2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh
Overview
Join this very small group tour (average group size of around 12 passengers) for a magical two day escape to the Highlands. Traveling through spectacular scenery, this tour is the perfect way to see Scotland and many of her highlights. These include stops at Doune Castle, Glen Coe, Glenfinnan Viaduct (April - October only) and Loch Ness. Overnight is in the bustling Highland capital of Inverness followed by visits to Culloden Battlefield, prehistoric standing stones, Pitlochry (optional whisky distillery tour) and a riverside walk at Dunkeld.
Inclusions
- Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers
- Live commentary on board
- Local guide
- Driver/guide
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini coach
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness
Pass By: Stirling Castle, Castle Esplanade Upper Castle Hill, Old Town, Stirling FK8 1EJ Scotland
Pass by historic Stirling Castle on its rocky crags.
Pass By: National Wallace Monument, Hillfoots Road Abbey Craig, Stirling FK9 5LF Scotland
The National Wallace Monument was built to honour our great Scottish hero - William Wallace.
Stop At: Doune Castle, Castle Hill, Doune, Stirling FK16 6EA Scotland
Short photo stop at Doune Castle. This medieval castle has recently been seen as Castle Leoch in Outlander and Winterfell in Game of Thrones but is probably most famous for featuring in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Glencoe National Nature Reserve, Glencoe Visitor Centre, PH49 4HX Scotland
Glen Coe is perhaps the most famous of all Scotland’s glens. This narrow valley is where the bloody massacre of the MacDonalds took place in 1692 and has been used as a backdrop for many movies including Skyfall. We will stop nearby for lunch (at own expense).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glenfinnan Lodge A830 Rd, Glenfinnan PH37 4LT Scotland
Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct (Apr-Oct only) which famously features in several Harry Potter movies as the Hogwarts Express train crosses the bridge.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ben Nevis, Fort William Scotland
We stop for a photo of Britain’s highest mountain (Ben Nevis).
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Fort Augustus, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness Region, Scottish Highlands, Scotland
There will be an opportunity for photos and souvenir shopping in the charming village of Fort Augustus.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Loch Ness, Scotland
We continue along the full length of Loch Ness - keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster!
Stop At: Urquhart Castle, A82, Drumnadrochit IV63 6XJ Scotland
We will stop at Urquhart Castle for a photo opportunity and to stretch legs before the final leg of the journey to Inverness.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Inverness, Inverness, Scottish Highlands, Scotland
Our overnight stay is in the northernmost city of the UK and pretty capital of the Highlands, Inverness. There are numerous pubs, cafés and restaurants for evening entertainment.
Duration: 14 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Inverness to Edinburgh
Stop At: Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor IV2 5EU Scotland
After being collected from your accommodation it's only a short drive to Culloden Moor where the Jacobites were finally defeated by government soldiers in 1746, the last battle to be fought on British soil.
You will have time to walk on the battlefield and learn more about this tragic event that killed 700 Highland clansmen in three minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Clava Cairns, Balnuaran of Clava, IV2 5EU Scotland
Visit one of Scotland's most evocative and sacred prehistoric sites, 4000 year old stone circles and burial mounds at Clava Cairns.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Cairngorms National Park, PH22 1QH Scotland
As we drive south through the Cairngorms National Park you'll hear about the flora and fauna of this wonderful wilderness which was officially protected in 2003 and is the largest national park in the British Isles. We will also stop for lunch at one of the charming villages within the national park.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie, Newtonmore Scotland
During your drive through the Cairngorms National Park, you should spot Ruthven Barracks, built in 1719 after the 1715 Jacobite rising.
Stop At: Pitlochry, Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
The Highland town of Pitlochry has an elegant main street packed with shops and restaurants. During your break here there is an option to visit the Blair Athol Distillery (own expense) where you can take a guided tour and of course sample the 'water of life' for yourself.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Stop At: Blair Athol Distillery, Perth Road, Pitlochry PH16 5LY Scotland
During your break in Pitlochry there is an opportunity to visit Blair Atholl Distillery (at your own expense) where you can take a guided tour and of course sample the 'water of life' for yourself.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: The Hermitage Woodland Walk, Just off A9 at Dunkeld, Dunkeld Scotland
Your final stop is a gentle riverside walk through Big Tree Country at Dunkeld, a beautiful way to finish the tour all seasons of the year.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Forth Road Bridge, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9SF Scotland
Just before returning to Edinburgh (tour return time is 7pm) your journey takes you over the River Forth. You may make a quick photo stop in South Queensferry to capture the famous Forth Rail Bridge - built in 1890.
Duration: 15 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness
Pass By: Stirling Castle, Castle Esplanade Upper Castle Hill, Old Town, Stirling FK8 1EJ Scotland
Pass by historic Stirling Castle on its rocky crags.
Pass By: National Wallace Monument, Hillfoots Road Abbey Craig, Stirling FK9 5LF Scotland
The National Wallace Monument was built to honour our great Scottish hero - William Wallace.
Stop At: Doune Castle, Castle Hill, Doune, Stirling FK16 6EA Scotland
Short photo stop at Doune Castle. This medieval castle has recently been seen as Castle Leoch in Outlander and Winterfell in Game of Thrones but is probably most famous for featuring in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Glencoe National Nature Reserve, Glencoe Visitor Centre, PH49 4HX Scotland
Glen Coe is perhaps the most famous of all Scotland’s glens. This narrow valley is where the bloody massacre of the MacDonalds took place in 1692 and has been used as a backdrop for many movies including Skyfall. We will stop nearby for lunch (at own expense).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glenfinnan Lodge A830 Rd, Glenfinnan PH37 4LT Scotland
Visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct (Apr-Oct only) which famously features in several Harry Potter movies as the Hogwarts Express train crosses the bridge.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ben Nevis, Fort William Scotland
We stop for a photo of Britain’s highest mountain (Ben Nevis).
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Fort Augustus, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness Region, Scottish Highlands, Scotland
There will be an opportunity for photos and souvenir shopping in the charming village of Fort Augustus.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Loch Ness, Scotland
We continue along the full length of Loch Ness - keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster!
Stop At: Urquhart Castle, A82, Drumnadrochit IV63 6XJ Scotland
We will stop at Urquhart Castle for a photo opportunity and to stretch legs before the final leg of the journey to Inverness.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Inverness, Inverness, Scottish Highlands, Scotland
Our overnight stay is in the northernmost city of the UK and pretty capital of the Highlands, Inverness. There are numerous pubs, cafés and restaurants for evening entertainment.
Duration: 14 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Inverness to Edinburgh
Stop At: Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor IV2 5EU Scotland
After being collected from your accommodation it's only a short drive to Culloden Moor where the Jacobites were finally defeated by government soldiers in 1746, the last battle to be fought on British soil.
You will have time to walk on the battlefield and learn more about this tragic event that killed 700 Highland clansmen in three minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Clava Cairns, Balnuaran of Clava, IV2 5EU Scotland
Visit one of Scotland's most evocative and sacred prehistoric sites, 4000 year old stone circles and burial mounds at Clava Cairns.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Cairngorms National Park, PH22 1QH Scotland
As we drive south through the Cairngorms National Park you'll hear about the flora and fauna of this wonderful wilderness which was officially protected in 2003 and is the largest national park in the British Isles. We will also stop for lunch at one of the charming villages within the national park.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie, Newtonmore Scotland
During your drive through the Cairngorms National Park, you should spot Ruthven Barracks, built in 1719 after the 1715 Jacobite rising.
Stop At: Pitlochry, Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
The Highland town of Pitlochry has an elegant main street packed with shops and restaurants. During your break here there is an option to visit the Blair Athol Distillery (own expense) where you can take a guided tour and of course sample the 'water of life' for yourself.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Stop At: Blair Athol Distillery, Perth Road, Pitlochry PH16 5LY Scotland
During your break in Pitlochry there is an opportunity to visit Blair Atholl Distillery (at your own expense) where you can take a guided tour and of course sample the 'water of life' for yourself.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: The Hermitage Woodland Walk, Just off A9 at Dunkeld, Dunkeld Scotland
Your final stop is a gentle riverside walk through Big Tree Country at Dunkeld, a beautiful way to finish the tour all seasons of the year.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Forth Road Bridge, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9SF Scotland
Just before returning to Edinburgh (tour return time is 7pm) your journey takes you over the River Forth. You may make a quick photo stop in South Queensferry to capture the famous Forth Rail Bridge - built in 1890.
Duration: 15 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Accommodation: Please let us know in the Special Requirements box when you check out which type of accommodation you would prefer. Choose from: Hostel - £20 to £30 per person, per night. B&B single or single occupancy of a double room - £50 to £90 per person, per night. B&B en-suite double or twin - £100 to £150 per room, per night (2 sharing). B&B en-suite triple or quad - £150 to £200 per room, per night (3 or 4 sharing). Hotel - £150 to £200+ per room, per night (2 sharing)
- Very small group tour - average group size of around 12 passengers
- Minimum age is 5 years old
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Most travelers can participate
- Operates in all weather conditions (unless it is unsafe to do so), please dress appropriately
- Please inform us 7 days in advance if you are bringing a service animal
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
Jane M
October 2019
The tour was great! Gregor did a fantastic job educating us on the region and pointing out sights we would have otherwise missed. His music selections only made the trip better. I definitely recommend!
The tour was great! Gregor did a fantastic job educating us on the region and pointing out sights we would have otherwise missed. His music selections only made the trip better. I definitely recommend!Kendall M
October 2019
Gregor was awesome and so knowledgeable. We loved that he would play songs that were associated with each site we were seeing as well. We truly learned a lot and will forever have a greater appreciation of all that the Highlands have to offer!
Gregor was awesome and so knowledgeable. We loved that he would play songs that were associated with each site we were seeing as well. We truly learned a lot and will forever have a greater appreciation of all that the Highlands have to offer!EliseB00
October 2019
Had an amazing two days on the bus! Lots of driving but every second with filled with Gregor's wonderful stories and music and with plenty of stops. Saw everything I wanted to and more. Definitely recommend!
Had an amazing two days on the bus! Lots of driving but every second with filled with Gregor's wonderful stories and music and with plenty of stops. Saw everything I wanted to and more. Definitely recommend!polarbear666
October 2019
Our first trip to Scotland would have been nothing without this 2-day tour to the Highlands and Inverness and especially our guide Alan. The landscapes and the places we visited were just amazing. We were very lucky to have Alan guiding us through the tour. He is so passionate and his knowledge a...
Our first trip to Scotland would have been nothing without this 2-day tour to the Highlands and Inverness and especially our guide Alan. The landscapes and the places we visited were just amazing. We were very lucky to have Alan guiding us through the tour. He is so passionate and his knowledge about his homeland and everything else is admirable. His stories about Scotland were very interesting. As a bonus we were privileged to hear about his personal life experiences which was very welcome. We have had many tours across the world, but this was overwhelmingly the best one with the best guide in the business. Thank you very much Alan for giving this lifelong memory to us. Teemu & CamillapamkM3543LV
October 2019
This was our first trip to Scotland and on we took this tour on the day after we arrived on the "Wee Red Bus" with Alan. Alan was so passionate about his countries history that we were completed captivated by all the stories and details he shared throughout the trip. Even when were just driving...
This was our first trip to Scotland and on we took this tour on the day after we arrived on the "Wee Red Bus" with Alan. Alan was so passionate about his countries history that we were completed captivated by all the stories and details he shared throughout the trip. Even when were just driving by a historical site - he still made sure that he pointed them all out to us and gave us their background. This was an amazing way to see Scotland thru the eyes of a native that loves his country. I would strongly recommend it to others. Come prepared to do some serious walking. Many of the best locations required walking some distance to get to the historical "jewel" but every one of them was worth the effort.Linda_S
October 2019
My husband and I took the two-day Inverness and the Highlands Small Group Tour on 10/3-4/2019 and really enjoyed the tour. Our guide, Eddie Boyle, was a really good guy - great sense of humor and very knowledgeable as well as being a great driver too. There were 13 people on our tour and I think...
My husband and I took the two-day Inverness and the Highlands Small Group Tour on 10/3-4/2019 and really enjoyed the tour. Our guide, Eddie Boyle, was a really good guy - great sense of humor and very knowledgeable as well as being a great driver too. There were 13 people on our tour and I think everyone had a wonderful time learning about Scotland and its history. Would highly recommend.