sightseeing highlands tours

THE 10 BEST Scottish Highlands Tours & Excursions

Scottish highlands tours.

• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

2. Loch Ness and Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh

3. The Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness

4. Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

5. Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour

6. Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh

7. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Fort William Tour from Edinburgh

8. Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow

9. Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views

10. Mystical Whisky Adventure around Speyside

11. Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

12. 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles

13. Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

14. Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness

15. Loch Ness,cawdor castle,inverness,Culloden battlefield,& more from invergordon

16. Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Small-Group Day Tour from Inverness

17. Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle visit from Inverness

18. 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh

19. Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness

20. Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness

21. Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh

22. Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise

23. Loch Ness,Culloden Battlefield,Cawdor Castle & Much More From Inverness City

24. 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour

25. Inverness Half-Day Highlands Bucket List Tour

26. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Inc Accommodation from Edinburgh

27. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

28. Private Tour of Highlands, Oban, Glencoe, Lochs & Castles from Glasgow

29. Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands with Lunch from Edinburgh

30. Luxury Private Tour of The Highlands & Loch Ness from Edinburgh

What travelers are saying.

• Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour from Edinburgh
• Loch Ness & Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh
• Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views
• Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh
• The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness
• Strathspey Railway
• West Coast Railways
• WOW Scotland Tours
• Highland Explorer Tours Inverness
• Highlander Private Tours
• Kayak Summer Isles
• River to Sea Scotland
• Western Isles Cruises
• Excursiones desde Inverness
• Abacus Mountain Guides
• John O'Groats Ferries
• Happy Tours
• The Hebridean Explorer
• Lochaber Guides - Private Day Tours
• Go Wild Highlands
• Amber Spirit
• Mckenzie Mountaineering - Guided Walking Adventures
• LandD Adventures

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Scottish Highlands Tours & Trips

Take a tour of Scotland's famous Highlands region, home to whisky distilleries, stunning wild scenery, and of course Loch Ness. Brushing past wildlife-filled wetlands and sweeping hills dotted with ruined castles are just the beginning. Learn of myths and legends as you hike between Scotland's jagged peaks.

38 Scottish Highlands tour packages with 325 reviews

• In-depth Cultural

Highlights of Scotland

This was my second G Adventures tour and it proved to be as enjoyable as the first one, which was the main reason my wife and I booked it. The small size of the tour group and the variety of people made it all the better. The tour offered a good balance between structured visits of major attractions and free time to explore on our own. I would not hesitate to recommend a G Adventures tour to anyone seeking a guided travel experience in the company of other like-minded travelers.

• Sightseeing

Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness

This five-day Skye and Inverness tour went far beyond our expectations. The BandBs they had for us were much better than we expected. Each one had a great host. Our guide / driver, Karis, was very knowledgeable and kept us informed and entertained during our trip. She was just great! I liked that they provided only breakfast. This gave us an opportunity to choose where to eat in the evenings and since we are light eaters, certainly saved money. I would highly recommend Highland Tours and especially this five-day tour to anyone who wants a great taste of the Highlands.

• €75 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Coach / Bus

5-Day Highland Explorer: Skye & Far North Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

Ross was fantastic and consequently the tour. The highlands a magical plac

6-Day Outer Hebrides & Skye Adventure Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

Wonderful tour!! Due mostly to Donald, our driver. He was so very informative and entertaining along the way! His knowledge of the country and the folklore is amazing. What a pleasure. Please pass the compliments along to him. You're lucky to have him in your employment. I would not hesitate to take a Rabbie tour again. Thank you.

Isle of Skye & Outer Hebrides

Our tour guide was fantastic. Knowledgeable and funny. He made our experience pleasurable and unique. I would do this tour again with Rich

• Train & Rail

Isle of Skye & Hebridean Hopper

Rich, our guide was amazing! There were some great people on the bus which made every stop really enjoyable! We really loved the islands and the highlands and were sad to leave it behind, BUT we have made some cool friends. It was totally worth it. Rich has awesome pub and restaurant recommendations and his knowledge about Scotland and its history are out of this world! So ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars from Suus and Dieuwke

Hebridean Escape 3 Day Tour

Excellent, knowledgeable driver who looked after us really well. We enjoyed his commentary and music and appreciated the effort he put into making the trip so lovely. The very full itinerary took us wonderful places and historic sites and stopped at just the right moment at a visitor centre or equivalent for a leg stretch, a walk or an easy lunch. All round we thought the experience was wonderful.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

This was a tour beyond my groups expectations. Everything was done with excellence.

Spirit of Outlander - 16 Day Tour

Overall our experience with our tour was good. Our guide was very knowledgeable and fun.

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

Loch Ness, the Jacobite and Skye Guided Rail Tour

Well organised in spite of covid and rail strike restrictions. Tour guide Kieran was was superb with his general chat and information, a mine of information and traditional stories.

• Hiking & Trekking

Walk the North West Highlands and Skye

Amazing tour and Ken was a calm , knowledgeable guide who went out of his way to help guide through the trek. Would definitely recommend hiking in the highlands

Outer Hebrides & Skye Explorer - 6 days

Scotland's North Coast & Islands

What people love about scottish highlands tours.

Guide spoke very fast with a lo

The entire tour was amazing. I really enjoyed everything about the experience.

Scottish Highlands Tours starting in:

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• October 2025 (2)
• November 2025 (1)
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Other Regions in Scotland

• Northern Scotland (54)
• Isle Of Skye (25)
• The Hebrides (9)
• Central Scotland (8)
• Orkney Islands (7)
• The Scottish Highlands: Hiking, Maps & Weather
• How to get to the Scottish Highlands
• Best time to visit Scottish Highlands
• Scottish Highlands insurance, vaccinations, visa and permits
• Do I need a guide to hike in Scottish Highlands?
• Scottish Highlands packing list
• How to prepare for the Scottish Highlands

Travel Styles

• Singles and Solo (25)
• For Couples (12)
• Young Adults (6)
• Seniors (20)

Welcome to SCOTLAND

Experience award winning Scottish Highland Tours from Inverness or Invergordon by Local Guides. Get exclusive access to unique attractions with experienced local guides!

Dynamic Day Tours to some of the

best attractions in the North Highlands

Multi Day Trips

Guided Tours throughout Scotland,

including Skye and the North Coast 500.

Cruise Excursions

Enjoy a Shore excursion from Scotland’s

busiest cruise port at Invergordon.

Airport and Station transfers, golf groups, couples/family groups

throughout Scotland

Where to stay?

Superb and diverse range of hotels and private house accommodation

Some of our latest reviews…

Join us on instagram…, gohighlandtours.

We invite viewers to immerse themselves in a land of adventure, culture, and tradition, encouraging them to plan their visit to Scotland. The compelling imagery and evocative soundtrack inspire wanderlust and a desire to explore this enchanting destination.

The “Scotland is Calling” video by VisitScotland is a captivating 100-second visual journey through the stunning landscapes and experiences Scotland has to offer. It showcases the country’s breathtaking natural beauty, including rugged coastlines, lush greenery, and historic castles. The video highlights iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle the Scottish highlands and the Isle of Skye while emphasizing the warmth and friendliness of the Scottish people.

Quick Question – Can you name this famous Scottish Castle?

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• Isle of Skye
• North East 250
• North Coast 500
• Glencoe and West Highlands
• Outlander Tours
• Whisky Tours
• Custom Tour
• Invergordon Shore Excursions
• Ullapool Shore Excursions
• Edinburgh Shore Excursions
• Greenock Shore Excursions
• from Inverness
• from Edinburgh & Glasgow

We’ll share yesterday’s stories today, to make memories for your tomorrows!

Yesterday’s stories today.

Experience tours seeing Scottish mountain peaks against the sky and waterfalls plunging into spray-filled depths; hearing of myths and legends, heroes and villains, ghosts and ghouls; visiting Harry Potter and Outlander sites, Inverness whisky bars and the Edinburgh Tattoo! All of these have the same thing in common – they are part of yesterday’s many stories, which can be retold by us for you, today. 

Memories for your tomorrows 

Inverness Tour Guides enjoy taking unique journeys with you. Choose one of the many tours we have made for you here, or ask us for something custom. Either way we can guarantee that every tour is individually shaped by the questions you ask, as we travel together. From the first hello we will craft days just for you, where you can create the best lifelong memories.  

Why Inverness Tours

Local knowledge.

Inverness Tours has been taking visitors on world-class tours for more than fifteen years. We have been working to make our exclusive tour business the finest of its kind available in Scotland. Our solid (but constantly updated) knowledge is a tool for your use. As a result, you will enjoy the best eating places, the most rewarding visits, and the locals’ choice of “off the beaten track” walks and vistas. We strive to enthral, excite and entertain as we show you the real Scotland. 

Inverness Tour Guides

Our Inverness Tour Guides are a hand-picked team. As well as being accredited members of the Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association, they are all well-recognised as being at the top of their fields. We chose them because they are great storytellers, fun to be with, and uniquely qualified to do what they do well. We know you deserve the best team of guides available. See their individual profiles here

Track Record

We have a fabulous back-catalogue of reviews. Over 98% of our hundreds of TripAdvisor reviews are five-star, so we have received their Certificate of Excellence every year, and a placement in their Hall of Fame!

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Experience Scotland with professional, passionate, friendly guides.

Discover with us....stunning landscapes, the scottish highlands, myths, legends, scottish culture, magnificent cities, uisge beatha, coastal gems, local produce, our colourful history and our famous welcome., isle of skye, invergordon port, highland south, create your own tour..., speyside whisky, highland north.

Individual day and bespoke multi-day tours of the Highlands and Scotland. Book with us for breathtaking cultural and sightseeing adventures with a private driver/guide. Passionate and professional local business managed by Catherine and Keith and based in Inverness, Highlands of Scotland. 

Specialising in private tour departures from Inverness; the Highlands are easily reached by plane or train from major airports including Edinburgh and London. Enjoy the full experience of your holiday:as we traverse the single roads, across the moors and along rugged coastlines while you enjoy the stunning scenery and are immersed in our colourflul history and culture.  Couples, family groups and young familes catered for. Please fill in the form below for further information.

Discover the Scottish Highlands

-let us take you on your very own highland tour from inverness, highland tours from inverness & invergordon, touring directly from inverness city centre, loch ness tours from inverness, - discover the highlands from inverness, tour summary, locations en-route, tour length, 7 / 8 hours hours.

Based on average

TOUR PRICING

For 4 booked seats

North Highland Tours From Inverness

-journey on an adventure to the north, isle of skye tour from inverness, - journey on a full day tour to skye, 9 / 10 hours hours, day tour – loch ness, monsters, coo’s, drams, battles, and stones from inverness, - outlander sites in the highlands from inverness, 6/7 hours hours, touring any time of the year, book a tour directly from the port of invergordon, loch ness tour from invergordon, -visit historic sights in the highlands on our loch ness tour from invergordon, 7/8 hours hours, north highland tour from invergordon, -delve into the natural beauty of the north, offering premium highland tours from inverness, who are historic & scenic tours.

We’re locals who love the Highlands as much as we love meeting and showing visitors around our beautiful towns and countryside. We are truly passionate about sharing the culture, history and scenery on offer — which is why we founded Historic & Scenic Tours, catering for groups and individuals looking for Highland tours from Inverness and excursions from Invergordon.

We Have Vast Tour Experience

Together we have over 30 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industries, which we put to good use providing excellent service to our customers. We’re keen to share our local knowledge with you on our Highland tours from Inverness and excursions from Invergordon.

A Fleet of Comfortable Minibuses

We operate a fleet of comfortable 8-seater minibuses out of Inverness. Our friendly, courteous local guides will show you on your own Highland adventure, stopping at some of the most beautiful, scenic and historic sights the north of Scotland has to offer.

What Makes Us Different?

We designed our Highland tours to make sure there’s something for everyone , and that you see the very best of the Scottish Highlands and Inverness area has to offer. Our tours have it all — breathtaking scenery, historical landmarks, famous lochs, castles, gardens and distilleries. This tour will give you a real Scottish Highland experience. Remember to take your camera in case Nessie appears!

Excursions From Invergordon

Historic & Scenic Tours also provide excursions from Invergordon for passengers arriving on cruise liners at the port. Invergordon is ideally located for visiting the main attractions and historical places of interest, which is why we designed four separate, unique shore excursions from Invergordon to ensure you get the most from your short stay.

Highland Tours From Inverness

Start your journey from the ‘Capital of the Highlands.’ Inverness is in reach of some of the most famous and beautiful spots in the Highlands. Our friendly local guides will pick you up and drop you off from your accommodation in Inverness, taking the hassle out of your sightseeing experience. Join us on one of our Highland tours from Inverness today!

Always a personal tour experience - guaranteed

Why go with historic & scenic tours, small & personal tour groups.

Tours with that personal touch. We only take small groups of 4, 6 or 8 on our tours, which means you always get the very best experience.

Guaranteed – You Book, You Go

Once you complete your booking and receive confirmation, sit back & relax — we’ll see you at the designated pick-up point, guaranteed.

Always Eco Friendly

As a Scottish Highlands tour company, we have a deep passion for the environment. All of our tours are low carbon & eco-friendly.

Tours From Local Guides

The Highlands is our home. Our guides are full of local knowledge, and we’re passionate about sharing this with our guests.

What Our Customers Say

You can find us at historicandscenictours, historic & scenic tours instagram feed, get inspiration for your scottish highlands tour, must see destinations, glenmorangie distillery, one of the most famous whisky distilleries in scotland, quick description.

Explore the traditions passed down through generations and learn more about the whisky-making process as perfected by Glenmorangie’s legendary craftsmen. Visit the distillery with us and even arrange to take a Glenmorangie Distillery Tour along the way.

ACTIVITIES/FEATURES

• Educational
• Distillery Tours

AVAILABLE WITH...

Beauly priory, beauly priory, an ancient abbey located in the village of beauly.

Beauly Priory is an ancient abbey located in the village of Beauly, thought to have been founded around 1230. French monks settled here, who gave the area and the nearby river the name “beau lieu” (“beautiful place,”) which has stuck ever since.

Historic & Scenic Recent Blog Posts

April 6, 2020, post excerpt.

In this first of our Highlands blogs join Historic & Scenic Tours as we walk you through one of our Loch Ness tours from Inverness and discover what makes Loch Ness such an important and special landmark for both visitors and locals alike. We’ll be diving into the history, mystery, sights and sounds of Scotland’s […]

Welcome To the HST Blog

April 5, 2020.

Welcome to the the Historic & Scenic Tours Blog!

Book your place now before seats run out!

Ready to go.

• Most popular tour!

Loch Ness, Glen Coe & the Highlands

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 12.5 hrs
• User Ages: 3+ years old
• Calendar Availability: All year
• Clock Check-in / Departs / Returns: 07:45 / 08:00 / 21:00
• Cruise Ship Optional Extra: Visit Urquhart Castle and Cruise on Loch Ness

Monsters, Mountains & Massacres: Scotland in One Day

Our most popular tour includes the most you could see of Scotland in one day! Our fantastic driver-guides entertain you from start to finish with stories, music and fantastic stops along the way.

On this tour, you drive the full length of Loch Ness, get the opportunity to cruise on the loch and explore Urquhart Castle, pass through Cairngorms National park and the stunning Glen Coe.

Tour Itinerary

• Cairngorms National Park
• Loch Ness Cruise
• Ben Nevis view

Tour Highlights

• The Cairngorm Mountains:  Stunning Highland scenery
• Inverness: Drive through the capital of the Highlands
• Loch Ness: Monster spotting on a boat cruise (optional extra)
• Ben Nevis: See the UK’s highest mountain
• Glen Coe: Drive through this dramatic glen
• Chevron down What to Bring
• No matter when you visit, the weather in Scotland can be “changeable”, to say the least. We suggest that you bring suitable clothing for all conditions, including a waterproof jacket (it has been known to rain in Scotland), sunglasses and plenty of layers.
• Ensure you bring shoes suitable for short walks, on rough or uneven terrain.
• Although most attractions & eating establishments we visit accept card payments, we would also recommend bringing cash with you.
• Don’t forget a camera to snap the fantastic memories you’ll make on tour with us!
• Please limit your luggage to 1 x small/medium piece per person (no more than 15kg), along with 1 x small handbag or daypack.
• Chevron down Full Itinerary description

This is a monster tour.

Head into the Highlands…

As you head towards the Highlands , you’ll see the amazing Forth Railway Bridge , now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s bright red, so you can’t miss it, and it’s a stunning example of Victorian engineering. With its triple cantilever design, it is the biggest one of its kind in Britain and the second-biggest in the world. Our journey continues past Perth, the old capital of Scotland. With a rich and influential history that stretches back over 800 years, it has always been one of the most important political, judicial and commercial centres in Scotland.

As you journey north, you will pass Dunkeld – ‘fort of the Celts’ – the ancient religious centre of Kenneth MacAlpin. Our first stop will be at about 9.30 am in the beautiful, small Highland town of Pitlochry , one of the gateways to the Highlands which lies on the River Tummel. Here you can buy some delicious home baking and get ready to continue deeper into the Highlands.

Through the spectacular Cairngorms…

Then enjoy the stunning scenery as you travel through the spectacular and unique wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park , the largest national park in Scotland. This large mountain range has five of the highest mountains in the UK within its limits. We pass Aviemore, the main town in this area, that is now a centre for outdoor and holiday activities, and then continue north and drive through Inverness – the capital of the Highlands. Perched picturesquely above the river, Inverness Castle dominates the horizon of this thriving city. Then it is on to the famous Loch Ness .

Take a cruise and visit Urquhart Castle or Nessie spot from the shore…

Loch Ness is the largest body of water in Britain by volume; incredibly, all lakes and rivers of England and Wales would fit in it. With these dimensions, it’s not surprising that a monster is believed to live in the depth of the Loch. The famous “Nessie” was first seen by St. Columba in the mid-6th century. But it wasn’t until the 1930s that the mysterious creature came to widespread notice when it was seen again by an American couple. Since then, there have been thousands of sightings, and who knows? Maybe you will be the next to spot it. During our time at Loch Ness, you have a few options. You have the opportunity to visit Urquhart Castle and then join a cruise on Loch Ness (cruise and castle combined: additional £28.00 per person).

See UK’s highest mountain…

We then make our way through the Great Glen towards the Commando Memorial, erected in 1952 and dedicated to the remembrance of the Royal Marine Commandos who trained here during WWII. We stop here for a quick photo opportunity of Ben Nevis , the UK’s highest mountain at 4,413 feet (1,345 metres). Next, we will have a short refreshment stop, where you can purchase coffee, refreshments and perhaps a wee nip of whisky.

Relive the massacre of Glen Coe…

Glen Coe is broodingly beautiful and steeped in history. It is in the centre of an extinct volcano that exploded millions of years ago, leaving the rocky mountainous place we see today. As you stand at the mouth of the glen, you’ll feel the past come to life as our guide tells you about the terrible massacre of Glen Coe. You’ll learn the parts clans Campbell and MacDonald played in this brutal part of Scottish history. The other side of Glen Coe is Rannoch Moor , one of the last great wildernesses – 50 square miles of peat bog and marsh, and a site of special scientific interest. It is also where part of the James Bond film ‘Skyfall’ was filmed.

Salute William Wallace and head home…

The route home takes you past the beautiful city of Stirling and its stunning castle, which is one of the most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. Several Scottish kings and queens have been crowned at Stirling, including Mary Queen of Scots. Not far away from here, William Wallace had one of his greatest triumphs at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297. You’ll catch a glimpse of the Wallace Monument as we pass by Stirling. His exploits were dramatised in the award-winning film ‘Braveheart,’ starring Mel-Gibson. We’ll continue to Edinburgh arriving back at 8.30 pm approximately.

On 26th December & 1st January there will be no cruise or castle visit available. On these dates we recommend you bring a picnic with you as there will be limited options for food.

Please note on some dates this tour will operate in reverse.

The best tour I’ve taken. The tour guide (Robert) was excellent. He made sure we saw as much as possible. He was clearly very knowledgeable about Scotland. Plus the views were incredible. 100% recommended.

This was my third trip over the years with the Highland Experience Tours and I keep going back and recommending to friends! All guides have been fabulous, Rory on the last tour was exceptional - knowledgeable, fun and kilt wearing! The Highlands, Glen Coe and Loch Ness is a perfect day trip to get a glimpse of Scotland and also love their slightly longer Isle of Skye tour! Groups are small, minibuses clean and comfortable, pick up from the Royal Mile. Lean back, look out and enjoy the scenery! Highly recommend!

This was a really great day out to see the highlands and Loch Ness. We saw much more than if we tried to do this on our own, a long day but well worth it. John our driver was very knowledgeable and friendly. Covid measures in place. Minibus very comfortable.

Related Tours

• Calendar All year
• User 3+ years old
• Hour Glass 9 hrs 45 min

Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky

This is the Scottish experience ‘distilled’. It gives you a taste of three classic Scottish ingredients — castles, lochs and whisky. Book online today!

• Hour Glass 3 days

Ultimate Skye Experience

Stay, explore and travel like a local in one of Scotland’s most scenic locations, the Isle of Skye, and see the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle. Book today!

Ceud Mìle Fàilte to the Highlands of Scotland!

Highland tours inverness, day tours of the scottish highlands – see the best.

Welcome to Highland Tours Inverness, My name is Dougie MacLeod and I provide Scottish Highland day tours from Inverness. I am an experienced tour guide, born and raised in Inverness the Scottish Highland capital, living here for many years before moving to the beautiful village of Beauly. I have vast local and historical knowledge of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands.

Here at Highland Tours Inverness I organise a variety of specially designed sightseeing and historical Scottish Highland day tours from Inverness. The private day tours cater for up to eight people which ensures a personal and flexible service. This allows you to sit back, relax, whilst enjoying a fun filled and informative day giving you a fantastic Scottish Highland experience.

Highland Tours Inverness have carefully designed Scottish Highland day tours from Inverness which have something for everyone, ensuring you see the very best the Scottish Highlands and Inverness area has to offer. The tours have it all – breathtaking scenery, historical landmarks, famous lochs, castles & gardens, falconry displays, whisky tours, amazing wildlife and of course Outlander destinations! These Highland tours will give you a real Scottish Highland experience! A selection of half day tours is also available. Have your camera ready in case Nessie appears or you see a haggis running across the heather!

I also provide Highland tours and shore excursions from Invergordon for the passengers arriving on cruise liners at the port. Invergordon is ideally located for visiting the main attractions and historical places of interest, I have three specially designed tours to ensure you get the most from your short stay.

Book Now For 2024, Dates Filling Up Quickly.

Scottish Highland Day Tours from Inverness

Half Day Tours of the Scottish Highlands from Inverness

Invergordon Shore Excursions

Please note, during winter months (Oct-Mar) some destinations close or operate reduced opening hours.

Click here for information on tours during the winter months

Highland Discovery Tours

A Highland Ready To Explore

Highland Discovery Tours & Travel

 private sightseeing tours from inverness.

Highland Discovery Private Sightseeing Tours Around the Highlands of Scotland From Inverness

We offer many different Highland tours from Inverness with hotel and port collection

we also offer golfing transfers, hotel and airport transfers

Loch Ness - Urquhart castle - Culloden Battlefield - Eilean Donan Castle - Dunrobin Castle - Distillery tours 

Fort William and Glencoe - The Isle of Skye

All of our tours are with a private driver  for your day out with us

offering you some of the best routes of the local area 

Wether your a Individual or a group of 6 people we have a private tour to suit your desire to see the beauty of the Highland's of Scotland. 

Our tours are now bookable by the vehicle size rather than by per person 

THE 10 BEST Scottish Highlands Bus Tours

Bus tours in scottish highlands.

• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Loch Ness and Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh

2. The Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness

3. Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

4. Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour

5. Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh

6. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Fort William Tour from Edinburgh

7. Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow

8. Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

9. 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles

10. Day trip to the Scottish Highlands

11. Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness

12. Loch Ness,cawdor castle,inverness,Culloden battlefield,& more from invergordon

13. Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Small-Group Day Tour from Inverness

14. 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh

15. Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness

16. Loch Ness Experience Day Trip from Inverness

17. Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness

18. Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh

19. Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise

20. Loch Ness,Culloden Battlefield,Cawdor Castle & Much More From Inverness City

21. Inverness Half-Day Highlands Bucket List Tour

22. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Inc Accommodation from Edinburgh

23. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

24. Private Tour of Highlands, Oban, Glencoe, Lochs & Castles from Glasgow

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26. Luxury Private Tour of The Highlands & Loch Ness from Edinburgh

27. Secret Loch Ness, Inverness & Cawdor Castle Tour from Invergordon

28. Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness

29. 4-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

30. Isle of Skye, The Highlands and Loch Ness - 3 Day Tour from Glasgow

What travellers are saying.

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• Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow
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Essential Highlands

This Scottish Highlands tour plan takes you on a road trip through the best scenery of North West Scotland.

The driving route features stopovers in pretty seaside villages where you can sample the freshest of seafood direct from the fishing boats.

The itinerary also includes some of the North Coast 500 tourist trail with a start and finish in the lively town of Inverness.

Allow a minimum of 4 days to drive this tour route. The guide contains extra day trip suggestions for extending the tour to 7+ days

PLEASE NOTE: The Guides come in the format of PDF files. After payment, you will receive an automated email that enables you to access your Scotland Tour Itinerary.

Money Back Guarantee

We are so confident that you’ll be delighted with your guide that we offer a full Money Back Guarantee. Read More .

Tour Stats :

Guide Updated - 22 December 2023

Core Route Mileage:

Approximately 330 miles / 530 Km

Tour Duration:

4 to 7 Days

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Tour summary.

We provide a sightseeing guide to Inverness that covers the best tourist attractions, scenic spots, activities and restaurants in the city and the neighbouring areas. If you arrive early in Inverness, you may wish to follow our guide for a driving route around the Black Isle where you can discover the charming old village of Cromarty and embark on dolphin spotting boat trips .

You start your driving tour of the Scottish Highlands by heading North West towards Ullapool. Along the road, we reveal a picturesque old bridge on the Blackwater River where you might be lucky enough to see salmon leaping upstream if you visit in late Summer / Autumn.

For a seafood lunch stop , we recommend the photogenic fishing village of Ullapool which was established in the late 1700s to capitalise on the abundant herring stocks of Loch Broom. The bountiful days are past, but Ullapool is still home to a fishing fleet so the catch doesn’t take long to get from the sea to your plate.

Continuing from Ullapool, we guide on a great scenic drive along the Wester Ross coastline . This is a section of the famous  North Coast 500 route and it features beautiful sandy bays as well as the celebrated  botanic gardens at Inverewe .

We recommend you stopover near Gairloch, Mike’s favourite part of Scotland, but this is largely because his favourite pub is here.

Driving Distance: ~ 90 Miles

Stopover in Gairloch Area

We suggest a route through Glen Torridon to see what we think is the best scenery in Scotland. If you really want to explore away from the “beaten track”, you can follow an alternative longer route  around the remote Applecross Peninsula using a road that was only completed in 1975.

The drive includes a visit to the very pretty village of Plockton where there is a great choice of restaurants and bars. We also provide directions to get to Skye and the iconic Eilean Donan castle .

Driving Distance: ~77 miles

• Explore Skye - We provide directions for an Isle of Skye road trip that includes the famous scenic landmarks of Skye plus Dunvegan Castle, Talisker Distillery, craft shops, tearooms, pubs, and walks. However, you really need a full day (preferably more) for sightseeing on Skye. If you want to have enough time to enjoy a visit to Skye, you really need to allow 5 days for this Scottish Highlands tour.

Stopover on Skye or the nearby Lochalsh area

For the journey to the Fort William / Glen Coe area, we have proposed 2 options for the driving route:

OPTION 1  starts by taking you past Eilean Donan Castle, a must for a photo stop. You then enter the dark and moody valley of Glen Shiel where a short-lived Jacobite uprising came to a bloody end in 1719. Continuing south, you travel along the Great Glen towards  Ben Nevis , which towers over Fort William . If you arrive early in Fort William, you can take a cable car ride up a mountain, or pull on your boots for a short hike to see the valley where they filmed “Harry Potter’s” Quidditch tournaments.

Driving Distance: ~77 miles (Skye Bridge - Fort William)

OPTION 2 is a route with less driving, but it involves taking the Skye   ferry from Armadale to Mallaig . From Mallaig, you follow the “Road to the Isles” through a landscape that is steeped in the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie. You are likely to see the Jacobite steam train and may even catch it crossing the famous viaduct at Glenfinnan .

Driving Distance: ~43 miles  (Mallaig Ferry - Fort William)

If you arrive early in Fort William, you can extend the day with a drive down to the infamous Glen Coe . We also give you directions to find our favourite seafood restaurant.

Stopover in the Lochaber Area

Time to go “Nessie” spotting with a drive that travels the length of Loch Ness as we guide you back to Inverness. You can follow the main tourist trail past Urquhart Castle and the various “Nessie” attractions, OR you can take a scenic road that passes along the quieter southern side of the loch with opportunities for some gentle walks and a stop at a traditional coaching inn near the loch side.

Driving Distance: ~70 miles

If you arrive early in Inverness, or wish to extend your stay in the area, you may enjoy the day trip option that we have detailed for a drive around the historical attractions of Moray. This guides you to Culloden , Clava Cairns , Cawdor Castle , Elgin Cathedral and Fort George . As well as some less known places that are worth taking time to explore.

Stopover in Inverness Area.

Tour Gallery

Accommodation

To help you book the best places to stay, we offer a guide to Recommended Accommodation along the route of this tour.

We personally visit all the accommodation featured in the guides and only select places where we would wish to stay ourselves. Read More...

When you "Checkout" , you will have the option to buy the Accommodation Guide.

Preview Accommodation Guide

Car Hire - How to Save Money

When you buy a Secret Scotland Tour Itinerary you will receive a Discount Code that gets you a 10% reduction on the cost of Car Hire from Arnold Clark Rental .

Simply use the Secret Scotland code when you book via the Arnold Clark website and your car hire discount will automatically apply.

Testimonials

I convinced my other half to get the Scenic Tour 4-5 Days guide (even though he very much wanted to do it all himself), and it was the best experience ever. In fact, ever since this trip, we're trying to re-create the experience. Of course, Scotland can hardly let anyone down, but this guide truly made it an adventure. We found so many hidden and not so hidden gems, and everything was perfectly laid out for us so that all we had to do was decide how much time we had and what we wanted to see next. I can't recommend it enough and wish more guides like this existed!

Excellent! We thought the information provided was fantastic and allowed us to see things I am sure we would have missed. Mike was very helpful in sending the itinerary through again for us when we had trouble with our downloads. Would definitely recommend this site. We have been travelling for a number of years and normally would just rely on the internet and books but decided to give this a go. So glad we did.

Secret Scotland is EXCEPTIONAL in providing guidance for itinerary planning and accommodation referrals for those wanting a self guided driving vacation in Scotland.... Simple to use.  Thorough in suggesting ‘must see’ venues. Complete - sites, restaurants, pubs and experiences.” That is how I would describe what they do and provide.  Exceptional accommodation recommendations. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

The itinerary Secret Scotland provided was a trip saver. We loved the suggestions for sight seeing, eating, and places to stay, but the best part was the detailed driving directions. Driving on the opposite side of the road from the opposite side of the car was a little easier without having to worry about how to get there! We will definitely use this service the next time we visit Scotland!

Secret Scotland's itineraries, accommodations guides, and other resources are incredible value with great attention to detail.  Their owners, Mike and Aury, are experienced and honest, and they helped us so much as we attempted to narrow down a very long list of things we hoped to do during our time in Scotland.  I feel so much more prepared for our trip and can now just look forward to our approaching vacation!

We have just got back from an EXCELLENT holiday following the Borders to Orkney route suggestions. We can't say enough about how much the detailed information enhanced our experience in Scotland. We had a wonderful time seeing so many interesting sites that we would have passed by without your guide. Thank you so much.

These guys really are the best.  We used Mike's Flexi Days East to West itinerary last July and it was truly indispensable.  His itinerary is full of detail, including driving directions and options.  Mike is also very responsive if you have any questions.  We had such a wonderful time we are going back again this year, and we will be using his itineraries again for our planning.  I would also recommend his accommodations guide.

Just like pictures of Scotland can’t do justice to the magnificence of the actual landscape, words can’t do justice to the brilliance and sheer volume of work you put in your guide. The level of detail provided on each stopover sheet, in all the different itinerary options and on all the B&B features exceeded even my most crazy expectations.

Mike and Aurey from Secret Scotland prepared a fantastic itinerary for us. It was a huge ingredient in the success and huge enjoyment that we got from our trip. It was absolutely worth every penny and there is no way we could have seen so much and so well without their itinerary. We felt like we belonged in Scotland, we knew what we were doing and what it all meant at every step. We recommend their services wholeheartedly. Scotland is such a marvelous place. Thank you Mike and Aurey... and we will be back!

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3 Day Isle of Skye and West Coast Private Tour from Inverness

Invergordon cruise excursion private tour, invergordon cruise excursion to cawdor castle and gardens, invergordon cruise excursion to dunrobin castle, dornoch and more, invergordon cruise excursion to loch ness and outlander sites, inverness clava cairns, culloden battlefield and urquhart castle, inverness private full day tour of local attractions, loch ness and outlander sites tour from inverness.

Go Highland Tours

+44 7500519140, [email protected], high street 47, invergordon, iv18 0dx, gb.

Highlander Private Tours

Highland tours with Highlanders

Offering private tours for up to 8 people through the very best of the Scottish Highlands.

We take great pride in showing our visitors the most scenic views of the Highlands alongside historical places of interest.

TOURS FROM INVERNESS, INVERGORDON & EDINBURGH

Private Tour from £400

Highlights:

Hill of the Faeries

Uruqhart Castle

Beauly Priory

Cawdor Castle

Clava Cairns

Culloden Battlefield

Private Tour from £580

Eilean Donan Castle

Skye Bridge Viewpoint

Sligachan Old Bridge

Talisker Distillery

Quiraing Viewpoint

Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls

Old Man of Storr Viewpoint

Private Tour from £450

Loch Maree Viewpoint

Torridon Hills

Five Sisters of Kintail

Urquhart Castle

Dornoch Firth

Falls of Shin

Dunrobin Castle

Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve

Dornoch Cathedral

Glenmorangie Distillery

Castle Leod

Wardlaw Mausoleum

Culloden Battlefield  

1-10 Day Tours

For up to 12 people

Price on Application

Private, bespoke tours all around Scotland in our comfortable Mercedes vehicles. Let us help plan your itinerary!

Distilleries could include:

Glenmorangie

Glenfiddich

and many more...

Travelling to or from the Highlands?  Take a tour along the way...

Our door-to-door transfer tours offer an easy solution for your travel arrangements to and from the Highlands.

• Suidhe Viewpoint
• Fort Augustus
• Well of the Seven Heads
• Commando Monument
• Glenfinnan Monument & Viaduct
• Neptune's Staircase
• Glencoe Visitor Centre

Minimum duration 4 hours

Private Tour from £260

Choose where you wish to go and let us compile an itinerary for you.

* Please note - all prices are for tours only. Entrance fees to attractions, meals and accommodation are not included in tour price.

Why Choose Us?

Born in Stratherrick on the south side of Loch Ness, we have lived here all our lives and know the Highlands as only a local would. We have spent many years guiding visitors to the most stunning, photogenic places in the Highlands. We know and take pride in this land we call home, and we are eager to share it with you.

1-8 People    ●    private, personalised tours   ●   comfortable cars

• Our Accommodation
• Covid-19 Update
• Sustainable Tourism

Private day tours from Inverness

Simply the best way to experience the Highlands of Scotland

Our Philosophy

The road less travelled.

  Jamie has worked in tourism for over 20 years in the Highlands of Scotland and is now based in Inverness. Most of that time was spent running the Information Centres for VisitScotland, our national tourism organisation.  Secret Highlands Tours are also members of SITOA.  It’s been fantastic to see the growth in our area’s popularity for

  Jamie has worked in tourism for over 20 years in the Highlands of Scotland and is now based in Inverness. Most of that time was spent running the Information Centres for VisitScotland, our national tourism organisation.  Secret Highlands Tours are also members of SITOA.  It’s been fantastic to see the growth in our area’s popularity for day tours from Inverness exploring the Highlands! With success comes responsibility and we at Secret Highlands are committed to sustainable tourism.  Our guest accommodation is supplied by 100% renewable electricity & 100% Carbon offset gas and our routes explore the lesser known areas, but make no mistake, we keep these secret so we can enjoy them ourselves!

Our tours are designed to avoid the crowds as much as possible thereby minimising our impact on our beautiful yet fragile environment. We tend to stay away from the main tourist attractions and sights, allowing you more time and space to enjoy the road less travelled, as well as the stories, the myths and sheer delights we have arranged f

Our tours are designed to avoid the crowds as much as possible thereby minimising our impact on our beautiful yet fragile environment. We tend to stay away from the main tourist attractions and sights, allowing you more time and space to enjoy the road less travelled, as well as the stories, the myths and sheer delights we have arranged for you.  Our day tours from Inverness are made up of special places and memories and we want to make sure you enjoy them too!  Our Mercedes V Class with privacy glass ensures you travel in comfort and style, and our complimentary scottish snacks and spring water keeps you going as we get out and explore the Highlands!

Join Me On The Trail

Travel in Luxury with our Mercedes V Class with panoramic roof!

Choose from;

• Our Alternative Loch Ness Circular
• Heroes and Villains
• Our Exclusive Whisky Tour
• The Untamed North West
• The Quieter side of Loch Ness
• Or get in touch to build your very own experience

And for the full experience, ask about our accommodation - We have 3 en-suite rooms ava

And for the full experience, ask about our accommodation - We have 3 en-suite rooms available! Our tours from Inverness into the Highlands are like no other!

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Do you have a question about one of my day tours from Inverness? Have you an itinerary? I am always delighted to create bespoke sightseeing tours! Send me a message, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Secret Highlands Tours

13 Denny Street, Inverness, Inverness, IV2 3AP, United Kingdom

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