Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 155 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour worth booking?
Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour is a 12-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $75 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 155 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (155)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $75 per person
Join us on a personalized private tour spanning 12 hours, designed to encapsulate the essence of Scotland in a single day! Experience the breathtaking beauty of Glencoe and Ben Nevis before embarking on a scenic cruise a
What you get
- Fuel & mileage costs
- Hotel pick up/drop off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Bottled water, Wi-Fi & USC Charger (Executive bookings only)
- Private chauffeur-guide hire
About this experience
Join us on a personalized private tour spanning 12 hours, designed to encapsulate the essence of Scotland in a single day! Experience the breathtaking beauty of Glencoe and Ben Nevis before embarking on a scenic cruise across the mysterious waters of Loch Ness, keeping a keen eye out for any signs of its legendary inhabitant, Nessie. Relax and indulge in the utmost comfort aboard our luxurious Mercedes V-Class (up to 7 people) or our 16-seater Mercedes Coach, ensuring a journey filled with unforgettable sights and experiences across Scotland's stunning landscapes.
What's included
Included
- Fuel & mileage costs
- Hotel pick up/drop off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Bottled water, Wi-Fi & USC Charger (Executive bookings only)
- Private chauffeur-guide hire
Not included
- Optional attractions and entry tickets
- Meals
- Child seat (Hire Available: please contact Timberbush prior to the departure date to arrange this)
What you'll see and do
Scottish Highlands
Drive through the scenic Scottish highlands.
120 minutes here
Glencoe
As you continue your journey northwards you will be immersed in the wonderful scenery of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe where a short stop will be made for photo opportunities.
20 minutes here
Fort Augustus
We stop at Loch Ness, where you can take an optional (payable) 1-hour cruise on Loch Ness to learn more about its history and the famous Loch Ness Monster.
120 minutes here
Loch Ness
!hr boat cruise on Loch Ness
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Scottish Highlands
Drive through the scenic scottish highlands
120 minutes here
Laggan
We stop at the Laggan Dam Viewpoint for a picture.
15 minutes here
Pitlochry
After Loch Ness, our tour passes through Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, and begins its journey home. We travel down through the Highlands to the Victorian town of Pitlochry. Here we have time to grab a quick bite to eat and wander its streets before returning to Edinburgh.
30 minutes here
Scottish Highlands
Drive through the scenic Scottish Highlands
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
V-Class (Group up to 7)
Mercedes-Benz V-Class: Luxury vehicle providing exceptional comfort for up to 7 passengers. With plush leather seats and advanced climate control. Pickup included
Small Coach (Group up to 16)
Small Mercedes Coach: 16-seater mini coach offers a comfortable and stylish travel experience, featuring air-conditioning and USB charging ports. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Timberbush Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Transportation and travel time is included in the total duration time.
- Please contact us if you need child seats.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 155 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
155 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A Fantastic Day in the Scottish Highlands
Our private Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highlands tour was one of the highlights of our trip - and my husband’s favorite outing of our entire Ireland and Scotland adventure. Our driver, Anne, was knowledgeable, friendly, and incredibly energetic. She took us through the stunning Scottish countryside, visiting beautiful lochs and sharing fascinating insights into the topography, history, and people of each area. A particular highlight was lunch at the Ben Nevis Inn, the charming “wee inn” at the foot of Ben Nevis. The food was top notch and the setting couldn’t have been better. We finished the day with an optional cruise on Loch Ness before Anne delivered us back to our hotel in Edinburgh. A wonderful, memorable day with an exceptional guide!
via Viator
Great trip with a great guide
Really enjoyed the tour. It was a good way to see the area with limited time. Mark the guide was great and very informative.
via Tripadvisor
A Tour with no tour guide , just a bus ride.
Unfortunately, this was one of the worst tours I have ever taken. In fact, I’m not sure I would even call it a tour—it felt more like a bus ride to Loch Ness with a few quick stops along the way. There was no proper tour guide. The driver tried to act as both driver and guide, but it simply didn’t work. He would talk for a minute or two while driving, then play music for 30 minutes or more, and sometimes much longer.and repeat this on the way. There was very little information about the history of Scotland, the places we were passing, or the sights we were visiting, and there was almost no interaction with the passengers. I also found it uncomfortable that the driver was trying to talk while driving. More importantly, we are from Canada and we consider this not safe. there was very little attention to the passengers’ comfort. The bus was extremely hot, and the sound system had glitches and was often too quiet for those of us sitting toward the back. I mentioned these issues to the driver, but instead of addressing them professionally, he became offended and told me I was being rude. This was a 12-hour tour, with more than eight hours spent on the bus. On a tour of this length, having a dedicated knowledgeable guide who can explain Scottish history, culture, and the places you are seeing—and who interacts with the passengers—makes a huge difference. Unfortunately, instead of feeling like we were on a Highland tour, we spent much of the journey sleeping on the bus. The scenery was beautiful, but the tour itself did not provide the experience we expected. I would not recommend this tour if you are looking for an actual guided Highland experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your detailed feedback. Our tours are led by experienced Driver Guides, a common touring format in Scotland, who safely drive while providing commentary throughout the journey. We appreciate your comments regarding the commentary, onboard comfort and sound system, as well as your feedback on your interaction with the Driver Guide.
via Tripadvisor
Faboulous Experience of Scotland Tour
The four day trip from 11th to 14th August was excellent. The knowledge he shares and the way Mr Andrew T handled the whole trip was beyond words. We are so very thankful to Mr Andrew T. Without him as the tour guide, we would not have enjoyed even half of what we did.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review! It is wonderful to hear that your tour was enhanced by your driver-guide, Andrew! We will be sure to pass along your kind words, it is always uplifting to read lovely reviews! We hope to see you again soon! Kind regards, Eleanor
via Tripadvisor
Mark is awesome
Mark is awesome. Great tour with amazing views in the highland.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for leaving us a great review! We are so glad that you had a wonderful time on tour with your driver-guide, Mark! We will be sure to let them know that you thoroughly enjoyed your tour! We hope to welcome you back soon to show you more Scottish scenery! Kind regards, Eleanor
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $75 to $1120
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 54
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Timberbush Tours, who run 32 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 74.1 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Timberbush Tours runsWhy this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour cost?
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Prices start at $75 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 155 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 12-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour?
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Around 54 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh: Private Loch Ness Glencoe and The Highlands Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands, Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William, Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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