Loch Ness and the Highlands
The Loch Ness Monster - fact or fiction? Maybe you’ll find out on this splendid tour through the glorious Scottish Highlands.
Loch Ness and the Highlands - 1 day tour
About this Tour
Loch Ness and the Highlands
One day tour
Discover the highlights of the Scottish Highlands on this epic tour from Edinburgh. Start your day with amazing views of the Forth Bridges, then head to beautiful leafy Perthshire. After climbing through the Grampian Mountains, meander through the Cairngorms National Park. At Loch Ness, enjoy a boat trip across the icy depths to view Urquhart Castle. See Ben Nevis before visiting Glen Coe and its centuries of gripping history. Return to Edinburgh across Rannoch Moor and through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Perthshire - discover “big tree” country and say hello to some hairy coos
Loch Ness - enjoy a cruise on the loch or discover delightful Drumnadrochit
Great Glen - explore an unforgettable landscape of mountains and lochs
Fort William - savour the spectacular views of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain
Glen Coe - experience the natural beauty and learn its tragic history
Forth Bridges - marvel at the engineering of the iconic Rail Bridge
Movie locations - Skyfall, Loch Ness & Harry Potter
Full Tour Itinerary
From Edinburgh, we head over the Firth of Forth and into the ancient Kingdom of Fife.
There is a stop for morning coffee amongst the delightful countryside of Highland Perthshire, where you can say hello to some "Hairy Coos"!
Next, we travel through the dramatic scenery of Glen Garry to reach the wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park.
After a short panoramic tour of Inverness, the “Capital of the Highlands”, we make our way towards Loch Ness, Scotland’s largest and most famous loch.
During our stop, you’ll have the chance to relax by the loch-side or take a monster-spotting cruise to see the tumbledown ruins of Urquhart Castle.
Later we’ll enjoy glorious scenery as we tour the length of Loch Ness and make our way through the Great Glen to Fort William, which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis - Britain’s tallest mountain.
Next is haunting Glen Coe, the “Glen of Weeping”. In 1692 40 of the resident MacDonald clan were massacred in cold blood by the Campbells for not forswearing the Jacobite cause. It is said that you can still hear their cries!
We’ll make a stop in this awe-inspiring place so that you can marvel at the natural beauty of the glen for yourself.
The barren wilderness of Rannoch Moor extends for some 50 square miles and is one of the most desolate and unspoilt areas in Europe.
Our descent of the Black Mount will afford beautiful views of Loch Tulla before we arrive in the little community of Tyndrum for a break.
Soon we enter Rob Roy MacGregor country and make our way from the Highlands back into the Lowlands.
It is a short drive from Callander to reach the motorway and the direct route back to Edinburgh.
Please note this tour may operate in reverse.
Details
What's Included
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Live commentary in English
- Services of an experienced driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
What's NOT Included
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure Information
From 1 Parliament Square
Royal Mile/High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Check-in: 07:45 hrs
Tour Departs: 08:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 20:30 hrs
Child details
Concession discount applies to adults aged 60 years and above; students and children aged 3 to 15 years inclusive.
We’re really sorry but children aged under 3 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Book Assured
Book by paying a 20% deposit. Make date changes or get a full refund with 48 hours notice before travel. Click here for more information.
Admission Prices
In order to give you maximum flexibility admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
FAQs
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
HEX 00001
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Loch Ness and the Highlands
The Loch Ness Monster - fact or fiction? Maybe you’ll find out on this splendid tour through the glorious Scottish Highlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Signature Day Tour?
Travelling on a Signature one-day tour is a great way to discover the best of Scotland from your city centre base of Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness.
During your day of discovery we’ll introduce you to many aspects of our country: spectacular scenery, history, folklore, nature and much, much more.
Travel is provided by air-conditioned vehicle and each tour is led by an experienced driver/guide who will provide a live commentary in English.
There are stops planned at the key sights as well as for meals and comfort breaks.
Tell me more about the optional visit to Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness Cruise?
You can maximise your time at Loch Ness by purchasing the optional Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness Cruise combination ticket.
Visit hauntingly beautiful Urquhart Castle, once one of Scotland’s largest castles. The castle boasts a commanding presence overlooking the loch.
After time to explore the castle and admire the views take to the water for a cruise on Loch Ness. The cruise boat has onboard sonar, comfortable seating inside and out, and toilets. Refreshments are available for purchase, or you can bring packed food.
Discover more about Nessie here.
You can purchase this combination ticket from your driver/guide on the day of the tour, and payment is in cash only.
For operational reasons, it’s not possible to purchase the cruise or admission to Urquhart Castle separately. We’re sorry, but Historic Scotland Explorer passes can’t be used with this ticket.
Will there be a tour commentary?
Each tour is led by an experienced driver/guide who will provide an informative and entertaining commentary in English. They are Outlander enthusiasts too so as well as discovering more about the history and nature of the landscape that surrounds you they’ll point out the locations that helped fire Diana Gabaldon’s imagination.
Can I book seats on the coach?
The seating on the coach is not allocated so you are free to sit in any vacant seat.
We recommend that you and your party arrive at the boarding point together so that you can be seated in the same part of the coach.
Will there be stops for meals and are they included in the price of the tour?
Meals are not included in the tour price, but we will make stops where you can get refreshments and something to eat.
If you wish, you can bring a packed lunch or pick up lunch items at a previous stop.
Vegetarian food is widely available in Scotland.
Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
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Rating: (5 /5) 20 Oct 2025
Amazing tour experience on the highlands tour. Steven B our driver/guide was an amazing story teller. With his hilarious mix of stories and jokes the tour did not feel like too taxing. His kilt was nice too. Though we spent over 12 hours in the tour, it did not feel the same. The bus was so comfortable, the mesmerizing and breathtaking views were soothing to eyes. And top of it nice Scottish music. The tour was well planned with enough rest stops. We also got a chance to see the Coos. He stopped at good spots to for us to have enough photo opportunities. We learned from him that it is not lock but lokkh :) . Loch Ness tour was scenic and Highlander Hot Chocolate was really the need of hour. Urquhart castle was worth visit. The story of Glencoe massacre was chilling. Overall a satisfying day long tour. Will definitely recommend.
Somnath from ,
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Rating: (5 /5) 05 Oct 2025
It is a good one day tour for scotland covering almost all the things.
Anindya from Bangalore, IN
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Rating: (5 /5) 05 Sep 2025
The tour guide Jaimy was amazing. We loved the way he guided the tour and information shared about Scotland history and the places we visited. Ho offered his support and was very kind. Highly recommend this tour and Jaimy.
TALAL Abdul from Dubai Silicon Oasis, AE
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