What's the best time of year to take a Highland tour from Edinburgh?

Highland tours from Edinburgh see the most visitors between April and October during the milder weather. The summer months of July and August bring the largest crowds and most frequent departures. Tour operators adjust their routes based on the season. For instance tours to the Isle of Skye follow different paths in winter (November-March) versus summer (April-October). A TourRadar traveler shared: "We were so lucky to have the sunniest weather during our stay in the Highlands and Isle of Skye. What we've seen and experienced will be treasured forever."

What type of accommodation can I expect on Highland tours from Edinburgh?

The range of places to stay spans from basic hostels to high-end hotels. Some well-regarded options include the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness the Skye Inn in Portree and Dunroamin B&B in Stornoway. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The B&Bs were excellent throughout the tour particularly the Caladh Inn in Stornoway which offered great hospitality and comfort."

What are the main meeting points for tours departing from Edinburgh?

Tours leave from three key spots in Edinburgh: the Bus Station at St Andrew Square (Gates J and K) Parliament Square on the Royal Mile by St Giles Cathedral and outside the George Hotel. Most groups meet between 7:30-8:30 AM. As confirmed by a TourRadar traveler: "Our guide was right on time at the Edinburgh Bus Station and made the check-in process very smooth."

What key Highland destinations are typically included on tours starting from Edinburgh?

The standard Highland route covers Glen Coe Loch Ness Isle of Skye Eilean Donan Castle and Cairngorms National Park. Many groups stop in Inverness where accommodations like the Glen Mhor Hotel or Pentahotel welcome visitors. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The atmospheric landscape of Glen Coe will blow your socks off and the views around Eilean Donan Castle were absolutely stunning."

What is the recommended budget per day for tours from Edinburgh to the Highlands?

Daily costs run between USD 200-400 based on where you stay and what's included. Budget-conscious travelers can find hostel-based tours starting at USD 200 while upscale options with stays at places like the Caledonian in Portree reach USD 400. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The value for money was great with comfortable accommodations and an excellent itinerary packed with activities."

How much time is typically spent traveling between Edinburgh and the first Highland destination?

The trip north takes 3-4 hours with breaks at scenic spots like Dunkeld and the Cairngorms National Park. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The journey north from Edinburgh was broken up nicely with stops at beautiful locations like Dunkeld Cathedral and the Cairngorms making the travel time feel much shorter."

Scottish Highlands Tours from Edinburgh

An adventure starting in Edinburgh is a great way to see Scottish Highlands. We have 19 tours that range from 3 days up to 8 days. The most popular time for tours from Edinburgh is May, which has the most tour departures.

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Explorer
6 Day Edinburgh and Inverness By Train
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"TourRadar took care of hotels, transfers, breakfast, and the castle tour. That left us to decide what we wanted to see which was great!"
Lisa, traveled in August
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Inverness
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
30% Off
From $2,708
NZ$1,895per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Magical Isle of Skye & West Highlands Small-Group Tour - 4 Days
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Glencoe, Fort William, Glenfinnan, Mallaig,Elgol,Kyle of Lochalsh,Isle of Skye,Kilt Rock,Eilean Donan,Dunkeld+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsNorthern Scotland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Click Tours
36% Off
From $2,657
NZ$1,701per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Highlights of Scotland
4.8 (18 traveler reviews)
"Magnificent tour of a country more beautiful than we could have imagined. We highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves history, nature, and friendly locals."
Mark, traveled in November
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Inverness, Fort William, Glasgow
Age Range
Ages 12+
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
36% Off
From
NZ$4,559per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Edinburgh to Inverness & Skye - 3 days
3.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Glencoe, Fort William, Inverness, Isle of Skye,Portree,Loch Ness,Culloden+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $1,490
NZ$1,267per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Edinburgh, Hebrides & Highlands - 5 days
5.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"The accommodations were very clean and tidy with a good location to town."
Victoria, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Ullapool, Stornoway, Inverness, Loch Ness,Cairngorms National Park+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
35% Off
From $3,400
NZ$2,210per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Adventure of Outer Hebrides & Skye Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 6 Days
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Loch Ness,Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve,Ullapool,Stornoway,Isle of Lewis,Carloway,Isle of Harris,Luskentyre,Isle of Skye,Portree,Kilt Rock,Eilean Donan,Glencoe+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsNorthern Scotland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Click Tours
36% Off
From $5,107
NZ$3,269per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Edinburgh, Hebrides & Highlands (Hotel) - 5 days
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Ullapool, Stornoway, Luskentyre, Lewis,Inverness,Loch Ness,Cairngorms National Park+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
35% Off
From $4,520
NZ$2,938per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Scotland in the Footsteps of Jamie and Claire
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Inverness, Culloden, Strathpeffer, Fort William,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Glasgow+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
DERTOUR
35% Off
From
NZ$1,513per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
5-Day Edinburgh and Glasgow by Train
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Glasgow
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
30% Off
From $2,927
NZ$2,049per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
4.7 (117 traveler reviews)
"The weather was amazing as was the scenery and activities on this tour. It was amazing!"
Don, traveled in July
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Stirling, Glencoe, Oban, Fort William, Mallaig,Armadale,Portree,Isle of Skye,Kilt Rock,Dunvegan,Eilean Donan,Loch Ness,Fort Augustus,Beauly,Inverness,Culloden,Dunkeld+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsIsle Of Skye+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Explorer Tours
30% Off
From
NZ$1,359per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
In-depth Cultural
Isle Of Skye And The Highlands
4.7 (235 traveler reviews)
"The trip was excellent, making the trip truly the best Scotland has to offer."
Jacqueline, traveled in January
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Dunkeld, Spean Bridge, Fort Augustus,Kyle of Lochalsh,Portree,Storr Mountains,Kilt Rock,Dunvegan,Armadale,Mallaig,Glenfinnan,Fort William,Glencoe,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Stirling+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsNorthern ScotlandIsle Of Skye+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Explorer Tours
30% Off
From
NZ$865per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Skye & Inverness Adventure
4.4 (50 traveler reviews)
"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,Culloden,Pitlochry+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsNorthern Scotland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Experience Tours
30% Off
From
NZ$922per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Best of Isle of Skye and the Highlands 5-Day Small Group Tour
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"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,Applecross,Plockton,Portree,Isle of Skye,Eilean Donan,Fort William,Glencoe+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsNorthern Scotland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Click Tours
45% Off
From $3,787
NZ$2,083per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Hebrides, Skye & The Far West
3.9 (13 traveler reviews)
"The drivers were great, the new vans with individual charging stations were wonderful, and the itineraries for each of my tours were perfect."
Catherine, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Kilmartin,Oban,Glencoe,Fort William,Glenfinnan,Isle of Skye,Kilt Rock,Storr Mountains,Portree,Eilean Donan,Fort Augustus,Loch Ness,Inverness,Ullapool,Stornoway,Lewis,Eoropaidh,Callanish,Carloway,Isle of Harris,Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve,Culloden,Cairngorms National Park,Pitlochry+24 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Experience Tours
45% Off
From
NZ$3,664per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
5-Day Highland Explorer: Skye & Far North Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
4.8 (45 traveler reviews)
"We recommend the tour but particularly because he made it."
Maree, traveled in May
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Dunkeld, Cairngorms National Park, Loch Ness,Dores,Ullapool,Lairg,Achmelvich,Lochinver,Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve,Torridon,Applecross,Plockton,Portree,Isle of Skye,Eilean Donan,Fort William,Glencoe+14 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsNorthern Scotland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Rabbie's Tours
15% Off
From $1,970
NZ$1,675per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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