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Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh
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Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh
Gear up for many picturesque stops while on the road through the Scottish Highlands.
Decide for yourself whether or not the Loch Ness monster is real in the mythic highlands of Scotlands.
Quaint Scottish towns like Callander are just moments away from vast natural reserves.
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From $73.64

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Number of travelers
1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon12 hours  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Take a personalized tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness on this day trip to the Scottish Highlands. See wooded lochs and tucked-away villages as you journey through spectacular scenery en route to Glencoe and Fort Augustus. Enjoy an optional boat tour in search of the Loch Ness Monster and traverse the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group limited to 16 passengers.
  • Small-group day trip to Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands from Edinburgh
  • Visit Glencoe and explore the famous Cairngorms National Park
  • Take in spectacular views of the Scottish Highlands as you travel
  • Enjoy a chance to spot Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, on an optional Loch Ness cruise
  • Small-group tour for a more personalized experience
  • Travel comfortably in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This tour crams a lot into one day, but travel time between stops is never more than two hours.
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From $73.64

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Driver/guide
The chance to see "Nessie", the Loch Ness monster
Modern Mercedes minivan with air conditioning (maximum 16 people)
Loch Ness Cruise
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off
Food and drinks

Departure Point

6 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EG, UK

Departure Time

8:00 AM

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
Get comfortable inside your top of the range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach and depart central Edinburgh to Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands, stopping along the way to hear insightful commentary from your guide.

Pass by Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, and Linlithgow Palace—the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots—en route to Glencoe, a Highland glen filled with eerie tales about the Clan MacDonald massacre of 1692.

Journey onward through the 18th-century Fort William, and gaze out at the Scottish Highlands, including the Great Glen. Reaching Fort Augustus, disembark on the shores of Loch Ness, where you can opt for a seasonal boat ride on the loch and listen for the Loch Ness Monster ‘Nessie’ on the sonar system. (Cruises run from Easter to the end of October.) 

After you purchase lunch (own expense), continue your drive to Cairngorms National Park via Spean Bridge village. Take in the views of Loch Laggan and the windswept mountains, including Craig Meagaidh, where the TV series 'Monarch of the Glen' was filmed. 

Your tour concludes with the return drive to Edinburgh.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Rabbie's Cafe Bar
Check-in at least 15 mins prior to published departure time and meet with your driver for the day.
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Duration: 10 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Glencoe Mountain
Be moved by the sheer beauty and tragic tales of one of Scotland’s most famous landscapes.
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Duration: 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Fort Augustus Abbey
Fort Augustus boasts the Caledonian Canal, which is a great spot to relax and watch the boats sail by. You stop here for nearly 1hour 30min to give you time for lunch and time to take in the scenery around Scotland's most famous loch.
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Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Not Included
Stop At:  
Loch Ness
Take a chance to go on an optional boat cruise or wander around this alluring and eerie loch.
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Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Not Included
Pass By:  
Cairngorms National Park
Travel through thick pine-clad slopes and take in views of fast-flowing rivers.
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  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Minimum age to participate is 5 years old. We do not carry children under the age of 5.
  • Check-in closes 15 minutes prior to departure
  • 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.
  • Near public transportation
  • 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.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Loch Ness cruise – We reserve tickets for you. If you want to join the cruise, please purchase your ticket whilst on tour.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Rabbies Trail Burners

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the departure point for the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:The tour departs from Rabbie's Cafe Bar, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
Jun 2021
Q:
Is parking available near the departure point for the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:Parking can be difficult to find in the center of town. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of the excellent public transportation that is available.
Jun 2021
Q:
How early should I arrive for the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:Check-in closes 15 minutes before your departure time. The tour departs on time, so please do not arrive late.
Jun 2021
Q:
Can I bring luggage with me on the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:You may bring up to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. 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) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Jun 2021
Q:
What should I bring with me on the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring your camera and spending money for lunch, optional admission tickets, etc.
Jun 2021
Q:
Are admission fees included in the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:No. You pay for access to sites such as castles and museums as you arrive. Most of these locations accept both cash and card.
Jun 2021
Q:
What type of vehicle is used during the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:The tour is conducted in a 16 seat Mercedes Mini-coach. There are three steps up into the coach – each 150mm in height. There are grab handles on both sides, the step edges are clearly marked and the treads are non-slip.
Jun 2021
Q:
Can I bring a wheelchair on the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:The bus is not wheelchair accessible, however, there is storage available for a folding wheelchair or walking frame. Guests must be able to get on/off the bus on their own or with the assistance of a companion as guides cannot assist physically.
Jun 2021
Q:
Are restrooms available on the bus during the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:There are no restrooms on board the bus, however, the group does make regular breaks to use the restroom during the tour.
Jun 2021
Q:
Can I bring my small child with me on the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate in this tour. If your child is 5 or older, but under 1.35m (4.4 ft.) tall, please notate this in the "Special Requirements" box so a booster seat can be arranged.
Jun 2021
Q:
Should I bring my own lunch during the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
A:There is no need to bring lunch. The group will make a lunch stop where you can purchase a meal suitable to your taste and budget.
Jun 2021
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
See all safety measures taken by Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh?
A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
See all safety measures taken by Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh?
A:This activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "You have to understand that you are covering a great deal of the country in just 12 hours - so dress appropriately and bring your camera." See review
  • "Final tip would be wearing comfy shoes and a warm coat as the forecast can change quickly, and especially on the boat as it can be windy." See review
  • "However, it's worth it, as the beautiful scenery of Glencoe and Loch Ness are not to be missed." See review

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
3,424 Reviews
5 stars
2,726
4 stars
488
3 stars
103
2 stars
53
1 star
54

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 3,424 reviews
star-2
Many hours spent in van.
Kay_C
, Sep 2021
Our tour guide Fiona was amazing and super friendly! However the structure of the tour is quite poor as you are sitting in a van for 7 hours, which is extremely boring. Would not recommend if you do not want to spend the majority of your day in a car looking out of a window.
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star-5
Probably the best trip ever
Andrew_B
, Sep 2021
What an absolutely amazing day. Probably the best trip ever. Helped by fantastic weather and the wonderful guide Nik. Nik maximised our experience to take advantage of the great weather. It was fun, friendly and highly interesting. Thanks Nik.
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star-5
Amazing Scottish Tour
Sarah_C
, Sep 2021
We had an amazing trip and Bruce was an incredible guide full of fun facts! We stopped at some amazing places and took a cruise over the Loch Ness. Was a wonderful day we won’t forget!
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star-5
Fantastic tour
Barbara-Bournemouth
, Sep 2021
Bruce was an amazing tour guide, he was funny and very knowledgeable, a smooth ride and so much to see.
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star-5
Lock Ness
Sandra_J
, Sep 2021
Did the tour with Douglas and what an intelligent person and guide he was, best excursion of the weekend, would highly recommend
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star-5
Great trip. Excellent guide.
Paul_M
, Sep 2021
This was a brilliant trip. Well worth it. Our guide, Duncan, was excellent. He kept us all engaged for a full 12 hours of the trip, with a mixture of information and commentary on the history of places we visited and passed by, light touch humour, and music. He was genuinely concerned that we should all have a great experience, and we did. It was very memorable. We could not speak highly enough about our guide. Thank you very much, Duncan.
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star-5
Superb trip and Guide
Amanda_O
, Sep 2021
The whole experience from start to finish was Fabulous and simply Amazing.Scotland’s scenery is simply breathtakingly beautiful.The booking was quick and straight forward.Every part of the day will be so memorable.We saw many areas of Scotland we didn’t think we would too.Our very experienced ,organised and knowledgeable guide Duncan made the trip even better.An absolute credit to the company.The whole experience was second to none.Will be booking again without a doubt.Thank you for making our first trip to Scotland so great .
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star-5
Definitely a must !!
Kasia_F
, Sep 2021
Amazing trip ! If you short for time and want to see at least something that Magical Scotland has to offer - this is a trip for you. It may seems daunting to spent the whole day is a bus, but to be honest - you don’t even feel it being so long as its packed with stunning views through the window ( clean window i have to add! ) and picture stops. Out tour guide- Duncan - awesome Scott- made it a really cool trip, full of great facts, stories etc. Bonus( usb port within each seat so you can top up your phone at any time after taking millions of pictures heheh) would definitely recommend .
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star-5
Excellent tour
Daniel_T
, Sep 2021
Really good trip it is a lot of traveling and a long day but worth it. The tour guide Ally was very knowledgeable and passionate about his job and his country, the boat trip on Loch Ness was very interesting, took in many sights along the way, the rain just made it even more Scottish
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star-5
So glad to have made it!!
Ingrid_C
, Sep 2021
I almost don't get into the van! I arrived just in time to the wrong point of departure. When I realised it, I call Rabbie’s and they were kind enough to wait for my legs to make the 800m to the right point of departure in just five minutes. All was 1000% worth it! What an amazing way to have a first glimpse of the Highlands: a small group of nice people, a cosy van, an excellent driver who was as well a magnificent storyteller, and of course the views… oh God the views! Thanks, Barbara for the patience, the good recommendations and fun moments! I totally recommend this tour for those scared to travel in the wrong side of the road or those like me that do not drive at all :p
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