2-Day Inverness and Highlands Tour: Small Group Experience from Edinburgh

Embark on a 2-day small group tour from Edinburgh to Inverness and the Highlands. Explore stunning landscapes, visit historic sites, and experience the magic of Scotland.

Duration: 2 days
Cancellation: 3 days learn more
Highlights

Edinburgh to Inverness

Stirling Castle - Pass by the historic Stirling Castle perched on its rocky cliffs.

National Wallace Monument - The National Wallace Monument was erected to honor the great Scottish hero, William Wallace.

Glencoe National Nature Reserve - Glen Coe is arguably the most renowned of all Scotland’s glens. This narrow valley, the site of the infamous 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds, has also served as a backdrop for numerous films, including Skyfall. We will stop nearby for lunch (at your own expense).

Glenfinnan Viaduct - Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct (available Apr-Oct only), famously featured in several Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts Express crosses the bridge.

Ben Nevis - We will pause for a photo of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Fort Augustus - Enjoy a chance to take photos and shop for souvenirs in the picturesque village of Fort Augustus.

Loch Ness - We will travel the entire length of Loch Ness—keep an eye out for a possible sighting of the Loch Ness Monster!

Urquhart Castle - We will stop at Urquhart Castle for a photo opportunity and a chance to stretch our legs before the final leg of the journey to Inverness.

Inverness - Our overnight stay will be in Inverness, the northernmost city in the UK and the charming capital of the Highlands. There are plenty of pubs, cafés, and restaurants for evening entertainment.

Inverness to Edinburgh

Culloden Battlefield - After being picked up from your accommodation, it’s a short drive to Culloden Moor, where the Jacobites were ultimately defeated by government forces in 1746, marking the last battle fought on British soil. You will have time to walk the battlefield and learn more about this tragic event that claimed the lives of 700 Highland clansmen in just three minutes.

Clava Cairns - Visit one of Scotland’s most evocative and sacred prehistoric sites, the 4000-year-old stone circles and burial mounds at Clava Cairns.

Cairngorms National Park - As we head south through Cairngorms National Park, you’ll hear about the flora and fauna of this magnificent wilderness, officially protected since 2003 and the largest national park in the British Isles. We will also stop for lunch in one of the charming villages within the park.

Ruthven Barracks - While driving through Cairngorms National Park, you may spot Ruthven Barracks, built in 1719 following the 1715 Jacobite uprising.

Pitlochry - The Highland town of Pitlochry boasts an elegant main street filled with shops and restaurants. During your break here, you have the option to visit the Blair Athol Distillery (at your own expense) for a guided tour and a chance to sample the ‘water of life’ yourself.

The Hermitage Woodland Walk - Your final stop is a gentle riverside walk through Big Tree Country at Dunkeld, a beautiful way to conclude the tour in any season.

Forth Road Bridge - Just before returning to Edinburgh (with an estimated return time of 7pm), your journey will take you over the River Forth. You may make a quick photo stop in South Queensferry to capture the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, built in 1890.

What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Driver/guide
  • Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini coach
  • Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers
  • Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Attraction Entrance Fees
  • Accommodation: See the Additional Info section below to select your preferred accommodation choice
Additional Information

Join this very small group tour (average group size of around 12 passengers) for a magical two day escape to the Highlands. Traveling through spectacular scenery, this tour is the perfect way to see Scotland and many of her highlights. These include stops at Glen Coe, Glenfinnan Viaduct (April - October only) and Loch Ness. Overnight is in the bustling Highland capital of Inverness followed by visits to Culloden Battlefield, prehistoric standing stones, Pitlochry (optional whisky distillery tour) and a riverside walk at Dunkeld.

  • Accommodation: Please let us know in the Special Requirements box when you check out which type of accommodation you would prefer. Choose from: Hostel - £25 to £35 per person, per night. B&B single or single occupancy of a double room - £60 to £120 per person, per night. B&B en-suite double or twin - £120 to £190 per room, per night (2 sharing). B&B en-suite triple or quad - £160 to £240 per room, per night (3 or 4 sharing). Hotel - £160 to £240+ per room, per night (2 sharing)
  • Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers
  • Minimum age is 5 years old
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions (unless it is unsafe to do so), please dress appropriately
  • Please inform us 7 days in advance if you are bringing a service animal
Location
Waterloo Place
This tour departs from (and returns to) Bus Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3BQ (opposite Howie's Restaurant). Please arrive no later than 08.15
Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(182 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Baltzo35
Jun 21, 2024
First Class Business - We sadly wish we had been able to do this tour, but my husband has been in the Intensive Care Unit for 12 days, and is too weak to travel and has to be on oxygen for the first time. We had made this reservation months ago and paid in full. We are 3 weeks from our planned tour and I just notified the company that we are not able to come. I got an Immediate response and refund the next day! We didn't expect that (hadn't really looked at the refund policy) but are so impressed with the integrity of this company. We fervently hope to re-schedule next year when health permits, and we now plan to extend our tour plans for a longer trip on the Wee Red Bus. We are truly blessed with businesses like this one in the world.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tour28532594158
Jun 17, 2024
We ❤️ Caledonia - Well, prior to the trip I wasn't expecting much - other than getting a good introduction to Scotland. Yet the result was that we fell in love with the country, its history, the highlands, legends, myths and fairies. We owe thanks to James, who was a phenomenal tour guide - we appreciated his knowledge and insights, the humour, the playlists, and his integrity of character! Wow! Also we were very happy about the opportunity for walks - on battlefield, through forest or villages. We might just come back for another tour with the wee red bus!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diplomat_imam
Jun 17, 2024
Wonderful, please do NOT mISS!!!! - Splendid! Wonderful! Amazing! Me and my wife from Germany had a wonderful, memorable 02 days highland tour experience with the little wee red bus, James and the heart of scotland. Thanks to all of them. Since the beginning everything was so smooth and perfect. Remember, the drive long routes, show you places one by one, stop by at food places, give you enough time and space. It is a no rush trip, just relax, sit, and enjoy a long drive on beautiful scottish highlands. Prepare for the rainy, cold breeze, but we were very very lucky to have sunny days! Thanks to James the best tour guide and his angels!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bradley_z
Jun 2, 2024
Great tour and great host - James was our tour guide and was excellent. His knowledge and humor was great during the two day trip. I would highly recommend booking this as you see so much and don’t want to miss the Highlands.
Review provided by Viator
Abeach901
May 21, 2024
Amazing Private Tour of the Highlands! - Took the family on a private 2-day tour of Inverness and the Highlands. Our tour guide Mike was absolutely amazing! Very knowledgeable, considerate, professional, and was very accommodating in terms of our itinerary, food and bathroom breaks. We saw a lot in two days, and we had a fabulous experience! We would recommend Heart of Scotland Tours to anyone visiting Scotland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sheila_n
Apr 21, 2024
3 Senior Ladies on an 8 week journey - The tour bus driver Callum was amazing! He knew so much about Scotland's history and folklore. We had so many interesting stops-hidden gems. A small group was great as we got to know a little about our fellow travelers. Undoubtedly the best tour we've been on.
Review provided by Viator
Monica9192
Mar 12, 2024
SPECTACULAR DREAM PLACES - A beautiful trip, spectacular places, THE DRIVER told us stories about the trip and the entire route was amazing, simply beautiful
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robertakn8997eg
Nov 10, 2023
Perfect Guide and beautiful Trip - James has been an incredibile guide for 4 beautiful days. Really enthusiastic and passionate about showing us everything. He showed us incredible landscapes that really left us breathless. James was a real Scottish man, with so much good humour and full of stories to tell along the way. Also very professional. Definitely I would do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gloriasilvaaaa
Aug 27, 2023
Highlands Scotland - We rented a car and although we were initially worried about having to drive on the wrong side; one gets used to it quickly. I recommend it because we stopped where we wanted and visited the sites at our own pace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alinevono
Sep 19, 2023
Amazing tour but it could be better - I loved the places we visited but it was a bit different than what I imagined. First the itinerary was different from what is in this website, and it caused that we spent time in things not interesting and skipping some in the itinerary, for example, I was eager to see the castles and the highland distillery but it was skipped. Another point is in glenfinnan viaduct was amazing because we went there in the exactly time the train passed, that was awesome, however after that we needed to pass through a very difficult way to arrive in the place where the bus was. We spent a lot of time on this hiking and it was dangerous and tiring. I was expecting to see beautiful places, not long hiking. Another thing was that we spent so long in a place just to take a fare boat in one side of the lock to another which I don't think it wasn't necessary. It would be much better spend this time in the castles that were in the itinerary that were skipped.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today