Loch Ness & Highlands Day Trip from Glasgow with Cruise

Summary

Glencoe’s misty slopes, Loch Ness cruise, Highland tales from Glasgow

You’ll cross rugged Highland landscapes from Glasgow to Glencoe, stand by Fort Augustus watching boats drift into Loch Ness, then take a 50-minute cruise across those legendary waters with a local guide weaving stories along the way. Expect moments of quiet awe — and maybe laughter when your Gaelic goes sideways.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed stepping off the mini-coach in Glencoe was how quiet it felt — not silent, but that kind of hush you get after rain when the clouds hang low over the hills. Our guide, Jamie (he had the thickest accent and a quick laugh), pointed out where the MacDonalds once hid. It’s wild country, honestly. Moss underfoot, air sharp with peat and pine, and I swear you can almost taste the stories in the wind. We all stood there for a bit just looking at those steep green slopes — nobody rushing.

By the time we reached Fort Augustus, I was hungry and a bit stiff from the drive (it’s a fair few hours from Glasgow, but worth it). There’s this little spot by the Caledonian Canal where boats drift past so slowly you forget what time it is. Jamie told us about old canal keepers waving to travelers — he even tried to teach us a bit of Gaelic (I butchered every word; he didn’t seem to mind). The main event was definitely the Loch Ness cruise. The water looked nearly black under that gray sky, cold enough to sting your nose if you leaned out too far. No sign of Nessie — just gulls and that endless stretch of water with hills pressed close on both sides.

I kept thinking how different everything smells up there: wet stone, wood smoke drifting from some cottage you can’t see. The Cairngorms passed by outside the window on our way back — pine forests rolling forever, castles crumbling into the green. I dozed off for a bit and woke up to someone laughing about their photos being all fog anyway. That felt right somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Glasgow to Loch Ness and Highlands

• Depart from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station
• Travel through Glencoe and admire landscape
• Pass through Cairngorms National Park
• Relax at Fort Augustus and watch boats
• Take 50-minute Loch Ness boat cruise

Top questions

How long is the Loch Ness cruise on this day trip?

The Loch Ness cruise included in this tour lasts 50 minutes.

Is pickup included for this Highlands day trip from Glasgow?

No hotel pickup; you meet at Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow before departure.

Are entry fees included in this Loch Ness & Highlands tour?

Yes, admission for the 50-minute Loch Ness boat cruise is included in your tour price.

What is the maximum group size for this tour?

This is a small group tour with a maximum of 16 people per coach.

Can children join this day trip to Loch Ness?

Children aged 5 and above can join; under 5s are not accepted on this tour.

Does this tour run if it rains or if weather is bad?

The tour runs rain or shine but the Loch Ness cruise may be cancelled due to weather without notice.

Where does this day trip depart from in Glasgow?

The meeting point is Buchanan Bus Station (Stance 23-32), Killermont Street, Glasgow G2 3NW.

What’s included

Your day includes travel by air-conditioned mini-coach with a small group (no more than 16 people), all led by an experienced driver-guide who shares Highland stories along the way; admission for a 50-minute boat cruise on Loch Ness is covered too — just show up at Buchanan Bus Station ready for an early start and bring your sense of adventure (and maybe an umbrella).