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

View Map
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 $1,662
US$1,247per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Best of Scottish Lochs, the Highlands, Edinburgh and Glasgow in 6Days (Partially-guided, Independent)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The planned activities were must-dos and we recommend doing everything extra that you can do!"
Jennifer, traveled in December
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness,Pitlochry,Fife,Forth Bridge,Glasgow,Luss,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Stirling+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
WiseYatra
20% Off
From $2,067
US$1,653per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Best of Scotland Small Group Tour
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"The locations visited were very good. Both the city guides and guide in the highlands were very good."
Ann, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Firebird Tours
20% Off
From
US$4,183per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
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
20% Off
From
US$2,749per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
In-depth Cultural
Scottish Highland Fling
5.0 (251 traveler reviews)
"The organized agenda and very knowledgeable and personable tour guide."
Leslie, traveled in September
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, St Andrews, Pitlochry,Cairngorms National Park,Inverness,Culloden,Dunrobin,Thurso,Orkney Islands,Kirkwall,Skara Brae,Durness,Scourie,Ullapool,Isle of Skye,Mallaig,Fort William,Glencoe,Isle of Mull,Isle of Iona,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Falkirk,Glasgow+20 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
13% Off
From $3,999
US$3,499per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
In-depth Cultural
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
4.4 (39 traveler reviews)
"we had a great tour guide with a great sence of humor."
Susan, traveled in July
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
13% Off
From
US$312per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
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
30% Off
From $1,905
US$1,334per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
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,Isle of Skye,Plockton,Loch Ness,Dalwhinnie+13 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern Scotland
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
30% Off
From $3,650
US$2,555per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
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, Ullapool, Stornoway, Inverness, Loch Ness,Cairngorms National Park+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
30% Off
From $1,900
US$1,330per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
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
30% Off
From
US$2,465per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
View tour
View Map
In-depth Cultural
Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
4.7 (119 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
30% Off
From
US$1,199per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Highland Fling
4.7 (651 traveler reviews)
"Best tour ever! The experience was so well entertained and informed."
Gretchen, traveled in August
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
View tour
View Map
In-depth Cultural
Orkney & The Far North
5.0 (9 traveler reviews)
"The history and scenery were amazing, the accommodation was comfortable with a large variety offered for breakfasts."
Pam, traveled in August
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$1,315per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
In-depth Cultural
Hebrides, Skye & The Far West
3.9 (13 traveler reviews)
"The drivers were great, the new vans with individual charging stations were wonderful, and the itineraries for each of my tours were perfect."
Catherine, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Kilmartin,Oban,Glencoe,Fort William,Glenfinnan,Mallaig,Isle of Skye,Kilt Rock,Storr Mountains,Portree,Loch Ness,Inverness,Ullapool,Isle of Lewis,Stornoway,Isle of Harris,Callanish,Carloway,Tarbet,Luskentyre,Culloden,Cairngorms National Park,Pitlochry+23 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Experience Tours
25% Off
From
US$2,156per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
$Orkney & Scotland\'s Northern Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 5 Days Tour$
$Orkney & Scotland\'s Northern Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 5 Days - 13 destinations$
View Map
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, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Inverness, Dunrobin,John O'Groats,Orkney Islands,Kirkwall,Skara Brae,Stromness,Ullapool,Culloden+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Click Tours
36% Off
From $2,490
US$1,594per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour