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Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands
Departure point:
Edinburgh
Duration:
1-Day Tour
Time:
8am - 8.30pm
Price:
From: £56
Departs:
Daily
Accommodation is payable on arrival
We offer a free accommodation booking service.
If you would like to book your own accommodation, please select 'Tour Only'.
Please select your requirements:
Our 1-day Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh takes in some of the most spectacular scenery Scotland has to offer. This coach tour visits beautiful Loch Ness, haunting Glencoe, and has options for a relaxing boat cruise across Loch Ness.
Discover the magic of Scotland in a day
Departing from Edinburgh, our Loch Ness tour travels northwest, passing the imposing Stirling Castle, before making 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. 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.
Experience Scotland's beauty at Loch Ness
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. 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).
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 to take part in a gin tasting provided by Great Glen Gins and receive a 10% shop voucher on our behalf, or, spend your time exploring the area - such as the Old Coffin Road walk that 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.
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!
Tour Overview
Duration12hrs 30mins
Total Distance360 miles
Pick upOutside the Green Ensign Ewart pub at 8am.
Group size16 - 53
AvailabilityAll year round
Minimum ageTravellers need to be at least 4 years-old
Tour Highlight
Edinburgh to Loch Ness Tour
Optional Extras:
Loch Ness Cruise, Loch Ness Cruise & Castle
A couple of things To know
Included
- Digital translations
- Knowledgeable Driver-Guide
- Luxury Modern air-conditioned coach
Not Included
- Entrance to attractions
- Food and Drink
A great way to see the Highlands and Loch Ness in one day
“This was an excellent way of seeing Glencoe and the Highlands and visiting Loch Ness in one long day. We were lucky to have Connor as our driver and tour guide who was funny and engaged throughout the whole day and was also thoughtful, organised and a great driver. The highlight was the extra trip to Urquhart Castle followed by a sunset boat trip on Loch Ness”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the departure point?
Your Loch Ness tour departs from outside the green Ensign Ewart pub, at 521-523 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PE.
View a map of our departure point.
You can also find us by Edinburgh Public Transport
Check-in opens 30 minutes prior to the stated departure time and closes 5 minutes prior to the stated departure time. We recommend that all passengers arrive as close to 07:30 as possible to allow enough time to be seated
Are the optional extras included?
Optional extras are not included in the tour price.
The price of your one day tour from Edinburgh includes the services of a friendly, knowledgeable and experienced Driver-Guide, and transportation on one of our luxury modern air-conditioned coaches.
All optional extras - attraction entrance fees, loch cruises, food and drinks, etc - are not included in the price of your tour. This is to allow our guests the freedom to choose which optional extras they would like to take part in on the day.
Prices from April 2024 are as follows:
- Loch Ness Cruise: Adult: £20, Child: £15
- Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness Cruise: Adult: £31.50, Child: £21
Unfortunately the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass can not be used for the attractions on this tour.
Please note: from 4th-6th November, only the cruise option will be available as Urquhart Castle is closed.
Do I need to pre-book the optional extras?
No, you don't need to worry about pre-booking any of the optional extras.
All the optional extras can be booked on the day and your Driver-Guide will advise you of how to book. We recommend bringing enough cash to pay for your attraction tickets.
If you have any questions about this please contact our Reservations Team on +44 (0)131 226 6066 - open 07.00 - 21.00 daily.
Is the tour in English?
Yes, all of our tours are in English.
Your tour will be taken by an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking Driver-Guide.
You'll find a digital translation of your tour through a link on your confirmation email.
Digital translations are available for this tour in the following languages:
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Italian
- Russian
- Chinese (Mandarin)
What should I bring with me?
As we like to give you as much time off the coach as possible with the opportunity for walks, we recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, wear comfortable walking shoes and take sun-block or a hat for sunny days.
Don't forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you'll encounter on your tour!
Since we cannot allow hot food on our buses you could also bring a cold packed lunch with you to make the most of your time at each stop, this would be particularly time-saving in the busier months!
Can children travel on this tour?
We welcome children over 4 years old on our tours, and children aged between 4-16yrs are eligible for the concessionary rate.
We regret we are not able to carry children under the age of 4.
Will I see Nessie?
There have been many reported sightings over the years of "Nessie", - the affectionate name given to the mysterious creature that is reputed to live in the deep waters of Scotland's most famous loch, Loch Ness.
The myths and stories surrounding Nessie have fascinated both young and old alike for centuries - the earliest reported sighting by St. Columba back in the 6th Century!
So always have your camera at the ready - you never know if she's out there, just below the surface...
How accessible are the locations?
Some of the locations may cause accessibility issues due to their geography and architecture.
If you are a wheelchair user or have restricted mobility, we would suggest downloading this helpful Access Guide by Historic Environment Scotland.
Can we have our own coach?
Of course. This tour is part of our exclusive tours collection; here we have the option of your own coach and your own Driver-Guide for yourself and your loved ones. The flat fee includes complimentary pick up and drop off in Edinburgh city centre. For more information and to book, please contact us.
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Departure point:
Edinburgh
Duration:
1-Day Tour
Time:
8am - 8.30pm
Price:
From: £56