Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour
5,911 Reviews
4.86 out of 5 stars Based on 5,911 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor
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Recommended by 97% of reviewers
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Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Edinburgh, Scotland
12 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
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.
Immerse yourself in Scottish culture through captivating myths, legends, and historical landmarks. Visit the mysterious Loch Ness where you can enjoy an optional boat cruise and perhaps spot Nessie! 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.
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.
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
- Food and drinks
- No Toilet/Restroom on board. There are no public toilets available by the departure point.
- WiFi on board
- No children under the age of 7 allowed
- Please note that we do not allow groups over 8 passengers, and ask that groups book private tours.
- Tickets to the Loch Ness boat cruise can be purchased from driver-guide on the day of the tour. Adults £21, Children £14. We suggest paying in cash to help speed up the process.
Meeting Location
Meeting point
Regent Road
Edinburgh EH8 8DR, UK
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Callander
After departing Edinburgh we’ll head north through the central belt of the country. Your guide will entertain with many a story about Scotland’s past heroes like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. You will spot royal palaces, giant mythical Kelpies and the ancient stronghold of Stirling Castle before we arrive at our first stop of the day in the town of Callander. Known as “The Gateway to the Highlands” Callander is situated on the boundary of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.We stop here for a comfort break, as it's an ideal place to stretch your legs and refresh before you rejoin the bus to enter the highlands properly.If we happen to spot some of our famous ‘Hairy Highland Coos’, we stop for a selfie (seasonal availability Mid November – March).Please note that during the summer season, the first coach of the day will drive the route in reverse and will have a different comfort stop before Callander.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (Pass By)
As we enter The ‘Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park’ our bus weaves through hills, mountains and Glens. These remote places were once inhabited by Highland Clans, not to mention Scotland’s most famous outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor, whom some consider The Scottish Robin Hood. Look out across the landscape and picture what it was like as you hear the remarkable bloodthirsty stories of betrayal and revenge as told by your guide.
Glencoe
We stop for a short visit to Glencoe, which was the scene of one of Scotland’s most shocking massacres. As you gaze at the haunting hills, you notice the Glen is eerily silent. In the 17th century one of the worst acts of betrayal occurred here. Your guide will recount the details of this betrayal for you. You can almost feel the sorrow in the mountains of the ‘weeping valley’. Above all though, Glencoe is one of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes. A highlight of any tour to the Scottish Highlands!
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Fort William (Pass By)
The tour then takes you through Fort William and past the spectacular Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles. The Nevis Range towers over the winding road as you continue your journey to Loch Ness.
Fort Augustus
Desperate for a glimpse of ‘Nessie’?Fort Augustus, a charming, postcard-perfect, Highland village on the Southern shores of the Loch. From here you will have the opportunity to take a fantastic 1-hour cruise on the loch with our friends at Cruise Loch Ness.The local crew on board share their experiences of Nessie, as you search for yourself. All with the aid of a state of the art Sonar equipment helping you scan the near 900 foot depths of the loch below (tickets not included in the tour booking).For those who do not wish to take the optional boat cruise, you will have time to explore the village and its beautiful Caledonian Canal lock system, built by the famous engineer Thomas Telford in the 19th century, that descends through the heart of the village into Loch Ness. Walk further along the canal and into the surrounding countryside to enjoy mountainous views and sights of farm animals and possibly red deer.
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Commando Monument
Along the route, we’ll stop at the Commando Memorial. In 1942, this setting became the training ground for Britain’s Special Forces. Harsh, unforgiving, and breathtakingly beautiful. A statue of our heroes overlooks the Nevis range. Bring a camera – this is undoubtedly one of our favourite photo-stops in all of Scotland.Here, weather permitting, you could also spot Ben Nevis. The tallest mountain in The United Kingdom.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Cairngorms National Park (Pass By)
Heading south we travel through the Cairngorm National Park where Red squirrels, roe deer, red deer, soaring buzzards, pine martens, golden eagles and osprey can be found. Our final stop of the day is Pitlochry
Pitlochry
On our way south, we stop by the town of Pitlochry to stretch our legs and enjoy the fresh air. This picturesque town is situated in the heart of the stunning scenery of Highland Perthshire. It sits below Beinn Bhracaigh (Ben Vrackie), the speckled mountain and beside the River Tummel, in some of the most magnificent scenery in Scotland. With a backdrop of surrounding hills and beautiful woodlands, it is wonderful walking country.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Forth Bridge (Pass By)
As we re-enter Edinburgh from the North, you will be met with views of Scotland’s greatest piece of engineering, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forth Bridge. This 19th century engineering marvel was at one point the World’s longest cantilever bridge. Today it neighbours the 20th century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st century Queensferry Crossing which opened in 2017. Three spectacular bridges, from three different centuries, span the Firth of Forth connecting our Capital city and the Kingdom of Fife.
Edinburgh
We drop you off in the city centre, our estimated arrival time is 8:30 PM. Please note that during the winter season, we may be arriving earlier than estimated.We recommend leaving 2 hours between the expected arrival time and any onward travel or reservations in case of delayed, and that we are not able to offer individual drop-offs.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The Scottish weather is unpredictable, and it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear.
- We encourage bringing a packed lunch and/or snacks to avoid spending time queuing. There are regular stops on tour to purchase food and refreshments that cater for most dietary requirements
- There are regular stops on tour for comfort breaks, as we do not have toilets onboard the coaches
- Tickets to the optional Loch Ness cruise are not included and can be purchased on the day
- Minimum age to travel is 7 years old. Photo ID, such as a passport, may be required. Children (8-17) 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.
- For insurance purposes, passengers must not be unaccompanied on our buses during tour stops. Drivers take legally required breaks and cannot stay with the vehicle.
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 57 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
(8)Q: What type of transport is available to get us there?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-30740P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.86
5,911 reviews
Average 4.86 out of 5 stars based on 5,907 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
5 stars
5,343
4 stars
373
3 stars
118
2 stars
49
1 star
24
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What type of transport is available to get us there?
A:
You will board your coach and settle in for the journey north.
Apr 2024
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is 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.
The following is NOT included:
- Food and drinks.
- No Toilet/Restroom on board. There are no public toilets available by the departure point.
- WiFi on board.
- No children under the age of 7 allowed.
- Please note that we do not allow groups over 8 passengers, and ask that groups book private tours.
- Tickets to the Loch Ness boat cruise can be purchased from driver-guide on the day of the tour. Adults £21, Children £14. We suggest paying in cash to help speed up the process.
Q:
What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
The minimum age to participate is 7. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What'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
- Food and drinks
- No Toilet/Restroom on board. There are no public toilets available by the departure point.
- WiFi on board
- No children under the age of 7 allowed
- Please note that we do not allow groups over 8 passengers, and ask that groups book private tours.
- Tickets to the Loch Ness boat cruise can be purchased from driver-guide on the day of the tour. Adults £21, Children £14. We suggest paying in cash to help speed up the process.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The Scottish weather is unpredictable, and it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear.
- We encourage bringing a packed lunch and/or snacks to avoid spending time queuing. There are regular stops on tour to purchase food and refreshments that cater for most dietary requirements
- There are regular stops on tour for comfort breaks, as we do not have toilets onboard the coaches
- Tickets to the optional Loch Ness cruise are not included and can be purchased on the day
- Minimum age to travel is 7 years old. Photo ID, such as a passport, may be required. Children (8-17) 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.
- For insurance purposes, passengers must not be unaccompanied on our buses during tour stops. Drivers take legally required breaks and cannot stay with the vehicle.
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 57 travelers
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