2 day Scotland tour including Loch Ness

Day 1

Shortly after leaving Edinburgh and the start of our 2 day Scotland tour including Loch Ness, we will reach the centre or heart of Scotland where we will see Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument.

Within a short distance we will reach our first destination for a photo stop. Doune Castle is currently well known to Outlander fans as Castle Leoch. The beautiful castle has been known well to many as – it has been used in other productions such as Game of Thrones and Monty Pythons and the Holy Grail, and is one of most remarkable Scottish Castles, retaining much of it’s original design and build form the end of the 1300’s for the Duke of Albany.

From here will visit the charming village of Callander and where we will stop for refreshments and facilities.

Leaving Callander we will cross over the Highland boundary line and soon enter an area of more rugged beauty. Some of the rivers and lochs in this area are simply gorgeous. The landscapes in this area are just a taster for what is to come as we continue north and west until we reach Glencoe.

Upon reaching Glencoe will face some of the most remarkable scenes of natural beauty. Surrounded by breathtakingly stunning mountains, the road we will travel is a real treat as we journey through the centre of this spectacle. Regardless of the season, this place is something really special.

We will be able to spend some time at the Glencoe visitor centre and find out more about this area of particular interest. We will uncover the stories behind the famous Glencoe Massacre and why we never forget the events leading up to the tragedy.

Harry Potter fans and Bond movie enthusiasts will be delighted to see the exact locations used in the filming of Skyfall and The Prisoner of Askaban.

From here we will be passing through the town of Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain with a peak of 1, 345m (4,411 ft).

From northwest to northeast we will follow a line across Scotland commonly known as the Great Glen Fault – a long groove in the earth due the pulling and twitching of tectonic plates. 

We will follow a series of interconnecting lochs and canal network before reaching our next stop at the famous Loch Ness – best known for it’s sightings of a mysterious loch monster. You will have the opportunity to do your own monster spotting on the shores of the loch. We will be stopping in Forth Augustus which is situated at the most southern tip of Loch Ness. Here you will have the chance to walk by the shores of the loch or along the Caledonian canal and lock system.

There will be plenty of time here to enjoy the canal side and marvellous views of the loch. There are a number of dining and shopping options in this area.

Our journey to Inverness will continue along the south side of Loch Ness. We might be lucky enough to see something happen in the loch or to even knock on the door of a man who has some inside information to share with us. Steve Feltham is a real Nessie hunting legend who has made his name known to many people worldwide. Steve has been searching for the Loch Ness Monster for the last 28 years.

On to Inverness for a quiet night in or late night out. You will be staying close to the city centre. On arrival in the city we will get you checked into your accommodation for the evening and provide you with some suggestions of places to eat and drink whilst in Inverness. We think that you’ll find it to be a warm and friendly small city with lots to offer. Many of the pubs and restaurants have live traditional music and great value meals. Some of our favourites include the Waterfront, McGregors and Hootananny Inverness.

Day 2

We will pick you up from your accommodation on day two of your 2 day Scotland tour including Loch Ness.

After collection you from your accommodation we will be sharing with you tales from the catastrophic battle between Jacobites and Government troops at Culloden Battlefield. You will be able to set foot on the site of the last pitched battle on British soil and appreciate the true scale of the battle. From this experience you will find out why this battle that lasted only one hour changed the way of life of the Highlands and Islands forever.

Not too far from Culloden we will next visit Clava Cairns. We will delve even further back and discover the importance of the prehistoric 4,000 year old stone circles and burial mounds here. This is a hugely significant and exceptionally well preserved site which has undoubtedly been the inspiration for Craig na Dun in Diana Gabaldon’s popular Outlander books.

Leaving Clava Cairns, we will head due South and through the Cairngorm National Park. The views in this area are simply stunning. You’ll hear some more about the wonderful wilderness of this area and why it has become such and important part of the Highlands

Next stop is the Highland Folk Museum. You will get a chance to experience how Highland people lived and worked from the 1700s up until the 1960s. Furthermore, this outdoor museum displays over 30 historical buildings. Some of which have been built from scratch on site and others moved here from other places nearby. There’s even a replica highland township from the 1700’s which was used as a filming location for the hugely successful TV series ‘Outlander’, based on the popular books by Diana Gabaldon.

You will have time for lunch at the Folk Museum and the opportunity to the explore the area at your own pace. If the idea of visiting a Whisky Distillery is of interest to you then your guide will offer you this as an option.

Finally, our last stop on day 4 will be a gentle walk through big tree country to the famous waterfall and salmon leap at The Hermitage. This part of the country is quite sublime with a range of some towering Douglas Fir trees set beside a series of waterfalls of the river Braan.

On the final leg of our 2 day Scotland tour including Loch Ness, we will cross over the River Forth and get a bird’s eye view of the famous Railway Bridge. This bridge amazed the world when it was finally completed in 1890 and has become an enduring symbol of Scotland’s engineering heritage.

This ends your 2 day Scotland tour including Loch Ness. We will return you to your accommodation and say a fond farewell.