Discover the Scottish Highlands on a leisurely 2-day trip from Edinburgh that includes overnight accommodation at a hotel or bed & breakfast. Visit two of Scotland’s most popular spots—Loch Ness and Inverness—during scenic drives among pine forests, dramatic castles and charming villages, with an optional boat ride on Loch Ness. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group limited to 16 passengers for a personalized experience with your informative guide.

2-day guided tour, round-trip from Edinburgh to Inverness in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
Scenic drive through the Scottish Highlands with optional boat ride on Loch Ness
Choice of hotel or B&B/guesthouse accommodation
Small-group tour with a maximum of 16 people ensures a personalized experience

What's Included

Breakfast
Overnight en-suite accommodation with breakfast
Small-group tour (maximum 16 passengers)
Transportation by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
Driver/guide

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Admission fees

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Bus Station
Edinburgh EH1 3AY, UK
Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ (Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure)

Start time

09:15 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Day 1: Edinburgh - Pitlochry - Cairngorms National Park - Inverness

You leave Edinburgh and head north across the River Forth towards the Highlands.

The first stop is in Pitlochry, a quintessential Scottish town nestled among the hills of Perthshire. Get some coffee and find out why Queen Victoria loved this place.

From here, continue on to Cairngorm National Park. This unique area is one of the last remaining pockets of native Caledonian pine forest left standing. Gaze in awe at Scotland’s most beautifully rounded. Leave the majestic mountains and step back in time at Clava Cairns. These ancient standing stones and ring cairns are as beautiful as they are mysterious and were made famous by Diana Gabaldon in the Outlander books.

Continue your journey, arriving at Inverness. Enjoy free time to soak up the lively atmosphere and beautiful Victorian architecture before you’re dropped off at your accommodation. The evening is free for you to explore the capital of the Highlands.

Overnight: 3-star hotel or B&B in Inverness

Day 2: Inverness - Loch Ness - Glencoe – Edinburgh

After a leisurely breakfast, you are picked up from your Inverness accommodation and travel to the mysterious Loch Ness where you have the chance to take a boat trip (April to October; price not included) along the loch to look for Nessie the Loch Ness Monster and visit dramatic Urquhart Castle. Or you may stay on dry land to explore the castle's mighty ruins.

Our journey continues south through the Great Glen past Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK and Fort William. You stop for lunch along the way before arriving in Glencoe, a haunting glen that was the scene of a terrible massacre in 1692, where many of the Macdonald Clan died.

The return journey continues over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor and into the Lowland scenery around Stirling, before finally reaching our starting point of Edinburgh.

Please note: tour may run in reverse order for operational reasons.

Day 1

Edinburgh - Fort Augustus - Inverness

6 Stops

Loch Lubnaig

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Glencoe Mountain

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Urquhart Castle

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Loch Ness

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Commando Monument

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Inverness Scotland

5 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight in Inverness.

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Inverness - Clava Cairns - Pitlochry - Edinburgh

3 Stops

Clava Cairns

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cairngorms National Park

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The House of Bruar

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
All tours from Edinburgh will depart from inside Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.
Minimum age for travel on this tour is 5 years
Not wheelchair accessible
Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
Please note tour stops and timings are for reference only and depend on the itinerary of the day as well as on group's interests, therefore cannot be guaranteed.

There are many options along the route and our itinerary is intentionally flexible so that the guide is able to decide what is best on any given day.
Near public transportation
Loch Ness by Jacobite cruise – no need to pre-book, you can choose whether you want to join the cruise whilst on your tour.
Most travelers can participate
Tour may run in reverse for operational reasons.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 22 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 22 full days before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 21 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 21 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Filter by:

Q:What is the departure point for the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:The tour departs from Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ

Feb 2023

Q:Is parking available near the departure point for the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:Parking can be difficult to find in the center of town. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of the excellent public transportation that is available.

Jun 2021

Q:How early should I arrive for the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:Check-in closes 15 minutes before your departure time. The tour departs on time, so please do not arrive late.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring luggage with me on the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:You may bring up to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.

Jun 2021

Q:What should I bring with me on the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring your camera and spending money for food, optional admission tickets, etc.

Jun 2021

Q:Are admission fees included in the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:No. You pay for access to sites such as castles and museums as you arrive. Most of these locations accept both cash and card.

Jun 2021

Q:What type of vehicle is used during the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:The tour is conducted in a 16 seat Mercedes Mini-coach. There are three steps up into the coach – each 150mm in height. There are grab handles on both sides, the step edges are clearly marked and the treads are non-slip.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring a wheelchair on the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:The bus is not wheelchair accessible, however, there is storage available for a folding wheelchair or walking frame. Guests must be able to get on/off the bus on their own or with the assistance of a companion as guides cannot assist physically.

Jun 2021

Q:Are restrooms available on the bus during the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:There are no restrooms on board the bus, however, the group does make regular breaks to use the restroom during the tour.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring my small child with me on the 2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh?

A:All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate in this tour. If your child is 5 or older, but under 1.35m (4.4 ft.) tall, please notate this in the "Special Requirements" box so a booster seat can be arranged.

Jun 2021

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Talk to the locals when you can and don't be afraid to ask questions!

There are some nice stops along the way with reasonable time to see stuff.

Reviews

5.0

461 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 461 reviews

Highly recommend this tour!

MLynn_P, Sep 2023

Our tour guide, Pete, was informative, knowledgeable, friendly & humorous. He went the extra mile to ensure we enjoyed ourselves. The chosen stops were unique highlights of scotland's history & beauty. The B&Bs in Inverness had wonderful hosts & breakfast near the city center. This tour offers so much to see in 2 days.

Brilliant way to see Scotland

Tracey_A, Aug 2023

The whole thing was amazing, feeding a highland cow was an added bonus. The whole trip was designed to show as much of Scotland as possible and it didn’t disappoint Pete our tour guide was brilliant and obviously loves his job and it shows 10/10 The B&B booked by the tour was also lovely

Best way to see the county in two short days!!

Julie_M, Aug 2023

Our guide, Catty, was amazingly knowledgeable and brought the history of the country to life. We traveled 700 miles in two days and saw things we never would have found if doing the tour on our own. We did the small group tour which seemed much more personable than the huge tour busses. We have a whole new appreciation for the land and the people of Scotland.

Loved the Highlands tour and trip on Loch Ness

Gary_K, Aug 2023

Our driver/tour guide Donald was excellent. He is so passionate about sharing information and history about Scotland. Donald was very thoughtful about passengers’ needs. His commentary was interesting and helpful. I would definitely take another tour with Donald. I also really enjoyed the boat trip on Loch Ness and the drive through the glens and near other lochs. The countryside was amazingly beautiful.

Derek was a very good...

meenal_j, Jul 2023

Derek was a very good tour guide.liked the highlands n lowlandsthe time spent at the stops was a bit less.one could either shop or eat.rest of it was perfect

Great weekend of sightseeing in Scotland

Christina_K, Jul 2023

My friends and I were on a business trip to Scotland and only had a weekend at the end to see something outside of Edinburgh. This trip was absolutely perfect for that. We were incredibly lucky to catch a rare week+ of sunshine and warm weather which made it even better. The stops were well timed, Colin (our driver) was hyper conscientious about finding toilet stops. During the drives between stops, Colin provided a great series of stories, local music, and a memorable mixture in the form of "Mary, Queen of Scots - The Musical". Because it was a holiday weekend and the weather was incredible, Colin had to be strategic about some stops, knowing that they would be unusually crowded. We really appreciated that he offered alternatives a few times, so we could 'choose our own adventure' between main sites. It was also much appreciated that as soon as the tour was departing Edinburgh, he told us to book dinner reservations in Inverness immediately. Some other friends took a different tour, were not given that advice, and had to have dinner at 10pm. Our favorite things on this tour were the hairy cows, the cruise on Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle, and the amazing scenery at Glen Coe. Note that there was some variability in lodging; the three of us booked individually and requested the B&B option (rather than hotel). Two of us were in super cute places with easy walk to center of Inverness, but the third was in a 2-star motel 25 min outside of town.

Great guide (Ross) kept...

DaJa, Jul 2023

Great guide (Ross) kept us informed and on schedule - great intro to the Highlands. Would highly recommend

An informative and fun trip through the Highlands

Divyesh_P, Jul 2023

This 2-day tour was an incredible experience and one I can highly recommend. Our driver and guide, Pete, was informative, funny, patient and a safe & reliable driver. The stops along the way were picturesque and the history and stories Pete shared during the drive helped contextualise what we were seeing. The accommodation that I was placed at, Heather Isle, was perfect too. I went solo and it was easy to chat to fellow travellers. Highly recommend for all.

Well worth it!

tammy_s, Jun 2023

Small intimate friendly group with an amazingly competent, accomodating, knowledgeable and salt of the earth tour guide, Willy. Sites were profoundly beautiful, overnight stay exceeded my expectations, and I was surprised how much we were able to get in inside of 2 days. Definitely would recommend.

Wonderful 2-day trip

Ryan_K, Jun 2023

Had a lovely time. Trip was efficiently planned and the sights were great. William our guide was charming and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend for a relatively quick 2 days around Scotland.

Beautiful

Jennifer_S, May 2023

Such a great trip! Would recommend to anyone who wants to see Scotland on a time crunch. We made many beautiful stops. Andy was such a great tour guide!

Great experience with Bruce!

Adelina_C, Apr 2023

We were very lucky to get the best guide in town! We had an amazing time with Bruce. A super fun and friendly travel companion always worried with showing us the best spots, the greatest views and making our trip so nice. Also he provided a very cool soundtrack to this trip!

DO IT- THEY DO ALL THE WORK FOR YOU

Daniel_N, Apr 2023

This is our first time doing a tour like this, and we definitely will be doing another one again. Our guide Decland was fantastic. He was kind, funny, and very knowledgeable on the history and culture of all the places we traveled. The hotel we stayed in was great and the places we saw were breathtaking. The cherry on top was that we did not have to plan a thing once we paid! We simply had to show up at the right place at the right time! I can’t recommend this tour enough.

Highlands tour

Brandon_C, Apr 2023

Had an awesome time. Our guide Kelly was amazing. Friendly, funny, and really went that extra mile. She really made the tour.

Highlight

tatianagferreira, Mar 2023

A highlight of our trip to Scotland; Keith and Decklen were outstanding. Felt private enough with the small vehicle and we saw all the main sites

Rodger was great driver...

Liliya_M, Oct 2022

Rodger was great driver and tour guide. Broad history knowledge. Very accommodating. Wonderful experience, definitely must do! I’ve learned so much about Scotland. Definitely a must do experience!

Great Highlands highlights!

Amy_K, Oct 2022

Highly recommend. Great way to get a feel for the Highlands. Everything went smoothly and Mark was a great guide- took good care of our group and great history, humor, and music on the way! Tip: make a dinner reservation for Inverness- restaurants filled up early in the evening.

An experience I could do again.

Julie_E, Oct 2022

All of it was wonderful but Glen Coe was favorite and of course all of the history stories told by Peter

Great 2 day tour of the Highlands!

Arleen_S, Oct 2022

2-dayTour gave us a nice overview of the Highlands. It was so nice to have a tour guide to share with you the history of what you are seeing plus do the driving so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, something you would not have on your own road trip. Ashleigh was an EXCEPTIONAL guide (friendly, fun, knowledgeable and informative) and made sure everyone had a great time!!

A tour of beautiful Scotland

Melissa_v, Jul 2022

Culloden was very beautiful and moving, and the natural beauty of the highlands was spectacular. The B&B in Inverness was pleasant and comfortable with an excellent breakfast.

...