Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands
2 day tour

  • Loch Morlich
  • Glencoe tours from Edinburgh
  • Loch Ness cruise
  • Clava Cairns
  • Loch Ness

A two-day escape exploring the majesty of Loch Ness, the wilderness of the Highlands, and the stunning scenery of the Cairngorms National Park.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Lochs
Mountains
Nessie
Walks
National Parks
Boat Cruises

Cairngorms National Park - Lucky for you, we're driving. So you can gaze in awe at Scotland’s most beautiful peaks.

Urquhart Castle* - Enjoy views of a ruined castle overlooking the famous Loch Ness.

Inverness - The ‘Capital of the Highlands’ blends Victorian architecture with a lively modern lifestyle.

Loch Ness* - Take a chance to go on an optional boat cruise or wander around the shores of this alluring and eerie loch.

Great Glen - A humongous fault line through the Scottish Highlands; a location that’s as historically important as it is stunning.

Glencoe - Be moved by the sheer beauty and tragic tale of one of Scotland’s most famous landscapes.

 

Your journey

 

Explore Loch Ness and the Highlands at a laid-back pace on this two day tour.

You learn about Scotland’s ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns. You travel through majestic mountains and quaint villages. And you get plenty of time to see if you can find the infamous Loch Ness Monster.

So join this tour, relax and let us show you the best of the Scottish Highlands.

 

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 09:00 (tour departs at 09:15) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Finishes (approx.)
19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Luggage
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver guide
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Itinerary

Day1

  • Enjoy the scenery and culture of the Cairngorms National Park 
  • Explore Inverness, 'the Capital of the Highlands'

You leave Edinburgh and head north across the River Forth towards the Highlands. 

You travel through the beauty of Highland Perthshire and your driver-guide will look for the perfect place to stop this morning. Perhaps it will be Pitlochry, a quintessential Scottish town nestled among the hills. Or maybe you'll stop in at the gorgeous wee village of Dunkeld. We keep things flexible this morning and see what the group is interested in.

This wild heart of the Highlands teems with mountains, rivers, lochs, and wildlife hotspots and is a magnet for all nature lovers. We head to Aviemore, a bustling hub for all outdoors activities, where you can try local specialities before you travel to Loch Morlich, which is as unique as it is bonnie.  

Leave the majestic mountains and step back in time at Clava Cairns near Inverness. These ancient standing stones and ring cairns are as beautiful as they are mysterious and were made famous by Diana Gabaldon in the Outlander books. 

Then it’s just a short drive to Inverness, where you’re dropped off at your accommodation. 

The evening is free for you to explore the Capital of the Highlands. 

Day 2

  • Try to spot the Loch Ness Monster on a boat trip* (April - October)
  • Survey the famous mountains in the valley of Glencoe

After a leisurely breakfast, you’re picked up from your accommodation and taken into the surrounding countryside. 

You travel to the mysterious Loch Ness where you have the chance to take a boat trip along the loch and visit dramatic Urquhart Castle**.

Our journey continues south through the Great Glen past Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, towards Fort William. You stop for lunch along the way before arriving in Glencoe. One look and you'll understand why its one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. There's also a tragic tale that’s haunted this valley for over 300 years... perhaps your guide will tell you all about it.

The return journey continues over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor and into the Lowland scenery around Stirling, before finally reaching our starting point of Edinburgh. 

The cruise is subject to availability.

*The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice.

Attractions

Tour Attractions

For tours departing 1st April 2024 onwards, you can pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:

  • A cruise on Loch Ness with Jacobite Cruises and visit to Urquhart Castle

Don't worry, if you're taking this tour before 1st April 2024, you can book and pay for this attraction during the tour.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

Your tour stays one night in Inverness*.

 

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£80 - £120

£60 - £80

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €120

€60 - €80

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£100 - £145

£55 - £95

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €145

€55 - €100

Ireland

Hotel

£110 - £190

£75 - £145

UK & Northern Ireland

€130 - €235

€75 - €150

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

We have a cancellation period of 48 hours for our one day tours, 15 days for two to nine day tours, and 21 days for 10+ day tours. If cancelled outside this period, we'll give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this period, refunds are at our discretion. Click here to view full terms and conditions.

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .


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