Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness Day Tour from Edinburgh
No visit to Scotland feels complete without seeing the breathtaking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. After staying a short time in London and Edinburgh, I sadly only had one day to see as much of the Highlands as possible. I knew I wanted to see Loch Ness in northern Scotland, and I quickly found a Highlands and Loch Ness day tour from Edinburgh.
After searching through all the different Loch Ness tours, this tour was perfect for my itinerary and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! When it comes to all the tours Scotland and England offers, this tour felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here’s everything to know about seeing the Highlands and Loch Ness from Edinburgh.
Watch the tour on YouTube.
Quick Details and Things to Know
- Pick Up Location: Edinburgh Bus Station, St. Andrew Square, Gate J & Gate K. Open in Google Maps
- Check-In Time: 7:30 am
- What’s Included: Transportation, Loch Ness Boat Cruise
- Duration: 12 Hours
- Cost: $132 per person
- Transportation: Mercedes Mini-coach with 16 seats
- Best Time to Visit: Any season (I went in April)
- Who Should Book the Tour: Adults and older children (Must be okay with long car rides.)
- Tips for a Great Experience: Consider bringing a portal charger. Drink, eat and stretch any chance you get. Bring a jacket and comfortable shoes. Bring a cash tip for your driver.
- My Rating of the Experience: 9/10
Highlights of the Tour
Stops on the Tour (Opportunities for pictures, food and bathroom breaks)
- Loch Lomond, Trossachs National Park
- Three Sisters of Glencoe
- Glencoe Visitor Centre
- Loch Ness (Fort Augustus and Boat Tour on Loch Ness)
- Perthshire
Passing By Locations (If the tour stays on schedule, guests may be able to stop at some of the pass-by locations.)
- The Kelpies
- Linlithgow Palace
- Stirling Castle
- Ben Nevis
- Cairngorms National Park
Start of the Tour
The day starts bright and early with leaving the bus station at 7:45 a.m. (you’ll want to arrive by 7:30 a.m. to check in without feeling rushed). I highly recommend having a hearty breakfast before you head out, as it’s a long day with a lot of sightseeing. Once on board the mini-coach bus, I immediately noticed how comfortable the seating was, and that the tour is no bigger than 16 people.
I appreciated that our guide used a speaker system. No matter where you sat, you could easily hear the fascinating stories and history he shared along the way. During the entire tour, our guide either pointed out significant locations with background
Highlights of the Tour
This Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness day tour from Edinburgh includes scenic stops at iconic locations like Loch Lomond, Glencoe, and Fort Augustus for the opportunity to see the Loch Ness monster.
Loch Lomond at Trossachs National Park
One of the first stops on the tour is at the beautiful Loch Lomond in Trossachs National Park. Small mountains with snow at the peaks tower over edge of one of Scotland’s largest lochs. The water is calm, and the scenery is peaceful making it the perfect spot to stretch your legs while soaking in your first glimpse of the Highlands.
Glencoe
During the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness day tour from Edinburgh, you’ll pass by one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of the Scotland. The Three Sisters of Glencoe is a striking display of towering peaks that was carved out during the last Ice Age.
In this area, we made several quick stops where you can get amazing pictures and you don’t have to walk too far from the bus. While in the area, you’ll stop for lunch and a bit of shopping at the Glencoe Visitor Centre.
There’s a small exhibit that shows the region’s history on clan life and the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692. Sandwiches and other snacks are available for purchase along with great souvenirs that are locally handmade.
Loch Ness
After a few hours into the tour, we finally arrived in the town of Fort Augustus that rests on the edge of the famous Loch Ness. Fort Augustus is an adorable small town where you’ll only briefly get to see before boarding a boat to learn and search for the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
The Loch Ness boat tour offered scenic views and centuries of legends about the possible monster. The weather was not the best, so luckily there was plenty of indoor seating with large windows to view the loch.
During the 45-minute tour, the captain speaks about the legendary stories along with the facts about Loch Ness. While we didn’t see a sea monster, there was some compelling information that leaves you guessing that maybe the legends are true. The loch itself stretches 23 miles and holds more fresh water than all of England’s and Wales’s lakes combined.
Cairngorms National Park
On our way back to Edinburgh, our tour had the opportunity for a short stop at Cairngorms National Park. There’s a short walk to a beautiful waterfall, and another opportunity to stretch your legs.
Perthshire
While the tour does stop in Perthshire, we didn’t have much of a chance to see the town. We stopped at a rest stop for the opportunity to grab food, drinks and use the bathroom. The best part of this stop is that the building has Highland cows to see.
Final Thoughts: Is the 12 Hour Day Tour Worth It?
Taking the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness day tour from Edinburgh was a dream come true and one of the best ways to see the Highlands if you’re short on time. As an outdoor lover and hiking enthusiast, I was blown away by the snow-capped peaks, scenic drives, and the dramatic beauty of places like Glencoe and Loch Lomond.
The tour lasted 12 hours and included a Loch Ness boat tour, which added fascinating history and mystery to the iconic loch—even if it looked similar to others at first glance. If you’re planning a trip to Scotland and want to explore the Highlands in one day, I highly recommend this guided tour for first-time visitors.
Book Your Day Trip to the Highlands and Loch Ness from Edinburgh
More Things to Do in the Highlands
- My Full Itinerary for 2 Days in Edinburgh– Things to do in Edinburgh and more.
- 3 Day Tour of Highlands with Bed and Breakfast– From Edinburgh, travel through the Highlands and to the Isle of Skye. Includes Eilean Donan Castle, a Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield and more. With room accommodations included, it’s an excellent way to experience more of Scotland.
- 2 Day Tour with Jacobite Train, Highlands and Loch Ness– From Edinburgh, see the Highlands, Loch Ness and ride on the Jacobite Steam Train. Visit Glencoe, Doune Castle, and charming villages. Room accommodations NOT INCLUDED.
- The Outlander Experience– Take a day tour from Edinburgh to explore iconic Outlander filming locations, including Falkland (Inverness), Culross (Cranesmuir), Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison), and Midhope Castle (Lallybroch).
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