Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Highlands & Glencoe Day Trip, Edinburgh

The time was nicely distributed around the day. Good information and competent guide

Anonymous

Take in the stunning landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe Valley, and the mysterious Loch Ness! If you're looking to explore the Scottish Highlands' most famous attractions, join us on an unforgettable day trip from Edinburgh at the best price.

Details

Duration

12 hours 30 minutes.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Included

English–speaking driver guide
Transport by bus
Written translations (on request)

Not included

Admission to Urquhart Castle: 34.5GBP for adults, 24GBP for children aged 4 to 16
Loch Ness Cruise: 22GBP for adults, 18GBP for children aged 4 to 16
Meals

Supporting documents

Electronic voucher. Have it on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

Minimum age

Not permitted for anyone under 4 years

Sustainability

All services meet our

Pets

Not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, contact us

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Any cancellations after this or no-shows on the day will not be refunded.

Edinburgh Free Tour

9.5

(1,060)

Gratis

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour

Free cancellation

Dinner and Traditional Scottish Show

Free cancellation

Meeting point

Castle Terrace

Reviews of our customers

9.2

Exceptional 1,984 Travelers·191 reviews

April 11, 2026
Anna Heuberger
Amberg, Germany
The trip was really great. Awesome landscape, great guide and a really great experience. The only exception was the lunchbreak, it was a bit to short...
As a couple
Is this useful?
March 22, 2026
Anonymous
Madrid, Spain
The time was nicely distributed around the day. Good information and competent guide
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
August 31, 2024
Bethany
United States
It was a relaxing and fun tour of the highlands. I enjoyed our guide Alistair’s in depth knowledge about the history of the area, interesting facts an...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
May 20, 2024
Anonymous
Addlestone, United Kingdom
Natalie who both drove and was our tour guide was an excellent host. She kept us entertained for over 12.5 hours Well done. I was disappointed that...
As a couple
Is this useful?
October 2, 2023
Leslie Gomez
Sydney, Australia
Personally I don’t really like guide tours but this one it was out of my expectations… absolutely priceless!! The tour was lovely, I felt extremely sa...
As a couple
Is this useful?
December 23, 2025
Cristine Gonzales
United Kingdom
Nick, our tourguide/driver, was entertaining and accommodating throughout the whole tour. There were loads of best spots, but my top 3 would be: Comma...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
August 8, 2023
Edgard
Budapest, Hungary
A bit confusing the pick up spot but we sorted it out. The guide did a very good job explaining many interesting facts and historic events during the ...
As a couple
Is this useful?
July 10, 2023
Charles Owen
United States
I was actually able to take the From Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria via Timberbush Tours instead of this one due to a complicati...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
June 19, 2023
Holly
New York, United States
My husband and I took this tour on May 19. It was SPECTACULAR. It had everything to do with the man who was in charge of us that day. Not only did he...
As a couple
Is this useful?
February 3, 2023
Anonymous
Denmark
It was nice. We did not see Nessi unfortunately it did not show up on the loch. The bus driver John was excellent at entertaining with stories and we ...
As a couple
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Scottish Highlands Tour Highlights

Depart from Edinburgh
Stop at Kilmahog for refreshments and a chance to see Highland Coos
Continue through Rob Roy Country, Rannoch Moor, and Black Mount to Glencoe
Take stunning photos in Glencoe
Travel through the Fort William area for lunch and pass beneath Ben Nevis
Visit Urquhart Castle with our optional Cruise & Castle Day Trip, take a 1-hour round-trip Cruise on Loch Ness
Enjoy free time at the Clansman Hotel, with the option to experience the Donald Fraser – Illicit Whisky Experience
Return journey through Cairngorms National Park and Pitlochry
The Loch Ness tour ends back in Edinburgh after a total of 12.5 hours

Tour Itinerary: What to Expect

After meeting up in Edinburgh, our Loch Ness tour embarks northwest on a scenic road trip, passing the grand Stirling Castle. Our first stop takes place at Kilmahog in the highlands, offering a chance for a quick break and perhaps a sighting of a Highland "coo" or cow, depending on the season. We'll then venture through the captivating Clans MacGregor and Campbell territory, known as Rob Roy Country. Crossing the dramatic landscapes of Rannoch Moor and the Black Mount, we'll arrive at Glencoe, a renowned Scottish glen. It holds the dark history of the 1692 massacre of the Clan MacDonald. Here, we take a moment to walk around and take pictures, soaking in the eerie ambience.

We'll then drive along Loch Linnhe and pause in the Fort William area for lunch. The journey unfolds through the stunning Great Glen, passing beneath Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Continuing onwards, we will pass through the pretty village of Fort Augustus before reaching our destination: Urquhart Castle. Here, you have the option to take a ferry and do the castle excursion if you wish. If you choose not to go to the castle, we'll move ahead to the Clansman Hotel, granting you an hour to explore or unwind before our return journey to Edinburgh. You take part in the Donald Fraser – Illicit Whisky Experience where guests can enjoy a film about the history of illicit whisky distilling, paired with a dram of the Donald Fraser blend. Alternatively, you can venture along Old Coffin Road from the hotel car park. Or, you can embark on a one-hour round-trip Loch Ness cruise, getting great views of the legendary Urquhart Castle.

As our Loch Ness tour makes its way back to the Scottish capital, we'll traverse the Cairngorms National Park and the scenic woodlands of Perthshire, including the enchanting Forest of Atholl.

Before arriving in Edinburgh, we'll make a quick stop in the Victorian-era resort town of Pitlochry. Finally, the journey will come to an end back at the starting point after a total of 12.5 hours.

Loch Ness Cruise

Loch Ness spans 24 miles (39 km) and plunges over 700 feet (213 meters) deep. It's renowned for its mysterious inhabitant, Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. During our time spent by the loch, you'll get the option to partake in a captivating cruise so that you can search for Nessie and get to know the ins and outs of this famous loch.

Urquhart Castle

Likewise, during the stop at Loch Ness, you'll be able to add a visit to the dramatic Urquhart Castle if you wish. This iconic fortress will offer you a taste of the best of the Scottish Highlands like no other.

9.2

Exceptional 1,984 Travelers·191 reviews

April 11, 2026
Anna Heuberger
Amberg, Germany
The trip was really great. Awesome landscape, great guide and a really great experience. The only exception was the lunchbreak, it was a bit to short...
As a couple
Is this useful?
March 22, 2026
Anonymous
Madrid, Spain
The time was nicely distributed around the day. Good information and competent guide
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
August 31, 2024
Bethany
United States
It was a relaxing and fun tour of the highlands. I enjoyed our guide Alistair’s in depth knowledge about the history of the area, interesting facts an...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
May 20, 2024
Anonymous
Addlestone, United Kingdom
Natalie who both drove and was our tour guide was an excellent host. She kept us entertained for over 12.5 hours Well done. I was disappointed that...
As a couple
Is this useful?
October 2, 2023
Leslie Gomez
Sydney, Australia
Personally I don’t really like guide tours but this one it was out of my expectations… absolutely priceless!! The tour was lovely, I felt extremely sa...
As a couple
Is this useful?
December 23, 2025
Cristine Gonzales
United Kingdom
Nick, our tourguide/driver, was entertaining and accommodating throughout the whole tour. There were loads of best spots, but my top 3 would be: Comma...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
August 8, 2023
Edgard
Budapest, Hungary
A bit confusing the pick up spot but we sorted it out. The guide did a very good job explaining many interesting facts and historic events during the ...
As a couple
Is this useful?
July 10, 2023
Charles Owen
United States
I was actually able to take the From Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria via Timberbush Tours instead of this one due to a complicati...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
June 19, 2023
Holly
New York, United States
My husband and I took this tour on May 19. It was SPECTACULAR. It had everything to do with the man who was in charge of us that day. Not only did he...
As a couple
Is this useful?
February 3, 2023
Anonymous
Denmark
It was nice. We did not see Nessi unfortunately it did not show up on the loch. The bus driver John was excellent at entertaining with stories and we ...
As a couple
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Points of interest in Edinburgh

Royal Mile Edinburgh Castle Greyfriars Kirkyard Palace of Holyroodhouse

Types of activities in Edinburgh

Guided tours and free tours Day trips Food and wine experiences

Other activities in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Free Tour Loch Ness & the Scottish Highlands: 2 Day Tour St. Andrews & Fife's Fishing Villages Day Trip Edinburgh Big Bus Tour Stirling, The Kelpies, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Day Trip Edinburgh Pub Crawl Edinburgh Underground Ghost Tour Edinburgh Free Ghost Tour West Highland Lochs, Mountains & Castles Day Trip Royal Edinburgh Ticket

Scottish Highlands Tour Highlights

Depart from Edinburgh
Stop at Kilmahog for refreshments and a chance to see Highland Coos
Continue through Rob Roy Country, Rannoch Moor, and Black Mount to Glencoe
Take stunning photos in Glencoe
Travel through the Fort William area for lunch and pass beneath Ben Nevis
Visit Urquhart Castle with our optional Cruise & Castle Day Trip, take a 1-hour round-trip Cruise on Loch Ness
Enjoy free time at the Clansman Hotel, with the option to experience the Donald Fraser – Illicit Whisky Experience
Return journey through Cairngorms National Park and Pitlochry
The Loch Ness tour ends back in Edinburgh after a total of 12.5 hours

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Highlands & Glencoe Day Trip