Loch Ness Explorer

1 Day Tour Departing From Edinburgh

Price from $85.00 USD

Loch Ness Explorer hero image

1 Day

Free Audio Guides

24 Hour Cancellation

Enjoy a fantastic full day adventure in the Highlands, visiting mysterious Loch Ness, where you can go monster spotting on the shores of the loch or on a boat cruise. Learn about our turbulent history while you soak in all the classic scenery for which Scotland is famed: Glen Coe, the Great Glen, Highland Perthshire and maybe even catching a glimpse of the mighty Ben Nevis along the way!

Inclusions

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Passionate Local Guide

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Freshly Made Small-Packed Lunch

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Foreign Language Audio Guide Available

Loch Ness Explorer map of route

What Other Explorers Say

Good itinerary for a one-day trip to the highlands (for a first-timer). Beautiful views and I had enough time at the Loch Ness stop to get myself some quality time high up in the snow. I was especially delightful by how our guide Connor proved a master storyteller - lots of humor, history and insider tidbits. Highly recommended!

Ivar
11/01/2025

We had a fantastic tour to Loch Ness & Glencoe with Ryan as our driver! The tour was perfectly organized with enough time to explore each stop. Ryan made the trip so enjoyable by sharing trivia, cracking funny jokes, and playing a great playlist that set the mood perfectly. He also paused to share historical insights, making the journey both fun and educational.

Henyang
09/01/2025

This was my second time doing the daytrip to Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands. It was just as fun and enjoyable. Laurie was a great guide and had lots of stories to tell. The lunch at Fort Augustus was convenient as it made me not rush to find something to eat before the Loch Ness cruise.

Dan Paolo
04/01/2025

Sofie was a fantastic guide. The tours is a wonderful way to get a taste of the highlands and see Loch Ness. The tour was full of fun facts, Scottish music and well timed stops for bathroom breaks.

Kristina
30/12/2024

We had a really memorable time and were amazed at how beautiful the highlands are! Jenny our tour guide and driver was absolutely amazing throughout the trip! She never missed to spot a spot for us while driving and had great knowledge of the Scottish history. Would highly recommend this tour! Kudos to the Haggis and Highland Explorers team!

Mehul
25/12/2024

The views were amazing and many an opportunity for a photo. A great taster and now we would like to do a 5 day highland tour in the future!

Josh
30/12/2024

We did the One day tour to Loch Ness and Highlands!! An experience that will stay with us for the rest of our lives!! Rich you're the best!!! Thank you for everything!!!Cheers from Greece!!

Tom
28/11/2024

Louise was a lovely tour guide! She was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all the various stops and sights on the drive. The highlands were just as beautiful in winter, and looked gorgeous draped in frost. The bus was clean, comfortable, and most importantly WARM! The length was good, with stops for comfort and bathrooms breaks well spaced out.

Benjamin
28/11/2024

Heidi has been very engaging and insightful throughout the trip. She explained the scenic spots and the history of Scotland which makes the trip interesting. On top of that, the sceneries are truly awesome.

Tan Y
26/11/2024

The tour was absolutely brilliant! Our guide Connor is an amazing storyteller and kept us engaged and entertained with amazing tales throughout the journey. The experience on this tour was top notch!

Patricia
09/10/2024

Our tour guide, Jenny was absolutely awesome!!! She was so knowledgeable about Scotland & shared it with us throughout the trip. She told us in-depth stories about the Scottish Royalty as well as stories about the country. The entire day was so interesting, fun & informative because of her. She was also an excellent safe driver.

Mary
17/09/2024

Tim was an excellent guide and gave us a lot of insights into the history of Scotland and its heroes, heritage and more. Would highly recommend it to anyone who has just a day to spare to see the highlands.

Laxmi
12/08/2024

Torva was great! He told stories and played Scottish music the whole time. The stops were beautiful and we enjoyed the day!

Julie
01/08/2024

Martín was a great guide and made the tour very amusing. He was a very warm man and fun to spend the day with, and gave us a lot of anecdotes and information while the bus was taking us from one point to another.

Virginia
29/07/2024

My family and I really enjoyed the Loch Ness tour! We had an amazing tour guide, Martin, who led us through the exciting history of Scotland. The scenery was beautiful and even though it was a long trip, it never got boring and was absolutely worth it!

Jet
29/07/2024

This tour was absolutely incredible! We had a blast from start to finish. The views were incomparable and we still can’t believe we got to experience this. Our tour guide Louise could not have done a better job, she is so knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate about the information that she is providing which made all the difference. We will absolutely be recommending this to our family and friends. You’ll love it too!

Maddy
28/04/2024

Amazing day! Saw some cool things and learned a ton from Tim. He was so knowledgeable (like very impressive!), and had good stories, facts, and music!

Emily
30/04/2024

The tour was amazing! Our driver and tour guide Tiegan knows a lot about the history of Scotland and also recommended us places in Edinburgh to go to or where to eat. She was very nice and used humor along the way which made it pleasant to listen to her stories. Would definitely book a tour here again!

Kelly
29/04/2024

Where does the tour depart from?

Your Loch Ness tour departs from Edinburgh city centre. For departure details and pick-up location, visit our Departure Info page.

How long is a day tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness?

With plenty of comfort breaks and photo stops along the way, our Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh is approximately 12 and a half hours long*.

 *Length of tour may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.

Is the Loch Ness boat tour included in the price?

The Loch Ness boat cruise is an optional add-on and is not included in the tour price.

You can add a ticket for the Loch Ness boat tour at the time of booking, at an additional fee. The journey on the Loch Ness boat cruise is approximately 50 minutes long and offers spectacular views of the loch and the chance to learn about the mysterious Loch Ness Monster.

What if I choose not to do the Loch Ness boat tour?

If you don’t do the boat cruise then you have free time for a relaxed walk along the shores of Loch Ness, the Caledonian Canal, or around the Highland village of Fort Augustus.

Will I see Nessie?

Since Nessie has been a bit camera-shy lately, we can't make any promises. Your Loch Ness tour offers stunning views and intriguing stories about this legendary creature. However, capturing a selfie with Nessie might require a touch of Loch Ness magic!

If you are still determined to see Nessie, consider adding the Loch Ness boat tour as an optional add-on (reserve at the time of booking). The boat comes equipped with a sonar system, giving you a peek beneath the waves for any monster-related activity!

Are there toilet facilities on the coach?

While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.

Are your tours accessible?

Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.

Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.

It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.

Can I purchase snacks or souvenirs at the stops along the way?

Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.

Where can I get a more detailed itinerary?

Our itinerary (in tab 2, 'Itinerary & Departure') provides a helpful outline of what to expect on the day. We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined there, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. We also believe that part of the excitement comes from the unexpected surprises along the way! Rest assured, your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other.

What if I need to cancel my tour?

If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.

I have more questions. How can you help?

Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.