Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highlands Small Group Tour from Glasgow
Description
Experience the Scottish Highlands on a small-group day tour from Glasgow, led by an expert local driver-guide renowned for engaging storytelling and deep local knowledge. With a maximum of 16 guests, enjoy a more relaxed journey through iconic landscapes including Glencoe, the Great Glen and Loch Ness, with time to truly appreciate each stop rather than rushing between locations. Guest reviews consistently highlight the quality of our driver-guides, praised for their knowledge, humour and ability to bring Scotland’s scenery and history to life. At Loch Ness, an optional 50 minute cruise is available on the day (subject to availability and payable locally). Guests who prefer not to join the cruise can enjoy free time in the village and along the loch shoreline instead.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We stop within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park for a morning refreshment break. Enjoy views across the loch and surrounding landscapes, with time to stretch your legs and take photos before continuing north.
One of Scotland’s most iconic and atmospheric valleys, Glencoe is renowned for its dramatic scenery and powerful history. We stop here to allow guests to step off the minibus, take photographs, and admire the landscape while learning more about the events that shaped this famous glen.
As we travel through Fort William, there is an opportunity to view Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, through the minibus’s large panoramic windows on clear days.
Our small group stops in the historic village of Fort Augustus, located at the southern end of Loch Ness. This is our main stop of the day, allowing time to enjoy lunch, explore the village, watch boats pass through the Caledonian Canal locks, and take in views along the loch.
At Loch Ness, guests have the option to join an optional 50-minute cruise (available on the day and payable locally). Those who choose not to take the cruise can spend additional time exploring Fort Augustus or enjoying views along the loch.
As we travel south along the A9, passing through the Cairngorms National Park, enjoy views of wide open Highland landscapes and mountain scenery from the minibus.
We make an evening refreshment stop in the Perthshire area, offering a final opportunity to relax, stretch your legs, and enjoy the scenery before returning to Glasgow.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We cannot accommodate children under the age of 5
- Children aged 5+ are welcome when travelling with a parent or guardian
Reviews(323)
The small group tour is the best way to experience the one day tour. It allows the the driver to keep up the schedule which is important on a long trip with many stops. The driver is another important factor towards a successful day. Our driver Harry was just that person. He set the atmosphere arriving in a kilt. His knowledge of Scotland and it's history was impressive. He started his narrative as we left Glasgow Continueing for the journey. At the end of the tour our knowledge of Scotland and it's history had been greatly increased. While this tour covers a big area and a lot of miles it is absolutely worth the effort especially with a driver like Harry.
It is very good. We were on schedule and our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. Everyone on the bus joined in and was anxious to visit all the sites.
Thank you for your 5 star review. We are so happy you had great fun on tour! - Discover Scotland Tours
It was amazing trip, well planned and organised special mention to Harry our tour ride. Thank you.
Thank you for your 5 star review. We are thrilled to hear you had an amazing tour with Harry. - Discover Scotland Tours
Nothing interesting can be seen, it's too long, there is a stop to see mountains which is fine, but the other stops are at places to have coffee and shop, and in the lake area, too much time, simply to eat where they tell you... more than 1 hour and then another 50 min for the cruise, I expected it to stop at some interesting place, but that was not the case. I do not recommend it.
We are sorry to hear you did not enjoy your tour as we would have hoped. Loch Ness is the main attraction on this tour so we allow a 2 hour visit so passengers can visit Fort Augustus, have lunch and then those who wish to can join the Loch Ness Cruise. There's no designated place to eat at Fort Augustus but our Tour Leaders do suggest options for our passengers. Loch Ness & Glencoe are 2 of the most visited locations in Scotland so it is unusual that you would not find these interesting. However, we understand that everyone has their own personal opinions.
We had Scott (the Scot) for our tour to Loch Ness. Well, what an adventure! We were getting close to our rendezvous with , when a bad accident up the road blocked our travel plans. Quick thinking Scott (the Scot) did a swift turnaround and took us off on another adventure that didn’t leave us sitting on the side of the road for a few hours (as the highway had become blocked). A HUGE thank you to our highly entertaining and wonderful host, as the adventures kept coming, despite the truck accident, the wind, the rain, and hundreds of other people around. We had a brilliant day and got to see so much! Would highly recommend Scott (the Scot) as a tour guide - he was fantastic! Shannon and (Aussie) Scott
Thank you for your amazing 5 star review and recommendation. We are so happy to hear that you were able to enjoy your day despite the change in itinerary due to blocked road. We will be sure to let Scott know how much you appreciated his hosting and entertainment. We hope to welcome you back in the future! - Discover Scotland Tours
Really so good in all aspects, family can enjoy. Guidance and knowledge is rally helpful for more explore about the journey.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a 5 star review, we really appreciate it! - Discover Scotland Tours
What a day... Blessed with the good weather, we spent an enjoyable day being guided around the most beautiful Glen's and Lochs of Scotland by our guide / historian/ driver and all round font of all knowledge, Big Al. An early start up to Loch Lomond after a short detour for prompt timekeeping. Lots of stops for photos and comfort breaks. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking 😍 the drive up to Loch Ness was the most beautiful. The drive back broken up with a stop off for a whisky opportunity, highland Coos (woop woop) and maybe the best raspberries around. The Loch Ness tour was great, a beautiful Loch with a great crew that made it fun. Fort Augustus was busy. If youre going on the Boat Trip there won't be much time to take advantage of the wonderful Monster Fish and Chips. There will be a 15-20 min wait, but we'll worth it. 😉 Big Al made this trip such a great trip. A natural storyteller with fact and fiction thrown in... Tips - be on time or early. Make sure you have cash as one stop off had card issues. The boat trip on Loch Ness doesn't allow hot food taking on. Enjoy, we did 👌
Thank you for your lovely review! We are delighted you had a great day, enjoying the good weather, sights and scenery. We are so glad that Alan helped make the tour with his story telling and knowledge, we will be sure to pass along your lovely words. We hope to see you on board another tour again soon! - Discover Scotland Tours
The guide and driver from Discover Scottish Tours was absolutely outstanding. Lady but I cannot remember her name. She was an excellent driver and very knowledgeable on the Highlands. We had a great time, highly recommend Discover Scottish Tours.
We are delighted that you enjoyed your tour with Maggie, her knowledge makes the tours an incredible experience. Thank you for leaving such lovely feedback. - Discover Scotland Tour
We were able to have the most amazing day with Alan being our guide. Was able to see so much of the countryside and got so many photo ops that it'll be hard to choose even 100 of them to remember this trip! Allan filled us in with history of Scotland, as well as kept us entertained with music and stories to keep all of us engaged! This trip is for everyone, even our 88-year-old father was engrossed with the information given, and the beauty of Scotland cannot be understated! If you want to see Scotland, this is the trip for you! We did take the extra 50 minute cruise on Loch Ness, which we would highly recommend as it puts you right on the water and allows you to hear about the history of the loch as well as the possible monsters in the water! And there's no way I can forget to tell you about the COOS! We stopped to feed them and interact with them and was definitely a highlight! The Highland cows were a hit! All in all the day spent with Allan and our family is definitely a memory that will last a lifetime!
What a wonderful review to receive! We’re so pleased Alan helped create such a special day for your family, from the Highland scenery and stories to the unforgettable coo encounter. It’s fantastic to hear everyone enjoyed the tour, including your father. - Discover Scotland Tours
Pleasant surprise at a charming trip, full of discoveries and interesting places. Outstanding lady guide/driver performance, full of useful reference, background and story telling information made a rather long ( we were told that we traveled 330 miles) trip pleasant and unforgettable. Thanks very much for her dedication and commitment.
Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and all the interesting places along the way. It's wonderful to hear that your guide made the journey so enjoyable with her knowledge and storytelling. We'll be sure to pass on your lovely comments to her. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back again! - Discover Scotland Tours
