If you have one spare day in Glasgow and want mountains, this is the tour to take. Run by Rabbie's, the Scottish small-group specialist, it leaves central Glasgow early in the morning in a 16-seat air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach with a live English-speaking guide who drives, narrates and chooses the photo stops. The route heads north into the Highlands across the bleak, beautiful expanse of Rannoch Moor and down into Glencoe, the most dramatic glen in Scotland and the scene of the 1692 massacre. From there it continues past Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and along the Great Glen to Fort Augustus on the southern tip of Loch Ness. A boat cruise on the loch is included in the ticket, so you can scan the dark water for the monster yourself. The return journey runs through the Grampian Mountains and Highland Perthshire, giving you a different landscape on the way home. It is a long day of around nine hours, so set your alarm.
Practical details: the tour departs from Glasgow's Buchanan Bus Station on Killermont Street at 7.45am; board at stances 23 to 32 and show your smartphone ticket, and arrive fifteen minutes early, because the coach will not wait for latecomers and there is no refund. The day lasts roughly eight and a half to nine hours. Lunch and refreshments are not included but are available along the way, and entry fees to visitor attractions are extra. The ticket is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, so be sure of your date. The Tiqets listing has some copy errors in its itinerary text, so rely on the stops named here and on the operator's confirmation.
What it is like in November: Highland days are short in late autumn, and the scenery can swing from sunshine to sleet within an hour. That is part of the drama, and snow on the peaks around Glencoe is spectacular, but dress in warm layers, waterproofs and sturdy shoes, and expect some of the return journey in darkness. Small group sizes mean more flexible stops than on a big coach.
Is it right for you? This is the best way to see the Highlands without driving on unfamiliar single-track roads, and Glencoe alone is worth the trip. If a nine-hour day sounds too much, Loch Lomond is much closer to Glasgow and easy to reach by train to Balloch, for a shorter taste of lochs and hills.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day small-group minibus tour from Glasgow with a live guide, crossing Rannoch Moor and Glencoe to Fort Augustus, with a Loch Ness boat cruise included.
Best time
Any clear-ish day; in November the light is short, so the morning drive through Glencoe is the scenic highlight.
How long
About eight and a half to nine hours, leaving at 7.45am.
Tips
Arrive at Buchanan Bus Station fifteen minutes early, bring snacks, layers and waterproofs, and remember the ticket cannot be refunded or rescheduled.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want to see the Highlands and Loch Ness in one day without driving.
- Families
- Possible with older children who travel well, but nine hours in a minibus is a lot for young ones.
- Couples
- Glencoe in winter light and a cruise on Loch Ness make a memorable shared day out.
- Pair with
- A slow next day at the Burrell or Kelvingrove, and a hearty dinner on your return.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
Where does the Loch Ness tour from Glasgow depart?+
From Buchanan Bus Station on Killermont Street at 7.45am, boarding at stances 23 to 32. Arrive fifteen minutes early, as late arrivals are not waited for.
Is the Loch Ness cruise included?+
Yes, a Loch Ness boat cruise is included in the ticket. Lunch, refreshments and other attraction entry fees are extra.
How long is the tour?+
Expect around eight and a half to nine hours, returning to Glasgow in the evening.
Can I cancel or change the date?+
No, the ticket is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, so book once your plans are fixed.
What will I see on the way?+
The route crosses Rannoch Moor and Glencoe, passes Fort William and Ben Nevis, follows the Great Glen to Fort Augustus and returns through the Grampians and Highland Perthshire.
