Quick Details
Embark on a breathtaking 2-day adventure through the scenic wonders of Scotland with our Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe, & Oban tour. Day one kicks off at the picturesque shores of Loch Lomond, where you’ll be captivated by the tranquility of the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain. As we venture into the West Highlands, prepare to be awestruck by the majestic landscapes, towering peaks, and historic castles that define the region. Day one concludes with a relaxing overnight stay in Oban, a coastal gem known for its seafood delights and charming atmosphere.
On day two, our journey takes us through the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter series. The rugged beauty of Glencoe awaits, with its dramatic glacial valleys and steep mountain slopes. Immerse yourself in Scotland’s natural wonders and rich history on this two-day odyssey through some of its most iconic destinations.
Experience a 2 Day Scotland Tour from Edinburgh with The Hairy Coo!
Experience the BEST of the Scottish Highlands on this quintessential 2-day tour.
DEPARTURE
Check-In 8:00 AM
Tour Departs 8:15 AM
Please note: we departure from outside Heritage of Scotland, 459-461 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT. This is directly opposite the road from our original departure point by Deacon’s House Cafe.
(what3words, Google Maps)
Seats are unreserved so we recommend you arrive early if you have a preference of where you would like to sit.
The tour will leave at 8:15 AM prompt. We are unable to wait for guests who are late and no refunds will be issued in this instance.
DURATION
The 2-Day Tour concludes outside Deacon’s House Cafe, 304 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PS at approximately 6:30 PM. We recommend leaving at least 1.5 to 2 hours between any onward travel or reservations in the evening, in the event of traffic or delays which are outwith our control.
ABOUT YOUR TOUR
Day One:
Departing Edinburgh, we will take our first short drive heading north and see the mysterious Kelpies. Scotland’s largest piece of outdoor art depicting mythical creatures of Scotland’s folklore that your driver will tell you all about. We’ll then continue on our journey and pass Stirling Castle. Be inspired by tales from your guide of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Continuing north, into the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, admire the scenery as your tour guide explains the remarkable tribal clan history of the Highlands. Heading West we make our way towards the town of Balloch, situated at the southern of Loch Lomond’s Bonnie Banks where you will have a chance to explore and also take an optional hour-long boat cruise on the loch. We continue north to the village of Arrochar which nestles on the edge of Loch Long at the foot of the high peaks of the Arrochar Alps. It’s onwards and upwards over the steep pass of Rest and be Thankful for our lunch stop in the village of Inveraray – seat of the Clan Campbell and Dukes of Argyll. The town is lapped by the sea water of Loch Fyne and is famed for its oysters and seafood. On to Kilmartin Glen, one of the richest Neolithic sites anywhere in Europe. The Glen is home to dozens of ancient standing stones, rock carvings and burial chambers. You will have time to stroll among some of nearby standing stones and burial chambers. We will then continue on to Oban where you will be staying for the night.
Day Two:
Departing Oban we travel up the side of Loch Linnhe through the Great Glen to our first stop of the day in Glencoe. Considered by many to be the most impressive glen (valley) in Scotland, in 1692 the towering peaks of this majestic landscape bore witness to the infamous Massacre of Glencoe. Your driver guide will explain the details of this incident and why it was such a turning point in Highland history – stoking the Jacobite Rebellions for many years to come. There will be time for many photographs in Glencoe before we make tracks for our next amazing location – Glenfinnan Monument and Viaduct. In more recent times, Glenfinnan Viaduct has become very well known to fans of Harry Potter as the magnificent railway bridge crossed by the Hogwarts’ Express. Climb the hill for best views of the Monument to the 1745 Rebellion and the Viaduct. We’ll then travel to Fort William where you can either take a tour of Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery or explore the ruined late 13th century Inverlochy Castle (free).
Lunch is in Fort William, the second largest town in the Highlands (after Inverness) where the ruined fort was destroyed by Jacobite forces at the very start of the 1745 Rebellion. After lunch we will head to Pitlochry situated in the heart of the stunning scenery of Highland Perthshire. As we re-enter Edinburgh from the North, you will be met with views of Scotland’s greatest piece of engineering, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forth Bridge. This 19th century engineering marvel was at one point the World’s longest cantilever bridge. Today it neighbours the 20th century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st century Queensferry Crossing which opened in 2017. Three spectacular bridges, from three different centuries, span the Firth of Forth connecting our Capital city and the Kingdom of Fife. The expected arrival time back in Edinburgh is around 6:30 PM.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
- Experienced ‘Hairy Coo’ Driver Guide providing live commentary and storytelling throughout.
- Travel on one of our luxury, modern, air-conditioned coaches.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Food & drink
- Accommodation
- Gratuities for your Driver Guide
- Optional Extras are purchasable on the day with cash only from your Driver Guide
- Boat Cruise – £14
- Ben Nevis Distillery
ACCOMMODATION ON TOUR
This tour requires a 1-night stay in Oban
Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour and all guests are required to book their own due to the small nature of our team. Recommendations of where to stay will be listed in your confirmation email once you have booked your tour.
Our meeting point in Oban is: Outside Oban Train Station, 1 Station Rd, Oban, PA34 4NU (what3words, Google maps).
Please ensure that your booked accommodation is fully refundable in the unfortunate event that you are unable to make the tour or if the tour is cancelled or rescheduled. We recommend that you book directly with the accommodation provider as opposed to via a 3rd party to ensure you get the most competitive rate available. We encourage that you mention you are on a tour excursion when you book as most accommodation providers will be happy to provide your party with an early breakfast.
WHAT WILL WE SEE ON TOUR?
♦ Stop
Before your tour
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We recommend that you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, no matter what the forecast appears to be…Scotland’s weather is very unpredictable! And don’t forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you’ll encounter on your tour (which you can later share with us online). While there are no planned hikes or longer walks during the tour, we encourage wearing comfortable and flat footwear.
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You are more than welcome to bring along one smaller bag to use while on the bus, as well as one medium sized piece of luggage, suitcase or backpack, which we will put in the hold of the bus during transit. This can weigh up to 15kgs (33lbs) per passenge. We’re usually happy to allow larger/heavier bags when shared between multiple passengers.
The luggage restriction has been set to ensure that not all guests join the tour with excessive luggage as our vehicles do not have the space to hold too much. Because of this, we would kindly ask that you try other options instead of bringing all of your luggage with you. Please see our FAQ’s for recommendations on where to store your belongings.
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We ask that tickets to the optional extras available are paid in cash, please see the cost listed above under “What is not included”. We must also remind you that while picturesque and quaint, many of the suppliers in smaller towns do still prefer cash payments. ATM’s are located at multiple stops along the route, and currency exchange services are available in Inverness.
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Food is readily available at the many of stops on tour, but you are absolutely more than welcome to bring drinks, snacks and a cold packed lunch on board. Hot drinks are permitted but only if they have a secure lid.
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We always aim to stop for a visit of our local, beloved Hairy Coos on our tours! However we cannot guarantee Highland cows, as we are not in control of their movements or placements. Please note that in the winter months (Mid November – March) some farmers decide to move the cows indoors or to other field for the winter so they are unavailable during this period.