Edinburgh and Glasgow Scotland Trip

Are you just based in Edinburgh and Glasgow?

Rabbies and Timberbush both do one day trips from either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

DON'T attempt the Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highlands tours from either Edinburgh or Glasgow, unless you want to spend all day sitting in the bus.

Here is a link to the Rabbies' tours that wasleys mentioned. https://www.rabbies.com/en-gb/tours/scotland And as wasleys mentioned, it would help to know where you are basing yourself while there.

I will have 3 days in Glasgow and 3 days in Edinburgh. So I wanted to spend one of the Glasgow days in the highlands. I think it would be more informative in a tour for the historical context.
For Edinburgh, I am more familiar and want to do a good whiskey tasting.

I did the Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Rabbie’s tour from Edinburgh in 2023 and loved it.

Sure, it’s a long day, but it’s not like you’re on a bus in traffic all day. You’re out in the highlands with great scenery. I thought it was a great way to spend a day.

For whiskey tasting, I highly recommend the Scotch Malt Whisky Society: https://smws.com/venues

They have a few venues in Edinburgh. Some parts are members-only but some are open to the public.

From Glasgow I did a tour that went to Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle which was quite enjoyable. I think going all the way to Loch Ness would be a long day on a bus, and I was in the area when I had a car , and drove right past it without stopping. It is not the prettiest lake in Scotland. I had paid a company to create a driving tour for me, and even they suggested skipping Loch Ness calling it a tourist trap.

I agree with Anita: Loch Ness is miles and miles of more or less the same view except for Urquhart Castle. Look at www.visitscotland.com for a great gateway site with lots of photos and info.

Golden Mile Whisky is my new recommendation for an independent retailer. They were actually recommended to me by the staff at the Scottish Whisky Experience, which I also think is great.

Look for a tour that gets you west if it's the best scenery you want...Glencoe, Inveraray...West Highlands lochs etc.
The Loch Ness trip does indeed go through mile upon mile of stunning vistas but as said, the Loch itself isn't anywhere near our best though it's pretty at Fort Augustus.The ruins of Urquart Castle are very interesting and it has an important history; the video presentation is very well done before the castle visit itself but ...it may not be of huge interest to you.