Bus Tours in Scotland
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10 best Coach / Bus trips around Scotland
Compiled by
MelissaScotland travel expert at TourRadar
- 3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic
- Scotland's Far North - 10 days
- Best of Scotland (Winter)
- Scotland in a Week (Classic, Winter)
- Bonnie Scotland
- Hebridean Escape 5-day Tour
- Scottish Escape
- Outer Hebrides & Skye Explorer - 6 days
- 3-Day Orkney Explorer Small-Group Small-Group Tour from Inverness
- Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands - from Edinburgh
3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic
330 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The sites are breathtaking and worthy, but Stewart ultimately made the tour entertaining and engaging.”
Luxury Mercedes coaches transport you to iconic Highland locations. The journey crosses Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter Bridge), follows the scenic Road to the Isles, and reveals Skye's rugged coastline. Expert guides share historical commentary and local music.
Duration 3 days Destinations Edinburgh, The Hermitage National Forest, Pitlochry, Cairngorms National Park, Culloden, Loch Ness, Sligachan, Portree, Storr Mountains, Kilt RockSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator MacBackpackers From
- NZ$556
Scotland's Far North - 10 days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The places visited were special, especially the Orkneys and Western Hebrides islands which did not disappoint me.”
Elizabeth, traveled in August
A 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach takes you from Edinburgh to John o'Groats. Pentland Firth ferries lead to Orkney's ancient sites, followed by Summer Isles sailing to reach the Outer Hebrides. All ferry crossings included.
Duration 10 days Destinations Edinburgh, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Inverness, John O'Groats, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Ullapool, Stornoway, LewisSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $7,175
25% Off- NZ$5,381You save $1,794
Best of Scotland (Winter)
35 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent experience. Fiona was so knowledgeable and fun and lovely.”
Allison, traveled in November
Your luxury coach with Wi-Fi connects Edinburgh Castle to Loch Ness, through the Highlands to Isle of Skye. Professional drivers rated 4.5/5 ensure comfortable stops at picturesque locations.
Duration 7 days Destinations Edinburgh, St Andrews, Pitlochry, Culloden, Isle of Skye, Glencoe, Glasgow Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From $3,575
10% Off- NZ$3,218You save $358
Scotland in a Week (Classic, Winter)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Would highly recommend for someone looking to have a very fun-filled and packed trip.”
Megan, traveled in June
Modern coaches equipped with WiFi and USB charging link Edinburgh Castle to Loch Ness. Professional drivers navigate to St. Andrews' historic grounds and Stirling Castle through scenic Highland routes over 6 memorable days.
Duration 6 days Destinations Edinburgh, St Andrews, Stirling, Inverness, Loch Ness, Aviemore, Glasgow Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki From $1,875
20% Off- NZ$1,500You save $375
Bonnie Scotland
370 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was very well organized and I felt I got a thorugh 'taste of Scotland', both figuratively and literally.”
Luxury coaches roll through Cairngorms National Park and along Scotland's coast. A Loch Lomond cruise, ferry to Isle of Skye, and visits to Stirling Castle, St Andrews, and Edinburgh's Royal Mile highlight this Scottish adventure.
Duration 7 days Destinations Glasgow, Fort William, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Culloden, Pitlochry, Dundee, St Andrews, Edinburgh Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $4,079
10% Off- NZ$3,671You save $408
Hebridean Escape 5-day Tour
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Harris and Lewis Islands are beyond beautiful. Worth every penny :)”
Marie-Claude, traveled in July
Scotland's finest landscapes unfold from modern coaches. The route leads from Edinburgh through Glen Coe to Loch Ness, with ferry crossings to the Hebrides. Visits to Callanish Standing Stones and Culloden Battlefield include expert commentary.
Duration 5 days Destinations Edinburgh, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, Inverness, Ullapool, Isle of Lewis, Callanish, CarlowaySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Highland Experience Tours From
10% Off- NZ$1,930
Scottish Escape
139 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had an excellent time, very glad we chose Globus.”
Amanda, traveled in March
Duration 7 days Destinations Glasgow, Stirling, Fort William, Inverness, Pitlochry, St Andrews, Edinburgh Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From
10% Off- NZ$2,380
Outer Hebrides & Skye Explorer - 6 days
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A lovely trip which is well organized. Enjoyed the companionship of the friendly tour mates 😊”
MUI, traveled in July
A Mercedes mini-coach takes you from Edinburgh to Scotland's remote islands. Multiple ferry crossings, including the 2.5-hour Summer Isles voyage, connect 9 destinations including Ullapool, Stornoway, and Portree.
Duration 6 days Destinations Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Ullapool, Stornoway, Luskentyre, Portree, Isle of Skye, Ben Nevis, Glencoe Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $3,955
25% Off- NZ$2,966You save $989
3-Day Orkney Explorer Small-Group Small-Group Tour from Inverness
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“There was a lot crammed in but it was all amazing and wonderful to see, from the prehistoric sites to lovely views.”
Sarah, traveled in June
A Mercedes mini-coach connects Inverness to John o'Groats through Scotland's dramatic landscapes. Pentland Firth ferries lead to Orkney's Italian Chapel and prehistoric sites. Remote Highland villages and ancient archaeological sites dot the route.
Duration 3 days Destinations Inverness, Dunrobin, John O'Groats, Orkney Islands, Kirkwall, Skara Brae, Stenness, St Margaret's Hope Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Rabbie's Tours From
25% Off- NZ$1,045
Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands - from Edinburgh
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was excellent, His knowledge of history and his passion for this roll was exceptional.”
Philip, traveled in July
Well-equipped coaches with charging ports transport you from Edinburgh through Glencoe to Loch Ness. Knowledgeable guides rated 4.8 provide commentary throughout. The itinerary features Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield, and Dalwhinnie Distillery.
Duration 2 days Destinations Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden, Aviemore, DalwhinnieSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Timberbush Tours From
25% Off- NZ$316
Scotland Coach / Bus Tour Reviews
- 3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic
Craig is a fantastic, bonkers, mental and awesome tour guide. He definetly made the trip entertaining and educational. It was great fun! Thanks!
- Scottish Dream - 8 Days/7 Nights (9 destinations)
“Scottish Dreams” CIE (Bus) Tour My wife and I recently took a CIE bus tour titled “Scottish Dreams” – a nine day tour that began in Glasgow and ended in Edinburgh, with four nights in hotels in the Highlands. Although we are fairly seasoned (international) travelers, this was my first full-blown bus tour. My wife and I typically travel in our own, choosing our own hotels, lengths of stays in each city, and modes of transportation. But Scotland provided a challenge for us because of the proportional amount of time that we wanted to spend in the Highlands and because of my very strong desire to get to the Isle of Skye. So we decided to give the bus-tour route a try, and we could not have been more pleased. Apparently, CIE is viewed as the best (bus) tour operator in Scotland, largely because the company operates only in Ireland and the UK (unlike competitors such as Globus and Trafalgar, which operate in many countries in various parts of the world). Our tour director, Becky, was very knowledgeable, polite, courteous, and amazingly accessible. She was always willing to be of assistance to us, and to answer any questions we had about Scotland, the EU, the places we visited, etc. (In fact, my wife felt a little sorry for Becky, at times, because of the many questions I posed to Becky during the nine-day period.) Our bus driver, Raymond, was also very courteous and was an extremely competent driver who faced some challenges on the roads (especially in the Highlands) and handled each admirably. The itinerary for the Scottish Dreams tour was ideal for our purposes. Following a very brief stay in Glasgow, we made our way north with our first stop being a cruise on beautiful Loch Lomond. That was followed by a brief visit to the town of Inverary and its castle. We then crossed into the Highlands proper and spent our next night in the town of Ballachulish around Loch Leven. The following day we passed through Glencoe and Fort William to the spectacular view at Glenfinnan. We then crossed the ferry to the Isle of Skye before returning back to the Scottish mainland. Continuing on in the Highlands, we then viewed Eilian Donan Castle and Loch Ness on our way to Nairn (at the Firth of Moray) where we spent the next evening. The following day, we visited various sites, including the town of Pitlochry (where we spent two nights), Blair Castle, and the Blair Athol Distillery. The next day, we visited Glamis Castle and St. Andrews, before making our way to Edinburgh, a wonderful city where we could easily have spent a week. The pace of the tour seemed well suited, despite our feeling a little hectic during the first few days. But we were very pleased with being able to see so much (in a meaningful way) in such a short time. I wish that we had more time to spend in St. Andrews, and we were very happy that we extended our stay in Edinburgh by one day. On balance, we thought that the tour was a very good value. The hotel accommodations – especially in the Highlands – were very charming. The meals included were very good. But I think that what really made the whole tour work so smoothly was Becky’s efficiency and competency as a tour director. I cannot say enough positive things about her. Having had such a positive experience on my first bus tour in Europe, I would happily take one with CIE again. And I would strongly recommend anyone who is thinking about taking a bus tour of Scotland (or anywhere else in the UK) and/or the Republic of Ireland to consider CIE. If you are lucky, you might even get Becky as your tour director and Raymond as your driver. But even if you choose a different mode of travel, definitely visit Scotland – a beautiful country with very friendly people!
Rose Brown made our trip wonderful. For the entire coach tour from October 12, 2019 through October 24, 2019, Rose was upbeat, personable and always made herself available. She took the time to get to know each of us personally and shared some fun stories from her life experiences. She kept our crew organized and dealt with all of our personalities and constant requests and inquiries seamlessly. She adjusted our plans based on the weather and construction in order to ensure we were able to see all of the places on our itinerary and the places we had personally requested to see. We never had to wait in a line, or for a meal as everything was taken care of before we arrived at each destination. Rose was very knowledgeable regarding all things Scotland and is passionate about her trade. Thank you Rose! It was a great experience. Colleen McKeon
Best of Scotland (Winter)
What our customers ask about Bus Tours in Scotland
What are the typical accommodation standards on Scotland coach tours?
Scotland's coach tours provide lodging in 3-4 star properties that blend comfort with local character. Guests stay in places like the historic Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow or the coastal Muthu Newton Hotel in Nairn. Standard amenities include private bathrooms and traditional Scottish breakfasts. Some routes feature distinctive options such as the oceanfront Loch Melfort Hotel. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The hotels were well-located and comfortable - especially loved staying at the Dalmahoy Hotel outside Edinburgh with its beautiful grounds and great facilities."
What unique scenic experiences can travelers enjoy from the comfort of a bus tour in Scotland?
Modern Mercedes coaches transport visitors through Scotland's varied terrain where mountains meet sea. The routes wind along the North Coast 500 past Dunrobin Castle and through the rugged peaks of Cairngorms National Park. Windows frame views of Glencoe's valleys and the white sand beaches of Luskentyre on Harris. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The Highland landscapes were breathtaking and having a guide share stories about each location made the journey even more memorable. The varied scenery from mountains to coastline was incredible."
What are the key attractions covered on most bus tours in Scotland?
Scotland's essential sites anchor most coach tour itineraries. Visitors explore Edinburgh Castle walk the battlefields of Culloden and photograph Eilean Donan Castle against mountain backdrops. Natural landmarks include Loch Ness the Isle of Skye and the Cairngorms. Cultural stops feature the ancient Calanais Standing Stones on Lewis and Harris Island along with traditional whisky distilleries. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The locations were great the landscape breathtaking. It was a good mix of scenery history culture and culinary/whisky tasting experience!"
How do bus tours in Scotland accommodate stops for sightseeing and relaxation?
The rhythm of Scottish coach tours includes stops every 2-3 hours with extended 1-2 hour visits at major sites. Popular photo locations include Eilean Donan Castle Glencoe Valley and Loch Ness's shores. Towns like Fort William and Pitlochry offer lunch breaks lasting up to an hour. Overnight stays such as at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness provide full evenings to unwind. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "Lots of opportunities to stop and take photos get coffee souvenir shop and have free time."
What is the typical daily schedule like on a coach tour in Scotland?
Days begin at 8:30 AM departing from Edinburgh or Glasgow. The routes include regular breaks every 1.5-2 hours while visiting places like Eilean Donan Castle Glencoe and Loch Ness. Small Highland towns provide lunch stops. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The Highlands tour had plenty of stops to take pictures and explore little towns making the journey comfortable and engaging." Days conclude around 7:00 PM at places like The Gluenuig House in Inverness or the Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry.
How much free time do I have to explore independently on a coach tour in Scotland?
Independent exploration fits into the schedule through 1-2 hour breaks at key locations like Portree on Skye or Fort William. Evening arrivals allow time to discover local restaurants and town centers. As one TourRadar traveler described: "We had a good mix of guided activities and personal time - enough freedom to explore Inverness in the evening and enjoy local restaurants while having the structure of organized sightseeing during the day."