Private Loch Ness, Glencoe & Highlands tour from Edinburgh

See Glencoe's peaks and Loch Ness in one day without driving yourself

A private 12-hour guided tour from Edinburgh takes you through the Scottish Highlands to Glencoe, Loch Ness and Inverness, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. You travel in either a Mercedes V-Class (up to 7 passengers) or a small coach (up to 16), with a live English-speaking guide and an optional 1-hour Loch Ness cruise available at Fort Augustus. The tour passes through Rannoch Moor, stops at Laggan Dam Viewpoint, and includes time in Pitlochry on the return to Edinburgh.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Glencoe20m
2. Fort Augustus2h
3. Loch Ness1h

Explore Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness

• Drive through the Scottish Highlands
• Stop at Glencoe for photos
• Stop at Loch Ness
• Take optional 1-hour Loch Ness cruise
• Stop at Laggan Dam Viewpoint
• Pass through Inverness
• Visit Pitlochry for a quick bite and walk
• Return to Edinburgh

The experience

How do you fit the Highlands into a single day without renting a car? This tour leaves Edinburgh and drives north through Rannoch Moor into Glencoe, where you stop for photos of the valley and its peaks. The route then pushes toward Loch Ness, passing through Fort Augustus. The point where you can book a separate 1-hour cruise on the loch if you want to get out on the water and hear the history of the place and its famous monster legend. After Loch Ness, the tour moves through Inverness, the Highlands' main town, then heads south through the mountains to Pitlochry, a Victorian town where you have time to walk around and grab food before the drive back to Edinburgh.

The vehicle choice matters for your group's comfort. The Mercedes V-Class holds up to 7 people and comes with air conditioning, bottled water, Wi-Fi and USB chargers. The small coach fits up to 16 and has the same climate control and water. Both are driven by a private chauffeur-guide who knows the route and can point out what you're passing. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Edinburgh are included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the starting point. The full day runs 12 hours, and that time includes all the driving. There's no hidden travel time added on top.

The Loch Ness cruise is optional and costs extra. You decide at the dock whether to take it. Meals are not included, but Pitlochry gives you a proper stop to eat. If you're traveling with an infant, specialized seats are available. Contact the operator before your departure date to arrange one. The tour suits all fitness levels. You're riding and walking short distances at stops, not hiking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Edinburgh.
• air-conditioned Mercedes V-Class or small coach with a private chauffeur-guide.
• bottled water and Wi-Fi throughout the journey.
• all fuel and mileage costs.
• stops at Glencoe, Laggan Dam Viewpoint, Fort Augustus and Pitlochry.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small coach (group of up to 16)Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00A 16-seat mini coach providing a comfortable, stylish journey, equipped with air conditioning and USB charging ports. Includes pickup.

V-Class (group of up to 7)Up to 7 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00A luxury Mercedes-Benz V-Class offering outstanding comfort for up to 7 passengers, with plush leather seats and advanced climate control. Includes pickup.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Timberbush Tours

Is this one for you?Book the V-Class if your group is seven or fewer and you want the intimacy of a smaller vehicle. Choose the small coach if you're traveling with a larger party or prefer more space. Either way, the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the day unfolds without you planning the route or managing the drive.

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Top questions

What's actually included in the price for this tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Edinburgh, the 12-hour drive through the Highlands, stops at Glencoe and Laggan Dam Viewpoint, the chauffeur-guide, air-conditioned transport, bottled water, and Wi-Fi are all included. The 1-hour Loch Ness cruise and any meals are separate and payable on the day.

Can I take the Loch Ness cruise, or is it mandatory?

The Loch Ness cruise is optional and costs extra. You'll have the chance to book it when the tour stops at Fort Augustus, so you can decide once you're there whether you want to get on the water.

How many people can fit in each vehicle option?

The Mercedes V-Class holds up to 7 passengers, and the small coach holds up to 16. Both have air conditioning and the same amenities. You choose based on your group size.

Is there time to eat during the 12-hour tour?

Yes. The tour stops in Pitlochry, a Victorian town on the return journey, where you have time to walk around and grab food before heading back to Edinburgh. Meals are not included in the tour price.

What happens if I'm traveling with a baby or small child?

Specialized infant seats are available. You'll need to contact the operator before your departure date to arrange one, so they have it ready for your pickup.

Do I need to be fit or experienced to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You're traveling by vehicle and making short stops for photos and walks. There's no hiking or strenuous activity required.