Loch Ness, Glencoe & Highland Landscapes

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Stirling Castle, Castle Esplanade Upper Castle Hill, Old Town, Stirling FK8 1EJ Scotland

As you pass the fortress that is Stirling Castle, your guide will have you on the edge of your seat, regaling you with tales of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and the bloody battles fought out on these lands.

Stop At: Doune Castle, Castle Hill, Doune, Stirling FK16 6EA Scotland

Our first photo stop today is at the 14th century Doune Castle, world famous as a filming location for ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’, ‘Outlander’ (Castle Leoch) and ‘Game of Thrones’. You will have time to explore the castle grounds (coconuts optional) and take some stunning photographs of this imposing fortress.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Falls of Dochart, Gray Street, Killin, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park FK21 8SL Scotland

After a brief stop to fuel up on coffee and delicacies from a tasty Scottish bakery, we enter The Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park our bus weaves through hills, mountains and glens. These remote places were once inhabited by many Highland Clans, including 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’ll stop to photograph the tumbling Falls of Dochart in the picturesque village of Killin and if we happen to spot some of our famous ‘Hairy Highland Coos’, we might stop for a selfie!

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Glencoe Lochan, Glencoe Village Scotland

Glencoe was also 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!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Commando Monument, Spean Bridge PH34 4EG Scotland

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Fort Augustus Abbey, Fort Augustus Scotland

Desperate for a glimpse of ‘Nessie’? St Columba, an Irish monk, was one of the first people to record a sighting of the Loch’s infamous monster back in the 6th century. If you can’t trust a saint, who can you trust?! 1500 years worth of recorded sightings of “The Water Horse” have made Loch Ness the most famous body of freshwater in the world. Why not see if you can spot ‘Nessie’ up close by taking the optional boat cruise from Fort Augustus? The sonar system on-board scans all 755-feet of the murky-depths, constantly searching for her presence, so you can relax and enjoy the views. Alternatively, you can enjoy a spot of lunch in one of the many cafes, pubs and restaurants in Fort Augustus. Take in the views of Loch Ness with a leisurely stroll along the gorgeous Caledonian Canal which dates back to 1803. You have around 2 hours to enjoy the boat cruise and the enchanting village before heading to the Cairngorm National Park.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ben Nevis, Fort William Scotland

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.

Pass By: Cairngorms National Park, PH22 1QH Scotland

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

Stop At: Atholl Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5BH, UK

Pitlochry is situated in the heart of the stunning scenery of Highland Perthshire. The town 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.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Forth Bridge, North Queensferry KY11 1HP Scotland

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.