Scottish Highlands Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(9,537 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Scottish Highlands tours
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Table of contents
- The best Scottish Highlands tour packages
- What people love about Scottish Highlands Tours
- Travel Scottish Highlands your way
- Best tour companies for Scottish Highlands tours
- Popular Scottish Highlands Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your Scottish Highlands tour
- Discover Scottish Highlands tours for every budget
- Scottish Highlands tours for every type of group
- Top Scottish Highlands travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Scottish Highlands
- Scottish Highlands travel guides - curated by our experts
- Contact our Scottish Highlands travel experts
- What our customers ask about Scottish Highlands Tours & Trips
The best Scottish Highlands tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaScottish Highlands travel expert at TourRadar
Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
117 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The stops were all very scenic and the accommodations were all comfortable and the breakfasts quite good.”
Mike, traveled in October
Highland magic unfolds over 5 days, with stops at Glen Coe valley, Eilean Donan Castle, and Loch Ness. Charming B&Bs in Oban, Portree, and Inverness welcome visitors. Optional Steam Train and boat cruise available, rated 4.7/5 by 80+ satisfied travelers.
Duration 5 days Destinations Edinburgh, Stirling, Glencoe, Oban, Fort William, Mallaig, Armadale, Portree, Isle of Skye, Kilt RockSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Highland Explorer Tours From $1,359
20% Off- NZ$1,087You save $272
Skye & Inverness Adventure
50 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Scotland was an experience of a lifetime made possible by a enjoyable planned tour.”
Duration 3 days Destinations Edinburgh, Glencoe, Fort William, Inverness, Eilean Donan, Portree, Kilt Rock, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, CullodenSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Highland Experience Tours From $923
15% Off- NZ$785You save $138
Best of Isle of Skye and the Highlands 5-Day Small Group Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was phenomenal and we felt very lucky.”
Peter, traveled in September
Duration 5 days Destinations Edinburgh, Dunkeld, Cairngorms National Park, Loch Ness, Ullapool, Achmelvich, Lochinver, Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve, Torridon, ApplecrossSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Click Tours From $3,797
45% Off- NZ$2,088You save $1,709
Hebrides, Skye & The Far West
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“General knowledge needs to be brushed up on as we heard 'I don't know' too many times.”
Michele, traveled in September
The Scottish adventure features visits to Eilean Donan Castle, the Hogwarts Express viaduct at Glenfinnan, and ancient Callanish Standing Stones. Charming B&Bs across Oban, Skye, and Stornoway serve as bases while visiting remote beaches, historic battlefields, and traditional Harris Tweed weavers.
Duration 8 days Destinations Edinburgh, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, Kilmartin, Oban, Glencoe, Fort William, Glenfinnan, Isle of Skye, Kilt Rock, Storr MountainsSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Highland Experience Tours From
45% Off- NZ$3,672
The Highland's dramatic Bealach na Bà pass rises 2,054 feet above sea level. Ancient brochs stand sentinel while Smoo Cave and hidden gems like Whaligoe Steps reveal Scotland's secrets. Traditional inns provide comfort with daily Scottish breakfast.
Duration 8 days Destinations Inverness, Dornoch, John O'Groats, Durness, Ullapool, Applecross Age Range Ages 17+ Operator Spirit Journeys Worldwide From
45% Off- NZ$3,461
What people love about Scottish Highlands Tours
- Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
Our Loch Ness Explorer tour with a photo op at Glencoe was a wonderful tour with breathtaking scenery. Our tour guide, Caitlin, made an already amazing tour even better. She is very knowledgeable about her country's history and so engaging and passionate, you will find yourself feeling like a very proud (honorary) fellow Scot!
- Isle Of Skye And The Highlands
Our 3 day trip with Highland Explorer was fantastic! Great guide Mahri, who looked after us, told us stories of Scotland and the history. She absolutely made the trip for us, making sure that we all left with a love of Scotland. Recommended!
A very lovely tour and guide. I thoroughly enjoyed Aileen's stories and music as we travelled through the highlands and Isle of Skye. The accommodation was great, the transport was great quality and the tour destinations were lovely. It was a great tour and I highly recommend Highland Experience Tours.
Skye & Inverness Adventure
Travel Scottish Highlands your way
Explore a wide diversity of coach / bus tours through Scottish Highlands. We have 13 adventures that vary from 3 days to 16 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
For those seeking real Highland exploration, our most popular 6-day tours take you deep into the Outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye's hidden corners. Our travelers consistently praise the guides who know exactly when to stop for unexpected moments - like watching someone cut peat or train an eagle owl. The routes wind through white sand beaches, past ancient standing stones and into remote fishing villages. The small group size lets guides adjust plans based on weather and interests, whether that's adding a whisky distillery visit or tracking down someone's ancestral castle. Many customers tell us the evening stops in places like Portree give them time to discover local seafood restaurants and meet friendly islanders.
Select from our extensive range of 41 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Scottish Highlands with our expert guides leading the way.
These multi-day tours through the Hebrides and Isle of Skye create authentic connections with Scotland's rich heritage. The eight-day journeys take you to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones, let you watch Harris Tweed being woven on traditional looms, and bring you inside preserved blackhouses that show island life from long ago. Our guests particularly appreciate how the tours blend major sites like Culloden Battlefield with intimate cultural moments - from Edinburgh cooking workshops to sheepdog demonstrations in the Cairngorms. Tour guides Donald and Sean earn consistent praise for their deep Highland history knowledge, taking groups to hidden gems like Corrieshalloch Gorge. The six-day Outer Hebrides focus gives you a window into island traditions, with perfectly timed stops to watch peat cutting or meet local artisans at work. For international visitors, multi-language audio guides in French, German and also Mandarin help connect them with each location's deeper story. What sets these cultural experiences apart is how the guides adapt to catch local festivals, visit family distilleries, and spend evenings in coastal villages where conversations with islanders flow naturally over fresh seafood dinners.
Best tour companies for Scottish Highlands tours
Popular Scottish Highlands Cruise Ships
Best places to start your Scottish Highlands tour
Edinburgh works well as your jumping-off point for Highland trips, with 16 of our top tours starting from the capital. Inverness kicks off another 11 tours from its position as Highland hub, while Glasgow gets you going on 7 regular routes. If you're keen on coastal starts, Oban runs 4 different tours and Greenock offers something a bit different. The numbers show booking around 97 days ahead hits the sweet spot - you'll get the dates you want, which really matters in summer when the sun barely sets. Our regular travelers swear by packing layers no matter when you visit, since Highland weather loves to keep you guessing. The self-drive folks tell us exploring those single-track roads to hidden glens and tucked-away villages made their trip special, though they're quick to mention keeping an eye on the fuel gauge since stations can be few and far between out there.
Discover Scottish Highlands tours for every budget
Our budget travelers really connect with those multi-day Isle of Skye tours where you stay in simple hostels. The guides know exactly when to pull over for photos at Eilean Donan Castle and the Old Man of Storr - they've got the timing down perfectly. French and German visitors often mention how useful the multi-language audio guides are. The smaller 20-person buses can zip into spots the big coaches miss, which our customers love. Yes, the hostels are basic but that hardly matters when you're getting such a good experience. People especially like how the schedule stays flexible - want extra time at the Fairy Pools or Glencoe? No problem at all.
Scottish Highlands budget tours
Scottish Highlands tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
49 tours in Scottish HighlandsExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Scottish Highlands. We have 49 adventures that vary from 3 days to 16 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
9 tours in Scottish HighlandsOur Highland small-group tours balance guided activities with time to explore places like Portree harbor or Glen Coe independently. Active travelers appreciate our walks through the North West Highlands UNESCO Geopark, where skilled guides lead hikes up distinctive peaks like Cul Mor, Stac Pollaidh and also other summits. The treks combine technical passages with manageable challenges, suited to visitors who want genuine outdoor experiences. Cultural tours blend Culloden Moor visits, tastings at Ben Nevis Distillery, hikes in Cairngorms National Park and also historical sites. Our travelers often mention guides Ken and Angela for their extensive regional expertise and skill at adjusting routes based on conditions and group preferences. Tours include special moments like seeing the Jacobite Steam Train cross Glenfinnan viaduct, taking a cruise on Loch Ness, exploring the Isle of Skye and also hiking the Old Man of Storr. With small groups, guides can share rich historical details while staying flexible - whether pausing for Highland cattle photos, discovering local festivals, or adapting the pace to match group interests.
Private / Personalized
9 tours in Scottish HighlandsWant to do Scotland your way? Our self-drive NC500 tours let you tackle Scotland's version of Route 66 at your own pace. Starting from Inverness, you'll wind through tiny coastal villages and past old castles with our detailed route notes in hand. There's magic in the little discoveries - like the Whaligoe Steps where 365 stone stairs cut right into the coastal cliffs. We've picked some really special places to stay too, from historic Dornoch inns to family-run spots up in Durness. Our travelers tell us they love being able to linger at places like Dunrobin Castle or take an unplanned detour to taste whisky at Dunnet Bay Distillery.
Top Scottish Highlands travel itineraries to fit your plans
Three-day Highland tours give you a good taste of Scotland's wild north, with routes covering the North Coast 500 and Isle of Skye. The NC500 trips take you through quiet fishing villages and along coastal roads in small groups, staying in places like Ullapool and Thurso. Our customers often mention guides Helen and Emily who tell engaging local stories while driving the winding routes. Over on Skye, you'll explore the eerie Smoo Cave and have time in Portree's colorful harbor. One popular three-day option combines Loch Ness with the deep valley of Glencoe and also ancient standing stones. The pace works well - you see plenty without feeling hurried.
Seven-day Highland tours let you really get to know Scotland's culture and wild places. Several routes mix time in Edinburgh and Glasgow with good coverage of the Highlands, including walks in Cairngorms National Park, time at Culloden battlefield and gentle strolls through Glenmore Forest. The Jacobite Steam Train past Glenfinnan Viaduct is a highlight, along with hiking up the Old Man of Storr on Skye. You'll stop at Ben Nevis Distillery for whisky tasting, take a boat out on Loch Ness and also walk through historic glens. Small groups mean guides can be flexible - our travelers love stopping randomly for photos of Highland cows or joining local festivals they discover along the way.
Ten days in the Highlands gives you time to fall into Scottish life properly. These full routes head north from Glasgow or Edinburgh through the Trossachs and up to far places like Thurso and the Orkney Islands. Our customers really like how these tours mix scheduled activities - Edinburgh Castle visits and cooking classes - with free afternoons to wander places like Pitlochry. You'll watch sheepdogs work in Cairngorms National Park, walk the atmospheric Culloden battlefield and also spend relaxed evenings in Highland towns. Having ten days means seeing both the main attractions and local spots that shorter trips can't fit in.
Demographics
Our Isle of Skye and Hebridean small-group tours really click with solo travelers. They love how the days mix guided activities with enough space to explore Portree's harbor at their own pace. The guides are great at pointing out local dinner spots and evening hangouts, which naturally brings the group together. While many solo guests enjoy the social vibe in our hostels, we've noticed some prefer upgrading to B&Bs when they want more quiet time. For international travelers, we offer audio guides in German, Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish and also Portuguese, helping everyone feel more connected to the stories and places they're discovering.
The walking tours through the North West Highlands attract plenty of young adults looking for proper outdoor challenges. They get stuck into serious hikes while spotting wildlife along Gairloch's coastal paths. The routes up Stac Pollaidh and Cul Mor offer some technical bits but stay within reach for most fit walkers. Our North Coast 500 tours are particularly popular with this group - they move at a good clip but take time for quality stops at Smoo Cave and remote beaches. The mix works well - you're active during the day, then diving into culture at spots like Eilean Donan Castle or learning about Highland rewilding projects.
The 8-day Hebrides and Skye tours are a clear favorite with our senior travelers, who appreciate how we take our time between destinations. The itinerary hits just the right balance, combining major sites like Culloden Battlefield with quieter spots like the Callanish Standing Stones. Our guides share detailed historical knowledge without overwhelming anyone. Customers often tell us they love discovering both the famous spots and hidden corners, from peaceful Harris beaches to traditional weaving workshops. The flexibility to adjust for weather and individual preferences while keeping everything organized makes these tours especially popular.
- Solo Travelers46 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples43 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)6 tours All tours for Young Adults
- Seniors (50+)27 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Scottish Highlands
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter brings a different kind of magic to the Highlands, and we've adapted our most popular tours to work with shorter days. Small groups head north from Edinburgh, making their first big stop at the massive Kelpies horse sculptures before winding through the snow-dusted expanse of Rannoch Moor. The quiet winter roads to Skye let our guides pick perfect photo spots at mist-shrouded Glen Coe. Our travelers love warming up at the cozy Skye Inn in Portree after exploring the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock waterfalls. The guides know just how to adjust for winter conditions, often mixing in extra stops at highland pubs and also whisky distilleries.
- Spring 2026
Spring opens up our hiking tours with options from easy coastal walks to proper mountain climbs. The North West Highlands really come alive in April and May - you'll spot native orchids and thistles starting to pop up across Assynt. Our customers love how flexible these spring tours can be; if one trail's too wet, the guides always have great backup routes ready. The multi-day walks mix overnight stays in fishing villages like Ullapool with hikes up distinctive peaks like Stac Pollaidh. It's prime time for wildlife too - keep your eyes peeled for Atlantic seals, dolphins and also countless seabirds along the coast.
- March 2026 18 tours
- 39 tours
- popular 44 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer's long daylight hours make island-hopping across the Hebrides really special. Our fuller tours blend time on Skye with visits to Lewis and Harris, where you'll often have those white beaches completely to yourself. Some trips include a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train, crossing the Glenfinnan viaduct with Loch Shiel spread out below. You might spend one morning walking among ancient standing stones, then watch Harris Tweed being woven on traditional looms and also visit remote lighthouses where there's nothing but ocean between you and North America.
- popular 45 tours
- 43 tours
- 43 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Based on our travelers' feedback, Rabbies stands out for Scottish Highland tours, with guides Donald and Sean getting lots of mentions for sharing local insights and taking groups to less-visited spots like Corrieshalloch Gorge. The tours hit a sweet spot between good value and really getting to know the region. Highland Explorer has built up quite a following for their guides who weave Scottish stories and music into the journey, though a few of our customers noted some hiccups with seating on the Jacobite Steam Train. Over at Highland Experience, the guides Tommy and Fergus seem to have a gift for bringing Scotland's past to life - they clearly love sharing their homeland's history with visitors. What's nice about all three companies is how they focus on the real Scotland, not just tourist hotspots. Each has its own style: Rabbies excels at finding hidden corners, Highland Explorer nails the cultural angle with music and tales, and Highland Experience really dives deep into the historical side of things. Our travelers seem genuinely pleased with the value these tours offer, especially given how much ground they cover and the quality of the guides. It's worth noting these aren't just standard sightseeing trips - you're getting proper Scottish experts who know their stuff and love sharing it.
- popular 46 tours
- 36 tours
- November 2026 15 tours
Scottish Highlands travel guides - curated by our experts
The Scottish Highlands: Hiking, Maps & Weather
Learn everything you need to know for hiking the Scottish Highlands. Discover the basics, learn the trails and get all your questions answered.
How to get to the Scottish Highlands
This guide provides you all the best advice for getting yourself (and your gear) to the Scottish Highlands without the stress.
Best time to visit Scottish Highlands
Wondering what time of year to plan your visit to the Scottish Highlands? We're breaking down the best hiking seasons so you don't have to.
Scottish Highlands insurance, vaccinations, visa and permits
Use this check list to make sure you meet the basic requirements to climb the Highlands. Find out if you need permits, visas, vaccinations and insurance.
Contact our Scottish Highlands travel experts
Tetiana
Expert in Scottish Highlands at TourRadar
Tetiana is one of our seasoned Scottish Highlands Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Scottish Highlands tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Scottish Highlands Tours & Trips
What's the Best Way to See Scotland's Amazing Landscapes Beyond the Cities?
You'll want to head out to Cairngorms National Park it's incredible with these ancient pine forests that just go on forever. Glencoe is another must-see where glaciers and volcanoes literally carved out this dramatic valley that'll take your breath away. The Isle of Skye's got these incredible Cuillin mountains and coastal cliffs that are just spectacular honestly. You can explore all this either with a guide book yourself a tour or just hop on Scotland's really good public transport network.
What Local Cultural Experiences Can You Actually Join In With?
There's nothing quite like experiencing real Gaelic culture at a traditional music and dance evening in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. If you're into whisky you've got to check out the distilleries along Speyside's Malt Whisky Trail they're fascinating. Over on the Isle of Lewis you can learn about ancient Hebridean crafts at Arnol Blackhouse it's actually part of this great 6-day tour from Edinburgh that covers Outer Hebrides and Skye. You can join organized tours or explore these experiences on your own its really flexible.
How Do You Get Around the Highlands and When Do Things Run?
Coach tours are really convenient they run from Edinburgh and Inverness and cover all the main spots. If you want more freedom grab a car and drive the North Coast 500 it's amazing how much you can discover at your own pace. The trains are brilliant too especially the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig it's actually featured in the Isle of Skye & Hebridean Hopper tour. The ferries connect you to all the islands and run pretty regularly especially in peak season when everything's buzzing.
Where Can You Find Amazing Places That Aren't Packed With Tourists?
You've got to check out Corrieshalloch Gorge near Ullapool the waterfalls there are incredible and hardly anyone knows about it. There's this amazing Iron Age structure called Carn Liath Broch right on the North Coast 500 route it's so well preserved. Smoo Cave near Durness is just magical this huge sea cave that's been forming for thousands of years. These spots are perfect if you want to experience Scotland's heritage without the crowds.