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Full-Day Trip to Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands with Lunch from Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Likely to Sell Out
From $70.31
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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Edinburgh Tours
Attractions
Recommendations
- 12 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
This full-day Scottish Highlands tour takes you on a scenic drive from Edinburgh to the fabled Loch Ness. The journey travels by coach across Rannoch Moor to Glen Coe and through the Great Glen to Fort Augustus, where you’re treated to a locally made picnic lunch. Take an optional boat ride on the legendary loch in search of ‘Nessie’ before the return trip over the Drumochter Pass and through the forests and rivers of Highland Perthshire, with views of the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge.
- Soak up the unspoiled scenery of the Great Glen and Rannoch Moor with your expert guide
- Admire spectacular views of the Caledonian Canal, Perthshire, Glen Coe, and the Forth Bridge
- Take an optional boat cruise on Loch Ness to catch a glimpse of the legendary monster Nessie
- Enjoy a locally produced sandwich picnic lunch in the quaint village of Fort Augustus
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
This tour takes in the highlights of the Highlands and includes a picnic lunch with Scottish shortbread.
What's Included
- Local Scottish English Speaking Guide
- Picnic lunch - freshly made & locally sourced valued at £4.50. Drink not included.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Optional boat cruise on Loch Ness (from £16.50 for an adult) - can be purchased at check-in.
Meeting And Pickup
Meeting point
- Edinburgh26 Elder St, Edinburgh EH1 3DX, UK
Stances 15 and 16 Edinburgh Bus Station 26 Elder Street, EH1 3DX Bus station also accessible via entrance on Multrees Walk.
Start time
08:00 AM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Tour the Scottish Highlands and enjoy an optional Loch Ness boat tour during this day trip, led by a knowledgeable guide who provides insightful commentary throughout the journey.
Start the excursion aboard your coach in central Edinburgh and travel north along the ramparts of Stirling Castle. Pass the Trossachs, cross Rannoch Moor and stop at Glen Coe—site of a legendary 17th-century massacre—before continuing on through the Great Glen via Fort William.
Arriving at the Highland village of Fort Augustus, situated on the banks of Loch Ness, you can opt for a leisurely walk or simply relax by the Caledonian Canal with your provided picnic lunch. Enjoy your choice of locally made sandwiches and shortbread washed down with bottled mineral water.
If you’d like, spend your free time aboard boat cruise on the loch (own expense). Go in search of the Loch Ness Monster named Nessie, a mythical creature said to inhabit these waters. The custom-built boat is equipped with underwater imaging technology, providing a fascinating view of the underwater terrain.
Afterward, re-board the coach for the return drive, passing Loch Laggan and motoring over Drumochter Pass, which connects the northern and southern Scottish Highlands. Your guide points out Perthshire and the lush forested landscapes of Big Tree Country. View the cantilever Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before your day trip concludes in Edinburgh in the evening.
Start the excursion aboard your coach in central Edinburgh and travel north along the ramparts of Stirling Castle. Pass the Trossachs, cross Rannoch Moor and stop at Glen Coe—site of a legendary 17th-century massacre—before continuing on through the Great Glen via Fort William.
Arriving at the Highland village of Fort Augustus, situated on the banks of Loch Ness, you can opt for a leisurely walk or simply relax by the Caledonian Canal with your provided picnic lunch. Enjoy your choice of locally made sandwiches and shortbread washed down with bottled mineral water.
If you’d like, spend your free time aboard boat cruise on the loch (own expense). Go in search of the Loch Ness Monster named Nessie, a mythical creature said to inhabit these waters. The custom-built boat is equipped with underwater imaging technology, providing a fascinating view of the underwater terrain.
Afterward, re-board the coach for the return drive, passing Loch Laggan and motoring over Drumochter Pass, which connects the northern and southern Scottish Highlands. Your guide points out Perthshire and the lush forested landscapes of Big Tree Country. View the cantilever Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before your day trip concludes in Edinburgh in the evening.
Stirling Castle (Pass By)
Callander
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Glencoe
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Ben Nevis (Pass By)
Loch Ness Region
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Cairngorms National Park (Pass By)
Pitlochry
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Forth Bridge (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Minimum age is 5 years
- It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold back the tour for late arrivals.
- Not recommended for travellers with mobility difficulties
- Most travelers can participate
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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Featured review
Manuela_P
Tom is great guide. The best part of the experience was his stories. I would defintly recommend as soon as Tom is the guide
Reviews
4.5
1,458 reviews
Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,458 reviews
Great stories
Manuela_P, May 2023
Tom is great guide. The best part of the experience was his stories. I would defintly recommend as soon as Tom is the guide
1 traveler found this review helpful
Beautiful ride up north
Rebecca_G, May 2023
The trip was fun. Our tour guide, Cara, was great! She made the trip a lot of fun and had some great stories. The scenery was beautiful and the boat ride on Loch Ness was great! Thank you!
Highlands days trip
Sarabjot_S, May 2023
Great trip to be a part of - it’s a bit of driver to get there but u go thru lots of amazing landscapes which makes it worth it - special thanks to our driver/ guide Connor , very friendly n Great guy - thanks Connor for the memories
Nice day all round...
Maxine_R, May 2023
Connor was an excellent guide and driver. He provided lots if interesting history with humour and great story telling. He kept us on track and on schedule. He's a great ambassador for the company and for Scotland.
Lovely day exploring the highlands!
Peggy_L, May 2023
Lovely day exploring the highlands! Our tour guide Tom was great and the views were amazing. Good idea to bring some snacks for the ride. Highly recommend!
Wonderful trip to highlands with amazing views
Harish_V, May 2023
Highlands and loch ness trip with Viator is wonderful. The guide/driver(Connor) is amazing in creating enthusiasm in travellers by telling the stories behind each place and revealed many untold stories. Trip was very good overall with travel, views & in between photo stops.
A day out from Edinburgh.
Linda_S, May 2023
A long but perfect day! Sun shone but quite chilly! 578kms travelled. The most amazing scenery and stops along the way. All in comfort and with a commentary and history lesson from Steve our driver. Absolutely totally recommend this tour we booked with Viator. 10/10
First Time in Scotland
Kate_B, May 2023
As our first time in Scotland with limited time, this was a fantastic tour with lots to see. Yes you are on the bus for long periods but it’s what you expect travelling upwards of 200 miles.
The stops were frequent enough for us and the tour guide was just right - chatting enough to learn historical facts but not too much when it’s a long day. Thanks for a great day, Greg!!
The coach was a little cramped but driving was great and music was fun!
Highlands fun
Cherie_C, Apr 2023
This tour was jam packed with stories and history and fun! There were great stops and definitely worth the price .
Amazing experience!
Karen_M, Apr 2023
This was a fantastic tour day! Our guide, Tom, was great - perfect blend of historical stories and insights, but also local music and down time on the bus. We got to take amazing photo opportunities; my favorite part was getting to feed a highland cow while listening to a bagpiper play!
...
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Product code: 5211LOCHNESS
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Likely to Sell Out
Full-Day Trip to Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands with Lunch from Edinburgh
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