The One Day Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh
This is our most popular day trip the Highlands covering Loch Ness and Glencoe and taking in some of the most dramatic scenery of the Scottish Highlands. Visit Glencoe and perhaps a cruise on Loch Ness cruise and visit to Urquhart Castle. Runs 360 days a year.
- Runs Everyday
- Scotland in a Day
- Best value single day Loch Ness Tour
- Includes all major sites
Tour Highlights: Stirling Castle, Rob Roy Country, Glencoe, Fort William, Ben Nevis, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness Cruise, Inverness, Pitlochry
From Edinburgh we travel north-west, passing the imposing Stirling Castle (see above 1) before making a coffee stop the little village of at Kilmahog (2) (where you can pay a visit to Hamish the Highland cow).
We travel on through Rob Roy country of Clans MacGregor and Campbell, then over the wild landscape of Rannoch Moor (3) and the Black Mount to Glencoe, (4) one of Scotland's most famous glens and the site of the 1692 massacre of the Clan MacDonald by the Campbells. We will pause for a photo stop, and to soak up the atmosphere in this most haunting of Scotland's glens.
Continuing via Loch Linnhe, we stop in the Fort William (5) area for lunch, then continue into the natural beauty of the Great Glen as we pass below Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Travelling on we can admire the Caledonian Canal, (6) the pretty village of Fort Augustus beside the western end of Loch Ness, and then enjoy the spectacular views of Loch Ness as we drive along its 24-mile shoreline to Urquhart Castle and Drumnadrochit. (7)
Loch Ness is 24 miles long and over 700 feet deep, making it the deepest lake in all Britain but is of course better-known for its sightings of the Loch Ness monster, affectionately called 'Nessie'. We Spend approximately 2 hours beside Loch Ness at Drumnadrochit, where you can choose to take a Jacobite cruise and explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle with its modern visitor centre.
Travelling a few miles further up the Loch we can come to Inverness, (8) capital of the Highlands where we start our return south for home, crossing the Grampian Mountains and the woodland scenery of Perthshire, including the Forest of Atholl, with an evening stop at the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry (9) en route back to Edinburgh.
We arrive back into Edinburgh between 8 and 8:30 in the evening after a true odyssey of Scotland's Highlands!
Laughing
From the first moments, our driver and guide, Kenny, had us laughing. This very amusing man kept us entertained and intrigued all day long with his colourful stories. First class tour, well planned and executed. Highly recommended.
Excellent Tour Better than Others
I was nervous to book this tour company for our tour since I had not found much to review online. I'm happy I took the risk because for the price - I would actually consider this tour better than the tour I took with rabbies. It was a great variety of driving vs. Stops. Countryside vs. Fun! And Peter our tour guide was lovely. Polite, funny and personable.
Excellent Tour Guide
Excellent tour guide, Alan a very authentic and a knowledgeable historian. We toured the highlands and visited the castle and took the boat ride on the Loch to see Nessie! The trip was a wonderful trip and a tremendous experience that will never be forgotten! Thank you and God bless
Excellent 1 Day Trip
We went on the one-day trip to the Highlands and Loch Ness with Alan and Patrick as our guides. This is a must do while in Edinburgh, especially if you are there for only a few days. Alan was very knowledgeable, informative and a great entertainer. We stopped several times for coffee and food, but you have to be aware that you spend most of the time on the bus, as this is a very long trip. The scenery is wonderful, definitely worth the effort. I would recommend taking the extra tour of Urquhart castle and the cruise on Loch Ness, as they offer some beautiful views over the lake. Overall, a great experience. Highly recommended.
Knowledgable Guide - Elizabeth
The guide was very knowledgable about the area and I learned a lot. I recommend you bring food to eat. There are only quick stops with too many people trying to buy and eat. You run out of time very quickly. Otherwise I enjoyed the tour tremendously and would go again.
Bloody Good Tour
Bloody good tour. Oh, you want more? Um, bloody great tour even when the weather's rubbish?
In all seriousness this has been the best couple of days of my time in the UK, and I've done a lot. Craig, our driver, kept the moments on the road interesting with stories and tidbits of information. Bottom was boring, and the history was well delivered and fascinating.
Everything ran on time with perfect timing, right down to the conclusion of his story on Mary Queen of Scots. I'll leave you to find out why.
These guys are well worth it if you want a well organised tour through Scotland. Clean bus, pleasant people, well timed. This all adds up to a great tour.
Best Tour I have ever Taken - M from London December 2015
I enjoyed the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands one day tour with Gary as our driver-guide on a lovely Sunday in December. Getting to see the Highlands was the best part of my entire week trip up to Scotland, and rattling through them in comfort with Gary's commentary was worth the ticket price in itself.
Great way to see all the Highlands
I did the on day trip to Loch Ness... The scenery was amazing and the guide super cool!
Scotland in a Day!
A fantastic trip from Edinburgh encapsulating Scotland in one day. The tour guide (Patrick) made the trip for us, his encyclopaedic knowledge of the areas we passed through kept us engaged throughout the day
Inclusions
Prices shown are for transport and driver-guide only.
Exclusions
Optional Extras: Urquhart Castle & 5 Star Jacobite Loch Ness Cruise.
The Little Details
- Minimum Age: Age 5+
- Min Age: 5 years
- Tour Vehicle Type: Mini Coach
- Months of Operation: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Duration of Tour: Full Day
- Departure Point: Edinburgh
- Departure Point: Green Ensign Ewart Pub, at 521-523 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PE
- Departure Time: Check in: 07:45 hrs Departure: 08:00 hrs
- Expected return Time: 20:30 hrs
- Duration of Tour: Full Day
Rates & Dates
| Standard | Concession | |
|---|---|---|
| Nov, Dec 2018, Jan & Feb 2019 | £47 | £45 |
| March 2019 | £50 | £48 |
| April - May & October 2019, March 2020 | £54 | £52 |
| June - September 2019 + Peak | £57 | £55 |
| November 2019 - March 2020 | £49 | £47 |
Certain Dates are designated peak periods and operate High season rates as below:
- Easter - 13 April - 27 April 2019
- Spring Bank Holiday: 24 - 31 May 2019
- Christmas / New Year: 15 Dec 2019 - 4 January 2020
Please note that rates vary from day to day and can change depending on availability.
The tour runs daily throughout the year.
Booking Notes
- Prices are quoted per person per tour
- Reduced Discount prices are offered to persons over the age of 60, students and children under the age of 16
- We regret we cannot accept children under the age of 5 on any tour.
- Any booking is subject to our Booking Terms.
Reviews
Some Places We Will Visit
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Pitlochry
Small Highland tour that is a frequent stopping place for coaches travelling along the A9. Somewhat a one road town of shops and cafes.
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Kilmahog
Kilmahog is a hamlet situated half a mile to the west of Callander along the River leny, Scotland.
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Fort Augustus
At the more scenic southern end of Loch Ness stands the village of Fort Augustus, originally set up as a garrison after the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, and headquarters of General Wade's campaign to pacify the Highlands. Today Fort Augustus is a busy little place; full of monster-hunting tourists and boats using the flight of five locks to enter or leave Loch Ness on their journey along the Caledonian Canal.
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Inverness
The Highlands' largest town and enjoying a real renaissance over the past ten years as young professionals have moved to the city. The gateway to the far north and a fun night out if you stay.
Castle Visited
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Urquhart Castle
Semi ruinous castle in strong position beside Loch Ness controlling the route North. Captured by Robert the Bruce by clever negotiation. Visitor centre open all year.
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