Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 449 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh worth booking?
Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh is a 10-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $61 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 449 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (449)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $61 per person
On our Highland Lochs, Glens & Castles tour from Edinburgh we will take you to some of the best scenery Scotland has to offer. Majestic mountains tumble down to shimmering lochs and castles, while glens tell tragic tales
What you get
- Services of your Driver-Guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
About this experience
On our Highland Lochs, Glens & Castles tour from Edinburgh we will take you to some of the best scenery Scotland has to offer. Majestic mountains tumble down to shimmering lochs and castles, while glens tell tragic tales of centuries gone by. You will have the opportunity to visit a castle or two and we’ll also have the chance to get some photos of castle ruins. We visit the picturesque highland village of Luss which sits on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond with views to Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro.
What's included
Included
- Services of your Driver-Guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Meals and Refreshments
- Entrance to Inveraray Castle, can be paid on the day: Adult £18.50, Concession £16.00, Child £12.00
- Inveraray Jail Ticket can be paid on the day: Adult £16.50, Senior/Student £14.50, Child £10.00
- Doune Castle should be booked for a 10am arrival via the castle website if customers wish to visit.
What you'll see and do
Stirling Castle
We’ll pass Stirling Castle, great royal residence of Stuart Kings and Mary Queen of Scots who acceded to the throne in 1542 when she was only 6 days old.
Pass by without stopping
Doune Castle
Our first stop will be at Doune Castle, a magnificent late 14th century stronghold. The castle stood in for Winterfell in Game of Thrones and Castle Leoch in Outlander. It also starred as Swamp Castle, Castle Anthrax and Camelot in the cult comedy movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. You will have time to visit the Castle.
75 minutes here · Admission not included
Loch Lubnaig
We'll visit the lovely Loch Lubnaig. This small but stunningly located stretch of freshwater nestling between two striking mountains, Ben Ledi and Ben Vane is where we’ll stop for some light refreshments.
20 minutes here
Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn Castle stands at the head of Loch Awe, surrounded by mountains. While enjoying the views we'll stop for some photos at this mid-15th century ruined castle.
10 minutes here
Inveraray
Inveraray enjoys a picturesque setting on the shores of Loch Fyne and is therefore the perfect place to stop for lunch. With just under 2 hours here, you'll certainly have lots of time to explore. You may choose to visit the 19th century Inveraray Jail (open all year round, tickets purchased on the day), a living museum where you can experience what it was like to be incarcerated behind its bars. While others may opt to have a wander around this lovely little town. On the other hand, during the summer months (April to Oct, Thurs - Mon only) you may consider a visit Inveraray Castle (tickets can be purchased on the day) where the Duke of Argyll and his family live today. Breath in the clear Highland air while you stroll around the parkland, woodland and gardens, which are resplendent with rainbows of the azaleas and rhododendrons that certainly flourish in Argyll in summertime.
110 minutes here
Rest and be Thankful
We pause for photos at the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’. An iconic Scottish viewpoint, so named thanks to the words carved in stone by weary soldiers who built the original military road in 1753.
10 minutes here
Luss
Our last stop of the day is at the charming highland village of Luss which sits on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Around 1,500 years ago, an Irish missionary, St Kessog, arrived at Loch Lomond, subsequently bringing Christianity to the area. There is time for you to walk around the village and while exploring you should take a walk down to the pier where you’ll see Ben Lomond standing proudly over Loch Lomond.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Our tour departs from Bus Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh (Opposite Howie's Restaurant). what3words:///decay.laws.likes. Check in is at 08:15 for a 08:30 departure. Please ensure you check in on time. IMPORTANT: There are 2 Howie's in Edinburgh, we depart from Waterloo Place only.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Our tour departs from Bus Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh (Opposite Howie's Restaurant). what3words:///decay.laws.likes. Check in is at 08:15 for a 08:30 departure. Please ensure you check in on time. IMPORTANT: There are 2 Howie's in Edinburgh, we depart from Waterloo Place only.
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 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Discover Scotland Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We cannot accommodate children under the age of 5
- Our tour departs from Bus Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh (Opposite Howie's Restaurant). what3words:///decay.laws.likes. Check in is at 08:15 for a 08:30 departure. Please ensure you check in on time. IMPORTANT: There are 2 Howie's in Edinburgh, we depart from Waterloo Place only.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 450 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
450 verified traveler reviews for Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The tour gets you to the...
The tour gets you to the places, while giving you history along the way, once you get to each stop, everyone goes their own way, which we liked. Our tour guide, Ron, was great!
via Viator
Sandy was an excellent...
Sandy was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly. He explains everything in detail. I would recommend him to anyone
via Viator
Worth the long day!
Worth the long day! We stoped at 7 locations! Even got a selfie with a highland cow. Bus was comfy and the ride was smooth. Stopped for lunch around 1:30 at a small town. Castles were amazing! Not too busy when we went end of Aug. Only issue was Stuart’s mic was out on the bus. He was great though. Heard most of the history still.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your 5 star review! We are so happy to hear you had a great day on tour and enjoyed the many stops along the way. We are also happy that even through technical issues you managed to hear most of the history and that Stuart was great! - Discover Scotland Tours
via Viator
Amazing
Do this one! My husband and I took this trip and were lucky enough to get Kyle as our tour guide. The trip is great, but Kyle made it really come to life. Definitely do this one with Discover Scotland Tours. We tried two other companies while travel8ng in Scotland. This one is the best!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the trip and that Kyle helped make it even better. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again! -Discover Scotland Tours
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour
This was the perfect experience to leave the crowded hustle of Edinburgh and to see the beautiful country Scotland has to offer. Our tour guide Sandy was knowledgeable and friendly:. The van was nice and clean and very comfortable.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your 5 star review! We are glad you enjoyed escaping Edinburgh to the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to Sandy and we're glad you were comfortable on the bus. We hope to welcome you back in the future. -Discover Scotland Tours
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $61 to $82
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 157
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh cost?
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Prices start at $61 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 Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 449 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh?
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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 Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 10-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh?
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Around 157 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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Highland Lochs, Glens and Castles Small Group Tour from Edinburgh 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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