Is the Loch Ness cruise included in the price?

No. The boat cruise is optional and purchased on the day; pricing is listed as an optional extra and takes cash only.

Where does pickup happen?

This is a private tour with personalised pickup from your confirmed Edinburgh accommodation or pickup point provided at booking.

Are children allowed?

Yes, children aged seven and older are permitted; the operator may ask for ID to confirm age.

Is there a toilet on the coach?

No. The coach does not have a toilet; scheduled comfort stops include facilities along the route.

Can I bring a wheelchair?

A foldable wheelchair can be carried, but the coach is not fully wheelchair accessible and some stops involve uneven ground.

What happens in bad weather?

The driver-guide will alter the route and stop order for safety and best light; refunds and cancellations follow the 24-hour free cancellation policy.

Private Loch Ness, Glencoe & Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh | Boat Rental | Castle

The Private Tour: 1-Day Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour starts in Edinburgh and threads through central Scotland to the wild heart of the Highlands. Over roughly 12.5 hours you will pass Stirling Castle and the lowland lochs, cross Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, ride across Rannoch Moor, stand beneath the sheer walls of Glencoe, and reach Fort Augustus on the southern shore of Loch Ness. Along the way your local driver-guide offers context-stories of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, the bitter memory of Glencoe, and the whisky-making heritage that still fills small distilleries.

The landscape is dominated by glacially carved valleys, ancient schist and granite, carpeted by heather and Scots pine. Key features include Loch Ness and its dark, peaty waters; Urquhart Castle’s ruined curtain wall; the broad, boggy sweep of Rannoch Moor; the dramatic corries and ridges of Glencoe; and the distant bulk of Ben Nevis. Wildlife can be subtle but rewarding: keep an eye for red deer on mountain slopes and golden eagles wheeling above remote ridgelines.

This trip is flexible-choose a one-hour Loch Ness boat cruise, a guided stop at Deanston Distillery for a tasting, or both. The private format means pick-up from your Edinburgh accommodation and a pace tailored to your interests, with longer photo stops at signature viewpoints and shorter comfort stops en route. Expect a lot of time on the coach balanced by short walks on uneven ground to reach viewpoints; there is no toilet on board, so plan restroom breaks carefully.

Practical highlights: optional extras are purchased on the day and take cash only; children must be at least seven years old; free cancellation is available up to 24 hours prior. Accessibility notes: the coach can accommodate a foldable wheelchair but is not wheelchair accessible overall. Return to Edinburgh is in the evening, usually around 8:30pm, so allow two hours for any evening commitments in case of delays.

Why book it: for travelers with limited time who want an intense, curated snapshot of Scotland's top natural and cultural attractions, this private tour compresses highland drama into a single, unforgettable day with a local guide who knows the roads, the stories, and the best window-side seats.

Your driver-guide will advise on the best sequence for stops depending on weather and light; on clear days the reflections on Loch Ness and glassy loch surfaces make dramatic photos, while moody clouds amplify Glencoe’s verticals. Lunch in Fort Augustus offers local fare-hearty stews and smoked salmon-before the choice of cruise or castle exploration. Small-group privacy means flexible timing for walkers and photographers. Bring a valid ID if you plan to visit the distillery or purchase whisky, and budget for optional admissions.

About The Hairy Coo

The Hairy Coo is an Edinburgh-based tour operator offering guided day trips and multi-day tours across Scotland and northern England.

Their programs include one-day highlights such as Loch Ness, Glencoe, the Isle of Skye departures from Inverness, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies, Glenfinnan and Fort William, and Northumberland routes visiting Alnwick Castle and Holy Island. Multi-day options include a 3‑day Isle of Skye and Highlands tour and a 5‑day Oban, Isle of Skye, St Andrews and North West Highlands tour limited to 16 guests with overnight stays in Oban, Portree and Inverness.

Guided experiences combine landscape highlights — Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis, Loch Katrine, the Trossachs — with cultural stops like Deanston Distillery and optional whisky tastings, plus opportunities to see the Hairy Coos and film locations such as Eilean Donan Castle. Several tours feature optional boat cruises, including an award-winning Loch Ness cruise on selected itineraries. The Hairy Coo works with experienced driver‑guides who provide local storytelling, historical context and logistical support.

Trip descriptions specify durations and starting points, for example full-day departures from Edinburgh or Inverness and a one-way Inverness to Edinburgh transfer via Glenfinnan and Glencoe. Bookings typically suit independent travelers, small groups and visitors seeking scenic drives, castles and Highland heritage. The company’s public itineraries and optional extras are clearly listed per trip, allowing prospective customers to select durations, sights and add-ons that match travel preferences.

Detailed pricing, availability and accessibility information appears on each tour page to assist travelers in choosing dates and options online.

Private Loch Ness, Glencoe & Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

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