A full-day small-group tour that drives from Edinburgh into the raw heart of the Highlands—Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and a stop at Loch Ness for shore time or an optional boat cruise. Expect dramatic viewpoints, concise history and an intense, rolling day of scenery.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step onto the mini-coach at Waterloo Place before dawn and the city peels away—Georgian terraces shrinking into the morning mist as the A9 unfurls north. The bus climbs and the light changes; hills take on a bruised purple, lochs flash like coins in a pocket. By the time you crest Rannoch Moor, the landscape stops being background and starts to move toward you—peat smoke clings to the heather, wind scours the slopes, and the Highlands insists on your attention.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
12 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal walking required; suitable for a wide range of fitness levels but expect a long day sitting with intermittent short strolls.
Wildlife
History
The route threads through sites linked to Mary Queen of Scots, clan history and 19th-century engineering like the Caledonian Canal—each stop layers human stories onto a harsh glacial landscape.
Conservation
The Highlands’ peatlands store vast carbon; stick to marked pullouts and paths to avoid damaging fragile bogs and leave no trace in small villages to support local communities.
Reserve your spot on the Loch Ness and the Highlands Small Group Tour from Edinburgh today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Layer for quick weather shifts
Bring a warm mid-layer and a waterproof outer; conditions on Rannoch Moor can change from sun to wind-driven rain in minutes.
Bring binoculars
Wildlife and distant vistas are best spotted with optics—keep them handy for loch shores and high ridgelines.
Pack snacks and water
Lunch stops are limited to village options—carry refillable water and portable food to keep energy up on a long day.
Charge your camera and phone
There are many short photo stops—carry a small power bank to top up devices for the full 12-hour itinerary.
Waterproof jacket
Keeps you dry and blocks wind during exposed moorland stops.
fall
Sturdy walking shoes
Useful for short village walks and uneven viewpoint ground.
spring
Daypack with snacks
Carries layers, water, snacks and camera gear for the day.
Binoculars
Helps spot wildlife along loch shores and distant peaks.
summer