With two international airports, you may find your Scottish adventure beginning in Glasgow. Although the bustling city is packed with friendly people, world-class architecture and thriving nightlife culture, it doesn’t quite showcase the true beauty of Scotland’s landscapes and historical background. If you are interested in exploring outside of the city, there are a number of great Scottish Highland tours from Glasgow.
Table of Contents
Don’t have time to read this now? Pin this blog for later.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means that KatieGoes receives a small amount but you still pay the same. The contribution helps to support the continued creation of these blogs – win, win! Nevertheless, I only recommend personal favourites that I’ve tried, tested or have first-hand knowledge of.
Quick Picks: Highland Tours from Glasgow
In a rush? No problem! Here are the top two of the best Scottish Highland tours from Glasgow…
Day Trip
Don’t miss out on the very best of the Scottish Highlands with this popular introductory tour (watch out for the Loch Ness monster!).
In Full: Scottish Highland Tours
Best Day Tours from Edinburgh
If you only have one day to see as much of Scotland as possible, look no further than these Highland coach tours from Glasgow. They will showcase the ‘best bits’ of our country with the most convenient and educational excursions.
Trainspotting on the West Coast
Explore – Glencoe, Mallaig, Fort William, Luss
Highlights – Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glen Shiel, Road to the Isles
Are you a Harry Potter fan? Perhaps you enjoy train-spotting? Either way, this is the most magical of the Highland tours from Glasgow as visitors can witness the Hogwarts Express pass over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Unless James Bond is more your thing? This 13-hour-long road trip also passes through the dramatic scenery of Glencoe which has been made famous by James Bonds’ Skyfall.
From Great Glen to Loch Ness
Explore – Glencoe, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Pitlochry
Highlights – Loch Lomond, Caledonian Canal, Urquhart Castle, Jacobite Boat Cruise, Cairngorm National Park
Embark on an introductory tour of the Scottish Highlands starting in Glasgow Buchanan Station. If you only have one day, this road trip is a great taster of the north. All in all, the trip will be approximately twelve hours. There is even an optional extra; hop aboard a boat ride across Loch Ness to journey a little closer to our famous monster, Nessie.
Oban and the West Highland Lochs
Explore – Oban, Inveraray, Luss
Highlights – Inveraray Castle, Loch Lomond
Venture only a little further north from Glasgow to visit castles, lochs, mountains and fishing villages, all within a 10-hour round trip. The expert driver will be giving a live commentary from aboard the modern coach, sharing stories of the region’s fascinating history.
2 Day Tours from Glasgow
Loch Ness, Inverness & Highlands
Explore – Inverness, Glencoe, Luss, Fort William
Highlights – Dalwhinnie Distillery, Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield
Enjoy the beauty of Scotland as you walk through Glencoe, pass Britain’s highest mountain and spend a night in the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Travellers have the choice of finishing their tour in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Glenfinnan, Inverness & Highlands
Explore – Fort William, Fort Augustus
Highlights – Glenfinnan Viaduct, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, Wallace Monument
It may only last two days, but this exciting tour showcases the very best of the Scottish Highlands. From the mesmerizing mountain scenery to the iconic castles and lively towns; this is a great introduction to Scotland (especially if you are a Harry Potter fan!). The tour is also the perfect option if you intend to visit Edinburgh afterwards, travellers have the choice of finishing the tour in Glasgow or Edinburgh city centre.
3 Day Scotland Tours from Glasgow
Isle of Skye & Highlands
Explore – Glencoe, Isle of Skye, Fort Augustus, Luss
Highlights – Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, Quiraing, Dunvegan Castle, Loch Lomond
Discover some of the very best of Scotland within this 3 day tour from Glasgow. You can decide whether accommodation is included, or not.
Mull & Iona
Explore – Oban, Glencoe, Tobermory, Isle of Iona, Staffa
Highlights – Iona Abbey, Fingal’s Cave, Kilmartin Glen Standing Stones
Journey to a lesser-visited corner of Scotland to discover a paradise, particularly for wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs and seafood connoisseurs. The Isle of Mull is blessed with massive mountains, stunning lochs and spectacular surrounding islands, two of which can be included in the tour. In my opinion, this is the most off-the-beaten-track tour with a greater variety of sites to see, but only if the weather is kind!
Isle of Skye & Nessie
Explore – Isle of Skye, Pitlochry, Inverness
Highlights – Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Lomond, Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Cairngorm Mountains
Take three days from your Scotland trip to explore the capital of the Scottish Highlands, and the much-loved Isle of Skye. You’ll have the opportunity to look for Nessie, experience sites made famous by Holywood movies and learn of the harsh battles. The two evenings of accommodation are included.
5 Day Tours from Glasgow
The Highlands & Skye
Explore – Isle of Skye, Glencoe, Oban, Fort Augustus, Glen Affric, Pitlochry
Highlights – Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Kilmartin Glen, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Quiraing, Eilean Donan Castle, Torridon Mountains, Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield
Is 5 days enough for Scotland? This guided tour will ensure that you experience the most from your limited time in the country. See the full sweep of Scotland’s beauty from your own eyes with the time to experience the places you sleep. This tour has the benefit of two nights being in the same accommodation, with the bed and breakfasts being included. Visitors have the option of finishing the tour in Glasgow or Edinburgh too.
ALSO: The Best Places to Visit in Scotland (A Local's Overview)
Were you hoping to join a much longer tour, or perhaps you were eyeing up some of the Scottish islands? There is a much greater array of guided tours departing from the capital city, which happens to only be a 50-minute train ride away. Therefore, it may be worth checking our list of the best Scottish Highland Tours from Edinburgh to see if any suit your needs better!
Have you still not found any suitable Scottish Highland Tours from Glasgow? You could always visit the best places in Scotland independently. Gain access to the KatieGoes Scottish Highlands Google Map Legend for the key coordinates already pinpointed for your convenience.
Let’s go!
@katie.maree
Scottish Highlands Google Map Legend
This Google Map Legend showcases 140+ need-to-know coordinates within our bonnie Scottish Highlands & Islands:
- Awesome Wild Camping Park-Ups
- Best Walks, Viewpoints, Beaches
- Bucket List Locations
- Accessible Showers & Fresh Water Taps
- Relevant Links to Online Travel Guides
Save to Pinterest
Not have time to read this guide, nor book your Highland tours from Glasgow? Click on the ‘PIN‘ button to save this article for later.
