Loch Ness, Glencoe & Ben Nevis tour from Edinburgh

Cross the Highlands in one day and stand in Glencoe Valley where three unusual rock formations rise from the glen.

This is a 12-hour guided sightseeing tour departing from Edinburgh that travels through Glencoe, past Ben Nevis and along Loch Ness, with a live English-speaking guide, air-conditioned coach and driver commentary throughout. The itinerary reverses between late March and late September. Entry to the Loch Ness cruise is optional and costs extra. Food, drinks and hotel pickup are not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Fort Augustus2h 15m
2. Stockbridge Market1m

Explore Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness

• Arrive at Rannoch Moor
• Visit Glencoe Valley and see The Three Sisters
• Stop to admire the Three Sisters rock formations
• Travel to Loch Ness via Fort William
• Visit Caledonian Canal and Fort Augustus lock system
• Optional Loch Ness cruise
• Visit Commando Memorial and view Ben Nevis
• Drive through Cairngorms National Park
• See Loch Laggan and Ardverikie Castle
• Stop at Pitlochry village for a drink
• Return to Edinburgh, see Forth railway bridge
• Receive tips for Edinburgh sightseeing

The experience

The day starts in Edinburgh and heads north into the Highlands, arriving first at Rannoch Moor before reaching Glencoe Valley, where you stop to photograph the Three Sisters: three pointed rock ridges named Gearr Aonach, Aonach Dubh and Beinn Fhada. This is the valley where the MacDonald clan massacre took place, and it has served as the backdrop for Harry Potter and James Bond films. You get time to walk and shoot photos before the coach moves on.

From Glencoe, the route passes through Fort William and continues to Fort Augustus, where the Caledonian Canal and its lock system come into view. This is where you can add a one-hour Loch Ness cruise if you want it (tickets sold separately at the stop). The canal viewpoint gives clear sightlines across the loch and its surrounding landscape. After Fort Augustus, the tour stops at the Commando Memorial, a World War Two monument where, on clear days, you can see Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, rising in the distance.

The return leg crosses Cairngorms National Park, passing Loch Laggan and Ardverikie Castle on the way to Pitlochry, a Victorian village where you have time to stop at a pub. On the drive back to Edinburgh, you cross the Forth railway bridge, a 19th-century structure that spans the Firth of Forth, and watch the landscape shift from Highlands to Lowlands. The guide offers tips about Edinburgh before you arrive back in the city.

What’s included

• Driver and live English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned coach with regulatory insurance.
• live commentary on board throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and SaturdayDeparts at 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 55

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by LochNessBus.com

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Edinburgh and want to see Glencoe, Loch Ness and Ben Nevis without renting a car or planning the route yourself. The coach, guide and timing are fixed, so you step on in the morning and the day holds together.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4).

What are the Three Sisters in Glencoe?

The Three Sisters are three unusual rock formations in Glencoe Valley: three pointed ridges named Gearr Aonach (short ridge), Aonach Dubh (black ridge) and Beinn Fhada (long ridge). You stop to photograph them during the tour.

Is the Loch Ness cruise included in the tour price?

The Loch Ness cruise is not included and costs extra. A one-hour cruise ticket is £18 for adults, £11 for children aged 5–15, and £16 for students and seniors over 60, payable by card at Fort Augustus to receive the group discount. The cruise does not operate on 26 December.

How long is this tour?

The tour runs 12 hours from start to finish, departing Edinburgh in the morning and returning the same day.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a driver and live English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned coach, regulatory insurance and live commentary throughout the day. Food, drinks and hotel pickup are not included.

Does the itinerary change at different times of year?

Yes. From 29 March to 30 September, the itinerary operates in reverse order, so you visit the same places but in a different sequence.