Witness dramatic landscapes and majestic castles on a full-day trip through Scotland’s West Highlands from Edinburgh. With a knowledgeable guide, soak up stunning scenery from the rugged Breadalbane Mountains to The Trossachs National Park. Visit the villages of Luss and Inveraray, and hear tales of famous Scottish heroes and rebels. Movie buffs will love the visit to Doune Castle, film site of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

Scottish Highlands day tour from Edinburgh
Admire dramatic scenery from the comfort of a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
Visit Doune Castle and Inveraray Castle
Small-group tour for a more personalized experience

What's Included

Admission Fees - Doune Castle included in tour price
Small Group Tour (maximum 16 passengers)
Top range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meals and refreshments
Admission fees (unless stated)

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

08:15 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Your full-day tour of Scotland’s Highlands lochs and castles sets off from central Edinburgh in the morning. After meeting your friendly guide and boarding your top of the range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, sit back for the journey from the city through the Lowlands.

Your first stop is at Stirling, where you visit the spectacular Doune Castle.

Aside from its historic importance as a critical medieval stronghold, Doune Castle has enjoyed more modern recognition as the film site for Monty Python and The Holy Grail and the TV series Outlanders, based on the books of Diana Gabaldon. Opt to visit the castle (own expense) or snap photos from outside and take a stroll around the surrounding area.

As your mini-coach continues through dense forests and highland peaks, your expert guide shares fascinating true and fictitious tales about local figures like Rob Roy MacGregor—dubbed the ‘Scottish Robin Hood’—who is buried in the Braes of Balquhidder.

Stop for lunch (own expense) en route to tranquil Loch Awe and the romantic ruins of Kilchurn Castle. See Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park then continue toward Inveraray Castle on the shores of Lake Fyne, where you have free time for an optional castle tour (own expense; tour runs from April to October only). Learn about battles that occurred in this region and rulers like King Robert the Bruce and Clan Campbell, who possessed the Argyll lands for centuries.

Your excursion ends near Waverly Bridge in the evening.

Doune Castle

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Luss Village Paths

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Rest and be Thankful

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Inveraray Castle

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Min. age 5 years old. We do not accept children under the age of 5 years.
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.
Not wheelchair accessible
Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure
In order to retain the integrity of the tour and try to ensure that all our customers have the best possible experience, we do cap bookings from any one party to 8 passengers.
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
Doune Castle – We reserve tickets for you. Entrance is included in tour price
Inveraray Castle - The castle is only open on a few selected dates this year. On those dates, you will be able to buy a ticket from your driver-guide whilst on tour.
On the dates when Inveraray castle is closed, we will try to arrange a photo stop instead.
Please note that Inveraray Castle is open from April to October only
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours 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.

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Q:What is the departure point for the West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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 West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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 West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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 West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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 West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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

Jun 2021

Q:Are admission fees included in the West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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 West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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 West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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 West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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 West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Small-Group Day Tour?

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

Featured review

Thomas_C

Steven was our tour guide and he did a great job. The sights were spectacular.I highly recommend this tour with Stephen. This is THE tour to do! Don’t hesitate. Seriously a great day out for us.

Reviews

4.5

1,019 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 1,019 reviews

Good guide, good, tour.

Gina_A, Sep 2023

It started slow. Drive by spots and locks, but our tour guide Simon ,kept us ingaged with stories, and interesting facts. It ended with castle Dun aka Lallybrock. This made me happy. Over all good trip.

Best Day!

Thomas_C, Jul 2023

Steven was our tour guide and he did a great job. The sights were spectacular.I highly recommend this tour with Stephen. This is THE tour to do! Don’t hesitate. Seriously a great day out for us.

Great tour with William and Esther

Kevin_K, Jul 2023

Great tour with William (guide) and Esther (driver). William is a very funny guy, extremely friendly and genuine. The highlight was the visit to Doune Castle, where much of Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed. (Audioguide voiced by Terry Jones was excellent.)

Unforgettable trip to the Highlands!

Karen_R, Jul 2023

Great day out to see Castles, Villages, Lochs & amazing scenery! William G. & Esther provided a wonderful tour and a day to remember, Doune Castle was impressive! Inverarry Castle was closed but we were still able to visit the village and take pics outside the castle.

Lovely ride to the highlands

Jamie_L, Jul 2023

Had a great time getting away from the city. Nice to be in a small group and to stop in small towns. The guide was informative.

A Treat of a Tour!

Melissa_D, Jun 2023

The guide was extremely knowledgeable and pleasant. He told captivating stories and played music during the ride that told stories of the history. He included a few extra stops along the way, including one to see the Coos. Awesome experience! Highly recommend!

The best tour you could ever book!

MaryAnn_N, Jun 2023

I've booked and taken several day trips, and this one was the best on all counts. We made several stops at castles, lochs, mountains, and to see the highland cattle. Our guide, Stephen, was so knowledgeable about the history and had interesting stories that helped make it come alive. We loved traveling with the small bus and group, we were able to make friends with several on board.

If you do one tour, THIS IS IT!

Cassandra_G, Jun 2023

Most excellent tour! Our guide Grame M was super amazing! He was fun, knowledgeable and very accommodating. It was an 8 hr tour that went by very quickly, lots of stops to explore and take photos. Lots of history shared, music played, and plenty of laughs and smiles. Bus was comfortable. Enjoyed this tour tremendously!

Beautiful day in this spectacular country!

beatriz_a, May 2023

Our tour guide Nick was fantastic, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and funny! . Nick went out of his way to create a memorable day when at the last minute, one of the castles was not available. We highly recommend this tour.

Great tour

Jillian_W, May 2023

Al was a terrific guide, and we really enjoyed the local commentary. The countryside in Scotland was beautiful. Would tour with this group again without a question.

Best tour

Prudence_G, May 2023

We had a wonderful tour thanks to the excellent guides, Mac and Lizzie. The schedule was extremely well planned and carried out smoothly. We highly recommend it.

Good for a snapshot

Georgie_K, Apr 2023

There was not enough nice photo opportunities to appreciate the beautiful highlands. We kind of wizzed through and only had stops at places that were suitable for the toilet break (not best places to appreciate the destination). Our guide was lovely but we didn’t get as much history about the region which I was hoping for.

A fantastic mix of green hills, lochs and castles

Marlies_B, Apr 2023

The beautiful views of Scotland; the lochs, castles and little towns are just magical! We enjoyed the drive with our guide who told us stories of the area - current and history. The visit to the castle was amazing. The little lambs in the fields were just too sweet... even if they did not want to stand still for a foto :-)

Castle Highlands Tour

Katherine_S, Mar 2023

Our tour with Barbara and Graham was excellent. Barbara shared with us so many facts and insights of Scotland’s history in the highlands and castle lore. It was a rainy day for driving and Graham did an excellent job. Truly appreciated their care for the experience, hospitality, and their professionalism.

AMAZING DAY!

Kim_G, Mar 2023

Owen was an outstanding driver and tour guide. Could use a little work on his singing!! LOL. He was loads of fun and was able to give us tons of Scottish history! I would take a tour with him anytime. The tour itself was wonderful as well. Lots to see, beautiful countryside, castles and lochs! Highly recommended!

Great tour!

Robert_W, Jan 2023

We had a great time! Martin was fun and informative! Really glad we were able to see a different side of Scotland as we spent most of our time in Edinburgh. There were plenty of stops so didn't feel cooped up in the van. We went in January so the days are short but we were able to make it to all our stops in the daylight. The van was a bit narrow but it has to be! The roads are just more narrow than American roads. The only sight annoyance was the leg room. I'm 5'11" so my knees were a bit uncomfortable but there were enough stops that it wasn't bad. Would do Rabbies again for sure!

Beauty of Highlands, history of the area, and a great group of fellow travelers.

Janice_C, Dec 2022

The best part was seeing the beauty of the Highlands and learning the history of the area, people, and castles that we saw. Loved it! Bus was comfortable and we really appreciated that the group is small. Our guide, Liam, actually remembered everyone's name. Large bus tours are so impersonal.

A must do in Scotland.

Julie_M, Dec 2022

We had a wonderful day with our lovely tour guide Colin. He had great stories and went out of his way to make sure each of us enjoyed the day.

Perfect if you want to see a lot of picturesque Scottish landscapes and castles

Gregory_L, Nov 2022

Very nice tour with a lot of stops to contemplate the landscapes and take pictures. Our guide was very helpful, albeit a bit hard to understand sometimes because he was talking so fast. The castles were a nice touch, as we managed to see at least 6 in a day.

Scotland's Beauty

Laurie_E, Oct 2022

Our tour guide, Catty, was amazing. She is a great story teller and has so much information to share about the areas we visited. The scenery is beautiful and the castles were so different!

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