13 2-Day Experiences in Scotland to Build a Trip Around

1.2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 518 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $444Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh to Inverness in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, with stops at Pitlochry or Dunkeld, Aviemore, Clava Cairns, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Glencoe, and Loch Lubnaig. You get one night in a hotel or B&B, breakfast, a driver-guide, and a Loch Ness cruise listed as included. Guides such as Lizzy, Pete, Willie, and Catty are praised for lively local stories.

“Alli was a wonderful tour guide. It was amazing how many interesting and beautiful places we were able to visit and learn about in 2 days. I highly recommend this as a way to see the Highlands.”

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2.2-Day Jacobite Experience including the Hogwarts Express from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 335 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $492

Travel from Edinburgh in a small group with a guide such as Paul, Steven, Ian, or Jamie. Visit Pitlochry, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Loch Ness, Mallaig, and Glencoe, with one overnight in Fort Augustus. The Jacobite train is included, but steam service and train seating can vary.

“What an experience! The tour went so smoothly and our guide, John S. was entertaining, careful and informative. We saw such beautiful locations and met people we will always remember. Our only glitch was at the very end when we were dropped off we were tired and a fairly large group of us had problems finding cabs to take us to where we were staying. All in all a wonderful trip! Than you!”

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3.2-Day Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 225 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $223

See Skye’s Fairy Pools, Quiraing, Kilt Rock, Dunvegan Castle, Portree, Eilean Donan Castle, and Loch Ness over two days from Inverness. A driver-guide handles the winding roads, stories, and timing in a small group of up to 19. One Portree night is included unless you choose the no-accommodation option.

“This tour was EXCELLENT! Our tour guide, Liall, was exceptional. He made sure we were well taken care of. He is very knowledgeable of history, traditions, local and country events. This tour is well designed. The scenery is breathtaking! Accommodations in Portree, made by the company were quaint, clean, welcoming and charming. This 2 day tour was so worthwhile. I am glad we chose 2 days as we had more than enough time to enjoy everything. Again Liall was exceptional!”

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4.2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $248

Travel from Edinburgh to Inverness and back in a Mercedes minicoach with about 12 people. Your guide covers Scottish history, folklore, and Gaelic culture while you visit Glen Coe, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Loch Ness, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Pitlochry, and Dunkeld. Accommodation costs extra.

“My wife and I decided to book a highlands tour when we were visiting Edinburgh. There are many offerings by different companies and it it hard to tell them apart from the web materials. We chose this tour based on a very good experience my brother and I had with the same company earlier in 2019. The highlands tour was excellent. The driver/guide, Keith, was fabulous and did everything possible to enhance the experience for everyone on the tour. The scenery was spectacular and there was enough to do despite the distance that needed to be driven. The sites visited were all worthwhile and allowed the telling of a variety…”

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5.Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands – 2 Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 166 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $179

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden, and the Cairngorms with a driver-guide. You get one night in Inverness, frequent photo stops, live commentary, and a possible Blair Athol whisky visit. Guides such as Shug, Jamie, Martin, and Sam are known for strong storytelling and humor.

“Stuart was awesome! Very knowledgeable and funny to boot. He showed and told us things I never would have thought to ask about.”

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6.Eilean Donan, Loch Ness & Glenfinnan – 2 Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $179

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands with a driver-guide such as Paul, Sean, Karis, Tom, or Donald. See Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, and the Commando Monument, with one night in Fort William. The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle for up to 32 people and includes live commentary.

“Loved visiting Eliean Donan Castle!! The day was absolutely beautiful and I loved the guest house I stayed in and the free breakfast was a bonus! The Wallace tower has amazing views and I loved the Glencoe region! Our tour guide Ian was great!! I highly recommend this tour because it’s 2 days so no need for rushing! It is very leisurely and Loch Ness and fort Augustus are also great to visit!”

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7.2-Day Outlander Experience Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $345

Follow Claire and Jamie’s Scotland on a two-day small-group tour from Edinburgh. Visit Midhope, Blackness, Doune, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Falkland, and Culross, with one night in Inverness, breakfast, and a driver-guide. Guides such as John, Graham, Steven B, and Chris bring extra Scottish history to the road between filming sites.

“Our tour guide Chris was amazing. Not only was he extremely knowledgable about all the outlander sites we visited he was extremely knowledgable about Scotland. He made everyone feel comfortable and made sure everyone’s goals for the tour and questions were answered. Even if you’re not an outlander fan this was an unforgettable experience. Thanks Chris & Highlander Experience Tours! A++”

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8.Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands – 2 Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $177Best value

This two-day Timberbush tour links Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden and the Cairngorms. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle with a driver-guide, stay overnight in Inverness if selected, and return via Edinburgh, with a complimentary train ticket to Glasgow. Guides such as Mark, Gillian and Alistair have led past departures.

“We toured little known and evocative sites in the Scottish Highlands, each more memorable than the last. Well sone!”

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9.Eilean Donan, Loch Ness & Glenfinnan – 2 Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $177

Travel from Glasgow through Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Glenfinnan, Fort William, Eilean Donan, and Loch Ness on a small-group Highland tour. Your guide handles the driving and storytelling, with an overnight stay in Fort William and a train ride back to Glasgow via Edinburgh. Guides may include Mark, Shug, Tom, or Paul.

“Excellent trip. Paul our guide was great. Just be more precise with the pickup times in Glasgow.Auto-translated”

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10.2 Days Private Custom Tour of Scotland from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 2 days (approx.)

Spend two eight-hour days exploring the Scottish Highlands with Brian of Wynding Road Tours. Your route is built around your interests, with pickup from Edinburgh, the airport, Leith, or Glasgow Airport. Expect history, stories, scenic stops, and a private vehicle for your group of up to seven.

“We can't say enough great things about Brian! Our tour was similar to traveling with a knowledgeable family member! He took everything into consideration, down to our 2-yr-old's schedule (and attitude of the moment). I'm not sure how he did it but we definitely saw & learned a LOT of Scotland without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. We traveled with our 3 kids (1 special needs child, a 13-yr-old and a 2-yr-old) and he was super fantastic with them. Totally recommended this tour especially if you're traveling with kids. Brian surely made our trip to Scotland spectacular! (I wish we had him with us when we went to Dublin...)”

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11.Create Your Own Special 2 Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 2 days (approx.)

You and one companion can shape a private two-day Highland route from Inverness with help from Catherine and driver-guide Roger. Expect hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, water, parking, and flexible stops including Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, the Black Cuillin, Glencoe, Fort William, and Loch Ness.

“Wonderful trip. Catherine is amazing, she spent hours planning the perfect trip for us, from where to visit, to eat, to stay, what to do. She had to change the itinerary several times to fit our schedule and satisfied our desires. Help us picking the restaurants, hotel and made all the bookings for us. Roger (the tour guide/driver) is very caring, attentive and funny. He made our trip memorable. He does not mind made changes on the way to fulfill our wishes. Very on time. He became a friend of the family. Highly recommend this company.”

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12.2 Days on the Loch Ness Canal of Caledonia and the Highlands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $245

Travel from Edinburgh with a professional guide, including Alberto on many departures, for two packed days through Pitlochry, Blair Athol, Cairngorms National Park, Inverness, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Fort William, Glencoe, Loch Lomond, and Luss. Your $245 fare includes one night, breakfast, admissions, and a small group of up to eight.

“Great tour guide Alberto ! Tons of knowledge & excited to show us around everywhere . He never skipped a beat . My family & friends had saw more than anticipated 😊”

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13.2-Day Private Loch Ness Tour – in Luxury Mercedes Minivan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $1,231

Travel from Edinburgh to Loch Ness in a private Mercedes minivan, stopping at the Kelpies, Stirling, Glencoe, Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Clava Cairns, and more. You spend one night near Inverness, with breakfast, WiFi, private transport, and a flexible guide-led route included. Entry fees, lunch, dinner, and whisky tasting cost extra.

“Amazing experience! Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in seeing some of the best sites but more exclusively!!”

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