Over the Hills and Through the Glen We Go - 05.24.25

The early bird catches the… bus. Today was our all-day bus tour that included the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness, and Glencoe through the tour group Viator. I was excited to see Scotland beyond Edinburgh and this tour was the perfect way to do so. 

We met for the bus in central Edinburgh (about a 10-minute walk from our hotel) and departed on time heading north to Inverness. Along our way we passed the Forth Railway Bridge, a UNESCO-listed bridge that once boasted the largest cantilever span in the world.

Our first stop was in Pitlochry to purchase refreshments, use the loo (bathroom), and meet some Highland coos (cows). At our pitstop, I got an assortment of snacks (a loaded baked potato, chocolate muffin, and a carton of the best strawberries that I have ever tasted). We had frequent stops on the tour, being on the bus for no longer than 2.5 hours at a time.

After our brief break, we continued traveling north, driving through Cairngorms National Park with views of peaks and waterfalls. The Cairngorms are home to some of the highest peaks in the British Isles, including Ben Macdui and Braeriach. These mountains, with their rugged slopes and dramatic ridges, offer stunning vistas.

The highlight of the day was Loch Ness. We opted for the cruise on the Loch and Urquhart Castle visit which was well worth the additional fee of $30.00*, although we did not spot Nessie. The Loch is freshwater, deep, and stretches 23 miles in length. The cruise provided us with front and center scenic views that felt like you were living in a fantasy, I could stare at the view for hours. The Urquhart Castle is a historic fortress that is in ruins. We had fun exploring its ruins and enjoyed the panoramic views of the Loch. 

We continued the tour over to Glen Coe, a glen of breathtaking beauty that boasts high mountain peaks, ridges, bubbling rivers, and waterfalls. Glen Coe is a glen of glacial origins, that cuts through volcanic rocks in the Highlands of Scotland. Our guide informed us about the historic MacDonald clan that resided here and suffered in the brutal massacre of 1692.

From Glen Coe, we began our return trip to Edinburgh. We passed Stirling Castle, a historic site that was former residence of Scottish royals including Mary, Queen of Scots. 

Our guide was informative throughout the ride, but I was glad that I also brought a book to read during the drive. Overall, we really enjoyed our tour and recommend leaving the city (if only for a day) to visit the majestic countryside of Scotland. 

We ended our day with a sweet treat (hummus) and a nightcap (tea for my mom and sister and red wine for myself) at our hotel once we were back from our excursion. 

*All dollar amounts are in pound sterling.