2 Day Loch Ness, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct & St Andrews Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Edinburgh - St Andrews - Perthshire - Culloden Battlefield - Clava Cairns - Inverness

Pass By: Forth Bridge, North Queensferry KY11 1HP Scotland
Enjoy views of Scotland's most iconic landmark as you cross the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife

Stop At: St Andrews Castle, St. Andrews Castle The Scores, St. Andrews KY16 9AR Scotland
You will have 90 minutes to explore the fascinating town of St Andrews. Explore the famous Old Course and adjacent British Golf Museum; wander through the cloisters of St Andrews University, the third oldest University in the English speaking world; or delve into the medieval St Andrews Castle and Cathedral.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: The Hermitage Woodland Walk, Just off A9 at Dunkeld, Dunkeld Scotland
A magical woodland nature reserve set deep in the forests once owned by the Duke of Atholl, but now cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Enjoy a short walk amongst the Douglas Firs, the tallest trees in Scotland, and along the River Brann to Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors. Built in honour of an 18th century blind Bard, it offers the best views of the spectacular cascading waterfall, the Falls of Brann. Often the scene of leaping salmon, keep your eyes peeled for all kinds of wildlife here.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre, Armoury Road, Pitlochry PH16 5AP Scotland
Treat yourself to some traditional Highland fayre for lunch in the picturesque Victorian village of Pitlochry. Sitting at the gateway to the Highlands and the Cairngorm National Park, your guide will tell you about Queen Victoria and Sir Walter Scott’s absolute fondness for this area, subsequently leading to the world-famous popularity of the Scottish Highlands. There are many nice pubs, delis, cafes and bakeries in Pitlochry to sit and enjoy a meal or to pick up a quick light snack. For those who opt for a quick lunch, you may wish to walk to the curious Pitlochry Fish Ladder on the River Tummel that allows salmon to travel upstream during the breeding season.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Cairngorms National Park, PH22 1QH Scotland
After lunch, you will spend the afternoon exploring more of rural Highland Perthshire and into the Cairngorm National Park as this incredibly scenic drive takes us through the heather clad mountains towards the very ancient Clava Cairns

Stop At: Clava Cairns, National Grid Reference: NH 757 444 off the B9006, 6 km from Inverness Scotland
These standing stones and Burial Chambers date from at least 4000 years ago. Their precise purpose is still something of a mystery but what most observers agree on is that they probably inspired Diana Gabaldon when she was writing about Craigh na Dun in her ‘Outlander’ novels.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor IV2 5EU Scotland
Culloden Battlefield is where, on the 16th of April 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite Army was brutally defeated by a much larger and better equipped Redcoat Army. This was the last battle to be fought on British soil and your guide will explain just how big a turning point in history it was, heralding the end of the traditional Highland way of life and beginning changes which are still felt to this day. The Battlefield is a very moving place, sensitively cared for today by the National Trust For Scotland.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Inverness Cathedral, 15 Ardross Street, Inverness IV3 5NS Scotland
OVERNIGHT IN INVERNESS. Accommodation is not included in the tour price. You will be contacted by the Operator to discuss your accommodation options.
Duration: 14 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Inverness - Loch Ness - Ben Nevis - Glenfinnan Viaduct - Glencoe - Edinburgh

Stop At: Urquhart Castle, A82 Road, Drumnadrochit IV63 6XJ Scotland
Enjoy a quick photo opportunity at this iconic Castle on the banks of Loch Ness
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Cruise Loch Ness, Canal Side, Fort Augustus PH32 4BD, UK
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. (Summer Only: Adults £14.50, Children £9.00). 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.

For those who do not wish to take the optional boat cruise, you will have time to explore the village and it’s 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.

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Stop At: Commando Monument, Spean Bridge PH34 4EG Scotland
From here, enjoy stunning views of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The monument pays tribute to the Commando regiment of the British Army who trained nearby during WW2.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glenfinnan Scotland
Famous from the Harry Potter movie series as the bridge that the Hogwarts Express chugs over. This viaduct sits amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in the Western Highlands. Sitting at the edge of Loch Shiel, where Bonnie Prince Charlie first raised his standard in 1745 before the Battle of Culloden, you will have the option to take a short hike to a magnificent viewpoint, or stroll down to the shores and discover more about the Jacobites.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Glencoe Visitor Centre, PH49 4HX Scotland
After a short lunch, you will follow in the footsteps of James Bond (‘Skyfall’) and Harry Potter (‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’), as you discover the beautiful and haunting ‘Glencoe’, the most magnificent and famous valley in Scotland. The spectacular scenery will stay with you forever. Your guide will recount the tale of the infamous ‘Massacre of Glencoe’ that took place here in February 1692, and you will have time to walk down into the Glen and soak up the incredible natural beauty in an area close to the heart of all Scots who visit this place to kayak down the River Coe, climb among the jagged peaks or simply take stunning photographs.
Duration: 25 minutes

Pass By: Loch Lubnaig, Callander, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park FK178HF Scotland
Your Highland Adventure ends with a scenic drive South through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

Pass By: Stirling Castle, Castle Esplanade Upper Castle Hill, Old Town, Stirling FK8 1EJ Scotland
Your Guide regales you for the last time with tales of the Highland’s most famous historical hero, Rob Roy McGregor, followed by the Nation’s most celebrated heroes of William Wallace and Kind Robert the Bruce as you pass famous Stirling Castle and the National Monument to Sir William Wallace.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.