Loch Ness & the Highlands: The 15 Best Day Tours

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour - Callander, coffee, and Highland cows

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 17,446 reviews · 12.5 hours · from $62Our pick

See Loch Ness, Glencoe, Urquhart Castle, and Highland scenery on a long but rewarding day trip from Edinburgh with Timberbush Tours.

“Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to see the Scottish Highlands. The views are absolutely stunning along the way and each stop gave you a chance to stretch your legs and take in the scenery. Robert, our tour guide, was absolutely incredible! He was very knowledgeable, witty, and checked in with everyone throughout the trip. Bonus points for his driving playlist!! John, our driver, was also amazing!! It’s a very long day but so worth it. The coach itself was very comfy to have a little nap as well. So pleased with our trip!”

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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour

2.Loch Ness, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 11,381 reviews · 12.5 hours · from $61

See Loch Ness, Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, Highland cows and Pitlochry on a long, scenic day tour from Edinburgh with optional cruise or whisky.

“Very nice day with a clement weather. The guide-driver Craig was really nice and had care of us. We saw really good panoramas and the price worth it, especially for all the km we had. Recommended!”

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Edinburgh Tours, Loch Ness & Highlands Tours, Tour Reviews

Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

3.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,366 reviews · 12 hours · from $60

See Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Shiel, and the Harry Potter viaduct on a scenic 12-hour Highlands trip from Edinburgh for $60.

“The trip was amazing and our guide Brian Smith really made it so enjoyable!! Listening to Christmas songs, Scottish songs throughout the bus trip really made it so special driving up the highlands. The Scottish facts from Brian was especially interesting and fun! Really enjoyed the trip very much.”

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Loch Ness: Urquhart Castle Round-Trip Cruise

4.Loch Ness: Urquhart Castle Round-Trip Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,070 reviews · 50 min · from $30

Cruise Loch Ness from Clansman Harbour to Urquhart Castle, with Highland views, sonar, onboard commentary, Wi-Fi, and snacks for purchase.

“Nice trip, amazing views of the castle and huge lake!”

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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe, Coos & the Highlands Day Tour

5.Loch Ness, Glencoe, Coos & the Highlands Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,539 reviews · 12.5 hours · from $72

See Loch Ness, Glencoe, Cairngorms, Urquhart Castle and Hairy Coos on a packed 12.5-hour Scotland day tour from Edinburgh.

“Best part: our guide Audrey was super knowledgeable about all the history of places we were passing through or stopping at. Michael was an outstanding driver. Also, I liked that we were able to see so many places in one tour. Not my favorite part: it was a terribly long day. Also, one of the rest stops was too short to be able to use the toilet and buy a snack because the lines were so long, and so you had to choose one or the other. Another of the stops, the public toilets were closed and the convenience store did not have public toilets either.”

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3-Day Experiences, Edinburgh Tours, Isle of Skye Tours, Loch Ness & Highlands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Edinburgh: 3-Day Isle of Skye and The Highlands Tour

6.3-Day Isle of Skye and The Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,405 reviews · 3 days · from $244

Three days from Edinburgh to Skye, Loch Ness, Glencoe and Glenfinnan, with lively guides, dramatic scenery and two nights in Inverness.

“We visited so many amazing sights! Peter explained the history to us throughout the entire tour, which helped us understand a lot more about Scottish culture and history. The whole journey was very comfortable and well-paced. Having Peter as our guide truly made the experience special.”

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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour

7.Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,366 reviews · from $94

Review the 12-hour Edinburgh to Loch Ness tour, with Glen Coe, Ben Nevis, a boat cruise option, Cairngorms views, and practical tips.

“Alistair our guide/driver was very informative and made the bus ride interesting.”

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From Inverness: Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle

8.Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,241 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $76

Review of the Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle tour from Inverness, with practical advice on timing, value, weather, guides, and stops.

“Both guides - Katie and Peter (guide on the boat) are brilliant. The tour is very interenting, educational and fun. One can experience and appreciate this wonderful area even more with them. I wholeheartedly recommend booking this tour. P. S. Try the hot chocolate on the boat.”

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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glenoce & The Highlands Day Tour

9.Loch Ness, Glenoce & The Highlands Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,130 reviews · 12 hours · from $53

See Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Rannoch Moor and Pitlochry on a 12-hour Highlands trip from Edinburgh, with an optional cruise and lively guide.

“Our guide Brendan was the real highlight of this day trip. His humour and stories made the 12 hours journey so enjoyable. Do yourself a favour and book this trip for the best highlands day trip!”

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From Glasgow: Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour

10.Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,123 reviews · 10.5 hours · from $39Top rated

Explore Loch Lomond, Inveraray, Oban, Kilchurn Castle, and Glencoe on a scenic 10.5-hour Highland tour from Glasgow for $39.

“We had a great experience, thanks to our driver/guide. George thanks for the great day”

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2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Loch Ness & Highlands Tours, Tour Reviews

Dochgarroch: Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise

11.Dochgarroch: Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,959 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Cruise from Dochgarroch through the Caledonian Canal into Loch Ness for castle views, Highland scenery, live stories, snacks, and sonar fun.

“It was an enjoyable but windy trip into Loch Ness with lots of beautiful scenery. Malcolm’s jokes were very cheesy🤦‍♀️”

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Loch Lomond: Scottish Highlands Sightseeing Cruise

12.Scottish Highlands Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,953 reviews · 1 hour · from $26Best value

Cruise Loch Lomond from Balloch for Ben Lomond views, Highland history, Inchmurrin Island, live commentary, and a bar on board.

“Informative about the Loch Lomond area. Friendly atmosphere and causal refreshments.”

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1-Day Tours, Glasgow Tours, Loch Ness & Highlands Tours, Tour Reviews

From Glasgow: Glenfinnan, Fort William, and Glencoe Day Trip

13.Glenfinnan, Fort William, and Glencoe Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,753 reviews · 11.5 hours · from $91

Explore Glencoe, Fort William, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Loch Lomond on a scenic 11.5-hour Highlands day trip from Glasgow.

“Jerry was the best guide I’ve ever had. He was very attentive and explained everything to us in detail. I don’t have enough words to thank him for the tour we had an amazing time. Everything was perfect: the timing, the places we visited, and especially Jerry’s great attitude and the way he explained everything so clearly. Thank you so much! I will definitely come back to take another tour here”

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Glasgow Tours, Loch Ness & Highlands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Glasgow: Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Tour

14.Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,746 reviews · 11.5 hours · from $65

See Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Fort Augustus and Loch Ness on an 11.5-hour Highlands day tour from Glasgow for $65.

“Being from the US, this was a fantastic day trip. We stopped at some great side locations on our way to our planned stops, and the views were a dream. Stew was great, and I would recommend him be your guide!”

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