Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands - 2 Day Tour

Day 1: Fom Edinburgh to Inverness

1. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
   30m
   From Edinburgh, we depart in the morning and head west to pick up the Glasgow passengers. From there, we head north to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park area where we will stop for a quick comfort break to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
   
   *On tours where the coach has no pick ups from Glasgow, the route on Day 1 will travel via Stirling.
2. Glencoe
   15m
   Our tour continues north to dramatic Glencoe which you may recognise from James Bond’s Skyfall. We will stop here to take in the haunting scenery of the area and to learn about its fascinating history, as it was the location of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald clan. Be sure to bring your camera for fantastic photos of one of Scotland’s most poignant locations before we continue north to the loch-side town of Fort William.
3. Fort William
   50m
   We arrive in Fort William, a picturesque loch-side town, for a lunch break.
4. Commando Monument
   15m
   After a scenic loch-side lunch break, we head to the Commando Memorial. Enjoy magnificent views of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain, as you learn about the meaning behind the memorial.
5. Fort Augustus
   45m
   From there, our tour continues towards Loch Ness. First resting at Fort Augustus, a picturesque town at the foot of the loch that offers spectacular views. Be sure to keep an eye out for Nessie! There may also be a photo opportunity at the impressive ruins of Urquhart Castle should time permit.
6. Inverness
   14h
   We arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. This is where we will check into our accommodation for the night and you will have free time to explore the city.

Day 2: From Inverness to Edinburgh

1. Culloden Battlefield
   1h 15m · Admission ticket not included
   After a hearty highland breakfast, our second day of touring will begin. We will head out of Inverness and head towards two of the most important historical sites in the north of Scotland. Our first stop of the day is Culloden Battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites were defeated by the Duke of Cumberland.
2. Clava Cairns
   15m
   We then journey towards Clava Cairns, a group of burial monuments that offer a glimpse into the life and rituals of Scots in the Bronze Age, over 4,000 years ago.
3. Cairngorms National Park
   1h 30m
   Following a photo stop at Carrbridge, our tour will head into the spectacular Cairngorms National Park - the largest National Park in the United Kingdom. Enjoy a relaxing lunch stop on the shores of Loch Morlich. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of the wildlife that is known to inhabit the area.
4. Ruthven Barracks
   30m
   After this, our next stop will be the old military garrison of Ruthven Barracks, built by General Wade and the British Government after the Jacobite Rising of 1715.
5. Blair Athol Distillery
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   On our return journey to Edinburgh, there is the opportunity for a visit to Blair Athol Distillery. Here, there will be time for a tour and tasting, where you can sample some award-winning scotch whisky. Please note that due to availability, this may not always be possible. If we are unable to visit Blair Athol, we will instead have time to explore the historic Victorian town of Pitlochry.
6. Forth Bridge
   Pass by
   We then begin the final stretch of our journey back towards Edinburgh, crossing over the impressive Queensferry Crossing. This engineering giant spans the Firth of Forth, and joins the Forth Road Bridge and iconic Forth Rail Bridge, representing 3 centuries of Scottish engineering and innovation. After a short journey, we then arrive back in Edinburgh, where our 2-day Loch Ness, Inverness and the Highlands tour will come to an end.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Minimum age is 4 years.
• Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• Digital translations in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian & Mandarin available on request.
• Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund.
• Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before your tour's departure time.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• If you book your own accommodation, it must be within 2km of Inverness city centre.
• Luggage is restricted to one medium sized suitcase per person. For guidance: a medium sized suitcase is considered 60-69cm high and roughly 45cm in width.
• Please note: from 3rd December 2024 our Edinburgh tours will depart from NCP Castle Terrace, EH1 2EW.