Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands - 1 day tour

Tour Summary - Your Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh

Leaving Edinburgh behind, our tour crosses the expanse of the Forth estuary, offering close-up views of the mighty Forth Bridge, over 100 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After driving through the ancient Kingdom of Fife, the road leads into the rolling hills of Highland Perthshire, a region long celebrated for its deep forests, tranquil lochs and charming Victorian towns. Pine and birch line the roadside, and seasonal colour shifts dramatically here: fiery oranges in autumn, fresh greens in spring and brilliant white on winter peaks.

Through Highland Perthshire

Our first region of the day is Highland Perthshire, known for its towering forests and picturesque rivers.

Make a stop at a local visitor centre for refreshments. Here you can say hello to some local Highland Cattle, affectionately known in Scotland as "Hairy Coos".

Back on the road, your guide introduces the region's people and its fascinating past. See whitewashed Blair Castle, the home of the Duke of Atholl, the only man allowed his own standing army -- The Atholl Highlanders. The castle has hosted visits by Bonnie Prince Charlie, Queen Victoria and Robert Burns.

Into the Cairngorms National Park

After climbing through the Grampian Mountains, we soon enter the Cairngorms National Park, the largest in the UK. This wild region is home to some of the UK's rarest wildlife, ancient pinewoods, and most dramatic landscapes.

The Cairngorm Mountains provide an impressive backdrop to our journey. This region is home to some of the largest and highest peaks in Britain.

Reaching Loch Ness

Soon we arrive at our star attraction: Loch Ness. At 230 metres deep, it is said to hold more water than every lake in England and Wales combined - the perfect hiding place for an elusive monster!

You will have free time here to enjoy lunch and wander along the shoreline, or board an optional Loch Ness Cruise.

The cruise is a brilliant way to experience the scale of Loch Ness. Glide across its dark waters while learning more about the loch's mysteries. There is also the opportunity to visit the striking ruins of Urquhart Castle, perched high above the deepest part of the loch - a favourite spot for Nessie sightings through the years!

Along the Great Glen

The tour continues through the Great Glen, a geological fault line that slices diagonally through the Highlands. On one side, you'll glimpse shimmering lochs; on the other, jagged mountain silhouettes that make for stunning photos.

The Caledonian Canal, an engineering marvel designed by Thomas Telford flows 60 miles through the glen allowing boats to cross from east to west through the heart of the Highlands.

If time permits, there will be a stop at the poignant Commando Memorial which has a backdrop of the Nevis Range and Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK.

Next, we tour through Fort William, once a strategic military base and now the outdoor adventure capital of Scotland.

The drama of Glen Coe

The haunting valley of Glen Coe is easily one of the most dramatic landscapes in Scotland. Towering cliffs rise sharply on both sides, carved by ancient volcanic eruptions.

The glen is the setting of the infamous massacre of the MacDonald clan in 1692. Your guide will share the story of this tragic event.

There will be stop in the glen so you can soak up the scenery around you. This breathtaking location has starred in a number of movies including Skyfall, Rob Roy and Harry Potter.

Across Rannoch Moor

Leaving Glen Coe behind, we cross Rannoch Moor - a vast, wild expanse of peat bog and heather-covered moorland. The landscape here feels almost otherworldly.

Depending on the weather, it can look eerie or spectacularly peaceful this ever -changing region is one of the Highlands' most photogenic spots.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

As we approach the Lowlands again, the scenery softens. Wooded hills and tranquil lochs signal our arrival in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, that beautiful gateway between Highlands and Lowlands.

Enjoy final scenic views as we make our way back towards Edinburgh.

We return to the city in the evening, full of stories and memories. This Loch Ness day trip from Edinburgh is a big day, for sure, but it is the perfect way to experience a huge slice of Scotland in a single adventure.