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Edinburgh Loch Ness and the Highlands Rail Tour 3 Days

TourTruth score 5.5 out of 10

Average

40 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • London, United Kingdom
  • 3 days
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore Edinburgh by rail, visit its castle, and take a guided journey through the Highlands to Loch Ness on this three-day tour.

About this tour

Trade London’s bustle for Edinburgh’s historic streets, then venture into the wild scenery of the Scottish Highlands on this three-day rail tour. Reserved train seats take you north, where two nights in a centrally located 3-star hotel with breakfast give you time to settle in and explore.

On Day 1, visit Edinburgh Castle and see the city aboard a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. Day 2 brings a guided excursion through the Highlands to Loch Ness, with dramatic landscapes along the way. The Loch Ness outing is operated by Highland Explorer Tours; the first and final days are unescorted, so you can explore Edinburgh at your own pace. Return to London by train on Day 3.

This Edinburgh Loch Ness and the Highlands rail tour combines city sightseeing, castle entry, hotel stays, and a guided countryside excursion in one convenient trip. Book your journey to experience Edinburgh’s history and the Highlands’ striking scenery.

Highlights

  • Explore Edinburgh’s historic streets and landmarks
  • Visit Edinburgh Castle with included entry
  • See the city on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour
  • Travel through the Scottish Highlands on a guided Loch Ness excursion
  • Ride between London and Edinburgh with reserved train seats

What's included

Included

  • Round-trip train tickets between London and Edinburgh with reserved seats
  • Two nights in a centrally located 3-star hotel with breakfast
  • Edinburgh Castle entry on Day 1
  • Hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour of Edinburgh
  • Day tour to Loch Ness and the Highlands

Not included

  • Guide on Days 1 and 3
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Children must be 5–11 years old; children under 5 are not suitable for this tour
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • The tour is unescorted on Days 1 and 3; the Day 2 Loch Ness excursion is guided and operated by Highland Explorer Tours
  • Day 1 train departs London King's Cross at 07:00 and arrives in Edinburgh at 11:20, or 11:28 on Saturdays
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  • Day 3 train departs Edinburgh at 17:30 and arrives at London King's Cross at 22:09
  • Arrive at the station 30 minutes before departure; no in-person staff departure is provided
  • Electronic tickets and vouchers are emailed one week before departure, or within 24 hours if booked within a week
  • Hotel prices are per person sharing a twin or double room; single travelers pay a single-occupancy rate
  • Train seating requests are not guaranteed
  • Public transportation is available nearby

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts three days, including two nights in Edinburgh.

Is the tour guided?

Days 1 and 3 are unescorted. The Day 2 Loch Ness and Highlands excursion is guided.

What is the minimum age?

Children must be at least 5 years old; the tour is not suitable for children under 5.

Where do I meet the tour staff?

There is no in-person departure with staff at the train station. Follow the emailed tickets and vouchers.

When will I receive my tickets?

Tickets and vouchers are emailed one week before departure, or within 24 hours of booking if you book within one week of departure.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.08 from 40 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in London
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 5.5.

Provider rating distribution in London

How many tours in London have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • Viator

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