1-Day Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour

We always do our very best 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.

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:

Callander | Glencoe | Fort Augustus | Pitlochry

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.

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.

We recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, no matter what the forecast appears to be…Scotland’s weather is very unpredictable! During the summer months you will likely encounter midges and may want to bring a repellant.

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!

If you’d like to bring along larger luggage, please get in touch to confirm availability.

Food will be available at some of stops on tour, but you are absolutely more than welcome to bring snacks and a cold packed lunch on board to avoid unnecessary queuing. There are often alternatives suitable to most diets, but options may be limited so if you have dietary restrictions we recommend that you plan ahead.

We recommend purchasing tickets to the optional boat cruise in cash to help us speed up the process.

You will be able to purchase the optional Distillery tour using a credit or debit card, but we always recommend bringing some spare cash as a back up!

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.

When booking our Loch Ness & Highlands tour you will choose between two versions of the tour: either with an optional Loch Ness boat cruise or with an optional distillery tour at Deanston.

Optional extras aren’t included in your booking, so you’re free to skip them if you like. If you choose not to take part, you’ll have time to explore the local area and enjoy it your own way.

If you feel like swapping to the other option after booking your tour, please contact us on contact@thehairycoo.com or by calling 0131 212 5026. Please note that the whisky option does not run everyday.

Please note that there is limited accessibility at Deanston Distillery. The optional tour may not be suitable to visitors with limited mobility, as the tour takes you through an old building with numerous stairs throughout. Suitable footwear with a fully enclosed shoe must be worn on tour.

Entry to the coach is through the front left door using three steps (about 30cm high), with grab handles on both sides.

Our buses are not wheelchair accessible, but we can store a folding wheelchair or walking frame in the luggage area. Please bear in mind that our team can’t provide physical help getting on or off the bus, so guests should be comfortable doing that on their own or with help from a travel buddy. If you have any special needs or are looking to bring a foldable wheelchair, please let us know before you book