Loch Ness Tours
Small-group day trips from Edinburgh and Inverness, and 2‑day Highland tours
Head north through the Highlands to Scotland’s most famous loch, through ancient woodland, mountain passes, wild glens and some of the country’s best stories.
Loch Ness and the Highlands Around It.
Everyone knows the name Loch Ness. Reaching it through the Scottish Highlands is what turns the visit into an adventure.
The loch stretches through the Great Glen, surrounded by forested hills and mountains and carrying centuries of Highland history alongside the world-famous mystery of Nessie.
Our dedicated tours make the most of the drive there and back. They combine Loch Ness with ancient woodland, whisky, Glencoe, national parks and time outside the vehicle.
Choose one long Highland day from Edinburgh, slow the journey down over two days, or include Loch Ness within a much bigger adventure to Skye, Orkney or the Outer Hebrides.
Staying in Inverness? Loch Ness is only a short drive away, and both of our day tours from Inverness include an optional cruise to Urquhart Castle.
Loch Ness Day Trip or 2-Day Highland Tour
Both tours start in Edinburgh and spend proper time at Loch Ness. Our Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh is one big Highland loop with Glencoe in a day; the 2-day tour adds a night in Fort William and the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Best for a Day Trip
in One Big Day.
Loch Ness & Highlands Day Tour
Cross Scotland’s Highland heartland in one long loop.
Travel north through Perthshire and the Cairngorms to Loch Ness before returning through Fort William, Glencoe and Loch Lomond.
More Time Exploring
Glencoe. Stirling.
Loch Ness & Highlands 2-Day Tour
Take the Highlands more slowly over two full days.
Reach Loch Ness on Day 1 and stay beneath Ben Nevis in Fort William, then explore Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Stirling Castle on your journey back to Edinburgh.
Loch Ness Day Tours from Inverness
Already in Inverness? Loch Ness is a short drive away. Pair it with Culloden and the Clava Cairns, or with the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Shorter Day
& the Clava Cairns.
Loch Ness, Culloden & Outlander Day Tour
History, standing stones and the loch, with only about two hours on the road.
Walk Culloden Battlefield and the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns, then cruise Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle if you choose, finishing in Beauly in Fraser clan country.
Loch Ness by Boat
The Cairngorms.
Glenfinnan Viaduct & Cairngorms Day Tour
Start on Loch Ness, then see the Harry Potter viaduct.
Cruise down Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle if you choose, follow the Great Glen to Glenfinnan, then loop home past Ruthven Barracks and through the Cairngorms.
Compare Every Loch Ness Tour: Prices, Length & Departures
Dedicated Loch Ness tours from Edinburgh and Inverness, plus five longer Scotland tours that include Loch Ness. Tap a tour for live dates and prices.
| Tour | Length | Departs from | Highlights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loch Ness & Highlands Day Tour | 1 day approx. 12 hours | Edinburgh | The Hermitage, the Cairngorms, Loch Ness (optional cruise), Fort William, Glencoe and Loch Lomond | £96 pp |
| Loch Ness & Highlands 2-Day Tour From 7 Nov 2026, then year-round | 2 days 1 night in Fort William | Edinburgh | Loch Ness, a night in Fort William, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Stirling Castle | £196 pp |
| Loch Ness, Culloden & Outlander Day Tour Daily, 8 Jan – 17 Dec 2027 | 1 day approx. 7½ hours | Inverness | Culloden Battlefield, the Clava Cairns, Loch Ness (optional cruise to Urquhart Castle) and Beauly | £86 pp |
| Glenfinnan Viaduct & Cairngorms Day Tour Daily, 8 Jan – 17 Dec 2027 | 1 day approx. 10¾ hours | Inverness | Loch Ness (optional cruise to Urquhart Castle), the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Ruthven Barracks and the Cairngorms | £94 pp |
| Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour | 3 days 2 nights on Skye | Edinburgh or Glasgow | Two nights on Skye, returning through Eilean Donan, Fort Augustus and Loch Ness | £248 pp |
| Isle of Skye 5-Day Tour | 5 days 4 nights: Oban, Skye ×2, Inverness | Edinburgh or Glasgow | Skye and the west coast, with a Loch Ness cruise opportunity and Urquhart Castle | £444 pp |
| Skye & Outer Hebrides Starts 31 March 2027 | 7 days 6 nights: Skye ×2, Lewis ×2, Inverness ×2 | Edinburgh or Glasgow | Skye, Lewis & Harris and the Highlands, with Loch Ness on the journey south | £556 pp |
| Orkney & North Coast 500 Next season: April–October 2027 | 5 days 4 nights: Inverness ×2, Orkney ×2 | Edinburgh or Glasgow | The far north and Orkney, returning through Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and the Highlands | £428 pp |
| Lewis & Harris October 2026, then April–October 2027 | 5 days 4 nights: Inverness ×2, Lewis ×2 | Edinburgh or Glasgow | Atlantic beaches and standing stones, returning through Loch Ness and Glencoe | £428 pp |
Lowest adult price per person, checked in our booking system on 23 September 2026; prices vary by date. Scheduled tours take no more than 16 travellers. Day tours need a 50% deposit and multi-day tours a 25% deposit. Multi-day prices don’t include accommodation.
Loch Ness Cruises & Urquhart Castle on Our Tours
Every dedicated Loch Ness tour gives you the choice of seeing the loch from the water. Cruises are optional, paid on the day and depend on the timetable and conditions.
| Tour | Where you reach the loch | Cruise | Urquhart Castle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh1 day | Fort Augustus, at the southern end | Optional cruise, or time on the shore and in the village | Not on this route |
| 2-Day Loch Ness & Glenfinnan tourfrom Edinburgh | Loch Ness on Day 1, before your night in Fort William | Optional cruise | Not on this route |
| Loch Ness tour from Invernesswith Culloden & Outlander | Clansman Harbour, near Inverness | Optional cruise down the loch to Urquhart Castle; the ticket includes castle entry | About an hour at the castle if you cruise |
| Glenfinnan Viaduct & Cairngorms Day Tourfrom Inverness | Clansman Harbour, at the start of the day | Optional one-way cruise to Urquhart Castle; the ticket includes castle entry | About an hour at the castle; your guide collects you there |
Start With the Time You Have.
Both tours reach Loch Ness from Edinburgh. The main choice is whether you want one long Highland day or a second day exploring the western Highlands.
The Essential Loch Ness Day Trip
Best if your Scotland itinerary is short and you want Loch Ness, Glencoe and a broad sweep of the Highlands without changing accommodation.
The Deeper Highland Journey
Best if you want Loch Ness without compressing the Highlands into one day, plus Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Stirling Castle.
Multi-Day Scotland Tours That Visit Loch Ness
Loch Ness also appears on several of our multi-day journeys, letting you combine it with Skye, Orkney, Lewis & Harris and much more of the Highlands.
Visits Loch Ness
Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour
Spend two nights on Skye and return through Eilean Donan, Fort Augustus and Loch Ness.
Cruise & Castle
Isle of Skye 5-Day Tour
Combine Skye and Scotland’s west coast with a Loch Ness cruise opportunity and historic Urquhart Castle.
Biggest Island Journey
Skye & Outer Hebrides
Travel through Skye, Lewis & Harris and the Highlands, with Loch Ness on the journey south.
Ancient Scotland
Orkney & North Coast 500
Travel through the far north and ancient Orkney before returning through Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and the Highlands.
Outer Hebrides
Lewis & Harris
Explore Atlantic beaches, ancient standing stones and island history before returning through Loch Ness and Glencoe.
What to See Around Loch Ness.
The legend may have made Loch Ness famous, but its scale, history and Highland setting are why the journey is worth making.
Myth & Mystery
The Loch Ness Monster
Hear the stories, famous sightings and theories behind the mystery that has fascinated visitors for generations.
On the Water
Cruise Loch Ness
Heading onto the water gives you a completely different sense of the loch’s length, depth and surrounding Highland scenery.
Highland History
Urquhart Castle
Centuries of conflict overlook the water from these ruins, visited on selected longer Loch Ness itineraries.
Highland Journey
Glencoe & the Highlands
The road to Loch Ness crosses mountains, forests and historic glens, making the journey every bit as important as the loch.
Time Out of the Vehicle on a Long Highland Day.
A long Highland journey should still give you time to get out, stretch your legs and experience Scotland beyond the road.
Our dedicated Loch Ness tours combine driving through the Highlands with short walks, scenic stops, local stories and time beside the water.
On the one-day tour, that includes a woodland walk beneath towering trees at The Hermitage. The two-day adventure adds further outdoor stops around Glenfinnan, Glencoe and the western Highlands.
Make the Highland Journey Part of the Experience.
Loch Ness may be the name on the itinerary, but the day is designed around everything you encounter on the way there and back.
More Personal Touring.
Scheduled groups are limited to a maximum of 16 guests, making scenic stops and guide interaction more relaxed.
Get Out Into Scotland.
Short walks and outdoor stops break up the Highland journey and give you time inside the landscape.
The Stories Behind the Loch.
Hear about Highland history, geology, folklore, clan stories and the characters connected with the places you visit.
The Loch Is One Part of the Day.
Cairngorms, Glencoe, whisky, woodland and Highland communities make the journey much richer than one famous stop.
Build Loch Ness Into a Private Scotland Journey.
A private tour gives you the freedom to decide how important Loch Ness is within the trip and what you want to explore around it.
Combine the loch with castles, whisky, Glencoe, family history, Skye or Inverness, spend longer at the places that matter to you and travel at a pace designed entirely around your own group.
What Travellers Say About Our Loch Ness Tours
Google reviews from guests on our Loch Ness & Highlands day tour.
We had an absolutely incredible time on this tour! From the moment we left Edinburgh, the journey was filled with breathtaking scenery, fascinating stories, and unforgettable moments. … What truly made this tour exceptional was our guide, Pete. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and had a fantastic sense of humor. His storytelling brought Scotland’s history and legends to life.
Richie was the absolute best tour guide we could have asked for! He made the whole 12 hour tour unforgettable for everyone aboard. We did the Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh and it was fantastic. It was more than we could have ever expected in its beauty.
This was hands down my favorite tour in Scotland! The views were absolutely breathtaking, and I loved learning about all the history along the way. Our guide, Georgie, was fantastic! so friendly! and knowledgeable, and made the day really special. If you’re only in Scotland for a few days, this is the perfect way to experience the magic of the Highlands, Loch Ness, and Glencoe.
Loch Ness Tour FAQs
The main things to know when deciding between a dedicated Loch Ness tour and a longer Scotland adventure.
View All Tour FAQsWhich Loch Ness tour should I choose?
If Loch Ness is one of the main reasons for your trip, start with our dedicated one or two-day adventures.
- 1-Day: best if you want Loch Ness, Glencoe and a large Highland loop within one day.
- 2-Day: gives you more time, an overnight in Fort William and a second day visiting Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Stirling Castle.
- From Inverness: Loch Ness with Culloden and the Clava Cairns, or with the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Cairngorms, daily from 8 January 2027.
If you have more time, several Skye, Orkney and Hebrides tours also visit Loch Ness as part of a larger Scotland journey.
Is there a Loch Ness tour from Inverness?
Yes. From 8 January 2027 we run two different day tours from Inverness, every day until 17 December: the Loch Ness, Culloden & Outlander Day Tour (about 9am to 4:35pm) and the Glenfinnan Viaduct & Cairngorms Day Tour (about 8:45am to 7:30pm).
Both include time at Loch Ness, with an optional cruise to Urquhart Castle paid on the day.
Can I take a dedicated Loch Ness tour from Glasgow?
No. Our dedicated Loch Ness tours depart from Edinburgh and, from January 2027, Inverness.
Several longer adventures that visit Loch Ness are available from Glasgow, including selected Skye, Orkney and Lewis & Harris tours.
Some Glasgow multi-day tours finish in Edinburgh, so check the individual tour page before arranging onward travel.
Is the Loch Ness cruise included?
No. The Loch Ness cruise ticket is currently paid separately from the advertised tour price.
On the one-day tour the cruise is deliberately optional, allowing you to choose between heading onto the water or spending your time ashore.
The current two-day itinerary and several longer tours also provide an opportunity to cruise Loch Ness.
Does every Loch Ness tour visit Urquhart Castle?
No. Both of our day tours from Inverness include the chance to cruise Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle, with about an hour at the castle (the cruise ticket, paid on the day, includes castle entry). Some longer multi-day tours also stop there.
The day tour from Edinburgh spends its time at Fort Augustus, at the southern end of the loch, and the two-day tour combines the loch with Fort William, Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Stirling Castle; neither visits Urquhart Castle.
If Urquhart Castle is important to you, check the exact itinerary of your chosen tour before booking.
Does the 2-day tour ride the Hogwarts Express?
No. The current two-day Loch Ness tour visits Glenfinnan and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, recognised around the world from the Harry Potter films.
It doesn’t include a journey aboard the Jacobite Steam Train.
Is accommodation included on the 2-day tour?
No. Your one night of accommodation in the Fort William area is separate from the advertised tour price.
Scotland’s Wild can arrange accommodation through trusted partners, or you can book your own after contacting us to confirm the correct accommodation area.
How do deposits work?
The dedicated one-day Loch Ness tour currently requires a 50% payment when booking. The remaining balance is collected eight days before departure.
The two-day tour uses the standard multi-day arrangement: a 25% deposit secures your place and the remaining balance is due 15 days before departure.
What is the minimum age?
Scheduled group Loch Ness tours are currently for travellers aged 12 and over.
Families travelling with younger children can contact us about building Loch Ness into a private Scotland tour.
Explore Private Scotland ToursHow much walking is involved?
Both dedicated Loch Ness tours use our Active Sightseeing approach, so there’s proper time outside the vehicle.
The current one-day guidance asks guests to be comfortable walking for approximately 30 minutes on varied outdoor terrain.
The two-day tour includes additional short walks and guests should be comfortable walking for around 45 minutes on uneven ground.
What should I bring?
Highland weather can change quickly, so layers and waterproof clothing are useful throughout the year.
- Light waterproof jacket
- Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes
- Warm layers in colder weather
- Midge repellent in the warmer months
- Sun cream for brighter days
Even when Edinburgh is dry, conditions farther north can be very different.
How long is the Loch Ness day tour from Edinburgh?
About 12 hours. The tour leaves Edinburgh at 8:00am and returns at approximately 8pm.
The route runs north via The Hermitage and the Cairngorms to Fort Augustus and Loch Ness, then returns through Fort William, Glencoe and Loch Lomond.
How much does a Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh cost?
The Loch Ness & Highlands Day Tour is from £96 per person, with a 50% payment when you book.
The Loch Ness & Highlands 2-Day Tour is from £196 per person with a 25% deposit. Your night of accommodation in the Fort William area is separate.
Prices vary by date, so check live dates and prices on each tour page.
Go Looking for Nessie. Find Much More Along the Way.
Choose one day for the full Highland loop, two for a deeper adventure or build Loch Ness into a longer journey through Scotland’s Highlands and islands.
