Depart Glasgow at 08.00 and travel north towards the Highlands along the “bonnie, bonnie” banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore.
Crossing the ancient natural fault line that runs across Scotland you travel into the majestic Highlands where the scenery changes quickly and dramatically - the flat fertile plains of the Lowlands give way to shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens. It's easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans such as the MacGregors, made famous by the Highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor.
Travelling north through Breadalbane (meaning the 'High Country of Scotland'), you climb towards the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. At an altitude of over 1000ft, covered by heather and peat-bogs and dotted with dozens of lochs, it's a unique landscape. This contrasts with the spectacular mountain scenery as you pass the majestic peak of Buachaille Etive Mor (meaning 'the great shepherd of Etive') and down into Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe.
Stunningly beautiful, with its dramatic cliff faces and steep slopes, Glencoe is infamous as the site of the Glencoe massacre in 1692. Following orders from King William, Scottish soldiers, under the leadership of Captain Robert Campbell, slaughtered 38 men, women and children of the Macdonald clan. This was especially shocking as the soldiers had been living with the people of Glencoe for 2 weeks and killed them in their own homes. Noone was ever punished for this crime, as the King himself had signed the order, but because it was murder under trust, the Highlands would never be the same again.
Beyond Glencoe you will enter the Great Glen, a deep glacial valley which follows a geological fault line. Passing through the town of Fort William you drive under Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis before arriving at Fort Augustus on the southern shore of Loch Ness.
At 23 miles long and over 700ft deep it's the largest loch by volume in Scotland and contains more water than every lake in England and Wales combined! Of course, the loch is best known for the legendary sightings of the Loch Ness Monster ("Nessie"). Fort Augustus is a pretty little town in its own right, the Caledonian Canal which links the lochs of the Great Glen dominates the town and makes a great place to relax and watch the boats sail by. You will stop here for lunch before travelling north the full length of the loch with the opportunity to take a 5 Star Jacobite boat cruise on the loch and view the ancient stronghold of Urquhart Castle.
Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart’s remains include a tower house that commands splendid views of the famous loch and Great Glen. Urquhart witnessed considerable conflict throughout its 500 years as a medieval fortress and its history from the 13th to 17th centuries was particularly bloody. Following Edward I’s invasion, it fell into English hands and was then reclaimed and lost again. In the 14th century, it figured prominently in the Scots’ struggle for independence and came under the control of Robert the Bruce after he became King of Scots.
From Loch Ness you continue north through Inverness before travelling south through the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. Your route takes you over the Drumochter Pass (1500ft above sea level) and past 13th century Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Duke of Atholl. Your next stop is the Highland resort town of Pitlochry, built on Victorian tourism and nestled amongst the mountains of Highland Perthshire.
Following a short break here you return to Glasgow at approximately 19.45.
Photography Credits: Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Britainonview, Mike Hasted, Luke Sheppard, Ingrid Rasmussen, Pawel Libera, Tony Pleavin, Craig Easton, David Angel, Martin Brent, Bob Berry, Paul Watts |
Posted by Tibor on 06/05/2013
We were lucky enough to have amazing weather and only 2 other people on our tour group, so we had such a great time and could modify the day to see things we wanted to see, which included touching deer and highland coos! It was an amazing trip!
Posted by Kelsey Paulling on 29/04/2013
The overall tour was most enjoyable. I was travelling alone,but throughout the tour I never felt that. John was awesome.He made everyone comfortable and considered everyone's choice. Would like to do more tours with rabbies and definately with John as tour guide.
Posted by Ashlesha Dixit on 22/04/2013
the stop to Glencoe was amazing and the stories of the driver guide was really excellent.
Posted by vincent malnati on 05/04/2013
John McDermott was SENSATIONAL.....best tour guide ever any where in the world or other big place
Posted by Clem Randall on 25/03/2013
Thank you John for making or day the 28th of february! The day was fantastic, a scottish guide in kilt with fantastic stories during the ride in the bus. The music you'd put together to fit the different areas we passed made our impression even stronger. We still play your music back home in Sweden. Letting Felicia use the guide seat gave her the chance to take the most beautiful pictures. Thanks John, we will recomend you and hope to see you again! Annelie & Felicia
Posted by Felicia Andreasson on 21/03/2013
We loved the castle, but also the way our driver was telling stories.
Posted by Vincent van de Wetering on 20/03/2013
Have a top day touring the Highlands and Loch Ness with John. Experienced at least 7 seasons within the first 2 hours. Our Host and driver, John, set the scene dressed in his kilt and was one of the best guides we have ever been with. His knowledge of the areas we visited was very entertaining and the game of "Guess the Movie Themes" had us all in stitches all the way home. An absolutely brilliant day whic we will thoroughly recommend to our friends in Australia. Good job, Rabbies & John!
Posted by Dean on 11/02/2013
John was simply stunning with his knowledge of the places we toured, with his humor, songs and everything. Big thumbs up for John and Rabbies.
Posted by Rohit Sankaria on 05/02/2013
The best part was our friendly and enthusiastic tour guide Michael. He was incredibly knowledgeable, had great humor, and just made you feel taken care of.
Posted by Daniel Midson-Short on 04/02/2013
Nos gusto todo, el guía encantador y el recorrido muy bonito!sin duda,lo recomendamos.
Posted by Raquel Zorrillo Monzón on 29/01/2013
Great places visited and knowledge of tour guide. Safe driving too.
Posted by Ruth Sutton on 25/01/2013
It's been an amazing tour and an incredible Tour Guide Michael thank you very much for all the information and fun! Cheers June from Manchester
Posted by chteh-88 on 09/01/2013
Interaction with John was fantastic, he was great entertainment and very informative. He made the trip interesting even on the slightly longer stretches between stops
Posted by Karis Laban on 03/01/2013
The two drivers/guides GEORGE and GRAEHAM were just brilliant and made the effort to get to know us in order to best personalise the tour. We felt right at home and was the best day on our trip home so far as we are both from Britain but live in Australia and thought it was about time to explore our own countries.
Posted by Joseph Buckle on 13/12/2012
The driver guide, Nicola , is very very good.
Posted by Hsin-Hua Hsieh on 20/11/2012
Our driver was absolutely fantastic. He went well above and beyond what was expected. He kept us entertained and informed throughout the trip and even when we got diverted due to an accident, he still remained cheerful and enthusiastic. His knowledge and attention to detail was phenomenal.
Posted by Edel Rice on 12/11/2012
The Tour Guide (Michel) told us so many stories about Scotland, Jacobites, Lochness monstor and culture that I have never known. Your trip with the guide was Bestest experiences that I ever had. Thank you for a memorable experience. Cheers.....
Posted by HarishKumar Vontel on 10/10/2012
Nicola, our tourguide, was by far the best part. She really made the trip what it was through her enthusiasm and knowledge about Glasgow and all of our stops on the tour. We chose to go on the tour on a whim and it definitely paid off. The bus was very comfortable and the locations spectacular.
Posted by Kelsey Pollard on 03/10/2012
We loved the castle, but also the way our driver was telling stories.
Posted by Vincent van de Wetering on 20/03/2013
John was simply stunning with his knowledge of the places we toured, with his humor, songs and everything. Big thumbs up for John and Rabbies.
Posted by Rohit Sankaria on 05/02/2013
The best part was our friendly and enthusiastic tour guide Michael. He was incredibly knowledgeable, had great humor, and just made you feel taken care of.
Posted by Daniel Midson-Short on 04/02/2013
Nos gusto todo, el guía encantador y el recorrido muy bonito!sin duda,lo recomendamos.
Posted by Raquel Zorrillo Monzón on 29/01/2013
Great places visited and knowledge of tour guide. Safe driving too.
Posted by Ruth Sutton on 25/01/2013
Interaction with John was fantastic, he was great entertainment and very informative. He made the trip interesting even on the slightly longer stretches between stops
Posted by Karis Laban on 03/01/2013
The two drivers/guides GEORGE and GRAEHAM were just brilliant and made the effort to get to know us in order to best personalise the tour. We felt right at home and was the best day on our trip home so far as we are both from Britain but live in Australia and thought it was about time to explore our own countries.
Posted by Joseph Buckle on 13/12/2012
The driver guide, Nicola , is very very good.
Posted by Hsin-Hua Hsieh on 20/11/2012
Our driver was absolutely fantastic. He went well above and beyond what was expected. He kept us entertained and informed throughout the trip and even when we got diverted due to an accident, he still remained cheerful and enthusiastic. His knowledge and attention to detail was phenomenal.
Posted by Edel Rice on 12/11/2012
The Tour Guide (Michel) told us so many stories about Scotland, Jacobites, Lochness monstor and culture that I have never known. Your trip with the guide was Bestest experiences that I ever had. Thank you for a memorable experience. Cheers.....
Posted by HarishKumar Vontel on 10/10/2012
Nicola, our tourguide, was by far the best part. She really made the trip what it was through her enthusiasm and knowledge about Glasgow and all of our stops on the tour. We chose to go on the tour on a whim and it definitely paid off. The bus was very comfortable and the locations spectacular.
Posted by Kelsey Pollard on 03/10/2012