Loch Ness & Highlands Tour

What’s the best way to visit Scotland in a special and unforgettable way? I've been asking myself this ever since I set foot in this beautiful country. I've lived here a few years now, but when the opportunity came up to join a tour to the Scottish Highlands, I jumped at the chance. I hoped an organised tour with a knowledgeable guide would offer me a unique insight into this epic part of the country.

Read on to find out more about the Loch Ness and Highlands tour I took with ScoziaTour.com to discover this wild part of Scotland.

Let the adventure begin!

Departure from Edinburgh

The route starts in Edinburgh and heads up north, with stops in Kilmahog and Glen Coe, until reaching the famous Loch Ness, and stopping at the Commando Memorial and Pitlochry on the way back.

Excited to discover more about the stories this area of the Highlands might hold, I was ready early in the morning for our journey to begin. Our guide Serena immediately welcomed us on board the bus, handing us a device so we could listen to all her stories and fascinating information during the journey to Loch Ness.

The first leg got off to a great start, with views of the Kelpies at Falkirk and glimpses of Stirling Castle and the William Wallace Monument. As we entered the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, I couldn’t stop thinking how convenient a guided tour was with the possibility to enjoy the views without worrying about the drive.

While Serena was sharing valuable insights about the incredible gestures of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce back in the days, we reached the first stop in the blink of an eye.

Three Sisters Viewpoint

An hour later, among mountains, lochs and glens immersed in autumn colours, we finally arrived at the Glencoe Valley. According to Serena, it’s also known as the "valley of tears", where one of the bloodiest chapters of the Jacobite Risings took place. Once we got off the bus, we found ourselves faced with a dramatic sight thanks to the views of the Three Sisters and there was a real feeling of peace that can be felt all around. You might recognise these landscapes – they've appeared in world-famous films such as Harry Potter and James Bond.

Fort Augustus

Continuing in the direction of Loch Ness and passing through the “Outdoor capital of the UK”, Fort William, we followed the Great Glen northwards. We also managed to spot the base of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK or the “Scottish Himalaya" as Serena jokingly nicknamed it. After an hour or so from the last stop, we finally arrived at Fort Augustus, where we could see the small village and the lock system of the Caledonian Canal.

And there our main destination of the day emerged through the trees: Loch Ness. Obviously, I couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to go on a cruise on the most famous loch in the world and begin my search for Nessie, who lives in the depths of the loch!

I can highly recommend this cruise, not only because it gives you a complete view of the loch, but also because of the friendly local guides on board. Just don’t forget to buy your tickets on time (they can be purchased on site or from the guide beforehand) - the cruise leaves promptly every hour! The boat is also equipped with sonar, which allows you to keep an eye on the depths and what lingers below...

Top tip: if you fancy a quick lunch, I recommend grabbing a sandwich at DelightfulNess. There are plenty of fresh options and even a sweet treat to finish the meal - ideal if you want to go and enjoy it on the shores of Loch Ness!

Commando Memorial

Leaving Fort Augustus and Loch Ness behind, we set off again towards the Commando Memorial, a monument commemorating soldiers who fought in WWII. From here, you could also see the iconic mountain peaks of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mòr (if you’re lucky) but we had to make do with our imagination, as the peaks were covered in atmospheric clouds.

After our short stop in Pitlochry, we boarded the bus for the last time and, accompanied by Flower of Scotland, we started the return journey to Edinburgh. While enjoying a fun ride back home, I was thinking how the energy of being in a group really made the tour special and the interactions between different people with the same passion for Scotland is definitely another reason why I would recommend a guided group tour.

On the way back, we also had the opportunity to pass over one of the three bridges connecting Fife and Edinburgh. Also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, these three bridges together form the Forth Bridges, one of the most recognisable places in Scotland. I must say, passing over one of these bridges, whether by train, car or bus, is always a special experience. We passed over the central bridge, leaving us with a view of the other two bridges to the left and right - simply magical!

Our adventure ended here, with our return to Edinburgh. I have to say that this tour will have a special place in my heart and not just because I had the opportunity to see the beautiful Highlands again but also because the level of knowledge and stories about the area that Serena shared with us made this trip truly unique and unforgettable.