Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 1-day adventure through Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands. This jam-packed tour offers stunning scenery, unspoiled landscapes, and a chance to escape the bustle of modern life.
Immerse yourself in Scottish culture through captivating myths, legends, and historical landmarks. Visit the mysterious Loch Ness where you can enjoy an optional boat cruise and perhaps spot Nessie! Marvel at the dramatic beauty of Glencoe, and (season permitting) meet the iconic Highland Cows. Every winding road reveals new photo opportunities, stories, and memories.
Please note: To manage demand and protect smaller towns during peak season, the route may run in reverse. A significant portion of the tour is spent on the bus, allowing you to relax and soak in the breathtaking Highland views.
Additional information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The Scottish weather is unpredictable, and it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear.
- We encourage bringing a packed lunch and/or snacks to avoid spending time queuing. There are regular stops on tour to purchase food and refreshments that cater for most dietary requirements
- There are regular stops on tour for comfort breaks, as we do not have toilets onboard the coaches
- Tickets to the optional Loch Ness cruise are not included and can be purchased on the day
- Minimum age to travel is 7 years old. Photo ID, such as a passport, may be required. Children (8-17) must be accompanied by an adult.
- This tour has been designed to show you as much of Scotland as we can fit into one day! Due to the distance driven a large portion of the tour is spent on the bus, taking in the views and scenery of Scotland. Any time not accounted for in the itinerary is spent travelling through Scotland on the bus.
- For insurance purposes, passengers must not be unaccompanied on our buses during tour stops. Drivers take legally required breaks and cannot stay with the vehicle.
- Please note: To manage demand and protect smaller towns during peak season, the route may run in reverse. A significant portion of the tour is spent on the bus, allowing you to relax and soak in the breathtaking Highland views.
Pickup
We meet at 1759 Regent Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8DR, in front of Burns Monument. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined
CHECK-IN STARTS AT 7:15 AM, CLOSES AT 7:55 AM, LAST BUS DEPARTS 8 AM. - Time zone: Europe/London
Check-In opens 7:15 AM, Check-In closes 7.55am, Last Bus Departs 8:00 AM SHARP
• We meet at 1759 Regent Rd, EH8 8DR, in front of Burns Monument. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined
**We are unable to wait for latecomers under any circumstances and there will be no refunds for missed tours. It is vitally important that if you are arriving at the departure point by taxi or local bus that you leave enough time to get there for the departure time.**
• Due to safety regulations and insurance, we operate a minimum age requirement of 7 years old for all of our tours, we are unable to make any exemptions. Your child must be 7 years old at the time of departure. Please bring a photo ID, such as a passport, to verify their age.
• Additionally, we have to ensure that our seat belts fit all passengers properly and we are unable to accommodate anyone under 1.2m in height. even if your child is 7, they must meet the minimum height requirement.
• We will not be contactable on the morning of departure. It is important that you contact us with any questions before your departure day. Most commonly asked questions are covered in our Essential Information/FAQ section of the website: https://www.thehairycoo.com/essential-info/
• Safety of all passengers on board is the responsibility of your driver-guide and, if they are not 100% content that your child meets these requirements you will be unable to travel. Refunds will not be issued in this instance.
What's included
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Regular Comfort Breaks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Experienced 'Hairy Coo' Driver-Guide providing live commentary and story telling throughout
Other
Other
On-board WiFi
Other
Other
Admission fees
Itinerary
After departing Edinburgh we’ll head north through the central belt of the country. Your guide will entertain with many a story about Scotland’s past heroes like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. You will spot royal palaces, giant mythical Kelpies and the ancient stronghold of Stirling Castle before we arrive at our first stop of the day in the town of Callander. Known as “The Gateway to the Highlands” Callander is situated on the boundary of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
We stop here for a comfort break, as it's an ideal place to stretch your legs and refresh before you rejoin the bus to enter the highlands properly.
If we happen to spot some of our famous ‘Hairy Highland Coos’, we stop for a selfie (seasonal availability Mid November – March).
Please note that during the summer season, the first coach of the day will drive the route in reverse and will have a different comfort stop before Callander.
As we enter The ‘Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park’ our bus weaves through hills, mountains and Glens. These remote places were once inhabited by Highland Clans, not to mention Scotland’s most famous outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor, whom some consider The Scottish Robin Hood. Look out across the landscape and picture what it was like as you hear the remarkable bloodthirsty stories of betrayal and revenge as told by your guide.
We stop for a short visit to Glencoe, which was the scene of one of Scotland’s most shocking massacres. As you gaze at the haunting hills, you notice the Glen is eerily silent. In the 17th century one of the worst acts of betrayal occurred here. Your guide will recount the details of this betrayal for you. You can almost feel the sorrow in the mountains of the ‘weeping valley’. Above all though, Glencoe is one of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes. A highlight of any tour to the Scottish Highlands!
The tour then takes you through Fort William and past the spectacular Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles. The Nevis Range towers over the winding road as you continue your journey to Loch Ness.
Desperate for a glimpse of ‘Nessie’?
Fort Augustus, a charming, postcard-perfect, Highland village on the Southern shores of the Loch. From here you will have the opportunity to take a fantastic 1-hour cruise on the loch with our friends at Cruise Loch Ness.
The local crew on board share their experiences of Nessie, as you search for yourself. All with the aid of a state of the art Sonar equipment helping you scan the near 900 foot depths of the loch below (tickets not included in the tour booking).
For those who do not wish to take the optional boat cruise, you will have time to explore the village and its beautiful Caledonian Canal lock system, built by the famous engineer Thomas Telford in the 19th century, that descends through the heart of the village into Loch Ness. Walk further along the canal and into the surrounding countryside to enjoy mountainous views and sights of farm animals and possibly red deer.
Along the route, we’ll stop at the Commando Memorial. In 1942, this setting became the training ground for Britain’s Special Forces. Harsh, unforgiving, and breathtakingly beautiful. A statue of our heroes overlooks the Nevis range. Bring a camera – this is undoubtedly one of our favourite photo-stops in all of Scotland.
Here, weather permitting, you could also spot Ben Nevis. The tallest mountain in The United Kingdom.
Heading south we travel through the Cairngorm National Park where Red squirrels, roe deer, red deer, soaring buzzards, pine martens, golden eagles and osprey can be found. Our final stop of the day is Pitlochry
On our way south, we stop by the town of Pitlochry to stretch our legs and enjoy the fresh air. This picturesque town is situated in the heart of the stunning scenery of Highland Perthshire. It sits below Beinn Bhracaigh (Ben Vrackie), the speckled mountain and beside the River Tummel, in some of the most magnificent scenery in Scotland. With a backdrop of surrounding hills and beautiful woodlands, it is wonderful walking country.
As we re-enter Edinburgh from the North, you will be met with views of Scotland’s greatest piece of engineering, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forth Bridge. This 19th century engineering marvel was at one point the World’s longest cantilever bridge. Today it neighbours the 20th century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st century Queensferry Crossing which opened in 2017. Three spectacular bridges, from three different centuries, span the Firth of Forth connecting our Capital city and the Kingdom of Fife.
We drop you off in the city centre, our estimated arrival time is 8:30 PM. Please note that during the winter season, we may be arriving earlier than estimated.
We recommend leaving 2 hours between the expected arrival time and any onward travel or reservations in case of delayed, and that we are not able to offer individual drop-offs.
FAQ
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Min 1 days: 100%
- From 0 to 1 days: 0%
