Maybe you’re a bit like us and we have a bit of a soft spot for Glasgow.
Edinburgh is beautiful and well-worth a visit but Glasgow has just as much culture and character, plus it’s often cheaper and there are some great coach tours from Glasgow to the Scottish Highlands and surrounding areas.
After visiting Scotland many times over the years, we often prefer to base ourselves in Glasgow, especially for reaching the islands on the West coast.
So whether you’re looking for the best Scotland bus tours from Glasgow or a multi-day Scottish Highlands tour from Glasgow, we’ve pulled together the best (and most well-rated!) tours of Scotland from Glasgow.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. While clicking these links won’t cost you anything, they will help us to keep this site up and running! See the full disclosure policy for more details.
12 top bus tours of Scotland from Glasgow
We prefer to book our tours with GetYourGuide because they use local tour providers, meaning you get the local knowledge and expertise but with the reassurance of a larger company like GetYourGuide who can help you should plans change.
Scottish Highland tours from Glasgow
1. Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highlands tour from Glasgow
This is one of the highest reviewed bus tours of Scotland from Glasgow.
With stops at the famous Loch Lomond for coffee, lunch at Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis, then seeing the dramatic views of Glencoe, followed by time to explore the world-famous Loch Ness (boat cruise available for an additional fee) and a stop at Pitlochry for dinner, this tour covers a huge amount of the central Highlands in a day.
The local guide is so informative and knowledgeable about such a vast area and the reviews all agree.
Of course with a packed day trip like this, the stops are short. But if you’re on a tight itinerary during your Scotland stay, this is absolutely the ideal option to see some of the most famous sights in the Highlands.
2. Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands coach tour option 2
If the above coach tour from Glasgow is booked, this tour is also really similar and follows almost the same route.
The tour is smaller – you will be on a 16-seater minibus and it also includes seeing the stunning Cairngorms National Park and you have the chance to visit Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness.
3. See the “Harry Potter” Glenfinnan Viaduct and tour Glencoe
If you’re more interested in Glencoe, Loch Lomond or you’re a Harry Potter fan, this is the tour for you!
You’ll see the stunning Glencoe scenery, stop at Mallaig with sea views for lunch and see the famous Hogwarts Express Jacobite Steam Train cross over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. You’ll also spend some time on the banks of Loch Lomond in the stunning National Park.
NOTE: This does not include the actual ticket to ride the steam train. Read more about Jacobite steam train tours here.
4. Multi-day tours of the Scottish highlands from Glasgow
If you have time in your schedule and would prefer to take longer exploring the Highlands and not packing it all into one day, this coach tour from Glasgow is for you.
On this tour you’ll visit Stirling, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films!
You spend the night in Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis and you can choose the option to arrange accommodation overnight in Fort William or organise your own accommodation.
On the second day you’ll visit Loch Ness and also Eilean Donan Castle – one of Scotland’s most famous castles, many people will know it from its appearance in the James Bond movie, The World is Not Enough as the Scottish MI6 HQ.
NOTE: This tour continues in a loop through Scottish woodland and finally finishes in Edinburgh. You can get back to Glasgow from Edinburgh Waverley station (a short 1 hour journey). However this is an opportunity to spend some time exploring Edinburgh after your tour is over.
Outlander day tours from Glasgow Scotland
5. The best Scotland tour for Outlander fans
If you’re an Outlander fan, this Glasgow Outlander day tour is a must – and the reviews agree!
Including four castles – Stirling Castle, Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), Midhope Castle and Blackness Castle. You’ll also stop at Linlithgow Palace and the beautiful Culross village.
You’ll have a guide and an audio guide on this full day trip.
Best Castle tours in Scotland from Glasgow
6. Castles, Lochs, Oban and Glencoe Tour
This Castles tour really packs a punch with the number of castles included, plus stops in Glencoe and Oban as well as seeing some of the most famous lochs in Scotland.
Visit Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray Castle and Castle Stalker – some of the most iconic castles in Scotland.
You’ll stop for lunch at the coastal town of Oban.
Drive through Glencoe, see Loch Lomond and stop by the village of Luss before heading back to Glasgow.
7. A castle visit, Loch Lomond cruise and Trossachs
If you’d prefer to focus on Glasgow’s nearest National Park and Scotland’s first National Park, this Lomond and Trossachs tour is perfect for you.
With a visit to Stirling Castle, a 1-hour cruise on Loch Lomond (additional cost) and sightseeing in the stunning Trossachs National Park, this is a great option if you really want to explore more of this area and travel at a slower pace.
This tour also includes stops at Callander and Aberfoyle.
Glasgow Whisky tasting day tours
8. Whiskey and Loch Lomond sightseeing
If ending your day by sampling some Scottish whisky sounds right up your street, this Lomond, Stirling Castle and Whisky Tour is for you!
Over 400 people love this tour too!
The tour takes you to Stirling Castle, you’ll also see Scotland’s largest loch and the famous Highland sights in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Your day ends with a whisky tour and tasting at the Distillery of Glengoyne.
9. Private Whisky Tour
This is the ultimate whisky tour from Glasgow with 2-3 distilleries included in this 1 day private tour.
Your driver and guide for the day is a Scottish Whisky Ambassador and you’ll visit Scotland’s highest distillery – Dalwhinnie Distillery as well as the oldest working distillery in Scotland – Blair Atholl.
There’s also an optional third stop on the way home if time allows.
There’s a lunch stop at House of Braur and you’ll get a whisky dram included.
Coastal coach tours of Scotland from Glasgow
10. Ayrshire Coast tour from Glasgow including Culzean Castle
While most people are eager to take tours of Scottish Highlands and islands from Glasgow, there are plenty of other places to visit on a day tour from Glasgow, including the Ayrshire Coast!
On this Ayrshire full day tour from Glasgow you’ll visit Country Park where you can either visit just the gardens or the Castle and gardens. Enjoy the stunning coastal views from the castle and its 18th century gardens.
The tour also takes in the village of Dunure, the Renfrewshire Hills, Ayr and the countryside of Robert Burns which he speaks about in his poems and writing.
You can learn more about Burns at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway.
Tours of the Scottish Islands from Glasgow
11. Tour of Isle of Skye from Glasgow
Glasgow tours to Scottish Islands are a great option thanks to Glasgow’s location close to the west coast.
This popular 3-day Isle of Skye small group tour also includes Glencoe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle and the 5 Sisters of Kintail as you travel to and from Glasgow.
You’ll have free time to explore on Skye and wander around Portree in your evenings where your accommodation will be. You’ll also have the chance to visit:
- Portree
- Kilt Rock
- Quiraing Pass
- Neist Point
- Dunvegan Castle
This tour is on a 16-seat minibus so you’ll have a smaller group and the price includes 2 nights accommodation in a bed and breakfast on Skye.
12. Alternative 3-day Isle of Skye and Highlands tour
If the above tour is booked, this option is also similar and has the option to include accommodation or book your own.
This tour is also ideal if you’re looking for a Glasgow tour that combines tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands because as well as touring the Isle of Skye, it also includes these stops in the Highlands:
- Luss at Loch Lomond
- Glencoe walking
- Lunch by Ben Nevis
- Eilean Donan Castle
- Loch Ness
This is a very full on tour so be prepared for lots of short stops and a very active itinerary.
13. Isle of Mull and Iona 3-day tour from Glasgow
The popularity of Mull and Iona is growing and Glasgow is the ideal base to tour these islands from, like this Isle of Mull tour from Glasgow.
You’ll stop at Luss and Loch Lomond, driving via Glencoe before taking a short ferry to Lochaline then another ferry to Mull.
Mull is famous for its nature, wildlife, waterfalls, walking routes and you’ll stay here overnight at a B&B included in the tour price.
The next day you’ll take a day trip to Iona and experience the history and geology of the island.
You’ll head back to Mull to stay in the same B&B for a second night before heading back to the mainland in the morning with a stop in Oban.
This is a 16-seat minibus tour so you’re guaranteed a small group for this!
14. Isle of Arran 3-day tour from Glasgow
This Scottish islands tour enjoys a slower pace, leaving from Glasgow to explore the Ayrshire Coast, countryside of Robert Burns, Cuizean Castle and Isle of Arran and Argyll.
You’ll take the short ferry ride from Ardrossan to the Isle of Arran where you’ll stay in a B&B in the town of Brodick for 2 nights.
The itinerary is fairly relaxed with many options depending on the group preferences and the weather.
Arran is a vibrant island with wildlife, walks, stunning scenery, plenty of pubs, shops and beaches.
Some of your options to visit are:
- Mountainous Goatfell
- Corrie and Sannox village
- Lochranza Castle
- Arran Distillery
- the stone circles and standing stones
- Brodick Castle
- Arran Cheese Shop
- Arran Brewery
You’ll head back to the mainland and Glasgow via Kintyre Peninsula, Inveraray village, Loch Lomond and Luss.
Summary: Coach tours from Glasgow to Scotland Highlands and Islands
Hopefully this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for just how much there is to see on day tours of Scotland from Glasgow. Whether that’s Glasgow tours to Highlands or to the Ayrshire Coast or to the Scottish Islands.
Scotland is such a beautiful place and there’s so much to see, although some of these tours are fast paced, if you’re on a time crunch they are ideal for seeing as much as possible in a short space of time.
Pin this image for later to help you plan your future trip!
