From Edinburgh: Glenfinnan, Highlands and Hairy Coos
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Edinburgh, Scotland
- 11 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover Scotland's majestic Highlands on a day trip from Edinburgh without the hassle of renting a car or navigating public transit. History buffs can see the sites of historic events such as the Jacobite Uprisings, while pop culture fans can check off Harry Potter filming locations, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glencoe. Along the way, soak up views of mountains and lochs and round out your day by meeting Scotland's native Highland cows.
- Relax with included transport and let someone else tackle Scotland's narrow roads
- Learn about Scottish history and culture from your guide
- Make the most of scheduled stops to snap photos and videos
- Enjoy free time to explore at your own pace
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional Guide
- Private Transportation
- Admissions
- Children under 3 years not accepted
- LunchExcluded: All food and drink
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1 Parliament Sqr, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, UK
Inside Caffe Nero
End point
- 22 St Andrew Sq, Edinburgh EH2 1AY, UK
Start time.7:15 am
Itinerary
1
Callander
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Glencoe
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Fort William
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Glenfinnan Viaduct
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Cairngorms National Park (Pass By)
5
Taste Perthshire
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Children under 3 years not accepted. Proof of ID for children may be required at check in.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 170 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Beautiful sites overall and very nice tour guide! The bus was a tad bit small and myself and a few others were a bit cramped in the last row. A bit hard to hear/ understand the tour guide at times but overall loved the views, highlands and activities.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello there,
We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the scenic views and activities, for the volume we appreciate the feedback and will take it into consideration for future tours
hope to see you again!
kind regards
Teddy
Highland experience
It seems as though this was only a bus drive to various places not a guided tour… the bus driver was also attempting to make comments about various places along the route. He was driving so fast it was difficult to see what he was talking about. There was constant reference to Harry Potter and Outlander which I understand except when he asked who o the bus was interested in either no one raised their hand or indicated any interest yet he kept talking about it. We made unnecessary stops for food and bathroom breaks which added extra time that we didn’t need when there was food and facilities at the main sites along the tour. While all of the sites indicated on the itinerary were done there was not much information given about each one. At the longest stop (70 minutes) there were at least three possible attractions but we were only made aware of one. I happened to go across the street and experience the Highland Games. There were other attractions and a cafe at the stop, none of which were mentioned by the bus driver. Also we had just taken a stop forming prior to this at a truck stop when we could have just gotten to the main stop sooner and spent more time.
The tour was very unorganized. The driver was very nice but did not interact with the guests much at all.
The Highlands are beautiful and the Hairy Coos were adorable. There are other Highland tours… don’t take this one!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Eileen
Sorry to hear this, our drives tend to talk about topics that they are passionate about which sometimes not everyone would enjoy to hear about. Regarding the frequency of stops, we need to implement many stops during the trip for people to take bathroom breaks, we take the time added into account when estimating the full trip time.
Kind Regards
Highland Experience Team
This tour was amazing with all the right stops! Craig was an amazing tour host!! Biggest bonus you do get to pet the Hairy Coo’s!!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Christy
We are glad to hear you had fun on the tour with Craig
Hope to see you again!
Kind Regards
Teddy
Highland experience
Wonderful and authentic experience with Hugh, our Piped Tour guide. The itinerary was well organized with adequate time spent at each of the key locations. Hugh was funny and knowledgeable, with a wicked sense of humor.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Rejoy
We are glad to hear that you had a great time with Hugh in the highlands!
hope to see you again
Kind Regards
Teddy
highland Experience
It was a great time - our tour guide Dougie was definitely keepin it fresh (iykyk) *weeee*
I wanted and need to see more hairy coos in the wild.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there Adina,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, we will be sure to let Dougie know you enjoyed his guiding!
And we totally agree about the highland coos, one cant help but be happy when you see them!
Thank you very much for choosing Highland Experience for your Scottish adventures!
Kind regards,
Holly
Highland Experience Tours
The excursion itself mostly delivered and can’t fault the tour company for the minor disappointments. I can always come back again. The guide was just ok. He was a bit cranky and didn’t seem to like answering questions. I understand the chaotic time of year, and that people on the tour not respecting the schedule (not me) is trying, but that’s his job.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there Marian,
Thank you for getting in touch with your feedback. We always aim to give the best possible experience for our guests, so will pass on your feedback. It has been an extremely busy year for tourism in Scotland, so thank you for your understanding in this respect. But we will do our best to follow up on this to ensure all our guests get the best experience possible.
I am happy to hear you enjoyed the excursion overall, and hope you will consider us for future visits to Scotland.
Kind regards,
Holly
Highland Experience
Our tour guide was good - knowledgeable, kind, got everyone to the bus on time. That said, I would NEVER do this tour again. Of the 11 hours, probably 8 of them were on the bus. It was advertised as having many stops and I assumed we’d have more than 15-30 minutes at them, but the stops were brief and the bus parks a distance from advertised places, so 30 minutes isn’t really enough. You see the Highlands for hours through the bus window. Hours.
One of the stops was literally at a supermarket and McDonald’s, and some were basically just rest stops. The Highlands are beautiful, but this tour is all driving, and, unfortunately, it felt like a waste of our precious few days in Scotland.
In Callander, it says, “visitors can explore local shops and enjoy a meal.” We had 30 minutes - by the time we walked into town and got food, we had to walk back to the bus immediately. In Fort William, there is also no time to walk into town and have lunch, so you might as well shop at the supermarket (or McDonald’s) where we parked. “Relax and take in the rugged landscapes and ancient Caledonian pine forests” means sit on the bus for even more hours. Then a rest stop. Then coos at the end (sweet, on a small farm), but it’s basically another rest stop and you’re back on the bus. I’m actually really sad that we spent our time on this tour.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there Emily,
Thank you for your feedback, I am sorry to hear that you felt there was too much time on the vehicle for this excursion. This particular day trip does include significant distances to cover as the attractions like Glenfinnan Viaduct are not close to Edinburgh. Summer traffic influx can also mean that drive times are longer than usual, and our drivers do their absolute best to balance free time off the bus with arriving at destinations promised.
We try to highlight this, and we do also offer multi day trips that have an overnight stay closer to the areas guests wish to explore, and thus allow a more relaxed pacing tour with more time off the bus.
I am happy to hear you enjoyed seeing the cute Hairy coos!
All the best,
Holly
Highland Experience Tours
Big bus, close to 40 on the tour. Train at viaduct not always on time. Not great food choices due to limited time at lunch stop.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback Jeff. We operate a large coach for this tour due to demand, but we hope you enjoyed the trip overall!
Kind regards,
Holly
Highland Experience
This was quite a long day, which was expected. The bus was comfortable and the scenery was amazing! Our guide, Dougie, was an excellent historian and provided commentary throughout the tour, interchanged with tasteful music of Scotland. We had a wonderful time!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your positive experience on tour with our guide Dougie, it is great to hear that you enjoyed the stories, history and scenery.
Thank you for choosing Highland Experience!
Holly
Highland Experience
The guide and driver talked so much there was not a moment of silence. It was on the way there and back. History is great but it was way too much. You dont get much time at the spots and there is no where to each lunch we only stopped for coffee and snacks.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there Haya,
I am sorry to hear that you felt that there was too much commentary and history told on this tour. Scotland has a huge range of culture and history and we find that most guests really enjoy learning more about this from our guides on tour, and we do try to factor in breaks of commentary with music.
Kind regards,
Holly
Highland Experience Tours
What a great experience! I didn’t rent a car for this trip. This excursion was for us to see other parts of Scotland. I loved seeing the highlands. Of course feeding the Garry coos was a favorite for my family! Chris was our guide and he was awesome!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there Jessica,
Great to hear you and your family enjoyed your tour with our guide Chris.
The Hairy Coos are my absolute favourite too, and I'm happy to hear your family felt the same!
Thank you for choosing Highland Experience Tours.
Holly
Highland Experience Tours
This tour is worth the money. A complete day of fun and seeing the very beautiful sights of the Highlands. The bus is very comfortable. Traveler tip, sit on the left hand side for better views. Our guide Terry and our driver were both high energy and fun. They are both very welcoming and accommodating. Terry had so many fun facts and corny jokes that made the trip so enjoyable. I loved her stories followed by Scottish music. It really set the mood for the view that you are seeing. I loved everything about this trip. One downfall though that has got nothing to do with the tour company is lunch. Yes lunch. It will be at Fort William and you will get the choice of McDonalds or Morrison’s. If you go to Morrison’s do not go yo the cafe. They are very slow! My husband had to leave without getting his food to make the timing set by the guide. Morrisons is a grocery store so go in the grocery store and pick up a ready made sandwich instead.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic day exploring the Highlands and that Terry and your driver helped make the experience fun, welcoming, and memorable. We especially love hearing that the stories, Scottish music, and “corny jokes” added to the atmosphere!
Thank you as well for sharing your helpful tip about sitting on the left-hand side for the best views. We’re sorry to hear that lunch at Fort William was a little stressful, though we appreciate you sharing your experience and helpful advice for future travellers.
Thank you for choosing Highland Experience Tours!
Holly
Highland Experience Tours
Craig was a great tour guide/driver. There was insightful information along the way with comedic relief that added to the day’s adventure.
Thanks Craig for a great time…. Highly recommend!
This tour was almost completely in the bus. Only two stops were more than rest stops. Most importantly, the hairy coos experience didn’t happen. This was the reason we had picked this tour over the many similar ones, and it was just missing. There was a pen of a few hairy coos we could look at during the first stop, which was a 15 minute stop to use restrooms and grab coffee. Really disappointed and would not have spent the whole day for this trip had it been described accurately.
It wasn’t a complete bust, we still saw some beautiful scenery and had a good amount of time at the viaduct. This could be a great tour for someone with less mobility or who prefers to be sitting all day.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there Marji,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us feedback. We are sorry to hear you had hoped to have more time with the Highland Coos.
This day trip covers a lot of distance to bring guests to the beautiful Glenfinnan Viaduct, hence the limited time at comfort stops to ensure we make it to the main attractions in time 9the train passes over the viaduct only 4 times a day).
I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the amount of free time at Glenfinnan, and that the scenery was appreciated.
Thank you for choosing Highland Experience Tours
Holly
Highland Experience
The driver/guide shared interesting information about the area and provided a good balance of stopping points and drive by points of interest. If you’re short on time, this is a good way to get a taste of the beauty of the Scottish Highlands!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased you enjoyed the balance of the day and that your guide's stories helped bring the Highlands to life. If you're short on time, there's no better way to experience Scotland's incredible scenery, and we're glad you felt you got a real taste of it.
Kind regards,
Siobhan
Highland Experience Tours
I enjoyed visiting the sites which were a part of the itenerary. What I did not expect was the sheer number of hours spent in the coach, driving, likely totalling 7-8 hours. The seats were not comfortable..
I missed this tour, so can’t comment on the actual tour itself - but just want to commend the company on their professionalism. They did communicate with me, offered flexibility, and waited for a few minutes. When I was still unable to make it (stuck in traffic :( ), they offered me an alternative tour even though it was my fault I was unable to attend. The company left me with a great impression.
Lee did a great job on the tour. I wish I had remembered to tip him. He was very knowledgeable and had a great disposition and he got us there on time and excellent driving.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with Lee. He'll be thrilled to know that his knowledge, driving, and friendly approach made such a positive impression. Please don't worry about the tip—your kind words and recommendation mean just as much to us and our team.
We hope to welcome you back on another Highland adventure in the future!
Best wishes,
Eleonora
Highland Experience Tours
Lee was an outstanding guide and I felt I learned a lot from his experiences. The history of the Highlands is surprising.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Patrice,
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re so happy to hear that you had such a lovely time on tour with us getting to see the natural beauty of Glenfinnan and the Highlands while also learning about their rich history.
We are always so glad to hear about how our drivers and guides have really gone above and beyond to make our guests experiences as memorable as possible. I will make sure to pass your kind words on to lee.
Thank you again for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to the Highlands for another adventure soon!
Many thanks,
Highland Experience Tours
I hated the music that was played during the ‘down times’. It was loud and not to my taste. We weren’t given much time at any stop except Glenfinnan. This should be listed as a trip to Glenfinnen with comfort breaks.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Rondad,
Thank you so much for your feedback, we are always keen to hear from our guests about how we can improve our tours and we will take this review on board.
Thank you again for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to the Highlands in the future.
Many thanks,
Highland Experience Tours
This tour was the absolute highlight of our trip! From the moment we boarded, everything was smooth and well-organized, with assigned seating (we lucked out with great seats up front), our bus had USB chargers, and plenty of overhead storage space.
The scenery was breathtaking the entire journey. Around every turn there was something beautiful to see, from the Highlands to the unforgettable Highland cows. There were also plenty of well-timed stops for coffee, snacks, lunch in Fort William, and even a quick dinner on this full-day tour.
The standout moment was when our guide, Hugh, played the bagpipes with the stunning Highlands as a backdrop. It was truly magical and something we’ll never forget. Hugh was friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly loves what he does.
Pro tip: sit near the front for a quick exit at stops so you can make the most of every moment. Highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time on tour with us seeing the Highlands and meeting some Hairy Coos!
We always love to hear about how our guides and drivers have made guests experiences even more memorable and it sounds like Hugh went above and beyond even this with his playing the bagpipes for you! I will make sure to pass your wonderful feedback on to him!
Thank you again for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to the Highlands for another adventure soon!
Many thanks,
Highland Experience Tours
If you are in Edinburgh for a short time, this is a great way to see alot. It’s a long day but totally worth it! Leith(?)was a great driver and guide!
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi Wendy,
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re so happy to hear that you had such a nice time on tour with us experiencing the beautiful scenery of the Highlands! We always love to hear about how our guides and drivers have made guests experiences even more memorable. I will make sure to pass your kind comments on to Lee!
Thank you again for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to the Highlands for another adventure soon!
Many thanks,
Highland Experience Tours
Ian was a great tour guide, very knowledgeable about all the locations we went to and also had many suggestions on to spend the rest of our days in Edinburgh. My only complaint is I wish the visit with the cows would have been more eventful, but that’s the cows fault!
Response from Host, May 2026
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for your lovely review!
We’re so glad to hear you had a great time on the Glenfinnan, Highlands & Hairy Coos tour, and that Ian helped make the experience both informative and enjoyable. He’ll be delighted to know his recommendations added to the rest of your time in Edinburgh as well.
As for the cows, we completely understand! They do tend to operate on their own schedule, but that’s all part of their charm. Hopefully they’ll be feeling a bit more sociable on your next visit.
Thanks again for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future!
Kind regards,
Highland Experience Tours
A great tour! Had a pretty good amount of time at each stop to take things in and the cows at the end were super fun. Kinda wished we got to see a few more of them, but not sure if they have more in other seasons or not.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Isaac,
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re so glad that you enjoyed your trip and that you felt you had enough time to really make the most of each stop.
We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Best wishes,
Highland Experience Tours
We were so lucky. Traveling off season in April, beautiful weather, and the steam train was taking a practice run that day so we got to see the train on the viaduct. All the stops were good. Had fun seeing the baby highland calf. Plenty of food options and bathrooms at the stops. Bus seats were small.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi,
Thank you for sharing your experience! It sounds like you had a truly special day, great weather, fewer crowds, and even catching the steam train on the viaduct during a practice run is such a lucky bonus. We’re glad you enjoyed the stops (and the baby Highland calf is always a highlight!).
We also appreciate your feedback about the bus seating. We understand comfort is important and will take this into account as we continue to improve our tours. Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Kind regards,
Highland Experience Tours
I think best thing about the trip was our guide explanation of each and every thing about the whole journey. He really explained it very well. We really enjoyed this complete trip
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Rohit!
Thank you so much for your positive review! We're so glad you had such a pleasant trip and that you enjoyed learning about the nature and history of Scotland.
We hope to see you again soon!
Mòrbheinn
The tour was fine and the tour guide was very knowledgeable but could have benefited from more purposeful stops to explore the area and less shorter stops where you can’t really do much. While the scenery was beautiful, the long day with a child isn’t worth it.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi there,
Thank you for the positive review! We're so glad that you enjoyed the incredible scenery, although we're sorry to hear that you felt there were too many shorter stops. Whilst we have purposeful longer stops, such as an hour each at Glenfinnan Viaduct and Fort William, we are aware that many people value the opportunity for other quick photo stops in the many beautiful places in Scotland, and we try to cater to everyone.
Kind regards,
Siobhan
Highland Experience Tours
We took this tour on a cold rainy day do it limited us from taking some of the walks but nonetheless it is a beautiful drive and several very picturesque locations. It was a nice break from the constant walking and sightseeing in Edinburgh. Stefan kept us entertained either interesting facts and lovely stories throughout the drive.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your positive review. We're so glad that you had such a good time on your tour and that Stefan made such a positive impact!
I'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Stefan. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure in the future!
Kind regards,
Mòrbheinn
Highland Experience Tours
Great information from our guide (Stefan) about sights along the way! Lots of stops with clean bathrooms. Ability to get food/drinks as needed at most stops. A nice way to see multiple sites outside of city in a day. Bus was a 16 passenger van not a large bus which was great! Trip was a full 12 hours. Only recommendation would be to ask passengers to be scent free.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your great review!
We’re so pleased to hear you enjoyed the tour and that Stefan’s knowledge helped bring the journey to life. It’s also lovely to know the smaller group size, regular stops, and facilities along the way all added to your comfort throughout the day.
It sounds like you made the most of a full Highlands experience, and we’re glad you felt it was a great way to explore beyond the city in just one day.
Thank you as well for your feedback regarding a scent-free environment we appreciate you sharing this and will certainly take it on board as we continually look to improve the experience for all our guests.
We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
Highland Experience Tours
Kenny was great. Never bored us in the coach. Other than saying things to the destination or where we currenrly at, he was also saying fun facts before he plays each song. Funny.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Jedh,
Thank you for your kind 5* review! I'm delighted to hear that Kenny kept the atmosphere so lively and entertaining throughout the day, and that his fun facts and music made the journey such an enjoyable experience.
I'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Kenny. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure in the future!
Kind regards,
Cameron
Highland Experience Tours
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