Scottish Highlands in a Day
The picturesque Scottish Highlands have set the backdrop for countless modern epics for good reason. While this fantastical scenery has acted as a Muse to artists across every field and inspired the mythical and monstrous, it is very much real and should be at the top of your bucket list.
While on a two and a half day trip to Edinburgh with my mother, I was urged by a friend to book a one day visit to Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands via Rabbie’s Tours. As we wanted to see the Scottish Highlands but were not keen on renting a car or driving on the left side of the road, the opportunity to be chauffeured from spot to spot suited our needs well. Tickets costing less than 60 USD per person confirmed our decision – we might as well give it a try.
Early but not yet bright (it was 8:00AM in November) we were pleasantly surprised that the waiting room for the tours served coffee, tea, and some breakfast items. Several tours were leaving the morning of our departure but the staff was extremely organized and helped each group get to their correct driver. Rabbie’s uses 16 seater mini-coaches for all of their tours which makes the travel smooth and more intimate. Smaller vehicles allow them to take the best routes, get to know those on board, and more easily collect riders at each location, so you can get on to seeing your next sight.
Like most people you will interact with in Scotland, Rabbie’s drivers are extremely personable. They have everyone introduce themselves, crack jokes, and give you a plethora of fun facts along your journey. The company started in 1993 with just one man, Robin Worsnop, and his singular sherpa van. His passion for a personable and ethical approach to travel that was both informative and fun allowed Rabbie’s to flourish into the well admired group it is today. 1
Our first stop of the day was Rannoch Moor where we still had the beauty of an eerie, early morning fog. A curated playlist of the James Bond and Harry Potter soundtracks carried us to our next stop, Glencoe. The peaks, valleys, and surprising colors of this famous glen are enchanting and acted as the backyard of Mr. Bond’s childhood home as well as the location of the beloved Hagrid’s hut. Our view from the roadside, where we were able to stretch our legs in the tall grasses, was my favorite of the entire trip, though what we saw next gave it a run for its money.
The quaint town of Fort Augustus has a population numbering only in the hundreds and is chock-full of charm, but that’s not what leads tourists to its mystical shores. Perched on the banks of Loch Ness, cruises leave the channel and head out onto the water to seek the legendary Nessy. 2
The Rabbie’s tours offer you enough time on this stop so that if you choose, you are able to take a ride aboard Cruise Loch Ness for around 23 USD per person. Seeing the views from the water and learning stimulating facts from the crew was a worthwhile addition. We still fondly recount our guide Shaun, who served us whiskey and provided memories we will forever smile over. After the expedition, we still had spare time to grab tea and a small bite from Caledonian Canal Centre and peruse the town for some souvenirs. While sadly the only views we got of the beast were those of the decal on the boat windows, we fell in love with the loch.
On the journey back to Edinburgh, we were treated to the mountainscape of Cairngorms National Park where we also made an impromptu stop at Loch Laggan. Here, our driver informed us of Scotland’s environmental efforts as we observed the monumental dam. Rabbie’s guides are known for giving their riders the most bang for their buck, adding extra stops if time permits. This is one of the many reasons I have chosen to travel with them again and will continue to in the future.
While I loved the colors of this trek in November, this tour would be best enjoyed between the months of July and September, when one would expect longer daylight hours as well as the opportunity to see the iconic purple heather in bloom. If you are traveling as a group, the coaches can hold sixteen of your friends or family, but solo travelers won’t feel alone with this chummy crew. Like my mother and I, if you don’t have much time in the country, this is the perfect way to optimize your day. Looking to see even more of Scotland? Rabbie’s has tours that last up to 17 days long.
For even more information and posts on spectacular Scotland, click HERE!
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