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

$Scotland\'s Highlands & Orkney Tour$
$Scotland\'s Highlands & Orkney - 14 destinations$
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City & Culture
Scotland's Highlands & Orkney
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The experience with both was outstanding."
MICHAEL, traveled in May
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, St Andrews, Aberdeen, Orkney Islands, Thurso,Ullapool,Culloden,Inverness,Loch Ness,Isle of Skye,Fort William,Oban,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Glasgow+9 more
Age Range
Ages 30+
Operated in
English
Operator
Bunnik Tours
From
US$5,695per person
+$175 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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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City & Culture
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
From
US$2,749per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
4.5 (41 traveler reviews)
"I especially liked exploring the various old castles. A great experience!"
Lawrence, traveled in August
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
From
US$308per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
9-Day Iona, Mull, Skye & Orkney from Edinburgh
4.7 (12 traveler reviews)
"Great variety of highland experiences both natural and social."
Jan, traveled in September
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Inveraray,Argyll,Oban,Isle of Mull,Isle of Iona,Glencoe,Fort William,Ben Nevis,Plockton,Isle of Skye,Elgol,Loch Ness,Spean Bridge,Inverness,John O'Groats,Kirkwall,Skara Brae,Stenness,Orkney Islands,Ullapool,Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve,Culloden,Cairngorms National Park,Fife+24 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Operated in
English
Operator
Rabbie's Tours
From
US$2,572per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
4-Day Outlander Trail Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh Including Admissions
4.8 (35 traveler reviews)
"Each of the four days was full of fun and a few surprises. I highly recommend!"
Steven, traveled in May
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Doune, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Glencoe,Fort William,Glenfinnan,Inverness,Drumnadrochit,Culloden,Cairngorms National Park,Aviemore,Perth,Falkland,Culross,Linlithgow+12 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Rabbie's Tours
From
US$956per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Ancient Wonders
5-Day Outer Hebrides & the Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
4.8 (9 traveler reviews)
"Such a beautiful country!! Highly recommend this trip!"
Amanda, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Dunkeld, Aviemore, Ullapool, Stornoway,Isle of Lewis,Isle of Harris,Luskentyre,Carloway,Inverness,Loch Ness,Cairngorms National Park,Braemar,Perth+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Rabbie's Tours
From
US$1,323per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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
Isle Of SkyeNorthern Scotland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Explorer Tours
From
US$2,465per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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 $1,611
US$1,208per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
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
30% Off
From $2,229
US$1,560per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness
4.6 (122 traveler reviews) award winner
"Wonderful tour, thoroughly enjoyed."
Cathy, traveled in September
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
Isle Of SkyeScottish Highlands+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Explorer Tours
20% Off
From $1,199
US$959per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Highland Fling
4.7 (656 traveler reviews)
"We regularly stopped at lovely villages, saw some stunning sites and drove through the most beautiful landscapes."
Susanna, traveled in July
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$686per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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$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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Orkney & Scotland's Northern Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 5 Days
4.3 (3 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 $2,530
US$1,619per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Island Hopping
Adventure of Outer Hebrides & Skye Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 6 Days
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"we were never bored! Best places, best commentary"
Sharon, traveled in May
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
Northern ScotlandScottish Highlands+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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City & Culture
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
36% Off
From
US$1,297per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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