Highlands tour from Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Glen Coe highlights

One driver, one vehicle, the whole Highlands in a day

A private guided tour departing from Edinburgh that covers Loch Ness, Glen Coe, Fort Augustus and the Cairngorms in a single 12-hour day, with your own driver-guide providing live commentary throughout. The itinerary passes through Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, Rannoch Moor, and the Great Glen, returning to Edinburgh around 8:30pm. The tour is customizable. Contact Highland Experience Tours in advance if you want to adjust stops, timing or have mobility requirements.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. The Kelpiespassing by
2. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park30m
3. Rannoch Moorpassing by
4. Glencoe15m
5. Great Glen Waypassing by
6. Fort Augustus1h 30m
7. Cairngorms National Parkpassing by
8. Forth Bridgepassing by

Highlands private tour from Edinburgh

• Depart from Edinburgh
• Drive past the Kelpies sculptures
• Stop for coffee in Trossachs National Park
• Pass through Rannoch Moor
• Stop for photos in Glen Coe
• Pass through Fort William
• Drive through the Great Glen
• Lunch and stroll in Fort Augustus
• Pass Cairngorms National Park
• Visit Pitlochry town
• Return to Edinburgh crossing Forth Bridges

The experience

You leave Edinburgh in the morning in a private vehicle with a driver-guide who stays with you for the full day. The route heads north through Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, where you stop to take in the lochs and rolling hills, then crosses Rannoch Moor: a vast, remote moorland that stretches in all directions. From there the road carries you into Glen Coe, where towering mountains and rugged valleys create the kind of landscape that stops you mid-sentence. You pass through Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, then follow the Great Glen down to Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness.

Lunch happens in Fort Augustus at a local eatery, and you have time to walk along the Caledonian Canal: the spot where people watch for the Loch Ness Monster, though sightings remain rare. After lunch the tour continues through Cairngorms National Park, where forests and mountains layer the landscape, and stops in the Victorian town of Pitlochry before heading back south. You cross the Forth Bridges as you approach Edinburgh, arriving around 8:30pm. The driver provides live commentary throughout, so the day comes with context and local knowledge built in.

Because the tour is private, the pace and stops can shift if you have specific interests or mobility needs. Contact Highland Experience Tours before booking to discuss any adjustments. Infant seats and strollers are available if you're traveling with small children, and the operator can arrange larger vehicles if your group needs one. The vehicle itself is the transport for the entire day, so there's no switching between modes or waiting for group departures.

What’s included

• Your own driver-guide for the full day.
• live commentary on board.
• private vehicle transport throughout.
• pickup from Edinburgh and return at approximately 8:30pm.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

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

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Highland Experience Tours

Is this one for you?Book this 12-hour private tour if you want to see multiple Highlands regions in one day. Choose a half-day option instead if you'd rather spend more time exploring each location on foot.

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Top questions

What is Loch Ness like, and will I actually see the monster?

Loch Ness is a vast freshwater lake in the Great Glen, and you reach it in Fort Augustus, where you have lunch and time to walk the Caledonian Canal along its shore. The legendary Loch Ness Monster remains elusive (sightings are extremely rare), but the loch itself is striking, and the village offers a chance to look and explore at your own pace.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour is primarily a drive through the Highlands with photo stops and short walks at key points like Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, Glen Coe, and Fort Augustus. There's no extended hiking required, though you'll be getting in and out of the vehicle multiple times throughout the day. If you have mobility concerns, let Highland Experience Tours know in advance so they can plan accordingly.

Can I customize the stops or change the itinerary?

Yes. The tour may be customizable, and other itineraries are available. Contact Highland Experience Tours before booking to discuss your specific interests, preferred pace, or any stops you'd like to add or skip.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes your private vehicle, the driver-guide, and live commentary for the full 12 hours. Food and drinks are not included, though lunch in Fort Augustus is your own choice at a local restaurant. Gratuities are also separate.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour departs from Edinburgh in the morning and returns around 8:30pm, covering roughly 12 hours. Exact pickup time should be confirmed when you book.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and families with infants and small children. Specialized infant seats and strollers are available, though availability is limited. Let Highland Experience Tours know your requirements well in advance so they can prepare.