Visit beautiful Dunkeld, a Highland whisky distillery, and the famous Tattoo.
- Home
- 1 Day Tours
- Scottish Glens, Highlands & Whisky
Whisky, history, and scenery: a truly Scottish combination and you experience all three in one day on this Highland whisky tour from Edinburgh! First, visit the iconic Kelpies, a monument to horse-powered heritage across Scotland. Then, make a toast to the Highland scenery with a wee dram in a whisky distillery, journey through the breath-taking Sma’ Glen and explore one of Perthshire’s most beautiful woodland walks and waterfalls.
Tour Highlights
Sma' Glen
Sma' Glen is steeped in history, once used by ancient Scottish clans and even Roman soldiers as a key route through the Lowlands. Its sweeping hills and winding rivers make it an atmospheric highlight as we pass through Scotland’s stunning countryside.
Whisky Distillery
Our national drink is enjoyed around the world, but there’s nowhere better to try whisky than in Scotland itself. Learn about whisky production, and sample the ‘water of life’ straight from the source at a whisky distillery.
The Hermitage Forest
The Hermitage is a magical woodland, created by the 3rd Duke of Atholl, who helped with the tree planting by firing seeds out of a canon! Wander through the forest to admire a thundering waterfall and some of Scotland’s tallest trees.
Small Group Tour
Small groups, big adventures! Our small group tours offer an intimate, relaxed way to explore while you soak up Scotland's magic. Please note that, due to vehicle availability, there may be instances where this tour operates on a larger bus.
Crieff
Crieff is a gem of a town, perfect for wandering through quaint shops, grabbing a coffee, and soaking in Scotland’s charm. Don’t miss the gorgeous Drummond Castle gardens—a local favorite that’s well worth a visit. You can visit Crieff as an alternative to the whisky distillery tour.
Dunkeld Cathedral
Dunkeld Cathedral is a beautiful, partly ruined structure, which sits in a peaceful location overlooking the River Tay. Look out for the cursed effigy of the ‘Wolf of Badenoch’ inside, and read about the cathedral’s history spanning hundreds of years.
Kelpies
The Kelpies are steel sculptures of two horses’ heads; 30 meters high and weighing 300 tonnes. Kelpies are mythological creatures in Scottish folklore, and this modern attraction is the largest equine landmark in the world, designed by Scottish artist Andy Scott.
Inclusions
Small Group Tour
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
Hermitage Forest Walk
Foreign Language Audio Guide Available
Audio guide links will be provided after booking. Please download over WiFi and bring your own headphones
Full Refund if Cancelled More Than 24 hours in Advance
What Other Explorers Say
We did the one day Glens, Highlands & Whisky tour with Charlie and had a wonderful time! Apart from the beautiful sights, Charlie was a delightful host with plenty of stories, entertaining facts and a contagious laugh! Thanks for the great day.
Hannah
15/09/2025The distillery tour was lovely, the whiskey delicious, but the highlight of the trip was Karis’s wealth of knowledge and the humor with which it was delivered. Shout out to the wonderful digestive walk to the waterfall after a lovely lunch along the river as well. Thank ewe Karis, your moovs were very coo 👍
Mac
12/09/2025This was a terrific day tour. The distillary was very interesting as was the town we stopped at for lunch and the walk through the forest. Our tour guide Karis was phenomenal. She made the whole tour!
Mark
12/09/2025Fantastic day - we loved it! Our Lord Torva Farquat was an excellent host. Just the right amount of driving, walking in towns/nature and great shopping. Absolutely recommend!!!
James
06/08/2025Amazing tour! Was supposed to be on another tour which was cancelled due to storm Floris. Very glad I picked this one instead! Tour guide Torva is an absolute legend. Great way of giving information and telling stories along the way. Do yourself a favour and take yourself to the highlands and through the beautiful Hermitage Forest.
Stefan
05/08/2025Alistair was a super guide, very knowledgeable and fun to spend the day with. Just the right amount of stops so no long boring drives, the Kelpies and Whisky tour great too and Dunkeld very pretty.
Helen
01/08/2025Heidi did a great job driving us around and giving us a tour!! We enjoyed the trip! The distillery was great and the walk in the woods was super nice.
Amy
11/07/2025Ry our tour guide was amazing. He was friendly, funny and very informative. He made sure to point out all the important historical points along the journey all with a story rich in Scotland history. We had a good amount of time at each location. He even made an extra stop before we returned to see the Highland Coo’s.
Melissa
08/07/2025We had a blast. Scotland is beautiful and it was great getting to see various parts of it. The whisky tour was very entertaining.
Brandon
07/07/2025Dusty was a nice guild and driver. He told many things and many stories. Whiskey tour and waterfall were a good experience for me in Edinburgh.
Darakorn
13/06/2025It was a nice tour. Our guide did very well, it was fun and educational. I recommend this trip with Conner.
Melitia
09/06/2025Great experience. Charlie was great and fun to have as a guide. Views were great and we stopped all places. Isle of Skye was amazing!
Mary
06/06/2025Spent a fantastic day off in the company of Paul and our small group of explorers enjoying a visit to the iconic Kelpies Monument before the Scottish sunshine made an appearance at Glen Turret-the oldest working distillery in Scotland. Thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, tour and tasting and even had a chin scratch with resident tom cat "Glen". Well worth the add-on!
Amy
14/05/2025Great day trip excursion from Edinburgh! Four friends and I were visiting Edinburgh for a short time and found this trip to get us into the Scottish country. We enjoyed learning more about the whisky distilling process and history, had a lovely lunch in a small country town, and even got to see a highlands cow. Would definitely recommend for a great, low effort way to see a bit more outside of Edinburgh during your visit.
Charlotte
05/05/2025Was very good to tour. We got to see the countryside, and our guide was very informative about all the places that we went. I highly recommend the tour.
John
14/05/2025Our trip to the Highlands was nothing short of amazing. Our guide, Alister, was fantastic. He gave us a bit of history and good music while driving the coach to various locations. We loved the Kelpies, as well as the majestic forest and waterfall. The cherry on top was visiting the adorable Highland cows (hairy coo!) especially the baby! Highly recommend this tour if you love nature!
Bobbie
30/04/2025Alistair was an amazing tour guide. We got to see beautiful Scotland highlands and had a wonderful time. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable of the history of Scotland and was so fun on our day trip.
Chelsy
14/04/2025The trip was amazing: beautiful views, awesome whisky tour and a very nice place for lunch. Thank you, Paul, for the nice stories and the extra trip to see the 🐄 . 100% recommended
Ioana
11/04/2025Went on this tour with 3 friends and we really enjoyed it. The Glenturret distillery tour was very interesting & insightful & our guide, John, was very kind & funny. Also, we ate our lunch next to the river, in a beautiful area, near the church in Dunkeld. We enjoyed our short walk to the waterfall in Hermitage and took some incredible photos with the Kelpies. Besides these attractions, our driver & guide, Paul, was kind enough and took us on a short detour to visit the ...
Teodora
11/04/2025Our day with Guide Torva, aka Lord Torva Farquard, was truly exceptional. His storytelling was captivating, and his deep knowledge of Scottish history made the entire experience both educational and engaging. Torva’s specially curated playlist added a unique touch to the journey, perfectly complementing the theme of our trip.
Agnė
14/09/2024This tour gave a small slice of history and a visit to some of the beautiful and unique places and things to see within a few hours' drive from Edinburgh. Ryan P. was an excellent guide: part entertainer and part historian. Amazing to see the Kelpies up close, visit Glenturret Distillery, and then go back in history to the Dunkeld Cathedral. A highlight of our trip.
James
17/08/2024The drive was beautiful all the way from beginning to end. The whiskey tour was amazing and delicious. Whiskey is fairly priced. The guide I had was Connor, he did an amazing job at balancing tour guide education with letting us take in the landscape.
Alex
06/07/2024Embark on a Highland Whisky Tour with @HighexTours
Tag or mention @HighexTours on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our channels, website, and in our brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour depart from?
Your Highland Whisky tour departs from Edinburgh city centre. For departure details and pick-up location, visit our Departure Info page.
How long is the tour?
What happens on the whisky distillery tour?
If you add the whisky distillery tour to your trip, you will get the opportunity to meet a knowledgeable distilling expert. They will guide you through the distillery, explaining each step of whisky craftsmanship—from malt to cask. The ideal way to sample whisky straight from the source!
Can children join the whisky distillery tour, and do they need to pay?
Children aged 12 to 17 can join the whisky distillery tour free of charge. Please note that they must be accompanied by an adult and will not be served alcohol. Children under 12 are not permitted on the distillery tour due to safety regulations set by the distillery.
What if I choose not to do the whisky distillery tour?
If you decide not to join the whisky distillery tour, you can explore the nearby market town of Crieff. This charming town offers plenty to see, including the beautiful gardens of Drummond Castle and a variety of vibrant local shops and cafés. Crieff’s rich history and picturesque setting make it a delightful alternative to the distillery visit.
Are there toilet facilities on the coach?
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Are your tours accessible?
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Can I purchase snacks or souvenirs at the stops along the way?
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Where can I get a more detailed itinerary?
Our itinerary (in tab 2, 'Itinerary & Departure') provides a helpful outline of what to expect on the day. We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined there, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. We also believe that part of the excitement comes from the unexpected surprises along the way! Rest assured, your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other.
What if I need to cancel my tour?
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
I have more questions. How can you help?
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
- Home
- 1 Day Tours
- Scottish Glens, Highlands & Whisky
Scottish Glens, Highlands & Whisky Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Whisky & Waterfalls
We depart Edinburgh in the morning and make our way to the majestic Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures, dedicated to horse-powered heritage across Scotland.
We venture further into the Highlands, where you have the option to embark on an immersive tour of one of Scotland’s renowned whisky distilleries and sample the 'water of life’. Alternatively, head out to explore the charming market town of Crieff with its delightful local shops and cosy cafés. After passing through the stunning Sma’ Glen, a valley of ancient myths in the Scottish Lowlands, we explore The Hermitage forest in the heart of Perthshire to take a leisurely woodland walk amid captivating rivers and waterfalls.
Our return journey visits the charming village of Dunkeld, in Macbeth country, where a stunning cathedral sits beautifully by the banks of the River Tay. Our Highland whisky tour comes to and end as we pass the iconic Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, arriving back into Edinburgh in the early evening.
1 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
Itinerary | Whisky & Waterfalls
We depart Edinburgh in the morning and make our way to the majestic Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures, dedicated to horse-powered heritage across Scotland.
We venture further into the Highlands, where you have the option to embark on an immersive tour of one of Scotland’s renowned whisky distilleries and sample the 'water of life’. Alternatively, head out to explore the charming market town of Crieff with its delightful local shops and cosy cafés. After passing through the stunning Sma’ Glen, a valley of ancient myths in the Scottish Lowlands, we explore The Hermitage forest in the heart of Perthshire to take a leisurely woodland walk amid captivating rivers and waterfalls.
Our return journey visits the charming village of Dunkeld, in Macbeth country, where a stunning cathedral sits beautifully by the banks of the River Tay. Our Highland whisky tour comes to and end as we pass the iconic Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, arriving back into Edinburgh in the early evening.
Day Highlights
Departure Point
60 High Street, EH1 1TB, Edinburgh
We depart from our blue corner shop at 60 High Street, centrally located on the Royal Mile in the Old Town of Edinburgh. A useful landmark to find us is the Radisson Blu Hotel, situated just one street further along.
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
Check-In Closes: 8:00 AM
Departs: 8:15 AM
Returns: 5:30 PM
Please Note
We are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals. Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
Tours Dates & Prices
Choose a departure date, number of people and accommodation option.
- Home
- 1 Day Tours
- Scottish Glens, Highlands & Whisky
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Show
Reserve at the time of booking
During the month of August, wrap up your day trip with something special: you can add a ticket to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an evening showcase of traditional music, dance, and military pageantry performed on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. It’s a unique and atmospheric way to experience Scottish culture at night.
Whisky Distillery Tour
Reserve at the time of booking
This guided Whisky Distillery Tour gives you an insight into how 'uisge beatha', the 'water of life', is made and takes you on a journey to discover the history behind one of Scotland's most iconic exports. Enjoy our exclusive partnership with the Glenturret Whisky Distillery by receiving a discounted entry fee. Only available if reserved in advance. Tickets are subject to availability. Children aged 12 to 17 can join the distillery tour free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult.
Tours we think you'll love
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
1 Day Tour from Edinburgh
Highland Games
1 Day Tour from Edinburgh
Traditional Highland Games with caber tossing, Highland dance, piping competitions, and more.
Castles, West Highlands & Loch Lomond
1 Day Tour from Edinburgh
See the village of Inveraray, Doune Castle, West Highlands and Loch Lomond.