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Scotland Sighseeing Small Group Mini Coach Tours

» Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands - Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow

'Our "Scotland in a Day" tour covering the magnificent beauty of Rannoch moor and dramatic Glencoe. Travel the Great Glen to Fort Augustus for free time at Loch Ness before returning via Highland Perthshire. .'

Your tour passes through the remote beauty of Rannoch Moor and magnificent Glencoe, scene of the clan massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells in 1692.

Then through Fort William to the beginning of the “Great Glen” and the Caledonian Canal, which you follow up to Fort Augustus, nestling on the banks of Loch Ness. Here you can enjoy your lunch, before travelling the full length of Loch Ness to Inverness. Along the way you will have the opportunity to take a 5 star Jacobite boat cruise on Scotland's most famous loch, giving you a chance to search for the legendary monster, popularly known as "Nessie" and enjoy the views to the ancient stronghold of Urquhart Castle.

From here you return south to Glasgow via “Monarch of the Glen” country, the Cairngorms National Park, Highland Perthshire and passing Stirling Castle on the way.


Loch Ness Monster
Pitlochry

Depart Glasgow at 08.00 and travel north towards the Highlands along the “bonnie, bonnie” banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore.

Crossing the ancient natural fault line that runs across Scotland you travel into the majestic Highlands where the scenery changes quickly and dramatically - the flat fertile plains of the Lowlands give way to shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens. It's easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans such as the MacGregors, made famous by the Highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor.

Travelling north through Breadalbane (meaning the 'High Country of Scotland'), you climb towards the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. At an altitude of over 1000ft, covered by heather and peat-bogs and dotted with dozens of lochs, it's a unique landscape. This contrasts with the spectacular mountain scenery as you pass the majestic peak of Buachaille Etive Mor (meaning 'the great shepherd of Etive') and down into Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe.

Stunningly beautiful, with its dramatic cliff faces and steep slopes, Glencoe is infamous as the site of the Glencoe massacre in 1692. Following orders from King William, Scottish soldiers, under the leadership of Captain Robert Campbell, slaughtered 38 men, women and children of the Macdonald clan. This was especially shocking as the soldiers had been living with the people of Glencoe for 2 weeks and killed them in their own homes. Noone was ever punished for this crime, as the King himself had signed the order, but because it was murder under trust, the Highlands would never be the same again.

Beyond Glencoe you will enter the Great Glen, a deep glacial valley which follows a geological fault line. Passing through the town of Fort William you drive under Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis before arriving at Fort Augustus on the southern shore of Loch Ness.

At 23 miles long and over 700ft deep it's the largest loch by volume in Scotland and contains more water than every lake in England and Wales combined! Of course, the loch is best known for the legendary sightings of the Loch Ness Monster ("Nessie"). Fort Augustus is a pretty little town in its own right, the Caledonian Canal which links the lochs of the Great Glen dominates the town and makes a great place to relax and watch the boats sail by. You will stop here for lunch before travelling north the full length of the loch with the opportunity to take a 5 Star Jacobite boat cruise on the loch and view the ancient stronghold of Urquhart Castle.

Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart’s remains include a tower house that commands splendid views of the famous loch and Great Glen. Urquhart witnessed considerable conflict throughout its 500 years as a medieval fortress and its history from the 13th to 17th centuries was particularly bloody. Following Edward I’s invasion, it fell into English hands and was then reclaimed and lost again. In the 14th century, it figured prominently in the Scots’ struggle for independence and came under the control of Robert the Bruce after he became King of Scots.

From Loch Ness you continue north through Inverness before travelling south through the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. Your route takes you over the Drumochter Pass (1500ft above sea level) and past 13th century Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Duke of Atholl. We continue south via the forests of Highland Perthshire with a short refreshment stop on route, returning to Glasgow


Return time - Approx 6.00pm

Adult Price: £49
Child Price: £46 (3 - 16 yrs)

Our "Scotland in a day tour" covering the magnificent beauty of Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, the Great Glen, Loch Ness and Pitlochry.

SECURE TOUR BOOKINGS

 
 
SCOTTISH DAY TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
title-line

~ Rannoch Moor
~ Glencoe
~ Great Glen
~ Fort Augustus
~ Boat Cruise on Loch Ness (optional)
~ Loch Lomond
~ Highland Perthshire

SECURE TOUR BOOKINGS


This full day tour departs every day from Central Glasgow 8.00 am - 6pm.
This tour normally ends by 6.30pm
Adult Price: £49
Child Price: £46 (3 - 16 yrs)
 

Why choose these tours

On this tour you will be travelling with no more than 16 other people - guaranteed! Our purpose-built minibuses have large windows, good air circulation and clear PA systems so that your professional guide can escort you comfortably through our wonderful country. Our itineraries are carefullly planned (with many years of experience) so that you discover as much as possible, without spending too much time on the road.

As we travel in smaller vehicles, we normally use the most scenic routes, where large coach are prohibited from travelling. Additionally, as our group sizes are smaller we are able to more time out of the vehicle. We also employ a the very best driver/guides


Edinburgh / Scotland Sightseeing Tours

Scotland and Edinburgh Tours
 

Full Day Guided Tours of Scotland Departing from Glasgow. Loch Ness, Glencoe, The Highlands, West Highlands Lochs & Castles


personalised_tours.htm

TOUR REVIEW: I have taken this same tour on a few occasions. This is the first time that there has been snow on the mountains. It was exceptionally beautiful. George our tour guide was funny & informative a full range of Scottish music all relating to area we passed though and accompanied by a fascinating history lesson. George has obviously done his research and homework on this area and we couldn't have asked for a better tour guide. Hope to do a 3 day tour next time to Skye and I'm hoping we have George as our guide then too.
Posted by on 19/01/2015

 

 

 

 

 

Photography Credits: Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Britainonview, Mike Hasted, Luke Sheppard, Ingrid Rasmussen, Pawel Libera, Tony Pleavin, Craig Easton, David Angel, Martin Brent, Bob Berry, Paul Watts


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Thank you so much for a wonderful day tour. Did the Loch Ness trip with Paddy yesterday. It will definately stand out as a memorable moment. I'm actually quite happy with the fact that we got some rain, must be my romantic side, as I saw the true Scottish Weather.
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