Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh - 1 Day
Our Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh is the best way to visit Scotland’s most magical locations and includes a visit to a whisky distillery! Our epic journey from Edinburgh to Loch Ness takes us past incredible countryside and we’ll see local wildlife, pass by ancient castles, visit pretty towns and more! Spend a full 90-minutes by the shores of Loch Ness, with plenty of time to try and spot the Loch Ness monster or take an optional boat cruise along the lake. Discover Scotland’s most famous drink with a whisky distillery and tasting tour! Our tour departs every day with pick-up from the Royal Mile, the main street located in the heart of Edinburgh. Accompanied by an expert tour guide in comfortable transportation, get ready for an unforgettable trip to Loch Ness!
Update: This tour is operating. You can see our COVID-19 safety policy at the bottom of this page.
Edinburgh to Loch Ness – 1 day Trip
1. Leaving Edinburgh (8am)
We leave Edinburgh at 8am, driving past Edinburgh Castle as we exit the city. It’s about 165 miles to get from Edinburgh to Loch Ness and our journey will take us past some amazing locations along the way!
The roads that lead to the Scottish Highlands take us past some important sites, including Linlithgow Palace and Stirling Castle. We even pass the point where two Scottish legends, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, defeated the English armies back in 1297!
2. Whisky Time!
Our first stop of the day is at the Deanston Whisky Distillery, makers of Highland single malt Scotch Whisky since 1966. You’ll get to learn all about it on a whisky distillery tour, from its roots as a cotton mill to a modern-day distillery. You’ll also get to taste a wee dram of Scotch Whisky!
Of course, if whisky is not your thing, you can always enjoy breakfast or have a coffee at the distillery cafe.
3. Into the Highlands
See a real Hairy Coo!
The “Highlands” is the name given to the breathtaking countryside of Northwest Scotland. This is where Loch Ness is located and is the land that makes Scotland so famous, with mind-blowing scenery that has inspired generations of travelers.
Our drive into the Highlands takes us through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. This region was once the frontier of the Roman Empire and the scene of infamous battles. You might even get to meet a traditional Scottish Cow along the way, nicknamed a Hairy Coo 🙂
4. Scottish Farms, Hairy Coos, windy roads, viewpoints & More!
The Highlands
We’ll drive along windy county roads, past Scottish farmland and through sweeping valleys on this magical journey into the Highlands. Your expert guide will explain the long history of these lands, which are inhabited by the clans (Scottish tribes) of McNab and Cambell.
We’ll stop to appreciate the magnificent views, with the landscape full of tall mountains, dramatic waterfalls, lochs and more! You might even see some more Highlands Cows, which are raised by Scottish farmers for their premium quality beef.
5. Amazing Views: RanNoch Moor
A Scottish deer with Rannoch Moor in background
The road to Loch Ness passes through Loch Tulla, which rivals its more famous sister in terms of beauty and incredible rugged landscapes!
And even more spectacular views await at nearby Rannoch Moor. We’ll admire the breathtaking view and take in the mountains, forests and rolling hills. And we might even get to see some Scottish red deer that roam freely in the valley!
6. The Valley Of Glencoe
Glencoe!
From here, we continue the drive into Glencoe Valley. This is probably the most famous and iconic view in the highlands, and was used in the filming of several Harry Potter movies and the James Bond movie “Skyfall“. A famous massacre took place here in 1692, and the site has become an important part of Scottish legend.
Spectacular, unbelievable and amazingly beautiful, admire it all! We’ll then drive past Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britain as we arrive at Loch Ness!
7. Loch Ness – can You FinD Nessie?
Loch Ness!
Welcome to Loch Ness, home to the legends of the Loch Ness monster!
We’ll spend around 2 hours by the shores of the Loch, with plenty of time to try and spot Nessie! In fact, the first recorded sighting of the Loch Ness monster was in 565 AD, and thousands of visitors have come Nessie Hunting ever since. And while many people have claimed to have seen a monster, others are less convinced, calling it a hoax or a trick of the light…. we’ll leave it for you to make up your own mind 🙂
Your time at Loch Ness:
We stop at the small town of Fort Augustus, which lies at the tip of Loch Ness. You’ll have around 2 hours to explore Loch Ness, with several things to do:
- Have lunch, with lots of cafes and restaurants in Fort Augustus
- Go on a boat cruise which sails into the heart of the Loch
- Walk along the shores of the Loch and enjoy the beautiful Scottish countryside
- See the impressive Caledonian Canal, which runs through the centre of Fort August Village
8. Ben Nevis & Memorial Site
Commando Memorial Site with Ben Nevis behind
As we begin our return journey from Loch Ness to Edinburgh, we’ll make some awesome stops along the way!
We’ll make a stop at the memorial site dedicated to the men of the original British special forces who served during World War II. In the background, you’ll find stunning views of Ben Nevis, which is the highest mountain in Britain!
9. Cairngorm National Park
We’ll drive into Cairngorm National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty known for its distinct wildlife, including red squirrels, red deer, and golden eagles! We’ll make a stop at the small town of Pitlochry.
10. End of Loch Ness Tour…
Forth Rail Bridge, oldest metal bridge in the world
Our return to Edinburgh takes us alongside the Forth Rail Bridge, the oldest metal bridge in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll arrive back in Edinburgh at around 8:30pm, after an amazing day trip to Loch Ness & the Highlands!
Further Information:
The tour lasts approximately 12 hours 30 minutes.
- Tour Check-in: 7:45am
- Departure: 8am
- Return: 8:30pm
- Departure & return* point: The bus Stop outside Deacon’s House Cafe, 304 Lawnmarket
*Please note during the month of August, the tour returns to Waterloo Place near Waverley Station
Tour Includes:
- Transportation
- A friendly tour guide
Not Included:
- Entrance fees and guided tours of the attractions
- Loch Ness Cruise (£14 per adult/student, £9 per child)
- Deanston Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: £8 per adult, £5 for under 18’s (without whisky tasting)
- Food & drink
Important information:
- Please bring cash to pay for optional extras, food & drink. Most villages do not have an ATM machine
- Please bring warm waterproof clothing & comfortable shoes
- Occasionally, the Loch Ness cruise is unavailable
- Very occasionally, we may alter the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control
- We offer free cancellation up until three days before the tour
- The minimum age is 7 years old
The Best Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh
And finally…we know that there are lots of Edinburgh to Loch Ness tours to choose from. So what makes this the best Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh?
- This is the only Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh that includes a visit to a Whisky Distillery! You’ll get to learn about how the whisky is made, and have a chance to try some real Scotch Whisky.
- All our tour guides are passionate, friendly, and love what they do!
Covid-19 Safety Policy
- All passengers must bring their own face mask and anti-bacterial gel in order to board the vehicle
- The tour will run at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing
- All vehicles will be cleaned before, during and after every tour
- Contactless check-in with no printing involved. Just quote your confirmation number to your driver-guide and get ready to be shown your pre-allocated seat
