Day Trips & Excursions in The Scottish Highlands

The battles, beauty, and whisky: This is your perfect introduction to Scotland.You shed a tear as you hear the tales and tragedies of Scotland's Jacobite Rising at the Culloden Battlefield. You try to take your best photo as you pass by Scotland's famous mountains and castles. And you lick your lips as you drink in the spirit of Scottish whisky in Dufftown, 'the Whisky Capital of the World'.What's more, you get as close as possible to the legendary Loch Ness Monster on an optional boat trip.So, take this trip and enjoy the best of Scotland in a day.

Skip the hassle of driving and get deeper insights than possible independently on this private guided tour from St. Andrews to Loch Ness and Pitlochry. After a pickup from your hotel, head north to the Great Glen and onward to Fort Augustus on Loch Ness' southern shore where you have free time for lunch or to take a cruise (own expense). Afterward, head back south to the charming Victorian village of Pitlochry. Spend some free time here before returning to your hotel.

Explore Loch Ness, Glen Coe and the Highlands on this day trip from Glasgow. Visit Loch Lomond with a guide and enjoy spectacular views over the Scottish Highlands. Travel into Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe - widely considered to be Scotland's most beautiful glen. Pass beneath Ben Nevis on route through the Great Glen. Take in Fort Augustus and Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness, and enjoy an optional cruise or castle visit. Journey onward to Inverness - the Highlands' iconic capital - then return via the Grampian Mountains to Glasgow.

Explore Scotland's most stunning natural and cultural sights on this guided Isle of Skye outdoors tour from Inverness. Highlights include hikes through the Fairy Glen and Fairy Pools plus a visit to 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, a Highlands icon. Cover more attractions in less time by comfortable minivan, stopping for a first-hand peek at Loch Ness, Kilt Rock, and Urquhart Castle.

Skip the hassle of travel-planning on this full-day tour from Aberdeen to Loch Ness. Traveling in a small group, get insights into the culture and history of the Scottish Highlands as you head for Loch Ness where you can embark on a boat cruise or visit Urquhart Castle (both at own expense). Afterward, continue past the haunting battlefield of Culloden to the Clava Cairns, an evocative circle of prehistoric chambered tomb cairns, before heading back over the mountain roads to Aberdeen.

Immerse yourself in Scotland's spectacular natural landscapes on an 8-hour tour of the Scottish Highlands from Inverness. In a small group limited to eight, you'll visit Loch Ness, home to the legendary Loch Ness Monster, and observe bottlenose dolphins at Chanonry Point. Plus, you'll stop at the Clava Cairns (Stones of Clava), Culloden Battlefield, and Glen Ord Whiskey Distillery.

See the best of Scotland in one action-packed day on this 12.5-hour Glencoe, Loch Ness and the Highlands tour from Edinburgh. Pass Stirling Castle on route to Kilmahog with a guide, then continue through Rannoch Moor to the soaring Highland peaks of Glen Coe. Head along the banks of Loch Linnhe to Fort William and gaze over Ben Nevis - Scotland's highest mountain. Enjoy free time to explore Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, and learn the famous legend of Nessie! Visit Inverness, then travel through the mighty Grampian Mountains to Edinburgh.

Get acquainted with a less-visited part of Scotland, the windswept Applecross Peninsula, during this 9-hour day trip from Inverness. Get glimpses of the abundant wildlife and revel in the dramatic views of stark Highlands scenery. Visit the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, travel over the steep Bealach nam Ba pass and enjoy some free time in the charming Applecross Village. Round-trip transportation from Inverness in a luxury minibus is included.

Check out the Isle of Skye on a 10-hour day trip from Inverness. With a Scottish local in a kilt as your driver-guide, you'll discover the history behind the island plus some famous landmarks along the way. Pass Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, then cross Skye Bridge to spend time on the island itself. Visit the town of Portree, travel through the Cuillin mountains, and discover beguiling natural sights such as the Old Mann of Storr. Numbers are limited to just eight people for a small-group experience.

Experience the scenic highlights of the Scottish Highlands on a full-day trip from Inverness to Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, Loch Maree, Applecross, and the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, which stands at the confluence of three lochs. Travel by luxurious mini-coach with a small group that's limited to six people, and learn about highland history, culture, and wildlife along the way.

Travel from Inverness to the Isle of Skye on a 10-hour day trip through the Scottish Highlands. Pass through glens and rugged mountain scenery, with stops at Loch Ness, Broadford and the ruins of Eilean Donan Castle, before reaching the purple heather-swathed hillsides of Skye. Then see the isle of Eilean Ban on the journey back to Inverness.

Make the most of your limited time and skip the hassle of driving or planning public transport routes on this guided tour from Inverness into the Highlands. Travel north to Dochgarroch for a 1-hour cruise up Loch Ness to Glen Urquhart Castle. Upon arrival at the castle, you have some time to explore its magnificent ruins and learn about the history of this strategic fortress. Your tour concludes with a walk through Inverness to explore its hidden corners and historic sites.

Loch Ness is one of Scotland's most photographed natural wonders and the legendary home of the mythical Loch Ness Monster. On this tour, journey through the Scottish Highlands to Inverness; enjoy fabulous photo opportunities of Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Urquhart Castle, and the Great Glen; and set sail across Loch Ness on an optional boat cruise.

Explore Lochness the hidden gem of the highlands with a historical monster . You will have a driver guide who is local to the area with plenty of facts about the Loch and the History of the area . You will see many views of the Loch & Urquhart castle while travelling round the loch circular this tour can be done in 4 to 6 hours depending on time taken at the castles and exhibition centre starting at 9.30am finishing between 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Explore off the beaten path with this three-day tour of the archipelago of Orkney. Leave the driving to your guide and visit prehistoric sites, a dramatic red sandstone coast, and some of Scotland's most remote fishing villages. This small-group tour is limited to 16 people to ensure an intimate atmosphere.

Travel to the far northern reaches of mainland Britain on this 10-hour trip to John o'Groats and Duncansby Head from Inverness. Journey by luxury mini-coach across the Black Isle Peninsula, bursting with postcard-perfect natural vistas and wildlife like seals, dolphins, killer whales and native birds. With a local guide, visit the charming villages of Caithness, John o'Groats and Duncansby Head, and hear histories steeped in Viking lore.

Take on the UK's highest mountain and experience the best of the Scottish countryside on this 8-hour Ben Nevis hike from Fort William. Follow a guide along rugged trails to the peak of Ben Nevis, and gain insight into the wildlife and geology for which the mountain is famous. Along the way, admire spectacular views over the surrounding lakes, forests, peaks and valleys. Enjoy the feeling of achievement at the top, then perhaps finish your day with a refreshing pint back at base!

Celebrate Scotland's gems with an 8-hour Highlands and whisky tour from Inverness. Visit the hilly Black Isle peninsula, speckled with prosperous farms, the ancient village of Cromarty and Chanonry Point to watch playful bottlenose dolphins. Honor the historic whisky-producing region with a stop at Glen Ord Distillery for a tour and sample. Cap your day at Loch Ness for a chance to spot the elusive monster, Nessie!

Take an Orkney Islands tour of top attractions on this day trip from Inverness. You'll travel by coach through Scotland's dramatic North Highlands and ferry across the Pentland Firth from John O'Groats. Cross the Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow to the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness - part of the Neolithic Orkney World Heritage site. Your guide also takes you to the stone-age village of Skara Brae and the 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. Note: This tour operates during the summer months.

Leave the city for the day and explore the beautiful Isle of Skye. Visit Eilean Donan Castle; one of Scotland's most photographed castles and cross the bridge to the scenic Isle of Skye. Visit Portree, it's village-capital and marvel in the beautiful scenic nature all in one day.