From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Day Trip with Boat Cruise
See moorland, valleys, and the Great Glen on a guided excursion with luxury transport included
When in Edinburgh, Loch Ness may look close, but experiencing the Scottish Highlands along the journey are what make the day truly special. This guided day trip from Edinburgh takes care of the route, timing, and scenic stops. Cross Rannoch Moor, a vast wild moorland, and stop in Glencoe, a dramatic mountain valley. Then you’ll reach Fort Augustus for some free time and an included cruise on Loch Ness. It’s a great way to pair Highland scenery with time on the world-famous loch in just one day.
What You Get With This Tour
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Chase legends through the Highlands
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Expert English-speaking local guide
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Luxury mini coach transport
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Loch Ness boat cruise
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Drive through the Scottish Highlands
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Photo stop at Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, Fort Augustus and more!
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Guide tips
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Food and drink
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins inside Edinburgh Bus Station
Meet your driver-guide inside Edinburgh Bus Station at Gate J and Gate K, the signed boarding lanes inside the terminal, then settle into a luxury 16-seat mini coach. As you roll out of Edinburgh, your guide sets the scene for the day and explains how quickly Scotland’s landscapes shift once you leave the city behind. -
2
Pass the Kelpies and Stirling Castle
Head north past two Scottish icons for a drive by and exterior visit. First see the Kelpies, a 30-meter-tall steel horse heads inspired by a shape-shifting water spirit from local folklore, and Stirling Castle, a royal stronghold perched on a volcanic rock above the town of Stirling. -
3
Cross into the Highlands via the ancient fault line
Then watch the landscape change as you cross the Highland Boundary Fault, a real geological seam where the softer Lowlands give way to older, tougher Highland terrain. Fields and farmland start to fade into bigger hills, darker lochs, and long stretches of open road that feel unmistakably northern. -
4
Drive across Rannoch Moor and stop in Glencoe
Traverse Rannoch Moor, a huge, treeless expanse of peat bogs and small lochs that can look almost otherworldly in mist or sun. Then arrive in Glencoe, a steep-sided valley famous for dramatic mountains and for one of the most infamous events in Scottish history, the Glencoe Massacre of 1692, which your guide explains clearly and with context. -
5
Follow the Great Glen under Ben Nevis toward Fort Augustus
Continue through the Great Glen, a long natural valley that cuts across the Highlands and links lochs and waterways from coast to coast. You’ll pass beneath Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, before reaching Fort Augustus, a small village where the Caledonian Canal meets the southern end of Loch Ness. -
6
Cruise Loch Ness from Fort Augustus
Arrive in Fort Augustus with time for lunch and a stroll along the Caledonian Canal, a 19th-century waterway built to connect Scotland’s east and west coasts. Then board your included Loch Ness boat cruise, weather permitting, to scan the loch’s dark waters and hear why this stretch became the heart of the Nessie legend. -
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Stop in Pitlochry and return to Edinburgh
On the way south, pause in Pitlochry, a Victorian-era Highland town that’s a classic stop for coffee, bakeries, and a quick leg stretch. Then continue toward Edinburgh with a final view of the Forth Rail Bridge, the UNESCO-listed red steel railway bridge from the 1890s that’s one of the UK’s great engineering landmarks. -
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Your tour ends in Edinburgh
Return to Edinburgh in the evening and get dropped off in the city center and bus station area. You’ll finish with a clear sense of how Scotland’s landscapes fit together, from Lowlands to Highlands, glen to moor, and finally the legendary waters of Loch Ness.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what’s included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Weather advisory: Scotland’s weather can change quickly, especially in the Highlands, so plan for wind and rain even on mild days.
Boat cruise: The Loch Ness cruise is included, but it is weather dependent and may be cancelled without prior notice.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, the coach is not wheelchair accessible. You must be able to board and exit the vehicle independently or with help from a travel companion. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact us in advance so we can prepare the proper accommodations.
Mobility: Expect some walking to reach viewpoints and stops. You should be able to comfortably walk up to about 1 mile, around 20 minutes, on varied terrain that may include hills, stairs, cobblestones, and uneven paths.
Age requirement: Children must be at least 5 years old to join. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Luggage limit: While you may bring luggage, you are restricted to 20 kg, about 44 lbs, of luggage per person. This should be one carry-on sized bag plus a small personal item for the coach.
Lunch: Lunch is not included in the tour, but there will be a break to purchase lunch.
Check-in: Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure for check-in.
Your 12-hour day trip includes:
Expert English-speaking local driver-guide
Luxury 16-seat mini coach transport
Loch Ness boat cruise
Photo stops in Glencoe and the Highlands
Scenic Highland viewpoints and short breaks
Luggage allowance up to 20 kg per person
What to bring:
Valid ID
Comfortable walking shoes
Comfortable clothes with warm layers
Waterproof jacket
Water bottle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, for families with older kids. Children must be at least five years old to join, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This tour is not wheelchair accessible, and you must be able to board and exit the mini coach independently or with help from a travel companion. You should also be comfortable walking up to about 1 mile, around 20 minutes, on uneven ground that can include hills, stairs, cobblestones, and rough paths.
Is the Loch Ness boat cruise included?
Yes. The Loch Ness boat cruise is included in the price of the tour, but it is weather dependent and may be cancelled without prior notice.
How much walking is involved?
Walking is moderate and tied to viewpoints and stops rather than long hikes. Plan to walk up to about 1 mile, around 20 minutes, at a time on mixed terrain.
How much luggage can I bring?
You can bring up to 20 kg, about 44 lbs, per person. This should be one carry-on sized bag plus a small personal item for the coach.
Is lunch included?
No. You’ll stop during the day, usually in Aberfoyle, with time to buy lunch.
