From Edinburgh: 1-Day Loch Ness, Glen Coe & the Highlands Tour

This is a monster tour.

Head into the Highlands…

As you head towards the Highlands, you’ll see the amazing Forth Railway Bridge, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s bright red, so you can’t miss it, and it’s a stunning example of Victorian engineering. With its triple cantilever design, it is the biggest one of its kind in Britain and the second-biggest in the world. Our journey continues past Perth, the old capital of Scotland. With a rich and influential history that stretches back over 800 years, it has always been one of the most important political, judicial and commercial centres in Scotland and towards Taste Perthshire – a wonderful place for a refreshment stop and the chance to meet and feed Highland coo!

As you journey north, you will pass Dunkeld – ‘fort of the Celts’ – the ancient religious centre of Kenneth MacAlpin. Our first stop will be at about 9.30 am at the Taste of Perthshire, where you can sample some excellent local food, and admire a selection of fantastic Scottish products.

Through the spectacular Cairngorms…

Then enjoy the stunning scenery as you travel through the spectacular and unique wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in Scotland. This large mountain range has five of the highest mountains in the UK within its limits. We pass Aviemore, the main town in this area, that is now a centre for outdoor and holiday activities, and then continue north and drive through Inverness – the capital of the Highlands. Perched picturesquely above the river, Inverness Castle dominates the horizon of this thriving city. Then it is on to the famous Loch Ness.

Take a cruise and visit Urquhart Castle or Nessie spot from the shore…

Loch Ness is the largest body of water in Britain by volume; incredibly, all lakes and rivers of England and Wales would fit in it. With these dimensions, it’s not surprising that a monster is believed to live in the depth of the Loch. The famous “Nessie” was first seen by St. Columba in the mid-6th century. But it wasn’t until the 1930s that the mysterious creature came to widespread notice when it was seen again by an American couple. Since then, there have been thousands of sightings, and who knows? Maybe you will be the next to spot it. During our time at Loch Ness, you have a few options. You have the opportunity to visit Urquhart Castle and then join a cruise on Loch Ness (cruise and castle combined: additional £28.00 per person).

See UK’s highest mountain…

We then make our way through the Great Glen towards the Commando Memorial, erected in 1952 and dedicated to the remembrance of the Royal Marine Commandos who trained here during WWII. We stop here for a quick photo opportunity of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain at 4,413 feet (1,345 metres). Next, we will have a short refreshment stop, where you can purchase coffee, refreshments and perhaps a wee nip of whisky.

Relive the massacre of Glen Coe…

Glen Coe is broodingly beautiful and steeped in history. It is in the centre of an extinct volcano that exploded millions of years ago, leaving the rocky mountainous place we see today. As you stand at the mouth of the glen, you’ll feel the past come to life as our guide tells you about the terrible massacre of Glen Coe. You’ll learn the parts clans Campbell and MacDonald played in this brutal part of Scottish history. The other side of Glen Coe is Rannoch Moor, one of the last great wildernesses – 50 square miles of peat bog and marsh, and a site of special scientific interest. It is also where part of the James Bond film ‘Skyfall’ was filmed.

Salute William Wallace and head home…

The route home takes you past the beautiful city of Stirling and its stunning castle, which is one of the most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. Several Scottish kings and queens have been crowned at Stirling, including Mary Queen of Scots. Not far away from here, William Wallace had one of his greatest triumphs at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297. You’ll catch a glimpse of the Wallace Monument as we pass by Stirling. His exploits were dramatised in the award-winning film ‘Braveheart,’ starring Mel-Gibson. We’ll continue to Edinburgh arriving back at 8.30 pm approximately.

On 26th December & 1st January there will be no cruise or castle visit available. On these dates we recommend you bring a picnic with you as there will be limited options for food.

Please note on some dates this tour will operate in reverse.

• No matter when you visit, the weather in Scotland can be “changeable”, to say the least. We suggest that you bring suitable clothing for all conditions, including a waterproof jacket (it has been known to rain in Scotland), sunglasses and plenty of layers.
• Ensure you bring shoes suitable for short walks, on rough or uneven terrain.
• Although most attractions & eating establishments we visit accept card payments, we would also recommend bringing cash with you.
• Don’t forget a camera to snap the fantastic memories you’ll make on tour with us!
• Please limit your luggage to 1 x small/medium piece per person (no more than 15kg), along with 1 x small handbag or daypack.