The Trossachs, Scotland

Explore the incredible nature and beauty of the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh! Departing on an air-conditioned luxury coach we pass by Stirling Castle, hear your tour guide tell tales of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce and the bloody battles fought out on these lands. First, arrive at Callander town, nestled at the foot of the Trossachs. When possible, we'll make a visit to the local Highland Cows, or as we like to call them - hairy coos! Next, drive through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Your Scottish guide will tell you about Rob Roy MacGregor, the infamous Highlander. Follow in the footsteps of James Bond ("Skyfall") and Harry Potter ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban") as you travel to the stunning Highland valley of Glencoe. Hear the eerie story of the Clan MacDonald massacre of 1692. Travel through Fort William, home to Ben Nevis, which at 4,409 feet is the highest mountain of the British Isles. Arrive on the south bank of Loch Ness in the charming village of Fort Augustus, where lots of cafes, shops, and restaurants offer a relaxing lunch. Stroll along the banks of the Caledonian Canal, then experience Loch Ness on an optional 1-hour boat cruise. Try to catch a glimpse of "Nessie," the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Pro tip: Bring a packed lunch to avoid queuing and make the most out of the stops! Admire the impressive Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with views of the Nevis Range. Enter the Cairngorms National Park and discover "Monarch of the Glen" country. Drive along Loch Laggan before the roads climb above the Grampian Mountains. Travel over the Pass of Drumochter, linking the northern and southern Central Highlands. Experience the majesty of a mountain pass created by glacial activity during successive Ice Ages. Finally, stop briefly in the beautiful Victorian town of Pitlochry before heading back to Edinburgh city center, arriving at approximately 8:30 PM. Please note that during the winter season, we may be arriving earlier than estimated. *Please note, to meet demand and to prevent overcrowding in smaller Scottish towns, this tour will be provided in reverse in our peak season. We are unable to allow children under the age of 7 on tour, and cannot make exceptions. **This tour has been designed to show you as much of Scotland as we can fit into one day! Due to the distance driven a large portion of the tour is spent on the bus, taking in the views and scenery of Scotland.

Embark on a full-day guided trip to Loch Ness from Edinburgh and tour the Scottish Highlands. See the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, keep an eye out for Nessie on a boat cruise and enjoy a picnic lunch. Head north from Edinburgh and pass the imposing ramparts of Stirling Castle. Skirt the Trossachs Rob Roy country, and cross the wilds of Rannoch Moor before stopping at dramatic Glen Coe; the scene of the infamous 1692 massacre.  Your journey takes you through Fort William. Pass Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, before entering the Great Glen. Arrive at the pretty Highland village of Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness, and enjoy a lovely picnic with freshly made sandwiches, shortbread, and chips. If you fancy something more substantial, your guide will happily recommend some great local cafes.  Take an optional boat cruise on the loch, go for a scenic hike, or just relax by the Caledonian Canal. If you choose to sail along the waters of Loch Ness, it really is an unforgettable experience. Your boat is equipped with the latest hi-tech color, sonar, and underwater imaging system, giving you a fascinating view of the underwater terrain and life. You might even see Nessie! You can also relax with a coffee or beer in the onboard bar. Having seen the best of the Scottish Highlands, it's time to head back to Edinburgh via shimmering Loch Laggan and the wild and lonely Drumochter Pass. Head south and enter Perthshire, a land of forests, rivers, and mountains. See the spectacular Forth Bridge before arriving back in Edinburgh at around 20:00.

Embark on a 3-day guided tour of the Scottish Highlands and visit highlights, including Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye. Learn the history of this lush region from your guide and spend two nights in Inverness. Day 1: Departing Edinburgh, we will drive by the famous Forth Bridges before making a short stop at the mysterious Kelpies. We continue north, to the historic village of Pitlochry. From there we drive through the east edge of the dramatic Cairngorms National Park to stop at the Highland Folk Museum (seasonal April - October). Here you'll experience highland life in the 17th century. See the buildings, the clothes and weapons, and how people lived 300 years ago. Continue north, to visit Culloden Battlefield, site of the last Jacobite Rising, then 'Clava Cairns', incredible 4,000-year-old, Bronze-Age standing stones. A short drive onwards, we arrive at the Capital of the Highlands, where you'll stay for 2 nights, choosing from a local guesthouse, hostel, or hotel (accommodation not included). We arrive at approximately 6:30 PM to dour drop-off/meeting point at Inverness Cathedral on Ardross Street, IV3 5NN. Day 2: After breakfast, depart Inverness and drive across the Kessock Bridge to the Black Isle and marvel at the spectacular scenery of Achnasheen and Loch Carron. Arriving on the Isle of Skye, venture north to explore the highlights of the island, including; the Cuillin Mountains, Trotternish Peninsula, Portree, the Old Man Storr, Kilt Rock and the famous Quiraing. In late afternoon, stop for photographs of the most beautiful castle in Scotland, "Eilean Donan Castle." Backdrop to many famous films, such as 'Highlander' and 'Made of Honor', this castle is another must-see iconic landmark! A scenic drive through stunning Glen Shiel follows, returning to Inverness to stay your final night at approximately 7:30 PM. The evening is free for you to do as you wish. Day 3: Depart Inverness for an optional morning cruise of the famous Loch Ness. Drive south to admire the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct and the breath-taking views of the Nevis Range at the Commando Memorial. Discover beautiful Glencoe, the most famous valley in Scotland, and hear of its tragic history. Continue south, into the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, while enjoying the scenery on the journey back to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 7 PM. ** Please note that during the winter season, we will be swapping Day 1 and Day 3’s itineraries to enable us to visit as many places as possible while it is still light outside. Due to weather and/or road conditions during the winter season the route may change at the driver/guide’s discretion. **

On this incredible tour, we explore the beautiful Scottish Highlands seeing castles, lochs, sculptures and perhaps some ‘Hairy Coos’ along the way. Departing the historic Royal Mile on an air-conditioned bus (16-34 seats) we head towards the iconic Kelpies, where you can take a close up look at these magnificent sculptures. We make our way towards Balloch, situated to the south of Loch Lomond’s Bonnie Banks. Here you can explore and take an optional hour-long boat cruise on the loch. Departing Loch Lomond we head towards the quaint village of Aberfoyle before exploring the picturesque Duke's Pass. Passing through Callander we make our way to Stirling where you can either take a stroll around the city centre or visit the historic Stirling Castle. Heading back we stop to catch a glimpse of the famous 3 bridges that span the River Forth before returning to Edinburgh *Boat cruise and entry to Stirling Castle are paid for on the day and are not included in the price of the tour.

Embark on a guided bus tour of Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, and Stirling Castle from Glasgow. Take in the views of the lush Scottish countryside and learn about William Wallace and Rob Roy from your driver. After leaving Glasgow, stop at the ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond, one of the prettiest and largest lochs in the whole of Scotland. Take a cruise, enjoying spectacular views of the loch’s many islands and the surrounding mountains. Alternatively, take a stroll through the picturesque loch-side conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses, cafes, and stunning views across the loch’s western shoreline. Eat lunch in the village of Aberfoyle, nestled in the heart of Trossachs National Park. Continue through the Trossachs, Scotland’s first national park, known as ‘the Highlands in miniature’ for its abundance of lochs, mountains, and forests, and homeland of the legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor. Your final stop is Stirling Castle (entrance ticket optional extra), which sits high on volcanic rock and offers wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. Have time to visit the castle and learn of the exploits of key historic figures including William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Mary Queen of Scots. After your visit to Stirling Castle, make your way back to Glasgow.

Departing Edinburgh, we head towards our first stop of the day; the Kelpies. At 30m high, they are the largest equine sculptures in the world and depict mythical creatures from Scottish folklore. We then travel westwards towards the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond; one of the prettiest and largest lochs in the whole of Scotland. Here you can enjoy an hour long cruise (optional extra) taking in spectacular views of the loch's many islands and surrounding mountains. We continue through the Trossachs National Park, also known as 'the Highlands in Miniature' for it's abundance of lochs, mountains and forests. It's also famous for the legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor. We will spend time exploring the area before stopping for lunch in a small village immersed in its beautiful surroundings. After lunch, we make our way through the town of Callander, past the medieval Doune Castle before we make our final stop of the day at Stirling Castle (optional extra). The site is one of Scotland's most historically significant fortresses, sitting high on volcanic rock and offering wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. You will have time to visit the castle and learn of the exploits of key historical figures including William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. With lots of interesting things to see and do here, the Stirling Castle experience is a must for any visitor to Scotland. We then begin our journey homebound to Edinburgh. Please note: this tour may run in reverse. Certain areas of Stirling Castle are closed due to safety. Please visit their access guide for more information.

Departing from Glasgow in the morning, we travel north, pausing for refreshments in the highland town of Tyndrum, before continuing onwards to Glencoe. The Glen is arguably one of Scotland's most famous glens, and features in James Bond's 'Skyfall'; spend time soaking up the dramatic atmosphere, as well as taking some fantastic photos, and learn all about the history of the Massacre of Glencoe. Travelling through more unparalleled highland scenery, we reach the town of Fort William. We will stop for lunch in the loch-side town, where you can enjoy stunning views across the lochs, as well as taking a look at Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain, which sits just outside of the town. After our stop in Fort William, our one-day Glenfinnan tour travels eastwards to the main attraction of the day; Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous for its many appearances in the Harry Potter movies. During the summer months, you will also be able to see the iconic view of the Jacobite Steam Train (or Hogwarts Express) crossing the viaduct. Don’t forget your camera! Surrounded by mountains on the shores of Loch Shiel, the Glenfinnan Monument symbolises one of the most important events in Scottish history; the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. We spend approximately one hour at the monument, with enough time to learn the history of the Jacobites and for you to get some iconic photos of the magnificent bridge and the stunning surrounding area, steeped in Scottish history. Not only is this location famous for the Glenfinnan Viaduct, but Loch Shiel was the location of the 'Black Lake'; see if you can spot a 'grindylow' under the surface causing mischief! It's also the setting for Buckbeak's beautiful flight, scenes from the Triwizard Tournament and also the stunning loch where Hogwarts is based. From Glenfinnan, we begin our journey back to Glasgow, and very soon we cross over a canal with a series of locks on the right called Neptune’s Staircase. It is part of the Caledonian Canal, which along with four lochs, allows boats and ships to make a 96 km journey from the west to the east side of Scotland. A true feat of Scottish engineering. We continue our journey south, heading past the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. We will stop here at Tarbet for a comfort break before our tour continues and we return back to Glasgow.

Welcome adventurers! Embark on a journey through the heart of Scotland, where every turn reveals a tale of history and mystery while you take in the dramatic scenery. Departing from the vibrant city of Edinburgh, our tour takes you on awesome adventure through some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes! Catch a glimpse of the mighty Stirling Castle as we make our way north, and cruise through the untamed beauty of Rannoch Moor before arriving at the hauntingly dramatic Glen Coe to learn about the legend of The Three Sisters and the clan massacre that inspired “The Red Wedding” from Game of Thrones. The exploration continues! On our way to legendary Loch Ness we will pass the towering Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, and travel through the rugged Great Glen, before we stop at the charming Highland village of Fort Augustus. Here, you’ll have two choices: 1) Hop on a cruise of the infamous loch and go hunting for the elusive monster! Sonars and underwater imaging systems will reveal secrets of the loch, while the crew share mystic stories and legends of the area and Nessie. Grab a coffee or a beer from the onboard bar to stay sharp! 2) Experience a taste of Highland life while wandering through the local shops, imagining yourself centuries before, and take in the historic sights. Maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of Nessie from the scenic shores? On our way back to Edinburgh we’ll trace Loch Laggan, see more of the rugged Scottish landscape, and stop at wee Highland villages while your epic guide shares tales of the land. As the day draws to an end, we savour one last glimpse of the iconic Fort Bridges before returning in the evening, filled with memories to last a lifetime!

Take in views of the shimmering shores of Loch Lomond and the imposing towers of Stirling Castle on this full-day tour of the breathtaking Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh. Travel aboard a spacious and climate-controlled bus.  Leave Edinburgh and head to the Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculptures dedicated to the horse powered heritage of Central Scotland, designed by Andy Scott. Continue west to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Stop at Balmaha to admire sweeping views of Ben Lomond. Have the chance to go on a woodland walk to get some great views of the Loch. Relax on the drive to Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most important structures both historically and architecturally. Many have been crowned at Stirling Castle, including Mary Queen of Scots. Purchase tickets to the castle and see a site that was central to William Wallace’s and Robert the Bruce's fight in the Wars of Independence. Alternatively, explore the city of Stirling, which is geographically one of the most significant towns in Scottish history. Return to Edinburgh in the early evening, arriving at around 5:30 PM.

You leave the cobbled streets of Edinburgh and travel past Linlithgow Palace and Stirling Castle. This region is soaked in history, so sit back and relax as your driver-guide entertains you with the tales of Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace, and Scottish folklore. If you keep a look out, you can catch a glimpse of the Kelpies. These 30-metre tall horse head sculptures need to be seen to be believed. Your driver-guide takes you to their favourite stop within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park where you can grab coffee and enjoy the views. After this stop, it’s time to get your camera ready. Because as you travel north into the Highlands, the landscapes suddenly become more provocative. Shimmering lochs, rugged mountains, forest filled glens: it’s all so beautiful that it’s easy to forget these were once battlegrounds for fiercely territorial Highland clans. You stop in Glencoe, one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. This beautiful area boasts steep slopes and photogenic peaks. Your driver-guide may reveal to you the tragic tale that’s haunted this valley for over 300 years. You then enter the glacial valley known as the Great Glen and pass under the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain. After this visual feast of mighty inclines, you arrive in Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness. At 23 miles long and over 700ft deep, Loch Ness is the largest loch by volume in Scotland. You have around one hour and a half here. You can search for the infamous monster on a relaxing boat cruise,* wander around the shores of the loch at your own pace, and grab a bite to eat. Your journey south is packed full of classic Highland scenery. You travel through the curvy Cairngorms National Park, along Loch Laggan, and past Blair Castle. Amongst the tall trees of Perthshire, you have a final refreshment break before journeying alongside the UNESCO Forth Rail Bridge and back into Edinburgh. *The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice. This route may be reversed on some occasions.