Loch Ness Explorer

1 Day Tour Departing From Edinburgh

Price from $85.00 USD

* Save 20% on tour dates until 30 Jan 2026.

Loch Ness Explorer hero image

1 Day

Free Audio Guides

24 Hour Cancellation

Use code WINTER20 at checkout and save 20% on this trip if you book by 30 January 2026 and travel by 31 March 2026.

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!

* Save 20% on tour dates until 30 Jan 2026.

Inclusions

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Passionate Local Guide

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Live Commentary & Storytelling in English

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Foreign Language Audio Guide Available

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Audio guide links will be provided after booking. Please download over WiFi and bring your own headphones

Loch Ness Explorer map of route

What Other Explorers Say

Tom was an amazing guide!! Awesome comentary, charismatic and a real gentleman! Plus, his driving skills are unmatched. Not to mention his narration abilities. He managed to be informative, whilst not overwhelming. Communicative whilst not talkative. All while being kind, patient and charming.

Tato
05/01/2026

The tour was great! We saw so many spectacular areas of the Scottish Highlands and of course the mythical Loch Ness, which was one of the most exciting moments of the trip. Our guide Tom was extremely knowledgeable, engaging and really passionate: he told us a lot of fascinating stories and curiosities about Edinburgh and the history of Scotland, making the experience even more special.

Federica
03/01/2026

It’s was amazing a experience with Tim such a nice guy, I appreciate his confidence and amazing knowledge about the history of Scotland

Adnan
05/01/2026

I cannot recommend our guide, Torva (or Lord Torva Farqard) , highly enough! This was more than just a tour of the Scottish Highlands; it was an immersive journey brought to life by a true storyteller. From the moment we set off, Torva captivated us with a treasure trove of fascinating stories, rich history, and captivating legends connected to every glen and loch we passed.

Stefania
11/12/2025

The tour was really nice, we had some lovely views during the trip and the Loch Ness was absolutely stunning. Dave was amazing and shared with us a lot about the history of Scotland and some interesting facts as well. We totally recommend it!

Valentina
15/09/2025

Dave was amazing! The trip flew by while Dave gave us all kinds of good facts/ stories about this beautiful country! I highly recommend

Macy
15/09/2025

The trip was outstanding! Can’t recommend it enough. Cliff was a fantastic tour guide and the views were breathtaking. Highly recommend, especially if you’re limited for time and you want solid exposure to the gorgeous Scottish highlands.

Hunter
13/09/2025

Wonderful tour guide (Nestor), very entertaining and engaging. Our guided tour through the Scottish Highlands with Nestor was truly unforgettable. From the moment we boarded the bus, his warm personality, enthusiasm, and humor set the perfect tone for the day. His storytelling skills brought the rich history, culture, and legends of the Highlands vividly to life, making each stop even more meaningful.

Ahmed
12/08/2025

Great day trip and great driver and guide Keith. Super interesting stories and professional preparation. 12 hours passed in a pleasant atmosphere.

Rafal
09/08/2025

Keith was absolutely fabulous! A great driver, super interesting stories, considerate and perfect communication! Transparent time scheduling made sure that everyone was on time. Would do another tour with Keith as guide anytime. This tour was long but a lot was covered within a day and if you’re pressed for time in Scotland, this is a good option to squeeze a lot in hence recommend it and give it a 10/10

Tina
07/08/2025

Excellent tour and the guide Ry was great! He was very knowledgeable, funny, and everything was exactly on time to the minute. He added a few extra stops he thought we would like. I’ll definitely tour with them again when I come back.

Brett
18/07/2025

Ry was an amazing guide. Compelling storytelling and great music. He points out many sites not on the itinerary. The 12 hours go by fast. Perfect addition to an Edinburgh holiday. Gets you out of the city and into the Highlands.

William
18/07/2025

Keith was our guide. He interacted with us and shared a ton of information about the sites on the tour! He played great music on the tour during the driving parts where there was nothing in particular to point out. I got some great photos. Highly recommend.

Dustin
19/07/2025

Take a day & do this tour if you can! Gorgeous views of the highlands - The Three Sisters vantage point being my favorite! The boat ride is totally worth it too!! We had Dave as our guide & he ROCKED!! So funny, knowledgeable & a great story teller + music taste! Wonderful ambiance & tour start to finish - so happy we got this memory!!

Sydney
15/06/2025

Dave was excellent from start to finish. Our first time in Scotland couldn’t have been better! His driving was smooth, guide was very informative/entertaining and overall character was pleasant.

Timothy
15/06/2025

Great experience with Alistair, our tour guide. Very informative and learnt many things from him, including his witty commentaries. Enjoyed the lochness boat ride and the stops along the way. The three sisters of mountain at Glencoe is so scenic.

Madgalene
12/06/2025

Keith was an informative, friendly tour bus driver. He gave us a great Scottish history lesson while safely driving us to many locations. Highly recommend!

Leticia
15/05/2025

Every May we bring university students on this Day Trip to the highlands and every year its a phenomenal experience. We had Alistair again this year and as always, he didn't disappoint. He's great at keeping the students engaged with the culture and history of Scotland. A big thank you to the Highland Explorer team and Alistair.

Loyola
14/05/2025

Graeme was our host and guide for today's trip. A very charming person, a very well informed story teller with plenty of interesting anecdotes. He had so many interesting information and useful suggestions. On the whole we never had a dull moment during the trip.

Vijay
08/05/2025

Wonderful trip to the Loch Ness! We are tourists here for a week in Scotland and this journey was an incredible experience. We had almost 10 hours of travelling but thanks to Keith, this felt like only 10 minutes! Our guide gave us a lot of information about Scotland history and the different monuments. I highly recommend!

Benoit
14/04/2025

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.