Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise
4.8
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Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise
By Rabbie's Tours Glasgow
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About
Take advantage of Glasgow’s close proximity to the Scottish Highlands on a hassle-free day trip to Loch Ness and the Cairngorms National Park. Ideal for history buffs and nature lovers, this guided tour transports you to historic battle sites and ancient castles, as well as reveals gorgeous natural landscapes during a Loch Ness cruise.
Free cancellation • Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
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Ages 5-99, max of 16 per group
Duration: 12h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Tick off all of the Scottish Highlands' highlights on a day trip from Glasgow
- Eliminate the stress of organizing transport and travel in a top of the range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Let a guide bring the legends and folklore of the landscapes to life
- Small-group tour for a more personalized experience
- Admission Fee - Includes 50 minute cruise on Loch Ness
- Transport by air-conditioned mini-coach
- Small group tour (max 16 people)
- Driver/Guide
- Entry/Admission - Fort Augustus
What's not included- Admission Fees unless specified
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- This guided small-group tour begins in central Glasgow. Board a top of the range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach destined for the Scottish Highlands, a land steeped in legend and beauty. Observe the banks of Loch Lomond, one of Scotland’s largest lochs, on the way to your first stop in Glencoe. In Glencoe, take a scenic stroll and learn about the brutal massacre that occurred there in 1692. Continue your journey to Loch Ness via the Great Glen and Fort William. On arrival at Loch Ness, take a scenic cruise for a chance to spot the Loch Ness monster. After sufficient admiration, travel through Cairngorms National Parks. Your tour concludes with drop-off at your original departure point in Glasgow.
- Start:
- Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont St, Glasgow G2 3NW, UKGlasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont Street, Glasgow G2 3NW (Tours will depart from a stance located between Stances 23 to 32).
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 225013- Most travellers can participate
- Min. age 5 years old. We do not accept children under the age of 5 years.
- Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before departure
- Loch Ness cruise – We reserve tickets for you. Included in tour price.
- In order to retain the integrity of the tour and try to ensure that all our customers have the best possible experience, we do cap bookings from any one party to 8 passengers.
- *The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- What is the departure point for the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
- The tour departs from the Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont Street, Glasgow.Answered Jun 2021
- Is parking available near the departure point for the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
- Parking can be difficult to find in the center of town. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of the excellent public transportation that is available.Answered Jun 2021
- How early should I arrive for the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
- Check-in closes 15 minutes before your departure time. The tour departs on time, so please do not arrive late.Answered Jun 2021
- Can I bring luggage with me on the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour?
- You may bring up to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.Answered Jun 2021
The tour operator has provided the following answers to customers’ questions.- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 225013
From £94.18
£84.76
per adult
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Itinerary
- Killermont St, Glasgow G2 3NW, UKGlasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont Street, Glasgow G2 3NW (Tours will depart from a stance located between Stances 23 to 32).
- 1
- 2
- 3Pass byCairngorms National Park
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- NickTATX0 contributionsBeautiful & educational! Worth every penny.The entire itinerary and our guide, Graham, were awesome! I learned so much and saw so many beautiful parts of Scotland. This was hands down one of the best experiences I’ve had traveling with a guided tour group. I’d recommend this tour to anyone visiting Scotland.Written 27 March 2025
- Tinkertonka0 contributionsBest Tour!Jeff C was the absolute best host for this tour. He was funny and very informative of the history of Scotland. When it came to our stops, he told us clean bathrooms and best food choices, depending on what we wanted. I was a solo traveler, but there were 4 other women on this tour as well, a bus of women. We got to see multiple castles on our drive and were given a history to boot. Jeff gave us side bonuses as well during the journey which was appreciated! I will definitely use Rabbies when I return to Scotland.Written 22 March 2025
- caitlynl5400 contributionsBest option for taking a day tripGraeme from Glasgow took us on a 1 day Outlander Tour and it was even better than we could have ever anticipated. Throughout our journey he gave us history of the highlands and how it all related to the Series. We were able to see a lot of things we would not have found on our own with the added benefits of not having to transport ourselves around, so we were able to sit back and enjoy the journey. We were a smaller group with only a few other passengers and it felt more like friends on an adventure than a guide and tour. Graeme kept us engaged telling good jokes, fun anecdotes, and good Scottish tunes in the drive. He was interested in our stories and ensuring we got the most out of our time together offering suggestions of things to do and places to go while in Scotland or in our further destinations. Would 100% recommend this tour/touring company to anyone and will be booking with them again in the future.Written 20 March 2025
- Morag S0 contributionsDay trip to Oban and the highlandsHad a fantastic day. Hannah was brilliant, very knowledgeable, I learned a couple of new things which was great. Had a good laugh too. Looking forward to next tripWritten 19 March 2025
- Torsten S0 contributionsAbsolutely recommendedThis was one of the best tours I have ever done, if not the best tour. lots of nice little spots for pictures Hannah our guide was very friendly and had a lot of interesting and interesting facts to tell about the individual places. Also a lot about Scotland itself, the languages, culture, history and insider tips. And was also able to laugh about herself 😜Written 19 March 2025
- Z5810BZjohnm0 contributionsGood size tour group and perfect amount of time.The tour size was perfect. The guide was the best tour guide I e ever had. Dry knowledgeable about history and modern facts. Went out of his way to find countryside sites that many on the tour wanted to see (hairy cows?). “Wee” George was the best.Written 13 March 2025
- cathyhE8256TO0 contributionsGreat Day TripThis tour was awesome and is highly recommended! We had a great tour guide. There was a small group of people. We were driven in a comfortable van. There was much packed into this day trip. The guide was an excellent storyteller and provided much information about the areas in Scotland that we visited. The scenery was absolutely stunning and breathtaking. Highly recommend this day trip when visiting Glasgow, Scotland. Five stars all around,Written 11 March 2025
- Seagren K0 contributionsFabulous experience!We had an amazing time! Our tour guide was very informative as well as friendly and patient. The locations selected were stunning! This tour is well worth the money and was a highlight of our wonderful trip to Scotland.Written 8 March 2025
- S1419WYshawna0 contributionsI saw so much I will have to come back again.I am so glad I decided to do this trip. I thought it would be long, but we saw so much that it went by fast. I learned so much along the way. Most of all, I want to come back and explore many of the places we stopped again next trip here.Written 7 March 2025
- Stay174237118390 contributionsGreat 1-day tour for a short visit of GlasgowA great experience for anyone who wants a taste of the Highlands and learn a couple of things. For our 3 nights in Glasgow, this rabbies one day trip was totally worth it. Our guide Alan is a great narrator that gave us a lot of fun facts. 100% recommended!Written 3 March 2025
- A3903VAannam0 contributionsPerfect one-day trip to see the beauty of Scotland!Our tour guide Stephen was really great! He (or the elves) even managed to get us some sunshine. The landscape with its mountains, castles and cows was stunning! Oban had really nice seafood , as promised.Written 20 February 2025
- travelkim9870 contributionsA must when in GlasgowThis was a wonderful tour!! John from Glasgow was our driver/tour guide. He was really great!! :) A small group is perfect for this kind of tour. Scotland has so much to see, and this gives you a taste of what there is. The mountains, the lochs..it's all so breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour & the tour group Rabbie's.Written 18 February 2025
- Stephen G0 contributionsAmazing Tour with CameronThis was an amazing tour and Cameron was a very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful tour guide. I would definitely recommend a tour and I would hope for sure that you get Cameron. You’ll enjoy it much more.Written 18 February 2025
- L8495MBstuartr0 contributionsFull Day TripNick was fantastic, very knowledgeable and funny would highly recommend this fay tour, great scenery and the seafood in Oban was greatWritten 17 February 2025
- crystalwI7600LP0 contributionsWould go againAlistair was an amazing guide. Loved hearing all the history and how it ties in with outlander! Bummer midhope is closed in the winter. Can’t wait to come back in the summer to see itWritten 11 February 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.8
465 reviews
Excellent
419
Very good
31
Average
6
Poor
6
Terrible
3
BethanJade
7 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
This tour was incredible from start to finish. We had Graham leading the group who was unbelievably knowledgeable about the past and present of Scotland and kept us very entertained with facts, stories and music.
There were so many opportunities to take amazing photos and down in the landscapes of the highlands. We made stops in lots of photo points with plenty of toilet breaks. This was a great trip for anyone wanting to see lots of areas of the highlands in one day.
The Loch Ness cruise was good however it was extremely busy with lots of people, making it a little difficult to see much of the Loch, however the boat had a sonar system and a great presenter which made it very worth it.
The only downside is around 80% of the day was spent on the actual mini bus so there is a lot of travelling- over 330 miles! There wasn’t much time for lunch so I would recommend packing food and lots of drinks and snacks. We were never bored though as Graham was pouting out monuments and landscapes as we went along with funny Scottish songs and stories. The seats on the bus were spacious and didn’t feel cramped.
It was great going in the winter as you could see through the trees to see all the lovely lochs and mountains. I would definitely do this trip again.
There were so many opportunities to take amazing photos and down in the landscapes of the highlands. We made stops in lots of photo points with plenty of toilet breaks. This was a great trip for anyone wanting to see lots of areas of the highlands in one day.
The Loch Ness cruise was good however it was extremely busy with lots of people, making it a little difficult to see much of the Loch, however the boat had a sonar system and a great presenter which made it very worth it.
The only downside is around 80% of the day was spent on the actual mini bus so there is a lot of travelling- over 330 miles! There wasn’t much time for lunch so I would recommend packing food and lots of drinks and snacks. We were never bored though as Graham was pouting out monuments and landscapes as we went along with funny Scottish songs and stories. The seats on the bus were spacious and didn’t feel cramped.
It was great going in the winter as you could see through the trees to see all the lovely lochs and mountains. I would definitely do this trip again.
Written 31 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaysie C
4 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Our tour guide George made the experience so rich by adding in historical stories, anecdotes, and songs about the areas we visited. He played Scottish music while we drove through highland mountains and past lochs. It really enhanced the experience and made me feel like I was part of the culture and surroundings in a meaningful way. The highlands are so majestic and peaceful. During our cruise of Loch Ness we had the great luck of having a bright, beautiful rainbow follow the boat all the way back. It was a day I will remember for the rest of my life. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in spending a day learning and experiencing the Scottish highlands.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kevinrX5473AD
4 contributions
Having a small group of 14 (maximum 16) from a diverse group of nationalities added to an already good 1 day, approximately 12 hours, itinerary.
Our driver/guide, George, was excellent in every way. His driving, commentary and consideration of the clients was great. Plenty of "comfort" stops and snack stops too. Not only was his knowledge of the places we were visiting great but he also educated us about Scottish culture, history, language and other meanings. Combined with a couple of singalongs to Scottish "classics", although the quality of the singing was dubious at best, made us laugh and smile a lot.
Highly recommend this day trip to anyone!
Our driver/guide, George, was excellent in every way. His driving, commentary and consideration of the clients was great. Plenty of "comfort" stops and snack stops too. Not only was his knowledge of the places we were visiting great but he also educated us about Scottish culture, history, language and other meanings. Combined with a couple of singalongs to Scottish "classics", although the quality of the singing was dubious at best, made us laugh and smile a lot.
Highly recommend this day trip to anyone!
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tigeriffic69
Leyland, UK1,258 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
This tour was expensive for what it was. I would recommend you book without the cruise, and see what the weather is doing when you are there, as when I went it was very foggy, and you could not see anything, when on the cruise. (The cruise should have been canceled). The cruise staff were not very professional, and were laughing at each other when the guide was trying to tell us what we could see, 'if we was to use our imagination', as we could not see anything. There was some nice stops to get some scenic photos. There was not enough time at Loch Ness, even though lots of the places were closed. I had to rush my lunch to make time for the cruise, and then when the cruise finished go straight back to the bus. On the way back we stopped at an area which was famous for ice cream, and where the queen liked to visit 'apparently'. It was pointless, as it was dark, and most things were closed. (more time could have been spent at Loch Ness. The guide was Caitlin, and as she was driving at the same time as being our guide, there was no opportunity to ask questions, and what she was telling us seemed scripted. I did like the sound of bagpipes before this tour, but now I am not a fan, after listening to the red hot chilli pipers for a lot of the journey.
Written 29 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback, I'm sorry to hear the tour wasn't everything you were expecting.
It's a shame you joined the cruise on such a foggy day - the cruise company will cancel the boat but usually only if it's unsafe to travel. We think the Loch is still beautiful in the fog as it adds a moody and mysterious atmosphere but we know that's not for everyone. You are right though, if you're looking for time to explore the town then it's best not to do the cruise, but at the end of the day it's all down to personal preference!
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Pitlochry, unfortunately it's not a stop we can miss. Not only are there legal requirements for our driver guides to stop and take adequate rests, we also need to consider the comfort and safety on all our passengers. Without that stop you'd be driving for 4 hours straight back to Edinburgh, so we hope the stop in Pitlochry allows all our customers some time to stretch their legs, use the facilities and grab some food.
And for next time remember our driver guides are multi talented! They are more than happy to answer your questions throughout the tour as long as it's safe to do so. And if you hate the music let them know, they'll be happy to skip the song.
Thanks,
Jo
Written 1 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patrick G
Livermore, CA5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Went on Rabbie’s tour with tour guide Tom Frasier who was exceptional. We had a lovely time at each of the stops. Our time at each spot was minimal but it gives me motivation to come back, rent a car, stay at one of the many B&Bs we saw along the road. The three sisters and all the mountain ranges were worth the price of admission Tom was an exceptional storyteller and gave lots of info that I didn’t know about Scotland.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wembley51
Auckland, New Zealand6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This tour was amazing . Our driver Gary was superb with all his information and myriad of stories .
There was a constant supply of yummy shortbread that was homemade by his wife .
On our way back we had “ Garyoke “ . Gary supplied us all with props ( he had some dress up items for himself ) and we all sang along in the minivan . It was definitely an unexpected highlight which was sooo much fun .
Gary is a true gem .
Would definitely recommend this tour as it covers a variety of scenery and great photo opportunities.
There was a constant supply of yummy shortbread that was homemade by his wife .
On our way back we had “ Garyoke “ . Gary supplied us all with props ( he had some dress up items for himself ) and we all sang along in the minivan . It was definitely an unexpected highlight which was sooo much fun .
Gary is a true gem .
Would definitely recommend this tour as it covers a variety of scenery and great photo opportunities.
Written 18 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg H
Hillsboro, OR20 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Our bus-driver/tour guide, Jeff C was entertaining and knowledgeable, as well as very accommodating for the tourists. The trip was about 4 hours in each direction, with 2 hours in Fort Andrew on the southern tip of Loch Ness. Fort Andrew is a cute little town with excellent gift shops.
The scenery on the drive to and from is quite beautiful, and the bus stops often enough to get some breathtaking photos.
The scenery on the drive to and from is quite beautiful, and the bus stops often enough to get some breathtaking photos.
Written 24 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark G
13 contributions
A fantastic tour of a beautiful part of Bonnie Scotland. Would highly recommend this tour and Rabbies.
The weather ( unfortunately) was traditional Scottish weather so we battled rain throughout our full day trip. (May 26, 2024)
Our tour guide Graham was fantastic. He was punctual, professional, humorous and informative.
Throughout our journey we saw beautiful scenery and learned about important information about the history of Scotland. All the while , Graham kept the bus filled with relevant Scottish music and important historical information.
The weather ( unfortunately) was traditional Scottish weather so we battled rain throughout our full day trip. (May 26, 2024)
Our tour guide Graham was fantastic. He was punctual, professional, humorous and informative.
Throughout our journey we saw beautiful scenery and learned about important information about the history of Scotland. All the while , Graham kept the bus filled with relevant Scottish music and important historical information.
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon G
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
We had an absolutely fantastic day. Our tour guide, Caitlin, was very informative, helpful and funny. We saw so much beautiful scenery along the journey that my husband would not have seen had we been driving. The stops along the way were well timed without any pressure to go and shop in local outlets, which was refreshing. Instead the polite suggestions on where to visit during longer stops made the day feel relaxed and all the more enjoyable. We took a picnic lunch as there is plenty of seating alongside the lochs of Loch Ness (luckily the weather was kind). Cruise was fun and touched upon a lot of the local history and not just monster spotting! It’s a long day out but well worth the early start. Scottish playlist was also awesome. 100% recommend this tour
Written 31 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher A
5 contributions
Jun 2022
If you want a pit-stop tour of a large section of the Scottish Highlands (12 hour tour) this is ideal. The driver made sure he stopped frequently for breaks, photo shots and was so knowledgeable and went the extra mile to point out all sorts of interesting information along the way.
As we were only 16 in total on the mini bus, it meant we weren't delayed for toilet stops as you would be with 50 or so please having to get on and off and queue up for toilets/visiting shops etc. This enabled everyone to enjoy the day fully and maximise the time allowed at each of the numerous stop offs en route.
This was excellent value for money, the driver, Kevin, made the trip extremely enjoyable with his extensive knowledge and stories. I would definitely recommend this trip.
As we were only 16 in total on the mini bus, it meant we weren't delayed for toilet stops as you would be with 50 or so please having to get on and off and queue up for toilets/visiting shops etc. This enabled everyone to enjoy the day fully and maximise the time allowed at each of the numerous stop offs en route.
This was excellent value for money, the driver, Kevin, made the trip extremely enjoyable with his extensive knowledge and stories. I would definitely recommend this trip.
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can anyone confirm how many stops on this tour? I’d like to visit Loch Ness, but don’t want to spend all day inside the bus…
Written 16 June 2024
Looking at this trip does it leave from Buchanan st bus terminal. Or across the street. Coming in from California
Written 19 August 2022
It leaves from the Buchanan Bus Station.
Written 20 August 2022
Hello there
Do you do pickups from hotels in Glasgow?
Thanks
Written 24 February 2022
I don't know, the tour we booked picked up from the main bus station in Glasgow, which was very easy to find
Written 17 May 2022
Around what hour is the return? Planning to catch a train to Edinburgh the same evening.
Written 30 October 2021
Are you guys resuming activities from July 15th? What are the measures taken to ensure that the social distancing and mask protections are being followed? Is there a toilet on the bus? If not, at the stops?
Written 3 July 2020
I suggest you contact the bus tour company.
Written 4 July 2020
If you do the optional Loch Ness cruise do you still have time for lunch? Or is there just time for one or the other? Thank you
Written 11 February 2020
They stop for a one hour lunch break before the cruise. I would recommend doing the boat trip
Written 11 February 2020
Where would you be able to use a toilet? 12 hours is a long time without one. Any suggestions?
Written 13 October 2019
Our driver stopped just about every hour at a location that has both toilets and refreshments. And souvenirs at some.
Written 13 October 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.