Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Embark on an unforgettable 12-hour adventure from Edinburgh and experience the very best of the Scottish Highlands. Travel in comfort aboard a luxury mini-coach with a friendly, knowledgeable guide and a small group of no more than 16 people – ensuring a relaxed, personalised experience.
Marvel at the dramatic landscapes of Glencoe, steeped in history and surrounded by towering peaks. Continue your journey through rugged Highland scenery to the picturesque village of Fort Augustus.
Here, you’ll enjoy a cruise on the mysterious Loch Ness, where you can soak up breath-taking views and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the elusive Nessie! With the water stretching out against a backdrop of forested hills, this is a true highlight of the day.
Afterwards, travel through the stunning Cairngorms National Park, passing natural landmarks. Your final stop is the charming Victorian town of Pitlochry, where you can enjoy a short stroll before the scenic drive back to Edinburgh.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Check-in closes 15 minutes prior to departure. This tour will depart from Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ. Check-in will close at 07:30 (tour will depart at 07:45).
Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
In order to retain the integrity of the tour and try to ensure that all our customers have the best possible experience, we do cap bookings from any one party to 8 passengers.
We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding.
Loch Ness cruise – We reserve tickets for you. Included in tour price.
Please note, this tour returns to Edinburgh around 20:00 PM
*The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice.
**This route may be reversed on some occasions.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Top range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
Admission Fee - includes 50 minute cruise on Loch Ness
The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
The chance to see "Nessie", the Loch Ness monster
Small Group Tour (maximum 16 passengers)
Admission Fees unless specified
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off
Food and drinks
What To Expect
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Your driver-guide takes you to their favourite stop within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park where you can grab coffee and enjoy the views.
Glencoe Mountain Resort
Be moved by the sheer beauty and tragic tales of one of Scotland’s most famous landscapes.
Options
Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
Reviews
5,981 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
It was a day well spent, and Jim really was the cherry on top.
Aikaterini T,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A day well spent! You have a chance to see so beautiful and interesting places. The Scottish nature!!, well known mountains, lots of noches and cute little villages. If your tour guide is Jim, congratulations! Your day will be even better than you think. I couldn't ask for a better tour guide. He went above and beyond! So passionate!
Family approved, fantastic tour, enjoyable experience.
Jan A,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had such an amazing experience with the loch ness tour. The entire trip was the perfect balance of educational and entertaining and we genuinely learned a lot, but never felt overwhelmed or bored. Shoutout to Nathan, our guide, he was incredibly attentive to everyone’s needs, always checking in and making sure we were all comfortable. Nathan kept us engaged with historical trivia, and a few chuckles that we all appreciated. One thing we really appreciated was how well-paced the journey was. There were enough toilet breaks, rest stops and moments to stretch, which made the whole day feel relaxed instead of rushed. All in all, everything was smooth, enjoyable and well-organized. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fun and genuinely enriching experience.
Our Tour Guide was Kenny...
Cassandra V,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Tour Guide was Kenny and he was wonderful! He was full of knowledge and fun facts about the various stops and was kind and helpful every step of the way. My sister who I traveled with uses a walker and he helped her stow it each stop and checked in before the next to ensure if she needed it he could get it for her asap. There was good conversations throughout the day and it was an interactive tour, not one where we were just talked at so it was quite enjoyable. If I ever find myself out here again I know where to go for my next tour and exploration.
Super fun exploring Scottish Highlands with Keith
SAQUIB J,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00An almost 12hrs trip but none of the time we felt that we were tired. Keith was amazing with his folklores and puns. He knew the lands and it was super fun being with him. He was very informative and engaging. The cruise was a bit let down (since we have done Norway in a Nutshell) but overall we loved it.
This tour was ok, it was...
Sonia L,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00This tour was ok, it was quite boring for the most part, the other bigger tour groups seem to have more fun. This is mostly driving around the hills and lochs, you will not see any of the highland cows at close proximity. The tour guide was great, but I felt like stopping over to some well known spots being offered on other tours would fit me better.
Amazing!
Brigid B,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Rhys was amazing, he made the tour so enjoyable, especially with his Scottish music! You could sense his passion for showing tourists the beauty of Scotland! It is a lot of driving but also a lot to see! Such gorgeous, breathtaking views.
Tour Guide From Hell
hannahcQ816VM,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Tour Guide: Ally P Rating: 1 out of 5 stars This was, without exaggeration, the most painful and disappointing tour experience I have ever had. The beauty of the Scottish scenery was completely overshadowed by the relentlessly distracting and self-centered performance of our guide, Ally P. From the moment the 12-hour journey began, Ally P talked non-stop. The sheer volume of unrelated chatter—consisting mostly of obscure pop-culture references, ramblings about his personal life, and lengthy expositions on his favorite musicians—made the ride unbearable. • Difficult to Follow: When he did attempt to discuss the landmarks or historical events we were passing, he was a terrible storyteller. He constantly went off on long, irrelevant tangents, making it nearly impossible to follow the thread of what was supposed to be the educational part of the tour. • Zero Peace and Quiet: There was not a single moment of peace to simply look out the window and enjoy the stunning views. If he wasn't rambling on, he was playing music loudly and singing loudly along with it, treating the bus like his private concert venue. His behavior toward passengers was equally unacceptable. At one point, a passenger was understandably wearing headphones, seeking a moment of respite from the constant noise. When he addressed her, he publicly shamed her for listening to her own music—an act of staggering hypocrisy given that he was playing his music loudly for everyone. The tour concluded with an incredibly inappropriate and unprofessional demand for tips. Ally P essentially stated that if passengers didn't tip, they were "entitled." Considering the high cost of the tour and the genuinely awful experience he provided, this final comment was insulting and cemented the feeling that our comfort and enjoyment were secondary to his ego and self-promotion. I would strongly advise against booking any tour led by Ally P. He is one of the most annoying people I have ever encountered, and he completely ruined what should have been a memorable day exploring Scotland.
Relaxing, plenty of stops...
Lynn R,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Relaxing, plenty of stops for pictures, refreshments and bio breaks. Very educational tour guide, very knowledgeable on the area and history.
Had the best day even...
Sophie T,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Had the best day even snowed , saw the magical Scottish highlands 100% recommend even though it’s a long day
Loch Ness and Highlands
Nathalie K,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a long day, with most of the time spent in the van traveling to Loch Ness. Having said that, the views, brief stops, and commentary along the way to Loch Ness make it well worth it. Our driver and guide Bryan was absolutely fantastic. He was entertaining, informative, and incredibly funny.
From £61.24
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