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    Explore Scottish Highlands

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    Dalwhinnie, Scotland

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    9 top things to do in the Scottish Highlands

  • Explore Scottish Highlands
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  • Outside Scottish Highlands

Loch Ness

Balmoral Castle

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Ben Nevis

Urquhart Castle

Glenfinnan

Isle of Mull

Cairngorms

The Glenlivet Distillery

Iona

Loch Linnhe

Staffa

Day trips

Multi-day trips

Shore excursions

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Glencoe

Fort William

Stirling

Fort Augustus

Inverness

Kyle of Lochalsh

Portree

Oban

John o' Groats

Dalwhinnie, Scotland

Nearby destinations

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

Dunluce Castle

Dublin CastleAttraction in Dublin, Ireland

Trinity College DublinAttraction in Dublin, Ireland

  • Top experiences
  • Interests

Bus & minivan tours

Whiskey tours

Distillery tours

Outlander tours

Loch Ness Monster experiences

Hiking

Harry Potter tours

Rail tours

Canoe & kayak tours

River rafting

Bike tours

Dolphin & whale watching

Sightseeing

Nature & adventure

Extreme sports & adrenaline

Driving experiences

Safaris & wildlife activities

  • Articles

9 top things to do in the Scottish Highlands

From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour

4.297854 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.297854 out of 5 stars
2330 reviews
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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour
4.297854 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.297854 out of 5 stars
2330 reviews

Journey from Edinburgh to the Highlands, explore 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

J
Jay – United States

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!

M
Małgorzata – Poland

Greg - out guide was incredible! Great mind with lots of knowledge and humour. He was also an amazing driver so everything weny smoothly. Views and experience was one of the kind. I highly recommend buying the cruise ticket - money not wasted. Basically everything on this tour was 10/10! Highly recommended

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 by air-conditioned bus
  • Loch Ness boat cruise (if option is selected)
  • Downloadable audio guides available in German, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Italian, and French
  • Hotel pickup
  • Drinks
  • Gratuities

Not suitable for

  • Children under 5 years

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

Not allowed

  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • This tour involves a long day of driving, and covers over 300 miles (500km) in 12 hours.
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
  • Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
  • Minimum age to travel is 5 years old and anyone under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them to board and disembark.
  • 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.
Save up to 20%

From $98.29 $78.64 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 2330 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.6/5
  • Transportation
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.1/5

Customer photos

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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!
M
Małgorzata – PolandMay 6, 2025 – Verified booking
Greg - out guide was incredible! Great mind with lots of knowledge and humour. He was also an amazing driver so everything weny smoothly. Views and experience was one of the kind. I highly recommend buying the cruise ticket - money not wasted. Basically everything on this tour was 10/10! Highly recommended
M
Metin – SwedenMay 6, 2025 – Verified booking
Thank you Alistair for such a wonderful trip. The tour was very informative not only about the highland but also the history of Scottland. The bus is clean and comfy.

Product ID: 21518

Activity provider:Highland Explorer Tours
  • United Kingdom
  • Scottish Highlands
  • The Trossachs, Scotland

Top Attractions in Scottish Highlands

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

Experiences in Scottish Highlands

  • 1Scottish Highlands Rail tours
  • 2Scottish Highlands Day trips
  • 3Scottish Highlands Multi-day trips
  • 4Scottish Highlands Hiking
  • 5Scottish Highlands Cruises & boat tours
  • 6Scottish Highlands Outlander tours
  • 7Scottish Highlands Private tours
  • 8Scottish Highlands Whiskey tours
  • 9Scottish Highlands Harry Potter tours
  • 10Scottish Highlands Distillery tours
  • 11Scottish Highlands Safaris & wildlife activities
  • 12Scottish Highlands Castle & palace tours
  • 13Scottish Highlands Canoe & kayak tours
  • 14Scottish Highlands Bus & minivan tours
  • 15Scottish Highlands For first-time visitors
  • 16Scottish Highlands Wheelchair accessible
  • 17Scottish Highlands Bike tours
  • 18Scottish Highlands Nature & adventure
  • 19Scottish Highlands Family-friendly activities
  • 20Scottish Highlands Solo travelers' tours

Tours in Scotland

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

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  • United Kingdom
  • Scottish Highlands
  • The Trossachs, Scotland
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