Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands - 2 Day Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 days
Mobile ticket
Take our 2-day Loch Ness, Inverness and the Highlands tour from Edinburgh, travel in comfort and savour the delights of the Highlands with your guide: see rivers, lochs and mountains, and experience plenty of rich Highland history - with an overnight stay in the Highland capital of Inverness.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age is 4 years.
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Digital translations in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian & Mandarin available on request.
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund.
Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before your tour's departure time.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
If you book your own accommodation, it must be within 2km of Inverness city centre.
Luggage is restricted to one medium sized suitcase per person. For guidance: a medium sized suitcase is considered 60-69cm high and roughly 45cm in width.
Please note: from 3rd December 2024 our Edinburgh tours will depart from NCP Castle Terrace, EH1 2EW.
What To Expect
Fom Edinburgh to Inverness
Accommodations
Customers can opt to stay in a B&B or Youth Hostel.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
From Edinburgh, we depart in the morning and head west to pick up the Glasgow passengers. From there, we head north to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park area where we will stop for a quick comfort break to enjoy the beautiful scenery. *On tours where the coach has no pick ups from Glasgow, the route on Day 1 will travel via Stirling.
Glencoe
Our tour continues north to dramatic Glencoe which you may recognise from James Bond’s Skyfall. We will stop here to take in the haunting scenery of the area and to learn about its fascinating history, as it was the location of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald clan. Be sure to bring your camera for fantastic photos of one of Scotland’s most poignant locations before we continue north to the loch-side town of Fort William.
Fort William
We arrive in Fort William, a picturesque loch-side town, for a lunch break.
Commando Monument
After a scenic loch-side lunch break, we head to the Commando Memorial. Enjoy magnificent views of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain, as you learn about the meaning behind the memorial.
Fort Augustus
From there, our tour continues towards Loch Ness. First resting at Fort Augustus, a picturesque town at the foot of the loch that offers spectacular views. Be sure to keep an eye out for Nessie! There may also be a photo opportunity at the impressive ruins of Urquhart Castle should time permit.
Inverness
We arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. This is where we will check into our accommodation for the night and you will have free time to explore the city.
From Inverness to Edinburgh
Culloden Battlefield
After a hearty highland breakfast, our second day of touring will begin. We will head out of Inverness and head towards two of the most important historical sites in the north of Scotland. Our first stop of the day is Culloden Battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites were defeated by the Duke of Cumberland.
Clava Cairns
We then journey towards Clava Cairns, a group of burial monuments that offer a glimpse into the life and rituals of Scots in the Bronze Age, over 4,000 years ago.
Cairngorms National Park
Following a photo stop at Carrbridge, our tour will head into the spectacular Cairngorms National Park - the largest National Park in the United Kingdom. Enjoy a relaxing lunch stop on the shores of Loch Morlich. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of the wildlife that is known to inhabit the area.
Ruthven Barracks
After this, our next stop will be the old military garrison of Ruthven Barracks, built by General Wade and the British Government after the Jacobite Rising of 1715.
Blair Athol Distillery
On our return journey to Edinburgh, there is the opportunity for a visit to Blair Athol Distillery. Here, there will be time for a tour and tasting, where you can sample some award-winning scotch whisky. Please note that due to availability, this may not always be possible. If we are unable to visit Blair Athol, we will instead have time to explore the historic Victorian town of Pitlochry.
Forth Bridge
We then begin the final stretch of our journey back towards Edinburgh, crossing over the impressive Queensferry Crossing. This engineering giant spans the Firth of Forth, and joins the Forth Road Bridge and iconic Forth Rail Bridge, representing 3 centuries of Scottish engineering and innovation. After a short journey, we then arrive back in Edinburgh, where our 2-day Loch Ness, Inverness and the Highlands tour will come to an end.
Options
Tour with Single B&B
Our 2 day tour including accommodation in a single room at a Bed and Breakfast.
Double/Twin/Family B&B
Double / Twin / Family Room: Double (1 bed that sleeps 2), twin (2 single beds in one room) or family room accommodation at a bed & breakfast is included.
Tour Only
Your 2 day tour without accommodation. If choosing this option, you are required to make your own accommodation arrangements. Please ensure you reserve a room in central Inverness.
What‘s Included
1 night accommodation (unless 'no accommodation' option is selected)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Live commentary on board
Knowledgeable driver-guide
Food and drinks, unless specified
Accommodation, unless chosen
Attraction Tickets
Gratuities
Restroom on board
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Reviews
201 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Entertaining & fun excursion to the highlands.
Kathy C,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gregor was a great tour guide who was very entertaining and knowledgeable about Scottish history. Emma did a great job driving us all over!!
Good views, nice...
Konsta J,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Good views, nice knowledgeble tour guide Freddie. Also good music on the mini bus. The tour was not exactly as in the itinerary, we missed for example The whisky distillery visit that we were looking forward to. The trip was otherwise well paced.
Definitely recommended.
metino551,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Perfection. 10/10 w/ the best tour guide and driver in the Kingdom: Scott. Thank you so much. Sevtap&Metin of İstanbul.
Amazing views
veronicabW5896LI,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Finally i got to visit the highlands and i am not disappointed. Wonderful views, lovely travel companions and we just loved our fantastic guide Martin. Highly recommended!
2 day tour for Loch ness, Highlands, Inverness
bris232017,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Places were breathtaking, my seat was in front of the minibus so I had for a day at least a great view of the road, Shug was our driver, being English my second language I had a hard time to understand his accent and probably it was both ways, so I missed some bits of the history of the whole tour, I think some places were just little towns with nothing much to see and we expend time without no much to do, which was disappointing at the end not being able to do the whisky tour on the second day, also the second day since picking up guesses from B&B in inverness our front seats were changed for 3 of us, I was not happy about it, I lost my view, he mentioned something about changing the seats, the reason I don't remember but taking that decision from me was not good. I was the last to picked up, I guess he wanted to talk with the native english speakers since I was quiet admiring the views, on the waterfalls in foyers we encountered another tour guide from timberbush I wished she was our tour guide, I could understand her so clearly and she was like more fun. Overall most of the places we visited were amazing, the ice cream whisky was delicious but I was looking forward to end my tour with the whisky tour, so I had to go back one day...and I was not the only one.
Inverness tour
Teri V,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Tour Guide was awesome. Lots of laughs and a great personality. It was great to learn about all of the history. He was very knowledgeable.
12-hour tour up to Lochness with super guide and bus driver Holly.
Bertil B,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0012-hour ride from Edinburgh to Lochness with fine stops along the way. Super guide and bus driver Holly!
A wonderful day
David B,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great day with Clair and Ronnie. Clair very personal and knowledgeable about Scotland and Scottish history
Very enjoyable trip
paulcR7844CF,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Our guide, Jonathan was entertaining, informative, and an excellent driver. We covered a considerable distance, but stopped every hour or so for vistas and photos, refreshments and toilet-stops so it didn't feel like we spent hours on the minibus. Following the occasional show of hands, the tour was tailored to the wishes of the group e.g. whether to stop at a distillery and if so, which one. We would definitely book with Timberbush again.
Long and boring
Tor Ådne J,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Very long bus ride, with few stops. Stop for lunch was at a miserable canteen with very poor food. Loch Ness had little to offer. Another stop at a tourist store. The nature we saw while we drove the bus was nice.
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Operated by Timberbush Tours