Edinburgh: Inverness & Highlands 2-Day Small Group Tour
Two Days in the Scottish Highlands: Glen Coe to Culloden from Edinburgh
You get two full days of Highlands scenery and history without arranging transport, accommodation, or timing yourself: the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you see Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Culloden, and Cairngorms National Park in sequence, with a night in Inverness included. Lunch on day two is covered. Day one lunch is at your own expense in Glen Coe.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness
- Pass Stirling Castle
- Visit National Wallace Monument
- Stop near Glen Coe for lunch
- Visit Glenfinnan Viaduct (Apr-Oct)
- Photo stop at Ben Nevis
- Photo and shopping in Fort Augustus
- Drive along Loch Ness
- Photo stop at Urquhart Castle
- Overnight stay in Inverness
Day 2: Inverness to Edinburgh
- Visit Culloden Battlefield
- Visit Clava Cairns prehistoric site
- Drive through Cairngorms National Park
- Stop for lunch in Cairngorms village
- Spot Ruthven Barracks
- Explore Pitlochry town
- Riverside walk at Dunkeld
- Photo stop at Forth Road Bridge
- Return to Edinburgh by 7pm
What’s included
- Your two days include pickup from your Edinburgh accommodation, air-conditioned Mercedes coach transport, a 5-star reviewed driver/guide with live commentary throughout, one night accommodation in Inverness (your choice of hostel, B&B, or hotel), lunch on day two inside Cairngorms National Park, and return to Edinburgh by 7pm.
- Day one lunch in Glen Coe is at your own expense.
- All entry to attractions and time at Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, and the riverside walk at Dunkeld are included.
- Saturday 08:30
Last departure this season: 2 Jan 2027
Information
Two-day Highlands tour from Edinburgh with Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and Inverness overnight. Small groups, coach and guide included. Returns 7pm day two.
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Traveler reviews
The experience
You've got two days and you want to see the real Highlands, not a rushed highlight reel, but the glens, the lochs, the battlefields that actually shaped Scotland. This tour leaves Edinburgh early and doesn't cut corners. Day one takes you through Glen Coe (the narrow valley where the 1692 massacre happened, and yes, it's been in Skyfall), past Ben Nevis for photos, along the full length of Loch Ness, and into Inverness for the night. The group stays around 12 people, which means you're not herded through in a coach full of forty. You actually hear the guide, and there's room to breathe.
The second day is where the history lands. You start at Culloden Battlefield, where 700 Highland clansmen died in three minutes during the last battle fought on British soil in 1746. You walk the moor itself, not just look at it from a car window. Then it's the 4,000-year-old stone circles at Clava Cairns, a drive through Cairngorms National Park (the largest in the British Isles, officially protected in 2003), lunch at a village inside the park, and a gentle riverside walk at Dunkeld through what they call Big Tree Country. On the way back to Edinburgh, you cross the Forth Rail Bridge: built in 1890, and worth a photo stop in South Queensferry if the light is right.
The driver is 5-star reviewed and does live commentary the whole way. The coach is air-conditioned Mercedes, which matters when you're sitting for hours. Accommodation in Inverness is your choice: hostels from £30–45 per night, B&Bs from £100–190, or hotels from £190 upward. If you're bringing a service animal, let them know seven days ahead. The tour operates in all weather (unless it's genuinely unsafe), so pack layers and waterproofs. You're in Scotland, and the weather changes fast. Return to Edinburgh is 7pm on day two.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 17 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's included in the tour price?
Driver/guide, air-conditioned coach transport, live commentary, and accommodation in Inverness (choice of hostel, B&B, or hotel). Day two lunch is included. Day one lunch in Glen Coe is at your own expense.
How many people are in the group?
Average group size is around 12 passengers, traveling in a Mercedes mini coach.
Is the Glenfinnan Viaduct included?
Yes, but only April through October. Outside those months, that stop is not part of the itinerary.
What time does the tour return to Edinburgh?
7pm on day two.
Can I book my own accommodation in Inverness instead?
Yes. Let the operator know in the Special Requirements box if you're arranging your own hotel.
What if I'm bringing a service animal?
Service animals are allowed. Inform the operator at least 7 days in advance.
Do I need to be fit for this tour?
It's suitable for all physical fitness levels. Day two includes walks at Culloden Battlefield and Dunkeld, but these are at your own pace.
Operated by Heart of Scotland Tours Ltd. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
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Edinburgh: Inverness & Highlands 2-Day Small Group Tour
2d · EN
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