Edinburgh to Loch Ness and Blair Castle: Private day trip
Private ride with a local driver
11h 15mRound tripPrivate driver
About your trip
From ancient clan halls to monster-haunted waters—this route reveals Scotland’s grand past and scenic majesty in one ambitious day!
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Edinburgh whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driver’s local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden café here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips you’ll love sharing later. This isn’t a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
After arriving in Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, you'll have the freedom to explore the fortress ruins and look for Nessie before continuing on to Blair Castle and Hercules Gardens, where you can admire the ancestral home and landscaped gardens, all at your leisure. Meanwhile your driver will wait for you near by, ensuring an stress-free return trip. Please note that all visitors to Urquhart Castle need to book their tickets in advance to guarantee their entry.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Child seats included free of charge
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle and Blair Castle and Hercules Gardens should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From US$262
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotalUS$787
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
- Start in EdinburghYou choose the pickup spot.
- Loch Ness & Urquhart CastleFeel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle are one of the most popular destinations in Scotland thanks in large part to the legendary monster that dwells beneath the lake’s waters. While the earliest mention of a monster at Loch Ness dates back to the 6th century, Nessie wasn’t brought to international attention until 1933. Decades of obsession have never turned up any conclusive results, but explanations for the monster range from tree trunks to a bathing circus elephant to a Greenland shark. And while you probably won’t see the beast, a boat trip on the lake is made more exciting by the legend. Overlooking the lake, the sprawling Urquhart Castle is one of the largest in Scotland, where visitors can enjoy a guided tour, or simply roam the ruins, to appreciate this majestic medieval castle, and great views of the Loch Ness.
- Blair Castle and Hercules GardensFeel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 2 hours - admission not included
Founded in the 13th century, Blair Castle and Hercules Gardens have been home to 19 generations of Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl. Over its long history, the castle has been visited by notable figures including Mary Queen of Scots, Viscount Dundee, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Queen Victoria, who granted permission to Duke Murray to found the Atholl Highlanders - Europe's last (legal) private army. Today, over 30 historic rooms exhibit period furnishings, family portraits, landscape paintings, weapons and armour, and lavish decorations for a full serving of Scottish culture. A walk through the nine acre walled garden brings visitors past fruit trees and vegetable, a Chinese bridge and Gothic folly, and a path lined with both contemporary and 18th Century sculptures. In a quiet grove, visitors will find the second tallest tree in Britain, and the ruins of St Brides Kirk, the final resting place of Jacobite leader Bonnie Dundee. For more information, please visit blair-castle.co.uk
- Back to EdinburghWe’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
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