2 Day Loch Ness, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct & St Andrews Tour
15 Ratings
- Live Guide
- Instant Confirmation
- E-Ticket
Experience the BEST of the Scottish Highlands on this quintessential 2-day tour - an awesome overnight escape with one of Scotland's highest rated tour companies! Admire the unrivaled scenery of eerie Glencoe, stroll through the pretty streets and across the Old Course at the Home of Golf in St Andrews, tuck into a tasty Highland fayre and whisky in Inverness, be spellbound by the magical Glenfinnan Viaduct and monster-hunt on the mighty Loch Ness! A whirlwind 2-day trip - with a bumper itinerary - that will introduce you to the spectacular scenery and culture of the Scottish Highlands and have you desperate to explore more…
Itinerary Details
Operated by: The Hairy Coo
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Day 1 Edinburgh - St Andrews - Perthshire - Culloden Battlefield - Clava Cairns - Inverness
Stop At: Forth Bridge
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
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
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
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
Stop At: Cairngorms National Park
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
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
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
You will arrive in Inverness at approximately 5:30PM at our city-centre drop off - 26 Queensgate, Inverness IV1 1DJ. The evening is then your own to explore the city or meet up with your fellow travellers and enjoy a meal in a local restaurant or traditional Highland pub. Inverness has a huge variety of establishments to choose from, whether you’d like to try our national dish of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, washed down with a wee dram of Scotch Whisky or a Local Organic Beer (try the Black Isle Brewery Bar!). During peak season, it is advisable to book a table ahead if you’re a larger group. After dinner, we recommend you head to the world-famous Hootenanny bar which has traditional Scottish musicians playing every night. You will be required to book your own accommodation in Inverness, but we're more than happy to help if needed!
Duration: 14 hour
Day 2 Inverness - Loch Ness - Glenfinnan Viaduct - Glencoe - Edinburgh
Stop At: Urquhart Castle
Enjoy a quick photo opportunity at this iconic Castle on the banks of Loch Ness
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At:
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). 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. Tickets are Adults £16.50, Children £10.00 and are purchasable on the day with cash. For those who do not wish to take the optional boat cruise, you will have time to explore the village and its 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 30 minutes
Stop At: Commando Monument
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
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. Sadly you won't see the train famous pass on this tour, but the view is just as magical without it!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Glencoe Visitor Centre
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
Stop At: Loch Lubnaig
Your Highland Adventure ends with a scenic drive South through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Stop At: Stirling Castle
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.
Day 1 Edinburgh - St Andrews - Perthshire - Culloden Battlefield - Clava Cairns - Inverness
Stop At: Forth Bridge
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
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
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
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
Stop At: Cairngorms National Park
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
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
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
You will arrive in Inverness at approximately 5:30PM at our city-centre drop off - 26 Queensgate, Inverness IV1 1DJ. The evening is then your own to explore the city or meet up with your fellow travellers and enjoy a meal in a local restaurant or traditional Highland pub. Inverness has a huge variety of establishments to choose from, whether you’d like to try our national dish of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, washed down with a wee dram of Scotch Whisky or a Local Organic Beer (try the Black Isle Brewery Bar!). During peak season, it is advisable to book a table ahead if you’re a larger group. After dinner, we recommend you head to the world-famous Hootenanny bar which has traditional Scottish musicians playing every night. You will be required to book your own accommodation in Inverness, but we're more than happy to help if needed!
Duration: 14 hour
Day 2 Inverness - Loch Ness - Glenfinnan Viaduct - Glencoe - Edinburgh
Stop At: Urquhart Castle
Enjoy a quick photo opportunity at this iconic Castle on the banks of Loch Ness
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At:
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). 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. Tickets are Adults £16.50, Children £10.00 and are purchasable on the day with cash. For those who do not wish to take the optional boat cruise, you will have time to explore the village and its 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 30 minutes
Stop At: Commando Monument
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
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. Sadly you won't see the train famous pass on this tour, but the view is just as magical without it!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Glencoe Visitor Centre
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
Stop At: Loch Lubnaig
Your Highland Adventure ends with a scenic drive South through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Stop At: Stirling Castle
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.
