Edinburgh: Highlands & Loch Ness Private Tour with Ben Nevis
The Kelpies rise 100 feet above the Falkirk landscape, and that's just the first stop
You spend a full day in a private vehicle with a driver-guide, moving through Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, the Trossachs, Glencoe, Ben Nevis and Loch Ness. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are snacks and chilled water. You choose where to stop for photographs and whether to take the optional Loch Ness cruise. The vehicle is yours alone, not shared with other groups.
Step-by-step itinerary
Scenic Highlands and Loch Ness tour
- Depart from Edinburgh
- Pass by Linlithgow Palace
- View The Kelpies sculptures
- Pass Stirling Castle
- See William Wallace Monument
- Pass Doune Castle
- Meet and feed Hairy Coos
- Drive through The Trossachs National Park
- Explore Glencoe valley
- Pass Fort William and view Ben Nevis
- Visit Loch Ness and optional cruise
- Pass Cairngorms National Park
- Stop at Forth Rail Bridge
- Return to Edinburgh
- Linlithgow Palace passing by
- The Kelpies passing by
- Stirling Castle passing by
- National Wallace Monument passing by
- Doune Castle passing by
- Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park passing by
- Glencoe 45m
- Fort William passing by
- Loch Ness 1h
- Cairngorms National Park passing by
- Bankfoot 15m
- View Point, Forth Bridges 5m
What’s included
- Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a fully private luxury vehicle with driver-guide, flexible stops for photography and sightseeing at Linlithgow Palace, The Kelpies, Stirling Castle, the William Wallace Monument, Doune Castle, the Trossachs, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, Cairngorms National Park, and the Forth Rail Bridge.
- Complimentary snacks and chilled water are provided in the onboard cooler.
- Entry fees to attractions and the optional Loch Ness boat cruise are not included.
- Every day 08:00
Information
Private Highlands tour from Edinburgh with Loch Ness, Glencoe, Ben Nevis & Stirling Castle. Luxury vehicle, hotel pickup, flexible stops. Full day.
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The experience
You don't expect to round a corner and see two colossal horse sculptures dominating the skyline, but that's what happens on this Highlands tour from Edinburgh. The Kelpies stand 100 feet tall and weigh over 300 tonnes each. They're modelled on real Clydesdale horses and represent the heavy horses that shaped Scottish industry. Your private driver-guide will stop here early in the day, and you get time to walk around them, photograph them, understand what they mean. It's the kind of detail that sets the pace for everything that follows.
From there, the route moves through Stirling Castle perched on its hill with views across the countryside, past the William Wallace Monument, and into Doune Castle. The one you've probably seen in Game of Thrones or Outlander without realizing it. The drive itself is the experience. You're not herded through a coach full of strangers. Your party has the vehicle to itself, the air conditioning is controlled from your seat, there's WiFi and USB ports, cold drinks and snacks in the onboard cooler. The driver knows when to stop for photographs and when to keep moving. Linlithgow Palace comes early, a 15th-century royal residence beside a loch that feels quieter than you'd expect.
By mid-morning you're into the Trossachs, Scotland's first national park, and the landscape starts to shift: lochs and mountains closing in, forests thickening. The guide talks about the history and culture as you pass through, but it doesn't feel like a script. Then comes Glencoe, a valley surrounded by towering mountains where you can step out and walk, and the views change depending on where you stand and what the light is doing. Fort William gives you the best angle on Ben Nevis, the UK's tallest mountain, and you can ask to stop for photos if you want them.
Loch Ness is the final major stop. You can take a one-hour cruise on the water if you choose (£21 per adult, £14 per child, £19 per senior, optional, not included), or explore from the banks and look out toward Urquhart Castle. The Cairngorms National Park is part of the drive too, a vast wilderness where red deer, golden eagles and ospreys live. There's also a chance to meet highland cows (the shaggy ones you see in photographs), and feed them if you want. The Forth Rail Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cantilever engineering icon, appears as you head back toward Edinburgh. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport or navigate between stops yourself.
Top questions
How long is the full tour?
The itinerary covers a full day. Exact duration depends on traffic and how long you spend at each stop, but plan for a substantial day trip from Edinburgh.
Is the Loch Ness boat cruise included?
No. The one-hour cruise costs £21 per adult, £14 per child (4–15), and £19 per senior (65+). You can also explore Loch Ness from the banks without taking the boat.
What's included in the price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, the private vehicle with driver-guide, snacks and chilled water, and all stops at the attractions listed. Entry fees to castles and attractions are not included.
Can I choose which stops to visit?
The itinerary covers multiple landmarks, but your driver-guide can adjust stops based on your interests and time. Photography stops are flexible.
Is this suitable for children?
Yes. Specialized infant seats are available, and children can ride in a pram or stroller. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.
What's the vehicle like?
A luxury vehicle with leather seats, self-controlled rear AC, WiFi, USB ports, and an onboard cooler with complimentary cold drinks and snacks.
Can I feed the highland cows?
Yes, there's a stop where you can meet and feed the highland cows, though it's optional.
What if I want to skip a stop?
The tour is flexible. You can ask your driver-guide to skip stops or spend more time at others depending on your preferences.
Operated by Bonnie Scotland Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Edinburgh: Highlands & Loch Ness Private Tour with Ben Nevis
10h–12h · EN · at your hotel
from £ 1,095 per group
≈ US$ 1,473 in your currency
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