What's the best time of year to take a tour starting from Edinburgh?

The prime season spans June through September when Scotland enjoys extended daylight and moderate temperatures ideal for Highland tours. August brings the Edinburgh Military Tattoo drawing larger crowds. Those seeking quieter experiences might prefer April-May or October though weather can be unpredictable. A recent traveler noted: "We went in September and had perfect weather for exploring the Highlands."

What kind of accommodations can I expect on tours departing from Edinburgh?

Lodging options range from reliable 3-star hotels to local guesthouses and B&Bs. Travelers often stay at established properties like The Skye Inn in Portree Pentahotel in Inverness and Leonardo Hotel in Edinburgh. According to one guest: "The accommodations varied from charming B&Bs to comfortable hotels like the Caledonian in Portree and Kirkwall Hotel in Orkney all offering great Scottish hospitality."

What's the typical length of multi-day tours starting in Edinburgh?

Tours run between 2 and 13 days with most travelers choosing 5-6 day itineraries. Popular routes include the 5-day North Scotland & Orkney tour and the 6-day Outer Hebrides & Skye Explorer both leaving from Edinburgh Bus Station. A recent review states: "The 5-day tour was well-organized with the perfect amount of time to explore each location."

What are the most visited destinations from Edinburgh on these tours?

Popular routes include stops at Loch Ness Isle of Skye Glencoe and Cairngorms National Park. Tours often include overnight stays at properties like Dalmore Guest House in Inverness or The Royal Hotel in Oban. One traveler noted: "The landscapes were breathtaking from the dramatic Glencoe valley to the pristine beaches of Harris - every day brought new spectacular views."

What's the typical daily travel time between destinations on tours from Edinburgh?

Daily journeys usually take 2-3 hours with regular breaks at scenic points and attractions. The Edinburgh to Inverness route takes roughly 3.5 hours including stops at locations like Pitlochry. A recent review mentioned: "The journey times were well planned with plenty of interesting stops along the way."

What's the average cost per day for tours departing Edinburgh?

Daily rates typically fall between USD 237 and USD 517 depending on accommodation level and included activities. Higher-end stays at properties like the Kirkwall Hotel or Royal Hotel in Stornoway command premium prices. A traveler noted: "The 5-day Highland tour was excellent value considering the quality of accommodations and included attractions."

Scotland Tours from Edinburgh

Are you ready to visit the Scottish capital? Edinburgh is Scotland's sophisticated heart, and it’s time to explore the castle and Royal Mile, visit Arthur's Seat for views, discover Holyrood Palace, and tour New Town's Georgian architecture. Don’t miss whisky tasting, hearing bagpipes, and seeing where Harry Potter was written. Edinburgh combines history and culture in ways few cities manage.

10 best Scotland tour packages from Edinburgh

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In-depth Cultural
Scotland
3.4 (11 traveler reviews)
"Maia was excellent, informative, flexible, all around awesome. What a great surprise we had Maia."
AmyChitlik, traveled in October
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Stirling, Pitlochry, Culloden, Inverness,Fort Augustus,Loch Ness,Spean Bridge,Fort William,Inveraray,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Glasgow+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
From
US$1,545per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Adventure of Outer Hebrides & Skye Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 6 Days
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Aviemore, Ullapool, Stornoway, Callanish,Isle of Harris,Luskentyre,Portree,Isle of Skye,Kilt Rock,Dornie,Glencoe+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsNorthern Scotland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Click Tours
36% Off
From $2,990
US$1,914per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
6 Day Edinburgh and Inverness By Train
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"TourRadar took care of hotels, transfers, breakfast, and the castle tour. That left us to decide what we wanted to see which was great!"
Lisa, traveled in August
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Inverness
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
25% Off
From $1,636
US$1,227per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Best of Scotland
4.9 (4 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Stirling, Glasgow,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Inveraray,Glencoe,Fort William,Oban,Glenfinnan,Isle of Skye,Aviemore,Loch Ness,Elgin,Aberdeen,Stonehaven,St Andrews+13 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Wingbuddy
25% Off
From
US$2,749per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
4 Day Islay Whisky Tour
4.7 (11 traveler reviews)
"He has a great depth of knowledge which he shared in describing the places we visited."
Riccardo, traveled in April
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Inveraray, Port Askaig, Islay Island, Bowmore,Lagavulin,Ardbeg,Laphroaig,Glasgow+4 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Argyll
Operated in
English
Operator
Scottish Routes
25% Off
From
US$1,425per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
4.5 (40 traveler reviews)
"This tour was everything we needed. Carefree, well planned, great tour guide Cloe."
Alison, traveled in October
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Doune, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden,Falkland,Culross+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Experience Tours
25% Off
From
US$309per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Edinburgh, Hebrides & Highlands - 5 days
5.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"The accommodations were very clean and tidy with a good location to town."
Victoria, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Dunkeld, Aviemore, Ullapool, Stornoway, Uig,Isle of Harris,Luskentyre,Carloway,Inverness,Loch Ness,Cairngorms National Park,Braemar+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
35% Off
From $1,945
US$1,264per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney - 5 days
4.7 (3 traveler reviews)
"The tour was a great experience, with beautiful scenery and comfortable accommodations."
Angela, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Callander, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Inverness,John O'Groats,Kirkwall,Orkney Islands,Skara Brae,Stenness,Ullapool,Culloden+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
35% Off
From $1,955
US$1,271per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Wild Scotland & Whisky Explorer - 8 days
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The pace was quick and we got to experience many stops each day. Booking was easy and the communication between us was great."
Tina, traveled in October
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, Oban,Kilmartin,Islay Island,Bowmore,Ardbeg,Laphroaig,Inveraray,Isle of Mull,Isle of Iona,Glencoe,Fort William,Isle of Skye,Plockton,Loch Ness,Dalwhinnie+14 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Scotland
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
35% Off
From $3,625
US$2,356per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Isle of Skye, Orkney & North Coast 500
4.3 (3 traveler reviews)
"Great trip! The response must only contains the quote."
herbert, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Dunkeld, Culloden, Inverness, Dunrobin, Kirkwall,Stromness,Skara Brae,Stenness,Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve,Ullapool,Storr Mountains,Kilt Rock,Portree,Mallaig,Fort William,Glencoe,Oban,Isle of Mull,Isle of Iona,Kerrera Island,Falkirk+16 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Northern ScotlandIsle Of Skye+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Explorer Tours
20% Off
From $2,465
US$1,972per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
4.7 (120 traveler reviews) award winner
"The stops were all very scenic and the accommodations were all comfortable and the breakfasts quite good."
Mike, traveled in October
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Stirling, Glencoe, Oban, Fort William,Glenfinnan,Mallaig,Isle of Skye,Portree,Loch Ness,Inverness,Beauly,Culloden,Dunkeld+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsIsle Of Skye+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Explorer Tours
20% Off
From $1,199
US$959per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer
Highland Fling
4.7 (652 traveler reviews)
"This is a fantastic company. Would recommend."
Margaret, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Stirling, Glencoe, Oban, Glenfinnan,Isle of Skye,Dornie,Inverness,Loch Ness,Beauly,Culloden,Dunkeld+7 more
Age Range
Ages 18-45
Operated in
English
Operator
Haggis Adventures
25% Off
From $915
US$686per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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In-depth Cultural
Orkney & The Far North
5.0 (9 traveler reviews)
"We saw everything on my wish list and then some. Accomadations were excellent."
Carol, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Glencoe,Fort William,Loch Ness,Inverness,Orkney Islands,Kirkwall,Stenness,Skara Brae,Dunrobin,Culloden,Cairngorms National Park,Pitlochry+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Scotland
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Experience Tours
25% Off
From
US$1,304per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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$Orkney & Scotland\'s Northern Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 5 Days Tour$
$Orkney & Scotland\'s Northern Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 5 Days - 25 destinations$
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Explorer
Orkney & Scotland's Northern Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 5 Days
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The days were long and jam-packed with sights. I definitely got full value for my money."
Patricia, traveled in August
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Stirling,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Glencoe,Fort William,Foyers,Dores,Inverness,Dunrobin,John O'Groats,St Margaret's Hope,Kirkwall,Orkney Islands,Stenness,Skara Brae,Stromness,Ullapool,Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve,Culloden,Cairngorms National Park,Dunkeld,Forth Bridge+20 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Click Tours
36% Off
From $2,560
US$1,638per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Isle of Skye & The Outer Hebrides Tour
4.7 (36 traveler reviews)
"The scenery was amazing, but what really made our tour so memorable, was our driver."
Lorna, traveled in August
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Falkirk, Stirling, Doune, Glencoe, Ben Nevis,Loch Ness,Inverness,Stornoway,Isle of Harris,Carloway,Isle of Skye,Portree,Sligachan,Kilt Rock,Storr Mountains,Mallaig,Glenfinnan+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Scottish HighlandsNorthern ScotlandIsle Of Skye+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Explorer Tours
20% Off
From $1,689
US$1,351per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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