Scotland · SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TOURS

The 15 Best Highland Tours & Day Trips

147 tours  ·  from $10

Almost every Highland day trip is a long one, and the difference is what it stops for. These 15 are compared on how far north they get, whether Glencoe and the loch cruise are both in, and what the admission tickets add.

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour - Fort William and Ben Nevis from the road
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Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

1.Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,854 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs to Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, the Cairngorms and Pitlochry. Your Hairy Coo driver-guide, such as Ryan, Rod, John or William, provides live stories throughout. Choose a Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle visit or Deanston whisky stop, with extra fees payable.

“Horrible tour. Tour guide Meko or whatever it is his name talked the whole time and a lot of personal stuff. Super annoying”

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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise - Callander and Loch Lomond scenery
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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

2.Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,022 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $84

Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking guide such as Jim, Kenny, Shea, or Andrew. Stop at Glencoe, Fort Augustus, Spean Bridge, and Pitlochry, then cruise Loch Ness. Expect stunning scenery, local stories, regular breaks, and a very long day on the road.

“Kenny was the best guide, he played local music for the area on our ride. Extremely informative, great driver and host.”

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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands - Loch Tulla gives you a quick, wide Highland view
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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands

3.Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,771 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $62

Spend a full day touring Scotland’s Highlands from Edinburgh, with stops at Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Fort Augustus, Pitlochry, and the Commando Monument. Your English-speaking driver-guide, possibly Keith, Anthony, Brian, or Ross, fills the long drives with history, music, jokes, and local tales. An optional Loch Ness cruise costs extra.

“We were quite intimidated by the length of the tour however it honestly flew by. The commentary along the drive was nice and wide spread facts and jokes. The breaks to stretch always came at a nice time and broke up the long journey nicely. All of the stops were delightful and Anthony constantly was looking to give more than just the minimum, he was constantly going out of his way to make the experience special. We didn’t have any admission fees to pay - everywhere we went we were just able to walk around easily. In Loch Ness we didn’t take the optional £21 (each) boat tour but we…”

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Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh - Perthshire and the Highland cows
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Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

4.Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,793 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $74

Leave central Edinburgh with a local driver-guide and cross Perthshire, the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, and Glencoe in one long day. You can add a Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle visit for £30 in cash. Guides such as Chris, Alan, Terry, Ben, and Jamie are praised for lively stories, while short stops mean snacks are wise.

“Steven B was great! Several photo stops and great information. Loch ness boat tour was a bit underwhelming but the rest of the tour was very scenic.”

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Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh - Glencoe and the long sweep of Rannoch Moor
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Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh

5.Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,233 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $85

Travel from Edinburgh through Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, and Pitlochry with a driver-guide. Expect sweeping mountain views, live commentary, photo stops, and about an hour near Loch Ness. Optional extras include a cruise, Urquhart Castle, and a whisky experience. Guides on recent departures have included Mark, Holly, Sam, and Nick.

“What a wonderful travel. John, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and kind. Learn something about the history.”

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Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh - Leaving Edinburgh for Callander
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Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

6.Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,884 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $59

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands by climate-controlled coach, stopping at Callander, Glencoe, Loch Ness, and Pitlochry. Your driver-guide, possibly Brendan, Ian, or Dougie, provides history and local stories throughout the 12-hour day. An optional Loch Ness cruise costs extra, while food is not included.

“The tour driver is outstanding and does a great job, you won’t regret the tour but it’s a long day so mentally prepare yourself for it and it will be well worth it.”

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Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow - Starting at Buchanan Bus Station
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Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow

7.Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,432 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $50Best value

Ride from Glasgow in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a driver-guide such as James, George, Grant, or Caitlin. You’ll stop at Loch Lomond, Inveraray, Kilchurn Castle, Oban, Castle Stalker, and Glencoe, with time for photos, lunch, and short walks. Expect excellent storytelling, changing weather, and a full day on the road.

“Had a great wxperience with Katelyn bery entertaining in every spot that we visit. Highly recommended!”

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3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh - Your Inverness base matters more than it first appears
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3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh

8.3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,351 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $224

Travel from Edinburgh to the Highlands and Isle of Skye in a small air-conditioned coach, with stops at Glenfinnan Viaduct, Portree, Quiraing, Culloden, and Loch Ness. Your Hairy Coo driver-guide handles the narrow roads and shares Scottish history, folklore, music, and local tips. You arrange two nights in Inverness yourself.

“Be prepared for a whirlwind tour! Pack plenty of extra batteries for your camera and a good sized memory card as everywhere you turn there will be things to photograph. Pack light but plan for weather that can literally encompass all four seasons in one day…sometimes twice. Stephen was our guide. If you have a sense of humor and appreciate a genuine Scot, he’s your man. He was knowledgeable, enjoyed his job, and funny as hell. He managed to herd the cats (our group of tourists) which was a feat of pure genius. If he makes a recommendation, as with any local in Scotland, take note.”

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3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh - Portree: two nights, with dinner planning required
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3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

9.3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,276 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $705

Ride from Edinburgh to Skye in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a driver-guide who adjusts the route to weather and group interests. You’ll see Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, Old Man of Storr, and Kilt Rock, then sleep two nights in Portree in a B&B or 3-star hotel.

“We had a pleasant time during this trip. Our guide and driver Rhys was amazing and knowledgeable, he guided us to the beautiful spots for photo and also recommended us the restaurants/cafe for lunch and dinner.”

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Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness - The guide can shape the whole day
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Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness

10.Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,227 reviews · from $262

Travel from Inverness through Loch Ness country to Fort William, then ride the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving while you see Urquhart Castle, the Commando Monument, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort Augustus, Suidhe Viewpoint, and Dores Beach. Guides may include Harrison, Iain, Fraser, Stewart, Emma, or Karen.

“Excellent tour! But the actual Jacobite / Harry Potter train part is a waste of time. No steam engine , no air conditioning , no opening windows , and dirty 1970s train cars. Thank god we had the clean air conditioned coach to take us around to even better views than what Read more”

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Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise - What the guides add to the experience
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Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise

11.Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,211 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $83

Travel from Glasgow in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach through Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, and the Highlands. Enjoy a 50-minute Loch Ness cruise, scenic photo stops, and lively guiding from drivers such as Maggie, John, James, and Cameron. Bring lunch money, walking shoes, and patience for a very long day.

“Our tour to Loch Ness was thoroughly enjoyable, with a journey that offered breathtaking scenery throughout. Our guide was attentive and ensured we paused at all the picturesque spots for photo opportunities and convenient pit stops, which were much appreciated. The only drawback was the length of the journey, which limited the time available at each stop. As multiple tour buses tended to arrive simultaneously at popular locations, this occasionally led to congestion. As a result, purchasing food became challenging, and at times, we had to forgo it altogether.”

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3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh - Portree: two nights, with dinner planning required
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3 Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

12.3 Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,138 reviews · 3 days (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh through Glencoe, Fort William, Mallaig, and the Isle of Skye, with two nights of accommodation and breakfast included. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving and adds stories about Scottish history, myths, and nature. Expect a small-group trip of up to 34 people, with optional Jacobite Steam Train travel.

“Hogwarts Express; Travel through the Highlands; Isle of Skye; Dunvegan Castle and more. Our tour guide JADA was tops!! She made sure we saw as much as we could and did an excellent job as tour guide.”

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West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Day Tour Including Admission - Luss and the first look at Loch Lomond
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West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Day Tour Including Admission

13.West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Day Tour Including Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,122 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $68

Travel from Edinburgh into the West Highlands in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide. You’ll see Loch Lomond, Luss, Rest and Be Thankful, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray, and Doune Castle, with admission to Doune included. Guides such as Rose, Kieran, Russell, and Ali are praised for lively stories, Scottish music, and careful driving.

“Scotland‘s West Highlands are beautiful! Ester was our guide and she was a font of knowledge. Loved visiting Doune Castle, especially if you’re a Monty Pythons fan! Delicious lunch in Inverary at Ocho. Great Whisky shopping there and nice shoppes. Visited Luss on the shores of Loch Lomand. Beautiful scenery. Highly recommend this tour.”

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Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh - Pitlochry: a short Highland coffee stop
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Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

14.Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,114 reviews · from $262

Travel from Edinburgh to Pitlochry, Glenfinnan, Mallaig, and Glencoe with an English-speaking guide. Ride the Jacobite Steam Train from Mallaig to Fort William, see the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and hear Harry Potter filming facts alongside Highland history. The day lasts about 13 hours and 30 minutes, with food and hotel transfers not included.

“The overall experience was great! Tom was our tour guide and he understood the assignment! He was funny, gave us interesting local historical facts and stories that helped passed the time, was personal, so kind, and very responsible. We Read more”

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Edinburgh: Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour - Weather, walking, and the accommodation choice
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Edinburgh: Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour

15.Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,002 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $235

Travel from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye in a small group of up to 19 people, with two nights in or near Portree. Your driver-guide, possibly Scott, Jada, Alan, Andrew, or another Timberbush guide, leads you through Glencoe, Kilt Rock, the Quiraing, Eilean Donan Castle, and Loch Ness. Expect long coach rides, short scenic stops, and weather-ready walking.

“Alan made this trip amazing!! His ability to work through the Highlands weather with all 13 of us and make every stop enjoyable with his jokes music and stories made us feel well taken care of. We will be vet for the the sheraff or the unicorn! Alan Jill and I wish you all Hods best and recommend you ask for him by name. The best guide on the isle.”

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New in Scottish Highlands Tours

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