Scotland’s ONLY free highland tour – RETURNING 2021!
This tour is where it all began for The Hairy Coo back in 2010.
The ethos for the Free Highland Tour has never changed; everyone, regardless of their background, should have a chance to explore a bit of the Scottish Highlands when visiting our country. Everyone should get a chance to learn some of our unique histories, admire our scenery, take photographs to make your friends jealous by meeting some real-life hairy coos.
On our Free Highlands Tour, led by one of our gloriously knowledgeable and experienced Driver Guides, you’ll take in sights including the Unesco listed Forth Bridge, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National park, the magnificent Loch Katrine and the quaint highland settlement of Aberfoyle.
The obvious question you’re probably asking is, “What’s the catch?”
We want our guests to pay what they think the tour was worth to them at the end of their day with us. When doing so, we would ask that you are thoughtful and honest in what you choose to tip. The sole reason this tour has continued to run for ten years is due to the incredible donations our passengers have made – and it often barely makes enough to cover the operational costs. It’s there for people who wouldn’t normally have been able to visit the Highlands and so we ask that if you can afford a regular ticket price, that you donate in line with the industry standard of £40.00-£50.00.
You can also rest assured that while your donation is primarily for running costs, that your driver-guide will also be receiving a portion of the money you give.
This tour is free to book and
accepts donations at its conclusion.
THE FREE TOUR IS CURRENTLY NOT OPERATING
Departs all year
- M
- T
- W
- T
- F
- S
- S
Departs at 8:45am
Returns at 6:00pm
No Show Fee
Due to the fact this tour is reliant on donations given at the end of the day, we must ensure it departs with everyone who had made a booking is onboard. The Free Highland Tour only runs if it meets a minimum capacity and so we really must deter guests from failing to show up without giving the necessary notice required.
Passengers who book this tour and fail to show up without the necessary notice are subject to a charge of £25.00 per person using the card details provided during booking. You will be notified of this pending charge prior to the funds being withdrawn from your account.
If on the day of departure, only some of your party join the tour and others do not, you will be checked in as partial attendance and the £25.00 penalty will still be enforced for every missing guest. This will be charged to the card you used when making your groups reservation.
TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS
A snippet of your Hairy Coo tour experience
Sir Walter Scott’s inspiration for his famous ‘Lady of the Lake’ poem |
Loch Katrine
Filming location for Monty Python, Outlander and Game of Thrones |
Doune Castle
One of the only loch’s in Scotland referred to as a lake. ‘Why’, you ask…. |
Lake of Menteith
A monument erected for one of Scotland’s bravest independence rebels
|
William Wallace Monument
Tour Itinerary
Stops
Optional extra
8:45am
Depart Edinburgh
South Queensferry
Forth Bridge - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Stirling
William Wallace Monument
Lake of Menteith
Loch Katrine
Aberfoyle
Dukes Pass
Loch Achary
Doune Castle
Arrive back in Edinburgh
Approx 6:00pm
Optional Extras – prices subject to change
(Doune Castle £9)
Watch out cola!
Scotland’s highest selling fizzy drink is our own bright orange concoction – Irn Bru.
We know all the facts!
Our driver guides are Scotland obsessed.
Their knowledge of Scotland will entertain and excite you throughout your tour.
They’ll share their passion for the place they call their home, leaving you with a piece of Scotland in your hearts forever.
YOUR TOUR DEPARTURE
We’ll pick you up first thing in the morning to begin your trip at the city centre meeting point, Deacon’s House Cafe, 304 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PS.
Check-in for your tour will start at 8:30 AM. Seats are unreserved so we recommend you arrive early if you have a preference of where you would like to sit.
Departure will promptly be at 8:45 AM. We’re unable to wait for guests who are late due to the time restraints of the jam packed itinerary we have planned.
We aim to get you back to Edinburgh’s Lawnmarket at around 6:00 PM.
FAQS
What is included in the price?
What should I bring with me?
What’s the minimum age for children to come on the tour?
What is a hairy coo?
OUR OTHER SCOTTISH TOURS
1-DAY LOCH NESS, HIGHLANDS, GLENCOE & BEN NEVIS |
2 Day Loch Ness, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct & St Andrews |
3-DAY ISLE OF SKYE, INVERNESS & HIGHLANDS |
5-DAY LOCH NESS, GLENCOE, HIGHLANDS & WHISKY |
1-DAY ALNWICK CASTLE & SCOTTISH BORDERS |
This is what our guests say about us
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Amazing experience Excellent tour, perfect to enjoy the beautiful highlands and surroundings. Steve's stories were hillarious and his knowledge of the diestinations... read more 
291erikav27/11/2021 - Trip to the highlands The trip to the highlands was great, Steven, our guide, dj and driver was super knowledgeable and passionate about was... read more 236mirkoc27/11/2021
- Surpassed expectations I went on the 3-day Isle of Skye tour. Our guide Marty was nothing short of a delight. His local... read more 928trystanc26/11/2021
- Great Day Out The Hairy Coo trip to Glencoe and Loch Ness from Edinburgh was a great day out. The scenery was amazing,... read more DKDY24/11/2021
- The best tour I have ever been on! Stephen was very knowledgeable and an excellent guide throughout the whole duration! He was passionate about the history of Scotland... read more jlopez212524/11/2021
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