Loch Ness & Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the legendary Loch Ness
- Discover the historic Urquhart Castle
- Enjoy scenic views of the Scottish Highlands
- Learn about local myths and legends
- Travel in a comfortable luxury mini-coach
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands
- Visit to Urquhart Castle
- Comfortable transportation in a luxury mini-coach
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: Pass the imposing ramparts of Stirling Castle and drive through the Trossachs National Park, Rob Roy country
Enjoy a comfort stop in Callander, a small highland town
We cross the wilds of Rannoch Moor before stopping at dramatic Glencoe, the scene of the infamous massacre in 1692.
Pass by: We drive through Fort William passing Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, before entering the Great Glen.
Once in Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness, you have the chance to take a boat cruise on the loch, go for a walk or just relax by the Caledonian Canal in this charming Highland village. Cruise is approx. 50 minutes.
Pass by: We journey past shimmering Loch Laggan before climbing over the wild and lonely Drumochter Pass in the Cairngorms National Park.
Heading south, we enter Perthshire, a land of forests, rivers and mountains. We enjoy a stop in Pitlochry, or a similar town in the area.
Pass by: Pass by the infamous Forth Bridge on our way back in to Edinburgh.
Meeting point
Start Location
Highland Explorer Tours, 60 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TB, UK
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is conducted in English; proficiency in the language is recommended for full enjoyment.
- The tour involves walking; ensure you are comfortable with moderate physical activity.
- Children under 5 years old are not permitted on this tour.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking and varying weather conditions.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and historic sites.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly to ensure comfort throughout the day.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Children under 5 years old, including infants who do not require a seat, are not permitted to travel. We are unable to accommodate any child under the age of 5.
- Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
- It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
- In cases of extreme weather, the Loch Ness boat cruise may be cancelled on short notice. If you have purchased ticket for this you will be refunded.
- The tour may operate with our sister company, HAGGiS Adventures.
- The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
Traveler reviews
Good experience
Good experience for a day , worth the price
Road trip to the Scottish Highlands
My fiancee and I took a day trip from Edinburgh to & through the Scottish Highlands with Highland Explorer Tour. The tour was prompt and check in was easy. Torva was our tour guide- WOW, he was amazing. He was a FANTASTIC storyteller. He never missed a beat with sharing stories of local lore and history- it genuinely felt like he was reading off of a script! I can’t say enough about Torva, he was knowledgeable, funny/witty, safe with driving and was so patient with the guests and timed stops. The tour itself was 100% worth it!! The stops were frequent enough to not feel like you are on a charter bus. The views were beautifully scenic & the little towns we stopped in were so quaint and welcoming. The day was long but efficient! If you book this tour, you will definitely be able to walk away feeling fulfilled, experienced and valuable for the money. I really place a lot of emphasis that Torva made the trip more enjoyable. We would recommend this trip to anyone!
1 day trip Highlands
The trip was lovely..Keith was awesome as a guide and a driver as well..His driving skills were great..He made us feel comfortable throughout the time..was very punctual as well
Lord Torva is magnificent! Your itself is just OK
Lord Torva was utterly superb! His tales of history, woes, lore, and heartache had us laughing and crying all the way to Loch Ness and back! I cannot say enough about Lord Torva’s masterful tour guide skills. Never had there ever been a funnier or more captivating tour guide in the history of the universe. About the tour itself, less stops, more time at each instead. We often felt rushed, and at other times like we were ready to leave, like at the Highland cows. They are adorable but we did not need to visit them for 30 min. Would’ve liked a bit more time at the Glencoe visitor center however. And was not at all impressed with the Loch Ness boat ride, too crowded, very little deck space. Would’ve preferred to just walk around the lake. Also, perhaps assigned seating? I got guilted out of my seat by a mom that arrived late and had to sit separate from her child. I gave up my seat for her even though I got separated from my own children, who are older, and had to sit with a stranger the whole time, who was kind of rude to me. Tysm for this wonderful tour! We highly recommend it.
Highlands Tour
We did a one-day tour of Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands. Our guide, Torva, was a welcoming host and a talented storyteller. We would recommend a guided tour with Highland Explorer Tours and Torva to others who are considering a tour.