Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands – Private Day Tour from Edinburgh

Name: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands – Private Day Tour from Edinburgh
Brand: Tour Britannia
SKU: 1198360
Price: 1290 GBP
Availability: InStock

Travel in comfort, discover in style, and experience Scotland at its most enchanting.

Overview

Your dedicated driver-guide will collect you directly from your hotel in Edinburgh and transport you in comfort through the breathtaking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands to Loch Ness and the haunting ruins of Urquhart Castle.

But this experience is about far more than simply reaching your destination—it’s about the journey itself.

As you leave Edinburgh behind, the scenery begins to transform. Rolling lowlands give way to towering mountains, deep glens, and vast open landscapes, creating one of the most spectacular and memorable drives in Britain.

There will be opportunities to pause along the way, allowing time to take in the views, capture photographs, and fully appreciate the dramatic beauty of the Highlands at a relaxed and unhurried pace.

Highlights:

Travel in comfort with a private driver-guide from Edinburgh through the spectacular Scottish Highlands
Experience one of Britain’s most scenic journeys, with dramatic landscapes, mountains, and glens throughout
Visit the legendary Loch Ness and enjoy time for photos and exploration
Explore the atmospheric ruins of Urquhart Castle with panoramic loch views
Stop in Fort Augustus and watch boats navigate the famous canal locks
Enjoy a reserved lunch at the unique The Boathouse Lochside Restaurant overlooking Loch Ness
Discover iconic Highland locations including Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, and The Trossachs
Travel through the vast Great Glen, carved by ancient geological forces
Pass historic landmarks such as Stirling Castle and The Kelpies
Journey through Cairngorms National Park, the UK’s largest national park
Cross into the historic Kingdom of Fife and enjoy views of the iconic Forth Bridge on your return journey
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What to Expect

1. Edinburgh

Your Highland adventure begins with a convenient pick-up from your hotel in Edinburgh. Sit back and relax in a luxury, spacious vehicle complete with air conditioning and USB charging, while your friendly local guide sets the tone for the day ahead.

Pickup

2. The Kelpies

Passing by The Kelpies, you’ll catch sight of these enormous horse-head sculptures inspired by mythical creatures from Scottish folklore.

Pass by

3. Bannockburn

You’ll pass through Bannockburn, a village whose name is forever etched in Scottish history following the famous battle of 1314.

Pass by

4. Stirling Castle

Overlooking the landscape from atop an ancient volcanic rock, Stirling Castle stands at the heart of Scotland’s Wars of Independence. A truly iconic sight as you pass by.

Pass by

5. The Trossachs

The craggy beauty of The Trossachs has inspired writers and poets for centuries. Once home to the legendary Rob Roy MacGregor, this area offers your first opportunity to stop and take in the spectacular scenery.

Photo stop

6. Rannoch Moor

A vast, untamed wilderness, Rannoch Moor is one of the last true wild places in Britain. With its sweeping moorland, scattered lochans and distant mountain backdrops, it has also served as a filming location for Outlander.

Photo stop

7. Glencoe

Few places in Scotland match the dramatic beauty of Glencoe. Steeped in history, it was the site of the tragic Massacre of Glencoe (1692) involving the Clan MacDonald. Today, it’s equally famous as a filming location for productions including Harry Potter and Braveheart.

Stop

8. The Great Glen

Carved by ancient geological forces, the Great Glen is one of the natural wonders of the Highlands. The drive through this vast valley—lined with lochs and rugged peaks—offers spectacular views, with opportunities to pause for photos along the way.

Drive through

9. Fort Augustus

A captivating village at the southern tip of Loch Ness, Fort Augustus sits in the heart of the Scottish Highlands along the historic Caledonian Canal. With its iconic flight of canal locks and sweeping loch views, it’s a favourite stop for travellers exploring the Great Glen.

Stop

10. Urquhart Castle

Standing proudly on a headland overlooking Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle is one of Scotland’s most iconic and atmospheric historic sites. With sweeping panoramic views across the loch, it offers a striking blend of natural beauty and dramatic history.

Stop

11. Cairngorms

Leaving Urquhart Castle behind, your journey south takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of Cairngorms National Park.

Drive through

12. Kingdom of Fife

Continuing onward, you’ll pass through the historic Kingdom of Fife, a distinctive peninsula rich in heritage and character.

Pass by

13. The Forth Bridges

Cross the Firth of Forth with views of all three: the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge (1890), the Forth Road Bridge (1964) and the Queensferry Crossing (2017).

Pass by

Make it your day

Every Tour Britannia tour is private, so the itinerary is a starting point, not a script.

This is the route most of our guests take, but you can change any of it. Your guide plans the day around you before you travel and stays flexible on the day itself. You can linger longer wherever you’re enjoying yourself, skip anything that doesn’t appeal, or stop wherever something catches your eye.

Ways to tailor this tour

Spend longer at Loch Ness or Urquhart Castle and skip a photo stop
Swap the reserved lunch for somewhere you’ve picked
Add a stop inside Stirling Castle on the way north
Ask for a quieter, more scenic route, or more time walking

“We were easily able to modify and customize the itinerary.”
JRS4140, Tripadvisor

Want something completely different? We design fully bespoke tours anywhere in the UK and Ireland, for a single day or several weeks. See bespoke tours we’ve created →

Questions about this tour

Is the price per person or per group?

Per group. £1,290 covers your whole private group of up to 8 guests, including the vehicle, your own driver-guide and pickup from your Edinburgh hotel. There’s no charge per person.

Where and when do you pick us up?

We collect you from your hotel or address in Edinburgh at around 8am and bring you back in the evening. It’s a full day of about 12 hours, and we confirm your exact pickup time after you book.

Are entrance tickets and lunch included?

Urquhart Castle admission isn’t included, but we’re happy to book it for you. We reserve a lunch table at The Boathouse by Loch Ness; you pay for your own food and drink.

Can we change the itinerary?

Yes. It’s a private tour, so your guide can change stops, spend longer where you’re enjoying yourselves or skip somewhere. If you’d like something specific, tell us before the day and we’ll plan it in.

Can we bring children?

Yes, children are very welcome. Just tell us their ages when you book.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your tour and get a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours of the start time aren’t refundable.

What’s included

Pickup and drop-off at your Edinburgh hotel
Private luxury vehicle, just for your group
Your own friendly, knowledgeable local driver-guide
Air conditioning and USB charging on board
A reserved lunch table at The Boathouse by Loch Ness
A route you can change in advance or on the day

Not included: food and drink, and Urquhart Castle admission. We can book tickets for you.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour, with a full refund.

Not ready to book yet?

Tell us your dates and what you’d like to see, and we’ll send you a tailored plan for your day with a confirmed price, usually within 24 hours. There’s no payment and no obligation.

We’ll only use your details to reply to your enquiry. Prefer to talk? Call 0800 787 9757 (+44 800 787 9757 from overseas) or email bookings@tourbritannia.co.uk.

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