Loch Ness and the Highlands

We begin by travelling past Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, towards historic Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument.

Your Heart of Scotland guide will explain the real story of 'Braveheart' and William Wallace's victorious tactics against the English invaders.

There's a brief glimpse of Doune Castle for Monty Python, Game of Thrones and Outlander fans before a morning coffee stop in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Our options here include the Highland gateway village of Callander or the mountain views at beautiful Loch Lubnaig.

The journey continues to a stunning viewpoint and photo opportunity at Loch Tulla and across the wilderness of Rannoch Moor to famous Glen Coe. The notorious massacre of the MacDonald Clan was carried out amidst this beautiful and dramatic scenery on the 13th February 1692. You may recognise this part of the Highlands, used in the movie 'Skyfall' and 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'. A majestic setting in any season!

After travelling along the west coast towards Fort William we stop for lunch.

As we progress towards Loch Ness you will have an opportunity to view Ben Nevis (highest mountain in Britain at 1344 m) from the famous Commando Memorial.

Here you can admire the spectacular views over the rugged landscape of Lochaber. Our journey takes us along the Caledonian Canal before arriving in Fort Augustus on the banks of legendary Loch Ness.

Here, on the banks of the world's most mysterious stretch of water, you will have time to monster hunt by boat or from the shores of the loch itself.

The 1 hour boat trip is £14.00 for adults, £13.00 concession price and £8.00 for under 16s - a wee discount for Heart of Scotland Tours customers. Our return to Edinburgh takes us through Glen Spean and alongside Loch Laggan.

As we enter the Cairngorms National Park we often have time for a short woodland 'walk and talk' in this beautiful part of Scotland. On our way south we travel past one of Scotland's highest distilleries at Dalwhinnie and through the Grampian mountains towards Blair Castle, home of the Duke of Atholl.

Our final stop is in the heart of the Highlands (Big Tree Country in Highland Perthshire) where you can enjoy an early evening stroll through one of the picturesque villages or a quick refreshment before the final journey home.

On our approach to Edinburgh we travel across the Forth Road Bridge from which you can see the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge. Considered to be the greatest engineering achievement of the Victorian age, it is one of Scotland's most impressive landmarks.