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    9 top things to do in the Scottish Highlands

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Loch Ness

Balmoral Castle

Glenfinnan Viaduct

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Isle of Mull

Cairngorms

The Glenlivet Distillery

Iona

Loch Linnhe

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Day trips

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Glencoe

Fort William

Stirling

Fort Augustus

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Kyle of Lochalsh

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John o' Groats

Dalwhinnie, Scotland

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Leinster tours

Perth and Kinross tours

North West England tours

Connacht tours

County Galway tours

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park tours

Nearby sights

Royal MileAttraction in Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh CastleAttraction in Edinburgh, Scotland

Giant's CausewayAttraction in Bushmills, Northern Ireland

Dublin CastleAttraction in Dublin, Ireland

Dunluce Castle

Trinity College DublinAttraction in Dublin, Ireland

  • Top experiences
  • Interests

Bus & minivan tours

Whiskey tours

Distillery tours

Outlander tours

Hiking

Loch Ness Monster experiences

Harry Potter tours

Rail tours

Canoe & kayak tours

Bike tours

River rafting

Sightseeing

Nature & adventure

Extreme sports & adrenaline

Driving experiences

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9 top things to do in the Scottish Highlands

From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour

4.298995 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.298995 out of 5 stars
2388 reviews
From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour
4.298995 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.298995 out of 5 stars
2388 reviews

Journey from Edinburgh to the Highlands, visit Glen Coe, cruise Loch Ness, and take in stunning landscapes before returning via the Cairngorms and Forth Bridges. An unforgettable adventure awaits!

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 12 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Audio guide included
Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

İ
İrem – Turkey

Our driver-guide Nestor was really funny and explained all the things with details in our way. Views in our route were amazing! Coach was also comfortable and ok for daily trip. Most of the time passed in coach, but it has already known and totally worth it!

R
Roxanne – United States

Absolutely amazing especially with Steve as our Guide! We all enjoyed the trip .

Select participants and date

Participants

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    Starting location:

    Highland Explorer Tours

  • Timeline stop icon

    Callander

    Visit (45 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Glencoe

    Photo stop (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Fort Augustus

    Visit, Sightseeing (115 minutes)

    Loch Ness

    Boat cruise (50 minutes)

    Optional, Extra fee

  • Pitlochry

    Break time, Photo stop, Visit (30 minutes)

  • Arrive back at:

    Highland Explorer Tours

Main stop
Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Drive through the Scottish Highlands on a full-day tour to Loch Ness
  • See Ben Nevis; the highest mountain in the United Kingdom
  • Go monster watching on an optional Loch Ness boat cruise
  • See the underwater life at Loch Ness via hi-tech imaging systems
  • Experience famous Glen Coe and the Three Sisters

Full description

This full day tour is perfect for seeing as much of bonnie Scotland as possible in a relaxing manner while taking in dramatic landscapes, history, and personal stories from the local, passionate guide as the gorgeous scenery rolls by.

Leaving Edinburgh behind, we journey north, passing the imposing Stirling Castle and rolling into the heart of the Trossachs National Park, Rob Roy country. Crossing the vast wilderness of Rannoch Moor, we pause at hauntingly beautiful Glen Coe, where echoes of the infamous 1692 massacre still linger.

Our route takes us through Fort William, beneath the towering peak of Ben Nevis, before we enter the Great Glen. Reaching Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness, you’ll have time to take a boat cruise in search of Nessie, enjoy a scenic walk in this Highland village, or simply soak up the Highland charm by the Caledonian Canal.

If choosing the cruise, your boat is equipped with the latest hi-tech color, sonar, and underwater imaging system, giving you a fascinating view of the underwater terrain and life. You might even see Nessie! You can also relax with a coffee or beer in the onboard bar. If you choose to sail along the waters of Loch Ness, it really is an unforgettable experience.

We then head south past the shimmering waters of Loch Laggan and climb through the dramatic Drumochter Pass in the Cairngorms National Park. Travelling through Perthshire’s stunning landscapes of forests, rivers, and mountains, we cross the Firth of Forth, taking in views of the spectacular Forth Bridges, before returning to Edinburgh in the evening.

Includes

  • Local, passionate guide
  • Transportation
  • Loch Ness boat cruise (if option is selected)
  • Downloadable audio guides available in German, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Italian, and French
  • Hotel pickup
  • Food and drinks
  • Tips

Not suitable for

  • Children under 5 years
  • Wheelchair users

Meeting point

Meet 15 minutes before departure and look for your designated queue. Our staff will check you in.

Open in Google Maps

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Camera
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

  • Smoking in the vehicle
  • Alcohol and drugs
  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • This tour involves a long day of driving, and covers over 300 miles (500km) in 12 hours.
  • 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.
  • Please note that itinerary order may change.
  • Travel insurance is recommended.
  • We advise you to organise transport to the departure point in advance and make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in; late arrivals cannot be refunded and we cannot delay departure.
  • Return times are approximate and subject to weather/travel conditions - allow at least 3 hours for onward travel or reservations.
  • Each traveller may bring 1 suitcase (max 33lbs/15kg) and 1 carry-on.
  • Collapsible wheelchairs are allowed if you are accompanied by someone to assist with boarding.
  • The tour may operate with our sister company, HAGGiS Adventures.
  • If you are using an audio guide, please bring your headset.
Save up to 20%

From $105 $84 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 2388 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.5/5
  • Transportation
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.1/5

Customer photos

+320
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İ
İrem – TurkeyJune 5, 2025 – Verified booking
Our driver-guide Nestor was really funny and explained all the things with details in our way. Views in our route were amazing! Coach was also comfortable and ok for daily trip. Most of the time passed in coach, but it has already known and totally worth it!
R
Roxanne – United StatesMay 21, 2025 – Verified booking
Absolutely amazing especially with Steve as our Guide! We all enjoyed the trip .
J
Jay – United StatesMay 13, 2025 – Verified booking
Everything was wonderful. Keith was an amazing tour guide and driver. He was very knowledgeable and kept us informed with all the stories of the Highlands and the Clans. Very impressed!

Product ID: 21518

Activity provider:Highland Explorer Tours
  • United Kingdom
  • Scottish Highlands
  • Loch Ness

Top Attractions in Scottish Highlands

  • 1Jacobite Steam Train
  • 2Loch Ness
  • 3Glenfinnan Viaduct
  • 4Isle of Mull
  • 5Balmoral Castle
  • 6Stirling Castle
  • 7Urquhart Castle
  • 8Ben Nevis
  • 9Glenfinnan
  • 10Culloden Battlefield
  • 11Eilean Donan Castle
  • 12Cairngorms
  • 13Staffa
  • 14Iona
  • 15Caledonian Canal
  • 16Doune Castle
  • 17Loch Linnhe
  • 18Wallace Monument
  • 19The Glenlivet Distillery
  • 20Calanais Standing Stones

Experiences in Scottish Highlands

  • 1Scottish Highlands Day trips
  • 2Scottish Highlands Rail tours
  • 3Scottish Highlands Multi-day trips
  • 4Scottish Highlands Cruises & boat tours
  • 5Scottish Highlands Outlander tours
  • 6Scottish Highlands Hiking
  • 7Scottish Highlands Harry Potter tours
  • 8Scottish Highlands Private tours
  • 9Scottish Highlands Whiskey tours
  • 10Scottish Highlands Castle & palace tours
  • 11Scottish Highlands Safaris & wildlife activities
  • 12Scottish Highlands Canoe & kayak tours
  • 13Scottish Highlands Ghost & vampire tours
  • 14Scottish Highlands Bus & minivan tours
  • 15Scottish Highlands Distillery tours
  • 16Scottish Highlands Family-friendly activities
  • 17Scottish Highlands Walking tours
  • 18Scottish Highlands Wheelchair accessible
  • 19Scottish Highlands Good for groups
  • 20Scottish Highlands River rafting

Tours in Scotland

  • 1Edinburgh Tours
  • 2Glasgow Tours
  • 3Inverness Tours
  • 4Aberdeen Tours
  • 5Fort William Tours
  • 6St Andrews Tours
  • 7Stirling Tours
  • 8Glencoe Tours
  • 9Oban Tours
  • 10Portree Tours
  • 11Pitlochry Tours
  • 12Queensferry Tours
  • 13Fort Augustus Tours
  • 14Balloch Tours
  • 15Inchcolm Tours
  • 16John o' Groats Tours
  • 17Kyle of Lochalsh Tours
  • 18Aberfeldy Tours
  • 19Craigellachie, Scotland Tours
  • 20Dalwhinnie, Scotland Tours

Things to do in Scotland

  • 1Things to do in Edinburgh
  • 2Things to do in Glasgow
  • 3Things to do in Inverness
  • 4Things to do in Aberdeen
  • 5Things to do in Fort William
  • 6Things to do in Invergordon
  • 7Things to do in St Andrews
  • 8Things to do in Stirling
  • 9Things to do in Glencoe
  • 10Things to do in Oban
  • 11Things to do in Portree
  • 12Things to do in Pitlochry
  • 13Things to do in Perth, Scotland
  • 14Things to do in Queensferry
  • 15Things to do in Fort Augustus
  • 16Things to do in Falkirk
  • 17Things to do in Balloch
  • 18Things to do in Ullapool
  • 19Things to do in Falkland
  • 20Things to do in Mallaig

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  • United Kingdom
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