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Loch Ness, Glencoe, the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh

4.6 Great 2630 reviews
|
12h
|
English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
2630 reviews
5
2098
4
277
3
107
2
58
1
90
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended by 90% of travellers: 2375 four- and five-star reviews

Overview

Guidekin summary

Glencoe and Ben Nevis feature on the route to Loch Ness, with tour-only, cruise, or castle and cruise options. Air-conditioned coach travel and live commentary are included; attraction tickets are listed as extra, and there is no toilet on board. 4.61 from 2,630 reviews at €69 per person for 12h.

From the guide

This 12 hour tour will fit in as much of Scotland as can possibly done in one day! You will witness the stunning scenery of Glencoe and Ben Nevis before you make your way to Loch Ness for a cruise across its deep waters looking for evidence of its renowned resident, Nessie. Enjoy traveling in comfort on one of our luxury, modern, air-conditioned coaches as you witness the stunning sights that Scotland has to offer.

Please note: This tour is designed to pack into one day as much as possible of Scotland’s highlights! While much of the journey is enjoyed from the comfort of the coach due to the distance covered, you will experience breathtaking views and scenery along the way.

Tour options

The operator sells this tour in 3 versions. Prices are the operator's current list for two travellers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date and party.

Tour Only

from €69 / person
Guide: English

Tour only: Guided coach tour.

Tour with Cruise

from €100 / person
Guide: English

Cruise: Guided coach tour including a 1-hour Loch Ness cruise.

Tour with Castle and Cruise

from €113 / person
Guide: English

Castle & Cruise: Guided coach tour including approximately 40 minutes at Urquhart Castle and a 30-minute Loch Ness cruise.

Schedule & Availability

Runs daily
Departs: 08:00
Scheduled through September 2027

This tour runs daily, departing at 08:00. Scheduled through September 2027. 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

In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Live commentary on board
Knowledgeable driver-guide

What's Not Included

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Attraction Tickets
On-board restrooms: Restroom on board
On-board WiFi: WiFi on board

Itinerary

Edinburgh Stop 1
Your 1-day Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands tour departs from our Edinburgh City Centre departure point at Castle Terrace, outside the NCP Car Park, EH1 2EW in the morning. Departing from Edinburgh, our Loch Ness tour travels northwest, passing the imposing Stirling Castle.
5 min
Callander Stop 2
We make our first stop in the Callander area in the highlands for some light refreshments, with the possibility of seeing a Highland coo depending on the time of year.
20 min
Glencoe Stop 3
We travel on through Rob Roy Country of Clans MacGregor and Campbell then over the dramatic landscape of Rannoch Moor and the Black Mount to Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most famous glens, site of the 1692 massacre of the Clan MacDonald. Here we pause for a photo stop, and to soak up the atmosphere in this haunting glen.
10 min
Fort William Stop 4
Continuing via Loch Linnhe, our Loch Ness tour will stop in the Fort William area for lunch then continue into the natural beauty of the Great Glen as we pass beneath Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
50 min
Urquhart Castle Stop 5
Travelling on, we will pass though the pretty village of Fort Augustus before reaching Urquhart Castle - here, choose to take part in a cruise and castle excursion (optional extra).
30 min
Loch Ness Stop 6
If not, we will continue up to the Clansman Hotel where you will have an hour of free time before we begin our return journey to Edinburgh. Here, you can relax in the hotel with an option take part in the “Donald Fraser – Illicit Whisky Experience”. This is a 20 to 30-minute, on-site experience, where guests can enjoy a film about the history of illicit whisky distilling, paired with a dram of the Donald Fraser blend. (Optional extra £12). Alternatively, you could spend your time exploring the area - such as the Old Coffin Road Walk which begins at the hotel car park. There is also the option to take a one-hour round trip cruise along the loch, with stunning views of Urquhart Castle (optional extra). Loch Ness, 24 miles long and over 700 feet deep, is most famous for its sightings of the Loch Ness monster, affectionately known as “Nessie”. Spend time at Loch Ness, where you can choose to take a wonderful cruise on the loch.
1h
Pitlochry Stop 7
The Loch Ness tour will start its return for home, journeying through the Cairngorms National Park and the woodland scenery of Perthshire, including the Forest of Atholl, with an evening refreshment stop at the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, en route back to Edinburgh, where the Loch Ness tour ends. Top tip: to save time at the stops and ensure you get to make the most of every minute there, bring along a cold packed lunch!
30 min

Departure & Return

Start point

Our Edinburgh tours depart from Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EW, outside the NCP Car Park. What3Words Address: ///casino.cove.works

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End point

Our Edinburgh tours depart from Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EW, outside the NCP Car Park. What3Words Address: ///casino.cove.works

Additional Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Minimum age is 4 years old.
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark the bus.
  • Please arrive 30 minutes before your tour's departure time.
  • Digital translations in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian & Mandarin available on request.
  • Top tip - You could bring a cold packed lunch with you in order to make the most of your time at each stop - this would be particularly time-saving in the busier months!
  • We recommend taking cash for the optional extras including the Loch Ness cruise. You can arrange payment with your driver-guide on the day and there is no need to pre-book optional extras.
  • Our coaches do not have restrooms, however, there are frequent comfort breaks during the journey at stops with restrooms.
  • We cannot guarantee on any tour that we will see specific wildlife like Highland Cows but keep your eyes on the scenery and you might be able to spot some!
  • Please note: This tour is designed to pack into one day as much as possible of Scotland’s highlights! While much of the journey is enjoyed from the comfort of the coach due to the distance covered, you will experience breathtaking views and scenery along the way.

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 · #89 of 90€6912h4.61 (2630)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 #89 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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