Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Inverness 2-Day Highlands Tour
Two Days in the Highlands: Loch Ness, Glencoe & a Night in Inverness
You travel north from Edinburgh through the Cairngorms with a driver-guide and small group, stop at Pitlochry or Dunkeld based on what interests you, spend a night in Inverness with breakfast included, then cruise Loch Ness and explore Urquhart Castle and Glencoe before returning. The route is flexible, both major attractions are paid for upfront, and the group stays under 16 people, which keeps the pace human.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness via Aviemore
- Travel through Highland Perthshire
- Stop at Pitlochry or Dunkeld
- See Scotland’s rounded peaks
- Visit Aviemore and try local food
- Discover 4,000 year old cemetery
- Arrive in Inverness for overnight stay
Day 2: Loch Ness and Glencoe to Edinburgh
- Take Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness
- Explore Urquhart Castle ruins
- Visit Glencoe landscape
- Stop for photos at scenic spot
- Return to Edinburgh
What’s included
Your tour includes a driver-guide for both days, transportation in a 16-seat Mercedes minibus, overnight en-suite accommodation with breakfast in Inverness, the Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness, admission to Urquhart Castle, and stops at Glencoe, Clava Cairns, Aviemore, and your choice of Pitlochry or Dunkeld on the first morning.
- Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 08:45
Information
2-day small-group tour from Edinburgh through Scottish Highlands. Includes Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle, Glencoe, overnight in Inverness, driver-guide and breakfast.
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The experience
The minibus leaves Edinburgh Bus Station at Gate J early morning, heading north into Highland Perthshire where your driver-guide reads the group and picks the first stop: could be Pitlochry, could be Dunkeld, depends on what people want to see. You're traveling with a maximum of 16 passengers, which means the van moves at a pace that lets you actually look out the window instead of rushing between checkpoints. The route takes you through the Cairngorms, past Loch Morlich, and by late afternoon you're in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, with its Victorian architecture and modern edge. You stay overnight there with breakfast included, which means you're not scrambling to find a café in the morning.
Day two starts with the Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness. The ticket is already in your tour price, so you just board and stand on deck while the water and the hills move past you. Urquhart Castle sits on the shore, a ruin that overlooks the loch, and you get time to walk through it before or after depending on the schedule. Then comes Glencoe, one of those landscapes that stops you mid-conversation. The valley is narrow, the mountains rise steep on both sides, and there's a weight to it: history and beauty tangled together. The driver knows the best spots for photos and where to stand so you're not just looking at it through a windscreen. By evening you're back in Edinburgh.
What makes this different from the coach tours that pack forty people on is the flexibility built into the route. The itinerary isn't locked down: the guide adjusts based on weather, group interest, and what's worth lingering over that day. You're also not paying separately for the Loch Ness cruise or Urquhart Castle entry. Both are included. The luggage limit is 20kg per person (one carry-on sized bag plus a small daypack), which is tight if you're overpacking, but reasonable for two nights. One thing to know: the Loch Ness boat is weather dependent and can be cancelled, though that's rare. Also, B&Bs on the route tend to be on the outskirts of towns, so there's usually a 20–30 minute walk to pubs and restaurants, not a problem if you're prepared for it, worth mentioning if stairs are difficult for you.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What time does the tour depart from Edinburgh?
The tour departs early morning from Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square. Exact departure time should be confirmed with your booking confirmation.
Is the Loch Ness cruise included?
Yes, the Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness and admission to Urquhart Castle are both included in the tour price.
How many people travel on the minibus?
Maximum 16 passengers per tour. Groups of three or more can book up to 8 people together.
What's included in the overnight accommodation?
En-suite accommodation with breakfast is included. Most properties are B&Bs on the outskirts of towns, a 20–30 minute walk from local facilities.
How much luggage can I bring?
20kg (44lbs) per person: one carry-on sized bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm) plus one small personal item for the bus.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes, the tour is intentionally flexible. The driver-guide adjusts stops and timing based on group interests and conditions, so the exact route and timings cannot be guaranteed.
What if the Loch Ness cruise is cancelled?
The boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice. If this happens, the tour continues with other attractions.
Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?
The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. If you have difficulty with stairs, mention it when booking so the operator can arrange ground-floor accommodation or a hotel with lift access if available.
Can the tour run in reverse?
Yes, the tour may run in reverse order for operational reasons.
Operated by Rabbies Trail Burners. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Inverness 2-Day Highlands Tour
2d · EN
from £ 315.07 per person
≈ US$ 424 in your currency
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