Top 15 Scotland Tours You Can’t Miss

Renowned for its stunning landscapes, Scotland presents an enchanting country to explore. Visitors inevitably become enamored with its rugged and isolated scenery, which is simply breathtaking. The expansive valleys and rocky mountains are magnificent, complemented by regal castles and shimmering lochs that punctuate the countryside.

In addition to the Scottish Highlands and renowned lochs, Scotland’s vibrant cities are rich in historical and cultural landmarks. With an abundance to see and experience, here are some of the most outstanding tours available that allow you to experience as much of Scotland as possible.

1. Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Tour From Edinburgh

This widely acclaimed tour commences in Edinburgh and swiftly transitions into the breathtaking vistas of the Scottish Highlands.

A visit to the iconic Loch Ness will undoubtedly be a highlight of your day. Throughout the journey, you will also travel beneath the majestic Ben Nevis mountain, the tallest in Britain.

The scenery is extraordinary, and visitors often depart feeling awestruck by the beautiful valleys, hills, and windswept lochs that characterize Scotland’s impressive landscapes.

2. City Sightseeing Glasgow: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

This tour is ideal for those looking to experience as much of Glasgow as possible. The hop-on-hop-off bus makes stops at many of the city’s most renowned attractions, providing excellent value.

Among the notable highlights are the stunning Glasgow Cathedral, Barras Market, and Glasgow University. In total, there are 21 convenient stops for you to explore.

With exceptional audio commentary detailing the city’s famous sights, this hop-on-hop-off bus tour is a comprehensive way to see Glasgow.

3. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Walking Tour

An essential experience for Harry Potter enthusiasts, this walking tour guides you to multiple locations that inspired J.K. Rowling during the creation of her celebrated books.

The tour includes visits to the original Hogwarts as well as the street that inspired Diagon Alley, ensuring that Potter aficionados leave with memorable insights.

As you journey through the city, you will also discover how Edinburgh’s historical background influenced Rowling’s writing. This enchanting tour is suitable for the entire family.

4. Full-Day Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Tour from Inverness

Initiating in Inverness, this full-day excursion immerses you in some of Scotland’s most picturesque landscapes; the sheer beauty will be truly captivating.

The majestic mountains, valleys, and lochs offer breathtaking views, while the enchanting Eilean Donan Castle overlooks the scenery.

With a knowledgeable guide available to highlight significant landmarks and enrich your understanding of Scottish history and culture, this tour promises to impress and inspire visitors.

5. Real Mary King’s Close: Beneath the Royal Mile Guided Tour

Highly praised by visitors, this captivating tour unveils a different side of Edinburgh as you navigate the narrow alleys and streets close to the Royal Mile.

The underground passages provide a mesmerizing exploration; your guide will share the history behind the locations visited, allowing you to feel a genuine connection to the past.

This enlightening tour enhances your understanding of how life used to be in Edinburgh, and you may even leave with a souvenir or two.

6. Glasgow: Celtic Park Stadium Tour

Home to one of Scotland’s most successful football clubs, Celtic Park Stadium is often filled with passionate fans on weekends, making it an essential site to visit.

Touring the stadium’s dressing rooms, dugouts, tunnel, and more, is a must for football enthusiasts who wish to understand the club’s celebrated history.

Featuring impressive displays on Celtic’s past, this tour is both entertaining and educational. Witnessing the pitch will evoke a sense of awe as you envision the electrifying atmosphere surrounding the players.

7. Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle

This tour is exceedingly popular among visitors, offering a delightful opportunity to cruise the scenic Loch Ness and explore the remarkable Urquhart Castle.

Enjoy sailing across the loch; the onboard audio commentary will provide insights into the sights you encounter and the history of the loch itself.

Urquhart Castle’s ruins overlook the loch, and wandering through the remnants will be a memorable experience, given the castle’s stunning backdrop.

8. Ghostly Underground Vaults Evening Tour with Whisky

This lively and entertaining tour immerses you in the city’s spectral history. Your animated guide will narrate tales of Edinburgh’s more macabre events.

Strolling through the atmospheric streets before descending into the underground vaults is an extraordinary experience, creating an ambiance that leaves one to consider the possibility of hauntings.

The tour concludes at a local tavern where your guide shares ghost stories and discusses various myths and legends associated with the capital.

9. From Glasgow: Loch Lomond & Whisky Distillery Half-Day Tour

This journey, beginning in Glasgow, presents an opportunity to discover some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery, including the stunning Loch Lomond and the picturesque Trossachs National Park.

Walking along the Loch’s shores offers a splendid experience, and following this, you will visit the Glengoyne Whisky Distillery to gain insights into whisky history and production, culminating in a tasting session.

10. Loch Lomond, Kelpies, and Sterling Castle Small-Group Tour

This exceptional tour offers a delightful outing, taking you to some of Scotland’s most celebrated sites, including Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, and the Trossachs, which are particularly noteworthy.

The itinerary features a visit to the Kelpies Monument and Linlithgow Palace, with your guide providing insights into Scotland’s rich history and culture along the way.

En route, the breathtaking views will inspire a renewed appreciation for this stunning country.

11. St. Andrews Ghost Tours

This engaging tour is both entertaining and informative, guiding you around St. Andrews’ most notable landmarks while sharing stories of local ghosts and ghouls.

Accompanied by esteemed historian Richard Falconer, you will delve into the city’s rich history, learning about its most astonishing supernatural events as you explore its monuments.

The cathedral ruins provide an especially haunting atmosphere; a misty day lends credence to St. Andrews’ reputation as one of the most haunted places on Earth.

12. Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

This remarkable tour features a cruise across the breathtaking Loch Lomond, visits to picturesque Highland villages, and a tour of the historic Stirling Castle.

With a knowledgeable guide accompanying you, you will uncover the intriguing tales of various Scottish heroes and legends, including William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots, along your memorable journey.

A highlight of the tour is a visit to The Trossachs National Park, known for its diverse and untamed landscapes.

13. Isle of Skye Tour with Fairy Pools from Inverness

Beginning in Inverness, this extensive day trip takes you to breathtaking Loch Ness and the historic Urquhart Castle, with views that are simply stunning.

From there, you will venture to Loch Duich and the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle before touring the Isle of Skye.

The awe-inspiring landscapes are matched only by the enchanting Fairy Pools, where shimmering waters create a magical ambiance.

14. Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh

This tour is designed for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of Scottish history and culture and includes several fascinating sites.

Departure from Edinburgh leads you to Scott’s View, with breathtaking countryside vistas, before arriving at the impressive 12th-century Border Abbey.

With a professional guide presenting the history of the locations, the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel will unfold the many myths and legends tied to it.

15. From Glasgow: Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour

Characterized by sweeping landscapes and dramatic vistas, the Western Highlands offer a captivating exploration that leaves visitors truly impressed.

This comprehensive tour includes visits to both Inveraray and Kilchurn Castles, alongside a journey through the magnificent Glencoe Valley and the charming port town of Oban.

A stop at Loch Lomond National Park reveals stunning views, showcasing the many beautiful lochs nestled within the desolate valleys.