1-Day Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour
One day to fit in as much of Scotland as you can!
Choose how you want to experience the Highlands! Take a scenic Loch Ness boat cruise in search of the legendary monster, or visit a whisky distillery to learn the craft behind Scotland’s most iconic spirit. Pick the optional activity that suits you best!
Please note that this option does not include the distillery stop.
Please note that this option does not offer the optional boat cruise.
Visit Loch Ness, Glencoe and the incredible landscape of the Highlands of Scotland.
On our award-winning Loch Ness, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands 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.
Choose your preferred version of our Highland adventure: perhaps you’d be interested in hunting down the elusive Loch Ness Monster while on a Loch Ness boat cruise? Or would you prefer to explore the rich heritage of Scotland’s whisky making on a tour through the renowned Deanston Distillery?
This unforgettable day combines the rich heritage of Scotland with spectacular landscapes and iconic sights, before a pit-stop at Queen Victoria’s favourite village Pitlochry, famous for its yummy whisky ice cream.
Departing at: 8 AM / 8:05 AM
Duration: 12.5 hours
Returns: approx. 8.30 PM
Group size: Up to 52 passengers
From: £57 Adults
Minimum age: over 7 / over 8*
Distance: 330 miles / 525 km
Hairy Coos: Meet Highlands Cows (Apr-Nov)
ITINERARY
8:00am
Depart Edinburgh
♦ Callander*/Deanston Distillery
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: During peak months, we may run the itinerary in reverse to avoid congestions and will replace Callander with an alternative comfort stop. During the winter season, we may be arriving back in Edinburgh earlier than estimated.
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 and based on your chosen tour option. (Price and availability subject to change)
Boat Cruise:
£21 Adult, £14 Child
Whisky Distillery Tour:
£15.50 Adult, £6 Child (*over 8 years old)
MEETING POINT
We meet at 1759 Regent Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8DR, in front of the Burns Monument.
Google Map
Check in for departure
Boat option:
Check-in starts: 7:15 AM
Check-in closes: 7:55 AM
Final departure: 8 AM
Whisky Distillery option:
Check-in: 7:50 AM
Departure: 8:05 AM
Seats are unreserved so we recommend you arrive early if you have a preference of where you would like to sit. We are unable to wait for guests who are late and no refunds will be issued in this instance.
TOURS RETURNS
Drop-Off: Approx. 8:30 PM
The tour concludes back at Regent Road, Edinburgh.
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, GLENCOE & HIGHLANDS VIEWS TOUR
Set off from Edinburgh on a comfortable, air-conditioned coach for an unforgettable Highland adventure. Travel through stunning landscapes, from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to the dramatic Glencoe Valley, learning tales of Scottish heroes and legends along the way.
Choose between two optional activities: a scenic Loch Ness boat cruise or a guided whisky distillery tour. Snap a photo with friendly Highland cows, admire Ben Nevis from Fort William, and explore the charming village of Fort Augustus. Finish your journey with breathtaking views in the Cairngorms National Park and a final stop in picturesque Pitlochry before returning to Edinburgh in the evening.
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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.
For those joining the Boat Cruise Option, 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. (Please note that during the summer one coach per day will drive the route in reserve and will make an alternative comfort stop due to limited opening hours in Callander).
If you chose the Whisky Distillery Option, your journey begins with a visit to Deanston Distillery, nestled on the banks of the River Teith. Housed in a former cotton mill, the distillery produces a range of premium single malt whiskies. Enjoy a guided tour through the distillery, where you’ll learn about the traditional whisky-making process and the history behind this unique location. Finish with a tasting of Deanston’s finest malts, guided by an expert who will explain the distinct flavours and characteristics of their whiskies.
As we follow the roads deeper into the Highlands, we’ll also stop to meet and snap a selfie with the shaggy, friendly Highland cows—Scotland’s cutest locals! (Please note that we cannot guarantee hairy coos during the winter months November-March, although we will try our best to spot them!)
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can find the answer on this page or in our general FAQ’s, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
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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.
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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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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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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.