Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour
Overview
Available languages
12 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Embark on an unforgettable 1-day adventure through Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands. This jam-packed tour offers stunning scenery, unspoiled landscapes, and a chance to escape the bustle of modern life.
This tour comes in three different versions. Book the Boat Cruise option if you’d like to stop in Fort Augustus and join a boat cruise on Loch Ness, the Whisky Distillery option if you’d like to do the distillery tour, or the Boat Cruise and Castle option if you’d prefer a shorter cruise and to visit Urquhart Castle. Please note that some versions are only available on specific days.
Immerse yourself in Scottish culture through captivating myths, legends, and historical landmarks. Visit the mysterious Loch Ness, marvel at the dramatic beauty of Glencoe, and (season permitting) meet the iconic Highland Cows.
Every winding road reveals new photo opportunities, stories, and memories.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note: the Cruise & Castle version will run the route in reverse.
Feel free to bring a packed lunch and/or snacks to avoid spending time queuing. There are regular stops on tour to purchase food and refreshments that suit most dietary requirements
There are regular stops on tour for comfort breaks, as we do not have toilets onboard the coaches
There are three versions of this tour, please ensure you pick your preferred option when booking. Tickets to activity can be purchased during the tour.
Minimum age to travel is 7 years old (8 for Whisky Distillery option). Photo ID, such as a passport, may be required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
This tour has been designed to show you as much of Scotland as we can fit into one day! Due to the distance driven a large portion of the tour is spent on the bus, taking in the views and scenery of Scotland. Any time not accounted for in the itinerary is spent travelling through Scotland on the bus.
Please note: To manage demand and protect smaller towns during peak season, the route may run in reverse. A significant portion of the tour is spent on the bus, allowing you to relax and soak in the breathtaking Highland views.
We do not allow bookings for more than 8 passengers, please reach out if you are looking to book a larger group.
Scottish weather is unpredictable, we recommend bringing suitable clothing and footwear.
What To Expect
Callander
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 Cruise & Castle version will drive the route in reserve and will make an alternative comfort stop due to limited opening hours in Callander**
Deanston Distillery & Visitor Centre
Passengers joining the Whisky Distillery Option, your journey begins with a visit to Deanston Distillery instead of Callander. Housed in a former cotton mill and nestled on the banks of the River Teith, the distillery produces a range of premium single malt whiskies. Enjoy an optional guided tour through the distillery (tickets not included), 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. *Please note that the minimum age on the distillery tour is 8.*
Options
With optional Distillery Visit
Stop at Deanston Distillery: This tour will not stop at Callander or include boat. Tickets for optional distillery tour & tasting not included. 8 years+
With optional Boat Cruise
Optional Loch Ness Boat Cruise: This tour will not stop at Deanston distillery. Tickets for optional boat cruise not included. 7 years+
Optional Cruise & Castle visit
Route driven in reverse: This tour will not stop at the distillery or Fort Augustus. Tickets for optional boat cruise & castle not included. 7 years+
What‘s Included
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Regular Comfort Breaks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Experienced 'Hairy Coo' Driver-Guide providing live commentary and story telling throughout
No Food and drinks
No Toilet/Restroom on board. There are no public toilets available by the departure point.
Boat Cruise version: Loch Ness Boat Cruise tickets not included (Adults £22, Children £15)
Whisky Distillery option: Deanston Distillery tour & tasting not included (£15.50 for adults, £6 for children)
Cruise and entry to Urquhart Castle not included (£32 per adult, £23 per child)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
7,109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful time!!
Mike H,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We absolutely loved this! Granted you might not get to spend as much time as you would like at each of the places. However, you see a lot!!! John was our driver. He was very knowledgeable and definitely the kind of guy you would want to hang out with to have fun. Great Job and Great Service!!!
Beautiful and incredible tour
E3722XZgracem,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My friends and I had a great time with Ryan and Ben. They led us well through the Highlands, taught us a lot of history, shared stories, and entertained us throughout the rides. Most importantly, we felt safe and valued the whole trip. Could not recommend more!
If you want to get ill, then book this trip
katyat2024,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I really do not recommend this trip. Most of the time, you are on the bus with the air conditioning blowing cold air directly onto your face and feet. We asked the guide several times to reduce it (especially since it was only 9°C outside), but nothing changed. The excursion commentary was also too loud throughout the entire trip. It could have been a really nice experience, but instead we ended up freezing and with headaches.
Heart of Scotland
G1201MRigors,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The experience was great. Sincerely appreciated Jason’s driving and company during the entire trip. Definitely recommended!
The drive is beautiful...
Melissa H,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The drive is beautiful and very much worth it. The group we were with, not so much. If you can't be on time then book something else. The group's tardiness (sometimes 30 mins late back to the bus) cut most of the stops out and made the day longer without seeing as much. The trip itself was amazing.
Neal did a great job on...
Michelle P,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Neal did a great job on the tour! We learned a lot of history on the way and got to make extra stops on the trip. It was a very special day that I’ll never forget. Thank you!
10/10 would recommend!
lunabU5166XS,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing trip, amazing guide! Neil kept our spirits high trough the entire day! Would definitely book again!
Not suitable for mentally struggled people
703fayv,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00We went on the boat trip so my severely disabled mother could look for the lock ness monster and the man on the boat told everyone that he thinks it’s just an large eel and my mother was very disappointed and this caused her to have a breakdown and not enjoy rest off her holiday
Good concept but not nearly enough activities over such a long day
Dov G,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00It was so much time sitting on the bus. I'm pretty sure we had 2 or 3 30-45 minutes stops over the course of 12 hours.
Incredible Sights and History - Disorganized Structure
Victor P,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Two things can be true at the same time, and they are with this tour. The scenery, towns, experiences and history were incredibly, otherworldly. The tour structure was also disorganized and frustrating at multiple points. The Bad - 1. The tour would have benefitted greatly from a two person team, a driver and a guide. Stephen served as both. He was tasked with driving a tour bus along two lane mountain roads while trying to recount 14th century history. While he managed this quite well most of the time, and we were safe the whole time, many times you could tell he (rightly) was more focused on driving than telling the story. I don't know how common it is to have a guide and driver rolled into one, but it felt a bit like the company was trying to save a buck making one person do it all. 2. The organization of the tour was not smooth. We left every stop of the day late because someone from the group had wandered off or gone into the gift store when they were told not to or grabbed a sit down meal when it should have been a snack. While this sounds like the guest's fault, I think it's down to a failure to set clear expectations. There was not threat to leave folks behind if they were late, and timings weren't written down. For non-English speakers, I don't think it's clear verbally only that you have 10 minutes at a stop. Other tours I've been on explicitly wrote down the time to be back at the bus on a whiteboard to make it universally understood. Additionally, other tours make it clear to be back five minutes before departure, whereas no such guidance was given here. This resulted in the 90% of the bus being ready to go and waiting minutes more for the stragglers. It summed up through the day to mean we lost almost a quarter of our time at Loch Ness. 3. The Highland are REMOTE. That's great for scenery, terrible for bathrooms. Perhaps only one of the facilities stops along the 14 hour day was truly adequate for the number of people on the bus. Let alone when we showed up at the same time as other busses. The Women's line consistently took 15 minutes to get through despite allegedly only have 10 minutes to break to stay on time. Stephen was kind about it and didn't rush anyone, but it seemed inadequate for the size of group on the bus. 4. Again, the Highlands are REMOTE, and there's only two ways up to Loch Ness that a bus can transverse. Sooo, when say, a truck fire burns up the eastern route, you're stuck coming all the way back down the long way (western route). While this brought us back through Glencoe during Golden Hour and way stunning, technically we saw all the same things again we had the way up, and it added an hour to our route (we didn't see Pitlochry). This wasn't Hairy Coo's fault, but it is worth considering that when you're up that far north, you really are in the extremity of the mainland of Great Britain. If things don't go to plan, they can add a lot of time. Hairy Coo explicitly warns not to book anything right after the expected return, and this should be taken seriously. 5. Stephen's (the guide) humor could be hot and cold. For the most part I found him entertaining, but I think it was grating to some. Particularly once it was established that we'd have an extra hour and see all the same things again, the humor wasn't necessary to the same extent. 6. Be prepared for crowds and to not see everything as you expect. We went in May, just before peak season, and it was busy. Roadwork backed folks up, and parking lots were overflowing. There were stops we had to find an alternative location for because the bus spots were gone. In other places we narrowly snagged the last spot. And your photos are going to have people and cars in the foreground unless you do some smart angling. There's nothing wrong with people wanting to see the Highlands, obviously I was one of the crowd. But while you'll be awed by the Highlands, be ware you'll be one of thousands on a nice day. 7. My wife and I agreed that the tour bus format just seems too large for the facilities at hand and the organization structure of the tour. It's nice to sit up high, but it just seems to be forcing too many people into small spaces at once. The Good - 1. The scenery is genuinely stunning. Whatever you picture from Harry Potter, Outlander, National Geographic or Game of Thrones, it's more. Some things seem small in the distance, like some of the castles. But by the time your driving through the moors and through the mountains (specifically Glencoe), it's indescribable. It's such a big, open landscape that photos can't capture the vastness. It almost feels like you're falling into the scenery. Unlike anywhere else I've experienced. 2. The tour offers a lot of history along the way and fills time in between stops pretty well. Stephen offered engaging stories and histories and played fun, traditional, and current Scottish music along the way. 3. The meeting location was smooth and obvious and out of the way. Would be a bit of a hike if you're staying anywhere west of Edinburgh Castle. In summary, I'm grateful for the experience and for an expert driver to navigate the insanely tight roads of the Highlands. I was not impressed with the lack of structure and the many avoidable delays and frustrations along the way.
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