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Loch Ness Tour: Explore Highlands and Search for Nessie
4.8
746 Ratings
Edinburgh
Embark on a thrilling small group tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness and the Highlands. Discover Scotland’s stunning landscapes, search for the legendary Loch Ness monster, and enjoy a boat cruise on the mysterious Loch Ness. Book now for an unforgettable twelve-hour adventure!
Embark on a thrilling small group tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness and the Highlands. Discover Scotland’s stunning landscapes, search for the legendary Loch Ness monster, and enjoy a boat cruise on the mysterious Loch Ness. Book now for an unforgettable twelve-hour adventure!
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Linlithgow Palace - Catch a glimpse of Linlithgow Palace - birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
- Stirling Castle - Pass by historic Stirling Castle on its rocky crags.
- National Wallace Monument - The National Wallace Monument was built to honour our great Scottish hero - William Wallace.
- Doune Castle - Doune Castle is famous for its…
- Linlithgow Palace - Catch a glimpse of Linlithgow Palace - birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
- Stirling Castle - Pass by historic Stirling Castle on its rocky crags.
- National Wallace Monument - The National Wallace Monument was built to honour our great Scottish hero - William Wallace.
- Doune Castle - Doune Castle is famous for its appearance in Monty Python’s Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander.
- Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - Enjoy a morning coffee stop within Scotland’s first National Park. The options here include the Highland gateway village of Callander or the mountain views at beautiful Loch Lubnaig.
- Glencoe National Nature Reserve - The notorious massacre of the MacDonald Clan was carried out amidst this beautiful and dramatic scenery on the 13th February 1692. You may recognise this part of the Highlands, used in the movie ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. A majestic setting in any season!
- Rannoch Moor - Travel across the wilderness of Rannoch Moor with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.
- Commando Monument - View Ben Nevis (highest mountain in Britain at 1344 m) from the famous Commando Memorial. Here you can admire the spectacular views over the rugged landscape of Lochaber.
- Ben Nevis - Enjoy views from the bus of Britain’s highest mountain at 1344 m
- Caledonian Canal - Travel alongside the Thomas Telford designed Caledonian Canal.
- Loch Ness - Stop in Fort Augustus for lunch and to explore the largest loch in Scotland either from the shore or on an optional boat cruise (own expense).
- Cairngorms National Park - As you enter the Cairngorms National Park there may be time for a short woodland walk and talk.
- Scottish Highlands - Our final stop is in the heart of the Highlands (Big Tree Country in Highland Perthshire) where you can enjoy an early evening stroll through one of the picturesque villages or a quick refreshment before the final journey home.
- Forth Road Bridge - Return to Edinburgh crossing over the river Forth.
What's Included
- Local guide
- Driver/guide
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach
- Live commentary on board
- Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers
- Local guide
- Driver/guide
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach
- Live commentary on board
- Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Attraction Entrance Fees
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Attraction Entrance Fees
Additional Information
Join this intimate group tour (with an average composition of about 12 individuals) for a traditional one day excursion to Loch Ness. Navigate through magnificent Highland vistas, this trip is the ideal choice to explore vast areas of Scotland and possibly spot the renowned Loch Ness monster. It features remarkable Glen Coe and a possible boat tour on…
Join this intimate group tour (with an average composition of about 12 individuals) for a traditional one day excursion to Loch Ness. Navigate through magnificent Highland vistas, this trip is the ideal choice to explore vast areas of Scotland and possibly spot the renowned Loch Ness monster. It features remarkable Glen Coe and a possible boat tour on Loch Ness, the world’s most enigmatic body of water. This twelve-hour journey offers excellent value for money.
- Small group tour - average group size of 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 07.45
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(746 Ratings)
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David_t
Apr 22, 2025
The trip was a fantastic... - The trip was a fantastic way to experience the Western Highlands. Our guide, Roddy, was a treat and a wealth of historical and current Scottish information.
Review provided by Viator
C1549jdpaolab
Apr 14, 2025
Beyond the cities - Many places to see, discover and photograph to bring memories of this 5-day trip via Inverness, Portree and other places with lots of nature, lakes, mountains covered with heather.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachel_s
Mar 30, 2025
Spectacular - start to finish! - With our limited time in Edinburgh, this tour was the best way (time/money) to see a significant portion of the country. Roddy met us on time in the easily identifiable “Wee Red Bus.” Our family of four enjoyed a pleasant ride through the stunning highlands with frequent stops at lochs and Munros of note for breathtaking photos. Roddy shared interesting bits of history (and some tales), while ensuring our comfort (air temperature, volume of music/microphone, etc.). We were also well informed of the drive lengths ahead of us (longest stretch was 1.5 hours), so we could plan for available bathroom breaks. As other reviewers have noted, bring portable chargers for devices. At Loch Ness, we passed on the boat tour due to a proclivity for motion sickness (another reason we chose this small group tour and not a large bus) and instead delighted in the scenery, shops, and restaurants.
On a personal note, Roddy also helped us further a ruse for one of our daughters. We were surprising her with tickets to see her favorite Premier League team play, and Roddy, once learning of this, very sweetly participated in our scheme without being prompted. It was a thoughtful touch that will forever be part of the story of our family trip. (Roddy - We attended the match without a hitch, and her team won! Unforgettable day!)
Review provided by Viator
Oldmcguinness
Mar 21, 2025
Great photogenic tour with a very good and likeable driver - I deliberately chose this provider and was not disappointed. The tour started at 8 a.m. at Waterloo Place. The bus was on time. Our driver's name was Andy and he was very sympathetic and above all a prudent driver who also responded a lot to the wishes of his passengers.
In total we were only 4 passengers on board.
It was a beautiful tour to the Highlands and Loch Ness. Along the way there were numerous stories and anedotes of Andy...and very good places for photo tops.
I would book a tour with Heart of Scotland Tours again anytime!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ronnt8319gs
Mar 10, 2025
Loch Ness and the Highlands on the Wee red bus - We had the very best time on this tour. Be prepared for a very long day, approximately 12 hours. However, we would highly recommend this particular excursion. We had a very small group of 7 in our Wee red bus. Seats could be a little more comfortable but still a good trip. Angela was our guide and we would give her 10 stars if we could. She was excellent with her knowledge and stories about Scotland. We were very lucky to have a group who chose to be timely at each stop and to also have great weather. These two things allowed Angela to be able to offer extra photo stops. This was a great plus for all of us. We also did this tour at the beginning of March. This is not a high tour season month so crowds at our destinations were not overwhelming. We chose to do the optional Loch Ness boat tour which is not included in the price. We got a lot of historical information from the boat crew. Again, this is something we are glad we chose to do. The only caution we might suggest is that the designated bathroom/ food stops were not top notch. The bathrooms were clean and well kept. However, due to the number of tour buses on the same route, the grab and go food was very picked over and left very few options for our group. Again, we would still highly recommend this particular tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Antoniof5180
Jan 5, 2025
Very good experience - All very well organized
The guide / conductor was very friendly and competent
Everything was very well planned
Only a pity there was little time to have a meal
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ivan_y
Jan 5, 2025
Great little tour with... - Great little tour with super excellent tour guide. Be prepared for long sitting. Also would recommend slightly longer breaks. 30 mins stops are hard with the crowd.
Review provided by Viator
Karen_a
Jan 3, 2025
It was Amazing. Callum... - It was Amazing. Callum was full of rich knowledge and history. It allows you to see and enjoy all the spectacular scenery in just one day
Review provided by Viator
752remcos
Dec 29, 2024
Unforgettable Highland/Loch Ness Tour - Herewith we would like to thank Heart of Scotland Tours for the unforgettable tour we made with our family with you through the Highlands and Loch Ness last Sunday 22nd of December where Rodey was driving.
We have really enjoyed the trip and saw how beautifull Scotland is and of course with the unlimited knowledge of your guide about the tales from the past (sorry I forgot his name).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jubean94
Apr 15, 2025
Good enough for a quick trip - It was a good, but a long time to be in a mini van. This particular tour is mostly catered to a quick overview of the Lochs and Glens—outdoorsy. While there are pit stops… they’re not for very long. Just enough to grab a bite or use the facilities etc.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
