Quick Details
On our award-winning 1-Day Loch Ness, Glencoe, Scottish Highlands & Pitlochry tour, you will get to experience the very best of Scotland. This tour is perfect for those who might have limited time and want to fit in as much as possible.
While you’re on your Highland adventure, perhaps you might be interested in hunting down the elusive Loch Ness Monster? Your guide will offer you the opportunity to board an award-winning cruise boat, equipped with the latest technology to maximize your chances of spotting Nessie!
Your return journey will see you travel south back towards Edinburgh via Scotland’s second national park (Cairngorms) before a pit-stop at Queen Victoria’s favourite village Pitlochry, famous for its yummy whisky ice cream.
FROM (seasonal prices)
Adults
From 18 years old
£ 57
Children
From 7 to 17 years old
£ 54
NHS/Carers
Valid ID Required
£ 55
Students
Valid ID Required
£ 55
Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh with The Hairy Coo!
Visit Loch Ness, Glencoe and the incredible landscape of the Highlands of Scotland.
DEPARTURE
Check-In Opens: 7:15 AM
Check-In Closes: 7:55 AM
Last Bus Departs 8:00 AM
Departure Point: We depart from 1759 Regent Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8DR, in front of Burns Monument. You can view find maps here: what3words, Google Maps and further details here.
Please note that seats are unreserved.
The last bus will leave at 8:00 AM prompt. We are unable to wait for guests who are late and no refunds will be issued in this instance.
TOUR RETURNS
Drop-Off: 8:30 PM (during the winter season, we may be arriving earlier than estimated)
The tour concludes back at Regent Road.
Please note that return times are approximate and may be impacted by road conditions and weather. We recommend allowing at least 2 hours for any onward travel or reservations in the evening, in the event of delays.
ABOUT YOUR LOCH NESS AND SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TOUR
Hop on an air-conditioned luxury coach (up to 16-57 seats) for the start of your adventure. You will depart Edinburgh, travelling north towards the heart of Scotland’s central belt. As you pass the iconic fortress of Stirling Castle your guide will enthral you with tales of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.
Our first stop of the day will be in the town of Callander; “The Gateway to the Highlands.” Nestled at the foot of the Trossachs Callander offers its guests plenty of place to stock up on refreshments, gifts and views toward the Trossachs.
We then continue our journey north, passing through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. You’ll be entertained with more tales from your guide of Scotland’s history and folklore in addition to following in the footsteps of James Bond (“Skyfall”) and Harry Potter (“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”) as you travel to the stunning Highland valley of Glencoe. Hear the eerie story of the Clan MacDonald massacre of 1692. Travel through Fort William, home to Ben Nevis, which at 4,409 feet is the highest mountain of the British Isles.
Arrive on the south bank of Loch Ness in the charming village of Fort Augustus. Here, you will find lots of cafes, shops and restaurants for a relaxing lunch. Take a stroll along the banks of the Caledonian Canal. Then, experience the majesty of Loch Ness on an optional relaxing 1-hour boat cruise (no need to book in advance, we do this for you!). See if you can catch a glimpse of “Nessie”, the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
Admire the impressive Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with breath-taking views of the Nevis Range. Enter the beautiful Cairngorms National Park and discover “Monarch of the Glen” country. Drive along Loch Laggan before the roads climb high above the Grampian Mountains. Travel over the Pass of Drumochter while enjoying the majesty and drama of a mountain pass created by glacial activity during successive Ice Ages. Finally, make a short stop in the beautiful Victorian town of Pitlochry (or Bankfoot), before making your way back to Edinburgh city centre, arriving at approximately 8:30pm.
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.
- Regular Comfort Breaks
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Food & drink
- No toilets on board
- Gratuities for your Driver Guide.
- Optional Extras are purchasable on the day with cash only.
Boat Cruise – £21 Adult, £14 Child
Are you more interested in a Whisky Distillery Tour instead of the boat cruise? Check out our 1-Day Whisky, Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands tour, which covers the same route but offers an optional distillery tour and tasting!
PLEASE NOTE
- This tour has been designed to show you as much of Scotland as we can fit into one day! Due to the distance driven a large portion of the tour is spent on the bus, taking in the views and scenery of Scotland.
LOCH NESS TOUR FROM EDINBURGH ITINERARY
8:00am
Depart Edinburgh
♦ Callander/Kingshouse
Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
Rannoch Moor
◊ Glencoe
Fort William
♦ Fort Augustus & Loch Ness (Approx 2 hrs)
♦ Commando Memorial
Cairngorms National Park
♦ Pitlochry
Forth Bridge – Unesco World Heritage Site
Arrive back in Edinburgh
Approx 8:30pm
♦ Longer stop | ◊ Photo stop
Please note that during peak months, we may run the itinerary in reverse to avoid congestions at attractions and comfort stops. During the winter season, we may be arriving back in Edinburgh earlier than estimated.
Before your tour
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We recommend 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!
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Food is readily available at the majority of stops on tour, but you are absolutely more than welcome to bring snacks and a cold packed lunch on board. Hot drinks and soups are permitted but only if they have a secure lid. There are often alternatives suitable to most diets, but options may be limited.
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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, for example Callander, Fort Augustus and Pitlochry.
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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 – April) some farmers decide to move the cows indoors or to other field for the winter so they are unavailable during this period.
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You are more than welcome to bring along a carry-on bag on the tour which can be packed with essentials for the day, but we would advise keeping this bag as light and small as possible to maximise your comfort onboard. If you’d like to bring along larger luggage, please get in touch to confirm availability.
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It doesn’t matter when you are travelling, the weather in Scotland can be incredibly unpredictable and sometimes you can even experience several seasons in one day!
As a result of this, we would always encourage our passengers to wear waterproof shoes and clothing, ensuring they have several removable layers. You are more than welcome to leave jackets/jumpers on the coach during stops if you find that the weather is nice when you are due to get off.
To help you plan ahead of the tour, please feel free to check the weather of some of the destinations for this tour here:
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As we are quite far north, the amount of daylight varies during the year. This means that we enjoy bright evenings during the summer, but have early sunsets during the winter months. This can of course have an impact on your experience on the road, and is one of the reasons why we use seasonal prices for all our tours.
As an example, we’ve looked at the estimated daylight times in Fort Augustus, to help you understand what to expect.
During spring equinox (mid March):
Sun rises around 6:30am, sets at 6:30pm. It will usually be dark from 7:15pm until 5:45am.Summer solstice (mid June):
Sun rises around 4:30am, sets at 10.30pm. It will usually be dark/darker* from 11:30pm until 3:15am.
*For a time, at the height of summer, Scotland does not experience astronomical twilight.Autumn equinox (mid September):
Sun rises around 7:15am, sets at 7.15pm. It will usually be dark from 8:30pm until 5:30am.Winter solstice (mid December):
Sun rises around 9am, sets at 3.30pm. It will usually be dark from 4:30pm until 8am.Please note that visibility and light can also be impacted by weather, and that it is best to look at the daylight time and weather forecast for your specific tour date for further details.
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All of our 1-Day excursions require notice of cancellation at least 24 hours notice prior to your scheduled departure in order to be eligible for a 100% refund. Should you book your tour within this period, your booking will be immediately non-refundable. If you made your booking through an agent site, please contact their customer services for support.
Our tours are very rarely cancelled but should we have to cancel a tour, passengers will be offered multiple alternatives. These may include options such as an alternative tour, alternative date or a full refund for their booking.
You can find further details in our FAQ’s and Terms & Conditions.