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Loch Ness and the Highlands Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

4.8 Excellent 837 reviews
|
12h
|
English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
837 reviews
5
729
4
76
3
19
2
4
1
9
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 96% of travellers: 805 four- and five-star reviews

Overview

Guidekin summary

Glen Coe and Loch Ness anchor this Highlands day trip, with an optional boat cruise on the loch. Air-conditioned mini-coach transport and live commentary are included; attraction fees and meals are extra, and children must be at least five. 4.81 from 837 reviews at €106 per person for 12h.

From the guide

Join this very small group tour (average group size of around 12 passengers) for a classic one day tour to Loch Ness. Traveling through spectacular Highland scenery, this tour is the perfect way to see lots of Scotland and search for the famous Loch Ness monster. Highlights include stunning Glen Coe and an optional boat cruise on Loch Ness, the world’s most mysterious stretch of water. This twelve hour adventure represents great value for money.

Schedule & Availability

Runs daily
Departs: 07:45
Scheduled through January 2028

This tour runs daily, departing at 07:45. Scheduled through January 2028. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked October 1, 2026.

What's Included

Local guide
Driver/guide
Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach
Live commentary on board
Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers

What's Not Included

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Attraction Entrance Fees

Itinerary

Linlithgow Palace Stop 1
Catch a glimpse of Linlithgow Palace - birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
Pass by
Stirling Castle Stop 2
Pass by historic Stirling Castle on its rocky crags.
Pass by
National Wallace Monument Stop 3
The National Wallace Monument was built to honour our great Scottish hero - William Wallace.
Pass by
Doune Castle Stop 4
is famous for its appearance in Monty Python's Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander.
Pass by
Enjoy a morning coffee stop within Scotland's first National Park Stop 5
The options here include the Highland gateway village of Callander or the mountain views at beautiful Loch Lubnaig.
30 min
Glencoe National Nature Reserve Stop 6
The notorious massacre of the MacDonald Clan was carried out amidst this beautiful and dramatic scenery on the 13th February 1692. You may recognise this part of the Highlands, used in the movie 'Skyfall' and 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'. A majestic setting in any season!
10 min
Rannoch Moor Stop 7
Travel across the wilderness of Rannoch Moor with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.
Pass by
Commando Monument Stop 8
View Ben Nevis (highest mountain in Britain at 1344 m) from the famous Commando Memorial. Here you can admire the spectacular views over the rugged landscape of Lochaber.
10 min
Ben Nevis Stop 9
Enjoy views from the bus of Britain's highest mountain at 1344 m
Pass by
Caledonian Canal Stop 10
Travel alongside the Thomas Telford designed Caledonian Canal.
Pass by
Loch Ness Stop 11
Stop in Fort Augustus for lunch and to explore the largest loch in Scotland either from the shore or on an optional boat cruise (own expense).
1h 30m
Cairngorms National Park Stop 12
As you enter the Cairngorms National Park there may be time for a short woodland walk and talk.
15 min
Scottish Highlands Stop 13
Our final stop is in the heart of the Highlands (Big Tree Country in Highland Perthshire) where you can enjoy an early evening stroll through one of the picturesque villages or a quick refreshment before the final journey home.
Pass by
Forth Road Bridge Stop 14
Return to Edinburgh crossing over the river Forth.
Pass by

Departure & Return

Start point

This tour departs from (and returns to) Bus Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3BQ (opposite Howie's Restaurant). Please arrive no later than 07.45

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End point

This tour departs from (and returns to) Bus Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3BQ (opposite Howie's Restaurant). Please arrive no later than 07.45

Additional Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Small group tour - average group size of 12 passengers
  • Minimum age is 5 years old
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions (unless it is unsafe to do so), please dress appropriately
  • Please inform us 7 days in advance if you are bringing a service animal

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ daysFull refund
0-1 daysNo refund

Compared with other Day Trips from Edinburgh

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #57 of 90€10612h4.81 (837)shared
Stirling, Highlands & Distillery in Spanish€7712h4.98 (405)shared
Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William€5412h4.93 (6417)shared
Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands€5412h 30m4.92 (6699)shared

Ranked #57 of 90 in Day Trips from Edinburgh by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €54 to €940, median €77; typical length 10h. 26 of 90 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 90 Day Trips from Edinburgh

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