Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Private Day Tour from Edinburgh
Journey deep into the Scottish Highlands for dramatic glens, wild moorland, national parks and legendary Loch Ness — with the opportunity to experience the loch from the water on a cruise.
One extraordinary journey, across the heart of Scotland.
Loch Ness may be the destination everyone knows, but the journey there is a major part of this private Highland adventure.
Over the course of the day you'll travel through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, across wild Rannoch Moor, into spectacular Glencoe, past some of Scotland's highest mountains and onwards to legendary Loch Ness.
Want more than a day? See all our private tours of Scotland, including multi-day trips planned around you.
Completely Private
Your guide and vehicle are reserved exclusively for your party. Groups of 1 to 16 guests are welcome.
Door-to-Door Edinburgh
Begin your Highland adventure from your Edinburgh accommodation rather than a shared city-centre meeting point.
A True Highland Journey
Cross national parks, moorland, glens, mountains, lochs and Highland communities in one remarkable day.
Your Own Expert Guide
Go deeper into Scotland's landscapes, history, folklore and stories with a guide focused entirely on your group.
A full cross-section of Highland Scotland.
This is one of our biggest private day adventures: famous locations, immense landscapes and a legendary destination at the heart of the route.
National Park
Loch Lomond
Begin the journey among the lochs, hills and woodlands of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Highland Wilderness
Rannoch Moor & Glencoe
Cross vast open moorland before entering one of Scotland's most dramatic and historically powerful glens.
Legendary Scotland
Cruise Loch Ness
Reach one of the world's most famous lochs and experience its enormous scale from the water on a boat cruise.
Active Sightseeing
Highland Walks & Waterfalls
Finish the adventure with more time outside as the return route passes through Highland forests, rivers and the Cairngorms.
Edinburgh to Loch Ness, through the heart of the Highlands.
Follow your journey west through Loch Lomond, north across Rannoch Moor and Glencoe to Loch Ness, then east through the Cairngorms before returning south to Edinburgh.
Your Private Loch Ness Adventure
This is a long-distance Highland adventure. Weather, traffic, cruise schedules and other operating conditions can require your guide to adjust timings or complete sections of the route in reverse.
Loch Lomond
Leave Edinburgh behind and begin the transformation from city to Highland landscape.
As the journey moves west, you'll reach Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park — Scotland's first national park and a beautiful introduction to the landscapes ahead.
Lochs, wooded hills and the Highland Boundary create a striking transition between Lowland and Highland Scotland.
Depending on the route, timing and conditions, there may also be opportunities to stop for viewpoints, short walks or even an encounter with Scotland's famous Highland cattle.
Rannoch Moor & Glencoe
Cross one of Scotland's great wilderness landscapes before entering dramatic Glencoe.
Rannoch Moor feels vast and remote, with open peatland, mountains and lochs stretching across one of the most atmospheric sections of the Highlands.
From here the route continues into Glencoe, where immense mountain walls rise around the road.
Your guide will bring the landscape to life through the history of Clan MacDonald, the Glencoe Massacre and the stories that have made this one of Scotland's most famous glens.
Continuing north, pass through Ballachulish, Onich and the Fort William area as the journey pushes deeper into the Highlands.
Loch Ness Cruise
Arrive at one of the most famous bodies of water on Earth.
Loch Ness is enormous, deep and surrounded by Highland scenery — and one of the best ways to appreciate its scale is from the water.
Subject to availability and operating schedules, you'll have time for a Loch Ness boat cruise. Search the dark water for Nessie, hear stories surrounding the loch and simply enjoy being out in the landscape itself.
Whether the monster makes an appearance or not, reaching Loch Ness after travelling across the Highlands is one of the defining moments of the day.
Cairngorms, Woodland & Highland Waterfalls
Loch Ness isn't the end of the adventure — the return route reveals another side of Scotland.
Travel east towards the Cairngorms National Park, where the landscape changes again from the steep western mountains to forests, rivers and broad Highland valleys.
Where conditions and timings permit, your guide can include a short walk or scenic stop to get you back outside amongst the Highland landscape.
Continue south through places such as Blair Atholl, Pitlochry and Dunkeld, with waterfalls and rivers sometimes adding a final burst of Highland drama after periods of rain.
What's Included & Important Tour Information
Your private driver-guide, vehicle and full Highland touring day are included. Cruise tickets, meals and other third-party attraction costs are normally purchased separately.
Your Private Tour
- Your own private vehicle for 1 to 16 guests
- Private Scotland driver-guide
- Touring vehicle throughout the day
- Edinburgh pick-up and return
- Loch Lomond sightseeing
- Rannoch Moor and Glencoe
- Journey through the western Highlands
- Loch Ness visit
- Cairngorms National Park route
- Short scenic walks where conditions permit
- History, folklore and local stories throughout
- Tour planning and attraction reservation assistance
Additional Costs
- Loch Ness cruise ticket
- Lunch and snacks
- Additional attraction admissions
- Drinks
- Personal purchases
- Optional gratuities
Where appropriate, our team can organise reservations as part of planning your day. Individual third-party charges remain separate unless your booking confirmation specifically states otherwise.
Your guide makes the day.
On a private tour your guide is there for your group alone. They collect you from your accommodation, do all the driving and tell you the history and legends behind each stop as you travel.
- They walk the stops with you. Your guide comes with you at the castles, viewpoints and walks, so you never have to work out where to go.
- Your group sets the pace. Want longer somewhere, or an extra photo stop? Ask on the day and your guide will fit it in where time and the roads allow.
- Storytellers first. In our reviews, the guide is what travellers talk about most.
In their own words.
Had the best day on our private tour with John, easily one of the best guides we’ve ever had. He was super knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely made the whole experience amazing.
We did a private tour, and it was so amazing!! Aila was a wonderful tour guide, and made the experience 5 stars for us. She was so knowledgeable, and made sure we saw everything we wanted to see.
My husband and I booked a private Isle of Skye tour and it was truly amazing. … Because it was a private tour the days were fairly flexible but we were able to get so much packed into each day.
One Price For Your Whole Group
You pay one price for your whole group, not per person. The price depends on how many of you are travelling and when. A 25% deposit secures your date.
| Season | 1–8guests | 9–12guests | 13–16guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| WinterNovember to February | £548 | £660 | £760 |
| March & October | £660 | £760 | £860 |
| SummerApril to September | £840 | £920 | £988 |
- Prices are per group and include your private guide and vehicle for the day. Attraction tickets are paid separately unless stated.
- Christmas: 22, 23 and 27 to 30 December are charged at summer prices. There are no tours on 24 to 26 December or 31 December to 2 January.
- More than 16 of you? Ask us about a larger vehicle.
Ready to make it yours?
One booking reserves your own private vehicle and guide for 1 to 16 guests, from £548 per group. Choose your date to see current availability and pricing.
Private Loch Ness Day Tour FAQs
The most useful information to know before booking your private Highland adventure from Edinburgh.
Is the price per person or for the whole vehicle?
One booking reserves your private vehicle and guide for the day. Prices are for your whole group, not per person. They depend on how many of you are travelling (1 to 8, 9 to 12 or 13 to 16 guests) and when, from £548 per group. See the price table on this page. You will not share your tour with other travellers.
How long is the Loch Ness private tour?
This is a substantial full-day adventure, currently planned from approximately 8:00am until 8:00pm.
Return time can vary with traffic, cruise schedules, weather and operating conditions.
Where does the private tour pick us up?
Your guide will normally collect you from your agreed pick-up location in Edinburgh, with the final arrangements confirmed before your tour.
Is the Loch Ness boat cruise included?
The itinerary is designed to allow time for a Loch Ness boat cruise, subject to cruise availability and operating schedules.
The cruise charge is normally paid separately unless your booking confirmation specifically states otherwise.
Do we visit Glencoe?
Yes. The route travels across Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe as part of the journey north towards Loch Ness.
Is there much walking?
This is primarily a large Highland sightseeing journey, but your guide will look for opportunities to get you outside for short walks and scenic stops.
Walking can normally be adapted where possible around your private group and the conditions.
Can we change the itinerary?
A private tour offers more flexibility than a scheduled group departure, particularly around pacing, photography stops and how time is used.
This particular tour covers a significant distance, however, so major route changes should be discussed with us in advance.
Can the route be completed in reverse?
Yes. Depending on cruise schedules, traffic, weather and operational considerations, your guide may complete the route in the opposite direction.
The aim is to create the best possible day rather than rigidly following one sequence.
What should we wear?
Scotland's Highland weather can change rapidly, so layers, waterproof outerwear and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Do we need to bring food?
There will normally be opportunities to purchase food during the day and your guide can advise on suitable stops.
Because this is a long tour, bringing water and a few snacks is also a good idea.
What are the cancellation terms?
For private tours, 25% of the total price is payable if cancelling 61 or more days before departure; 50% from 60–31 days; and 100% at 30 days or less before departure.
Certain third-party arrangements may carry additional non-refundable costs.
Read the full terms & conditions →Can we bring luggage?
Small day bags are normally straightforward. If you need to travel with suitcases or larger luggage, contact the team beforehand so vehicle storage can be confirmed.
One day. The Highlands. Your way.
Reserve your own vehicle and Scotland's Wild guide for 1 to 16 guests and journey from Edinburgh through Glencoe to legendary Loch Ness.
Check Dates & Book Private for 1–16 guests · From £548 per group · 25% deposit · Approx. 8am–8pm
