Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Scottish Highlands

Running throughout December into New Year, this tour takes you through Glencoe valley and Glenbrittle's waterfalls below the Cuillin Mountains on Skye. See the Old Man of Storr, the 90-meter Kilt Rock sea cliffs, and Quiraing mountain pass, with time at 13th-century Dunvegan Castle, home to Clan MacLeod.

Stay at Inverness B&Bs with private bathrooms and hearty Scottish breakfasts, then see the Isle of Skye's winter landscapes from Portree's harbor to Kilt Rock cliffs and the Old Man of Storr on Trotternish Peninsula. The route passes through snow-covered Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe's valleys.

This 5-day trip from Inverness lets you celebrate Christmas or New Year while cruising Loch Ness to look for the famous monster and checking out Urquhart Castle's ruins. Head to the Isle of Skye to see the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and unusual Quiraing formations on Trotternish Peninsula.

Ring in the New Year as you check out Glasgow's George Square and the Gothic architecture of Glasgow Cathedral, then catch a scenic train north to Inverness. Spend 7 hours hunting for the legendary Loch Ness Monster on a guided tour along the Caledonian Canal with stops at Urquhart Castle's ruins.

Travel through the Scottish Highlands during festive season, starting from Glasgow and passing through Trossachs National Park along Loch Lomond before reaching Glen Coe, site of the 1692 MacDonald Clan massacre. On the Isle of Skye, see Trotternish Peninsula with Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr.

Ring in the New Year as you drive through the Scottish Highlands, starting in Edinburgh's UNESCO-listed Old Town before heading to Glencoe Valley. Stop at Doune Castle, the atmospheric Outlander filming location for Leoch Castle, and walk through Culloden battlefield where the Jacobite rebellion ended.

Take a 13-hour Highland tour through snow-dusted Glencoe and past Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis, during Scotland's festive season. Cruise Fort Augustus on Loch Ness, then check out Glasgow's winter markets near Glasgow Cathedral via the hop-on hop-off Yellow Tour. Travel through Cairngorms National Park and Loch Laggan, with stops in Perthshire villages adorned with holiday decorations.

Ring in the New Year from the Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness, where you'll spend time checking out the Scottish Highlands. Drive to Urquhart Castle ruins sitting on Loch Ness's shores and keep an eye out for the legendary monster while taking in panoramic views across the water.

This December trip takes you through the Scottish Highlands when snow covers the peaks and holiday decorations fill the towns. You'll see Glen Coe valley and stop at Eilean Donan Castle, which sits on a small island in the loch. Stay two nights in Portree on the Isle of Skye, where the harbor houses line up in bright colors along the waterfront. The town puts up seasonal lights during the holidays. Head out to see the Old Man of Storr, a tall rock formation that stands out from the ridge, then continue to Kilt Rock where a waterfall drops straight into the sea. Winter mist often hangs around the Cuillin Mountains during this season. The route takes you by Loch Ness near Fort Augustus, then to the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre where you'll learn about efforts to bring back Scotland's ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. On the way back to Edinburgh, you'll cross the UNESCO-listed Forth Rail Bridge as the sun sets.