Traditional Highland Games with caber tossing, Highland dance, piping competitions, and more.
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1 Day
Free Audio Guides
A stunning day tour of the Highlands, a land of forests, mountains, rivers and glens. Visit a local whisky distillery and sample a warming dram of single malt whisky. The day concludes with our return to Edinburgh in time for an evening at the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Tour Highlights
Inclusions
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
Whisky Distillery Tour
Hermitage Forest Walk
Evening Ticket for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Foreign Language Audio Guides Available
Audio guide links will be provided after booking. Please download over WiFi and bring your own headphones
What Other Explorers Say
Ali was an excellent driver and tour guide. She provided so much in the way of history, folklore, and anecdotes all while navigating city traffic out of and back into Edinburgh. The stops, including the distillery were well timed, nothing was rushed. There was plenty of time to get lunch when we visited the historical town of Dunkeld. We did the tour and attended the Tattoo on a Saturday. It was a spectacular show and our tickets were perfect.
Margaret
17/08/2024Excellent tour. Plenty of walking time at the Hermitage. Nice lunch stop in Dunkeld. A splendid day topped off by the Ediburgh Tattoo. I highly recommend Highland Explorer - went to Shetland Up Helly Aa tour 4 years ago. Great guides and drivers.
Moira
29/09/2023Great trip with Dusty, great story teller. Seeing the country side outside of Edinburgh was wonderful.
Odyssey
11/08/2024What an unexpected and fantastic day! Dusty was incredibly knowledgeable and it was a trip highlight.
JS
11/08/2023Frequently Asked Questions
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo tour departs from Edinburgh city centre. For departure details and pick-up location, visit our Departure Info page.
With plenty of comfort breaks and photo stops along the way, your tour is approximately 9 and a half hours long*. You’ll enjoy a jam-packed day in the Scottish Highlands before getting dropped off in Edinburgh city centre in the evening. Then it’s time to grab a bite for dinner and prepare for the evening performance of the Tattoo in the evening.
*Length of tour may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Yes, tickets to the evening show of the Tattoo are included in the tour.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a world-famous event held annually against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. It brings together hundreds of performers, from massed military bands to international cultural troops and precision drill teams. The show is a fascinating blend of music, dance, and military tradition, complete with an impressive fireworks finale.
The Tattoo takes place every year throughout the month of August.
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Video provided by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Itinerary & Map
Day 1
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
We leave Edinburgh behind and make our first stop at the majestic equine sculptures, the Kelpies. Then it's into the Highlands through the scenic beauty, once home to the infamous cattle thief and rogue, Rob Roy MacGregor. We visit a local whisky distillery where you will learn how the 'water of life' is made and sample a wee dram. We then explore the peaceful Hermitage and take a short woodland walk to see the Black Linn Falls on the River Braan.
We take in Dunkeld with its spectacular cathedral on the banks of the River Tay before returning south past the inspiring Forth Bridges. Back in Edinburgh, you will have time to relax and explore the city before making your own way to the evening performance of the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
1 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
We leave Edinburgh behind and make our first stop at the majestic equine sculptures, the Kelpies. Then it's into the Highlands through the scenic beauty, once home to the infamous cattle thief and rogue, Rob Roy MacGregor. We visit a local whisky distillery where you will learn how the 'water of life' is made and sample a wee dram. We then explore the peaceful Hermitage and take a short woodland walk to see the Black Linn Falls on the River Braan.
We take in Dunkeld with its spectacular cathedral on the banks of the River Tay before returning south past the inspiring Forth Bridges. Back in Edinburgh, you will have time to relax and explore the city before making your own way to the evening performance of the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
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
Show time for the evening performance is 9:30 PM. 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.
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