodestar for gifted people who are compelled to create. Some were born here, many have arrived from all around the world. Painters, potters, weavers, crafters, photographers, printers and designers…a cottage industry of artistic endeavour flourishes from north to south and from east to west. Just waiting to be discovered.
Through all of Highland Clan history a Piper and a Bard where esteemed members of a Chief’s retinue. A vibrant Skye music and dance scene remains deeply rooted and thriving all across the island. Is this your moment to hear a Clarsach for the first time or learn to dance a Highland Fling?
From native shellfish to high quality salmon, from beef and lamb to organic poultry and eggs. From Skye venison to home grown vegetables…guests just cannot believe how much better everything tastes from the land and sea of Skye. An abundance of wild produce to forage and some of the finest Chefs in the world to experience and be spoiled by. Culinary delight awaits.
I have so enjoyed the opportunity of giving my guests the best experience I can.
Here is what they have to say… Please use the arrows to flick through (or swipe on mobile).
During my all too brief visit to the spectacular Isle of Skye, I was absolutely blessed to have Scott as the most knowledgeable and fantastic tour guide I could have wished for. His decade of living on the island became immediately apparent with his vast knowledge of Skye geography and his understanding of the ideal tours to do, depending on weather and ability. From hiking over spectacular mountains to being lucky enough to take a dip in the crystal clear waters of Coral Beach. From discovering hidden waterfalls to knowing the best restaurants and cafes to visit, Scott made my brief but memorable visit to Skye, nothing short of magical.
Our days on Skye with Scott were truly memorable. He is a brilliant host with a great knowledge of the island, its history and its people. He took us to many of the well know places, but more special were the hidden gems off the beaten track known only to local people. Our picnic lunches were delicious. Scott is a highly skilled chef and a superb guide.
From the very outset Scott was exceptional – so kind, the perfect host, his car was unbelievably clean! He had even put binoculars in the doors for our use and we didn’t have to share. His knowledge of Skye was great, taking us to places that were off the beaten track so we didn’t see a soul for hours. From start to finish Scott went out of his way to ensure we enjoyed our day he had thought of everything – oh, and his homemade picnic lunch was absolutely delicious! A wonderful day out, many thanks Scott.
We asked Scott to plan a walking day tour for us on a route that would include dramatic landscapes and quiet places to just sit and soak in the scenery. We would never have found his chosen pathways by ourselves, which avoided all the busy areas and was just what we wanted most from our visit. Not trying to cover too much ground but really having time to savour the wilderness of Skye. He prepared a simple lunch to take with us and was there to answer questions from his in-depth local knowledge. We opted to experience the best of Skye food and drink, and after our morning outdoors, Scott rustled up a delicious menu of local seafood and venison for us, with fresh leaves and exquisite sauces made from foraged ingredients. As he prepared and cooked, we sipped delicious wines, exchanged many a Skye story while absorbing the views of sea and sky.
Our day tour of the Isle of Skye was nothing short of unforgettable. Scott tailored an itinerary perfectly to our interests which blended iconic landmarks with hidden gems we would never have discovered on our own. From the stunning views of the Quiraing to quiet walks tucked away from the crowds, every stop felt thoughtfully chosen. The pace was relaxed, the scenery breathtaking and the experience felt genuinely personal. Scott’s extensive local knowledge and engaging stories brought the landscape to life. If you are looking for an Isle of Skye adventure that goes beyond the typical routes, this bespoke tour is exceptional.
If Scotland is a destination, then the Isle of Skye should be the priority stop, and Scott should be the person to show it to you. We spent three nights at the superb Edinbane Lodge, where the sleep is sound, and the food is exceptional. We went north to explore great food and views. We went west to Dunvegan Castle, the seat of Clan MacLeod and up east for spectacular scenery and magnificent light. We experienced history, foraged Skye foods, local stories and Scottish lore from a man who lives and breathes the air that is so special to the Western Isles. The Isle of Skye is marvellous, and an even greater treat when seen through the eyes and from the perspective of Scott Ross.
Our day with Scott was the highlight of our trip to Skye. Over the course of the day, we took in Dunvegan Castle and Gardens, followed by sampling local produce and exploring secluded locations. Scott’s knowledge and personal touch were what really made the day; he was able to tailor the activities to our interests and include hidden gems which avoided the busiest crowds. His knowledge of Skye’s history and culture, combined with a passion for sharing the magic of the island made our day truly unforgettable. This personalised experience is highly recommended for anyone wanting to fully immerse themselves in Skye’s majestic beauty.
From the moment we arrived on the Isle of Skye, Scott made our experience truly exceptional. Everything felt thoughtfully planned yet wonderfully spontaneous. One of the highlights of the week was our day trip to Elgol. Scott arranged a boat trip that took us over the water to the hidden Loch Coruisk. There, we enjoyed a delicious packed lunch by the water’s edge. Some in our party even dared to do some wild swimming. Scott had truly chosen the timing and location with care. What made the day especially magical was the wildlife. On our return to port, we spotted an eagle soaring overhead, seals basking on the rocks, and dolphins dancing along the bow of our boat. Scott’s deep knowledge and understanding of Skye gives him the ability to position his guests in just the right spots at the right times for the best experiences. Beyond the spectacular scenery, Scott himself was a delightful host. He’s warm, engaging and genuinely passionate about sharing his home with visitors. We felt completely looked after for our whole visit. This wasn’t just a tour, it was an experience we will treasure forever.
We engaged him to be our guide on our recent Skye holiday. We were especially interested in the history of the Highland Clearances on the island, and he put together a brilliant, personalised tour to one of Skye’s lost townships. We drove out with him to a remote corner of the island near the Fairy Pools and then walked through beautiful woodland to where the village once stood. We enjoyed Scott’s tour of the hidden ruins and he really impressed us with his depth of knowledge of the history of the place – describing in vivid detail what it would have looked and felt like before the Clearances, and the tragedy that befell the village. We will always remember the haunting beauty of that desolate place. Scott was always brilliant company – engaging, attentive, very knowledgable about Scottish history – especially Skye which he so obviously loves – and with an endless repertoire of hilarious stories! He made our time on Skye genuinely special and we look forward to going back and using his services to explore more of this amazing place.
Ten years and ten moments of being in the right place at the right time. Please click on an image to expand.
