Britain · HIGHLANDS DAY TRIPS

The 15 Best Highlands Day Trips from Edinburgh & Glasgow

46 tours  ·  from $26 a head

Twelve hours, three hundred miles, and the difference between operators is where they stop. These 15 are compared on route, group size and whether Glencoe, Loch Ness and Fort William all fit in one day, with prices and departure times.

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour - Glencoe: history with a dramatic backdrop
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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour

1.Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour

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

Spend a full day crossing Scotland by comfortable coach, with stops at Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, and Pitlochry. Your English-speaking guide, such as Brian, Adam, Stevie B, or Mark, fills the long drives with Scottish history, folklore, music, and humor. Add a castle visit, Loch Ness cruise, or whisky experience to shape the day.

“The Australian Mark was a super guide full of cool stories and really easy to chat with. Keep going you're the best tour guide !”

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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour - Leaving Edinburgh beside the Burns Monument
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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

Spend 12.5 hours touring the Highlands by air-conditioned coach, with Glencoe, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, Pitlochry, and possible Highland cows. Choose a Loch Ness cruise, Deanston Distillery visit, or cruise and Urquhart Castle option. Guides such as Fraser, Ewan, and Paul are known for lively Scottish stories, music, and humor.

“A good，well organized tool，everything goes well，the day was not good kept rainy and cloudy，but the experience still good，definitely recommend”

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Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour - Glencoe: beauty with a dark past
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Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

3.Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,854 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67Top rated

Spend about 12.5 hours touring the Highlands from Edinburgh by air-conditioned coach, with stops at Glencoe, Fort Augustus, the Commando Memorial, and Pitlochry. Add a Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle visit, or Deanston whisky option for an extra fee. Guides such as Ryan, Rod, John, William, and David bring the drive to life with stories and local tips.

“The trip to loch ness was amazing, our coach driver Nick was amazing commentator, the booking through website was quite easy. The cost of trip for two people was affordable and there were proper breaks.”

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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise - Callander and Loch Lomond country
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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

4.Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,022 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $84

Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking guide such as Jim, Kenny, Chaz, or Shea. Stop at Callander, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, Spean Bridge, and Pitlochry, then cruise Loch Ness. It is a scenic, information-packed day, but expect many hours on the road.

“Chaz was amazing and her knowledge of every aspect of the tour was exceptional. We had sufficient bathroom breaks and opportunities to shop in local stores.”

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Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William - Leaving Edinburgh from Charlotte Square
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Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

5.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,337 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $62

Travel from Edinburgh through Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, and Pitlochry to Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous from the Harry Potter films. An English-speaking driver-guide handles the long scenic day, with photo stops, meal breaks, and a chance to see the Jacobite Steam Train. Guides may include Keith, Scott, Alastair, Brian, Anthony, or Leon.

“This is a great way to see the main sights of the highlands. Our tour guide, Anthony, was wonderful. Our bus had an unforeseen maintenance problem, which delayed us by several hours, but Anthony kept spirits high despite the difficulties. Even though my trip went awry, I would still highly recommend”

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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands - Callander starts the day with coffee and Highland cows
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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands

6.Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,771 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $62

Spend a full day touring the Highlands from Edinburgh with an English-speaking driver-guide. Stop at Callander, Loch Tulla, Glencoe, Fort William, the Commando Monument, Fort Augustus, and Pitlochry. You can add a Loch Ness boat cruise, enjoy frequent photo stops, and hear Scottish history, stories, music, and local legends along the way.

“This was a full-day tour with many beautiful stops along the way. We really enjoyed it—the tour guide was amazing and shared fun, interesting information throughout the day.”

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Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William - Leaving Edinburgh from Charlotte Square
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Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

7.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

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

Spend a full day touring the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh, with stops at Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Pitlochry. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Ross, Neil, Brian or Keith, handles the long drive while sharing Scottish stories, music and history. The Jacobite Steam Train may cross the viaduct seasonally, but its operation is not guaranteed.

“really the only improvement would be don't advertise the kelpies or sterling castle as it's a fly past if dark can't see castle .I would say they are separate trips x we had a great guide (Ross).who went out of his way to get us to see the Highland cows as weren't at the normal place X the Highlands beautiful in the snow xx”

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Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh - The Cairngorms give you the best window views
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Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

8.Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,793 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $74

Ride from Edinburgh into the Highlands with an English-speaking driver guide, stopping in Perthshire, the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, and Glen Coe. You can add a Loch Ness cruise and castle visit for £30 per adult, cash only. Guides such as Jamie, Chris, Ben, Terri, and Alan are known for lively history and good road commentary.

“Make sure you have cash. We were not told in description that one event was cash only and had to use atm at a rest stop. Scenery was amazing, guide told great stories and Linda on Loch Ness was fantastic!”

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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe, Coos & the Highlands Day Tour - From the Royal Mile to the Forth Bridges
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Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe, Coos & the Highlands Day Tour

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

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

This 12.5-hour Highland Experience Tours trip covers Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Glencoe, the Cairngorms, Perthshire, and Hairy Coos from Edinburgh. Expect a full coach day, English commentary, scenic stops, and optional Loch Ness cruise and castle entry for £30 cash. Guides such as Terry, Charlie, Jamie, Audrey, and Stephen B are known for lively history and storytelling.

“Amazing! Guide Terri was amazing and so knowledgeable! Driver Ian got us everywhere on time and told funny jokes!”

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From Edinburgh: 3-Day Isle of Skye and The Highlands Tour - Day one: from Edinburgh to Glencoe and Glenfinnan
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From Edinburgh: 3-Day Isle of Skye and The Highlands Tour

10.3-Day Isle of Skye and The Highlands Tour

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

Travel from Edinburgh to Inverness and back through Glencoe, Glenfinnan, Skye, Loch Ness, Culloden, and Pitlochry. Your Hairy Coo driver-guide provides live English commentary, Scottish stories, music, and photo stops. You book your own two nights in Inverness, while the optional Loch Ness cruise costs extra.

“Our guide Stephen was amazing, a true Scottish man with Scottish humor. We were able to do the full 3 day tour despite only having 8 hours of sunlight. My favorite was Isle of Skye and we were able to go to the sights for a full day. 3 days is enough to see the highlands, but some souvenirs and take pictures. We got back to Edinburgh super early than expected time and was dropped off at the city center which was convenient.”

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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour - Callander and the first taste of the Highlands
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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour

11.Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands Tour

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

Travel from Edinburgh through the Trossachs, Glen Coe, Fort William, and the Cairngorms to Fort Augustus on Loch Ness. Add a boat cruise with sonar and underwater imaging, or explore the village on foot. Your English-speaking guide shares Scottish history, stories, and music during this 12-hour, 300-mile trip.

“Absolutely amazing especially with Steve as our Guide! We all enjoyed the trip .”

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Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh - Glencoe and the stark beauty of Rannoch Moor
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Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh

12.Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,233 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $85

Travel from Edinburgh through Callander, Glencoe, Fort William and the Great Glen to Loch Ness. Your driver-guide provides live commentary, with optional cruises, an Urquhart Castle visit and whisky tasting. Guides such as Mark, Holly and Nick are known for lively storytelling, but expect a long day with plenty of time on the coach.

“Adam was entertaining and his stories of Scotland illuminated the whole trip. It was clear he was as passionate, if not more so than everyone else on the tour. The views were amazing. There are no shortage of photo opportunities.”

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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glenoce & The Highlands Day Tour - Leaving Edinburgh for Callander
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From Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glenoce & The Highlands Day Tour

13.Loch Ness, Glenoce & The Highlands Day Tour

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

Spend 12 hours crossing more than 500 km of Scotland, from Callander and Rannoch Moor to Glencoe and Loch Ness. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Brendan, Doug, Danny, or Ian, adds history, jokes, music, and local stories. You can walk beside Loch Ness or buy an optional cruise ticket from the guide.

“Brandon is a really nice and fun guide, that will entertain you telling stories and singing and laughing! He thinks of everything (like, if the places that we are supposed to visit will be full of people or not) and will have other paths to go! It was a really fun and nice day!”

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From Glasgow: Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour - Loch Lomond and the first Highland views
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From Glasgow: Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour

14.Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour

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

Leave Glasgow with a live English-speaking guide such as George, Maggie, James, or Jeff C. Ride a 16-seat minicoach through Loch Lomond, the Arrochar Alps, Inveraray, Kilchurn Castle, Oban, Glencoe, and Rannoch Moor. Expect strong storytelling, frequent photo stops, a seafood-friendly lunch break, and a long but rewarding day on the road.

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

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Loch Lomond: Scottish Highlands Sightseeing Cruise - Leaving Balloch and the Lowlands behind
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Loch Lomond: Scottish Highlands Sightseeing Cruise

15.Loch Lomond: Scottish Highlands Sightseeing Cruise

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

Sail from Balloch into the Scottish Highlands on a relaxed one-hour Loch Lomond cruise. You’ll see Ben Lomond, Inchmurrin Island, the Highland Boundary Fault, and historic estates while a live guide explains local stories. Choose indoor or covered outdoor seating, and buy hot drinks or a wee dram from the onboard bar.

“Had a lovely cruise up the loch in a beautiful boat. The commentary was very helpful and I learned a lot about the area.”

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New in Highlands Day Trips

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★ 4.53-Day Guided Isle of Skye and Highlands with Stay from EdinburghFrom $416904 reviews
★ 5.0Loch Ness and the Highlands Small Group Tour from EdinburghFrom $123801 reviews
★ 5.01 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from EdinburghFrom $88850 reviews
★ 4.8Loch Ness, Inverness & Highlands Tour in SpanishFrom $87863 reviews
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★ 4.2Loch Ness, Glencoe, and Highlands Day TourFrom $54913 reviews
★ 5.0Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day TourFrom $2351,002 reviews
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