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

Find your perfect adventure! We have 162 tours of Scotland that start in Edinburgh, Scotland. The most popular month is June, and tour lengths range between 1 and 17 days.

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
35% Off
From $1,641
US$1,067per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Best of Scotland Small Group Tour
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"The drivers were punctual, friendly, and professional and very helpful. We would highly highly recommend them."
Hedwig, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Firebird Tours
35% Off
From
US$4,183per 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, Glasgow
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
WiseYatra
11% Off
From $1,761
US$1,567per 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,Aviemore,Loch Ness,Elgin,Aberdeen+8 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Wingbuddy
8% Off
From $2,699
US$2,483per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
In-depth Cultural
4 Day Islay Whisky Tour
4.7 (11 traveler reviews)
"This was the best tour I have ever done and would highly recommend it."
Susan, traveled in June
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Inveraray, Islay Island, Glasgow
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Scottish Routes
8% Off
From
US$1,421per 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)
"The tour was well organized, we visited beautiful locations with interesting anecdotes."
P.L., 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
20% Off
From $309
US$247per 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
20% Off
From $1,870
US$1,496per 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,Kirkwall,Orkney Islands,Ullapool,Culloden+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $1,845
US$1,476per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Scottish Islands Grand Tour - 14 days
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Beautiful vistas. Great drivers."
Brenda, traveled in May
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Oban, Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona, Glencoe,Fort William,Plockton,Isle of Skye,Loch Ness,Inverness,Kirkwall,Ullapool,Stornoway,Luskentyre,Portree,Ben Nevis+11 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
Isle Of SkyeNorthern Scotland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $6,405
US$5,124per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Outlander TV Trail - 4 days
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The itinerary and overall organization was good. I felt we did a lot more Outlander heavy stuff on day 1 and day 4 which I loved."
Lisa, traveled in September
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Culross, Inverness, Culloden, Loch Ness,Fort William,Glencoe+2 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $1,375
US$1,100per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Explorer
5 Day Skye & Highland Fling
4.9 (1,018 traveler reviews) award winner
"The ideal length of time. I had as much fun on the bus as I did walking the sites. Accommodations were clean, well-organized and spacious."
Adrian, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Forth Bridge, Dunkeld, Loch Ness, Inverness,Torridon,Kyleakin,Isle of Skye,Portree,Armadale,Fort William,Glencoe,Oban,Callander,Stirling,Bannockburn+11 more
Age Range
Ages 18-39
Operated in
English
Operator
MacBackpackers
20% Off
From
US$509per person
Price based on Shared Room
View tour
View Map
Explorer
3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic
4.8 (335 traveler reviews)
"The locations were very nice and the accommodation was more than adequate for the experience."
Patrick, traveled in October
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, The Hermitage National Forest, Pitlochry,Cairngorms National Park,Culloden,Loch Ness,Sligachan,Portree,Storr Mountains,Kilt Rock,Uig,Kyleakin,Ben Nevis,Glencoe,Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park+12 more
Age Range
Ages 18-39
Operated in
English
Operator
MacBackpackers
20% Off
From
US$342per person
Price based on Shared Room
View tour
View Map
In-depth Cultural
Orkney & The Far North
5.0 (9 traveler reviews)
"Excellent driver. Saw all and more than brochure said."
Susan, 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
20% Off
From
US$1,300per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
View Map
In-depth Cultural
Hebridean Escape 5-day Tour
4.7 (13 traveler reviews)
"Took us ways that others didn't know about and showed us great sites. We enjoyed every minute of it."
Jen, traveled in August
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park,Glencoe,Fort William,Loch Ness,Inverness,Ullapool,Isle of Lewis,Callanish,Carloway,Isle of Harris,Luskentyre,Stornoway,Culloden,Cairngorms National Park,Pitlochry+14 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Scottish Highlands
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Experience Tours
20% Off
From
US$1,200per 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 $2,400
US$1,536per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour