Tour 4 - The Best of Scotland in a Day
Tour Details Itinerary
Times
Prices & Booking Terms
*Students, over 60s & children 5-17
Included
- A fully guided tour from one of our 5-star reviewed driver/ guides
- Transport in a luxury Mercedes Wee Red Bus
- Free cancellation/rebooking up to 24 hours before departure
- Luggage allowance of up to 15 kg (33 lbs)
Not Included
- Entry fees to attractions
- Meals and refreshments
Tour Highlights
- Average group size of around 12
- Forth Bridges
- Dunkeld Cathedral
- Blair Castle and Gardens
- Queen's View - famous Highland viewpoint
- Pitlochry
- Highland cows ('hairy coos')
- The Hermitage woodland and waterfall walk
- Lots of time off the bus and photo stops
Dates
2026 Season
1 March 2026 to 31 October 2026
2027 Season
1 March 2027 to 31 October 2027
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
According to TripAdvisor travelers as of
Itinerary
A wonderful day tour from Edinburgh to stunning Highland Perthshire. Hairy coos guaranteed!
Our original tour since 2001 this trip combines all that’s great about Scotland into a classic day trip – a castle, mountains, lochs, photo opportunities, a riverside walk, a battlefield, history, heroes and highland cows. Enjoy lots of time off the bus; perfect for those who want to experience Highland scenery and nature at a relaxing pace.
Our route to the Highlands takes us to our first stop at the famous Forth Bridges before arriving at the picturesque Perthshire village of Dunkeld.
The Forth Bridges
Here you can stroll through quaint narrow streets and/or visit Dunkeld Cathedral (free of charge). Dedicated to St Columba and beautifully located beside the River Tay, a visit to this historic church is a delightful way to start the day.
Dunkeld Cathedral
'We continue to Blair Castle, a famous Highland fortress with a 700 year history'
Small groups, big experiences
Knowledgeable Driver Guides
Lots of time off the bus and plenty of photo stops
We continue to Blair Castle, a famous Highland fortress with a 700 year history incorporating the Jacobite Rebellions, the disaster at Culloden and Mary Queen of Scots. Hear about Queen Victoria’s love affair with the Scottish Highlands and her role in creating the only legally recognised private army in Europe – the Atholl Highlanders.
Blair Castle
Plenty of time off the bus
Blair Castle's stunning entrance hall
As well as a fascinating castle tour the beautiful gardens include red squirrels and St Bride’s Kirk – final resting place of ‘Bonnie Dundee’, one of Scotland’s great military heroes. Lunch is available in the castle restaurant.
'Our next stop is the famous Queen's View along Loch Tummel towards Schiehallion mountain'
A scenic drive takes us to the beauty spot and battlefield of Killiecrankie Gorge. Here the Jacobite army, commanded by John Graham of Claverhouse (Bonnie Dundee), used the famous ‘Highland Charge’ to inflict a heavy defeat on the British Redcoat army in 1689.
Our next stop is Queen’s View, the much-admired Highland vista along Loch Tummel towards the distant peaks of Glen Coe.
The famous Highland vista at Queen's View
We return to the charming Highland village of Pitlochry with its elegant main street packed with shops and restaurants. During our break here options include a late lunch, souvenir shopping or a short stroll to the famous hydro electric dam and salmon ladder.
We continue to the Hermitage woodland walk. This lovely riverside stroll takes us past some of the tallest trees in Britain to a spectacular waterfall and viewpoint where salmon can often be seen leaping the falls.
The Hermitage viewpoint and waterfall
Scenic drive through Highland Perthshire
Experience Highland scenery and nature
We finish the day at Taste of Perthshire for a face-to-face meeting with their hairy Highland cows – everyone’s favourite photo stop. A great way to finish the day!
'Hairy coos' at Taste of Perthshire
Lots of time off the bus
What our travellers say
We think the Wee Bus is the perfect way to see Scotland - but don't just take our word for it. Here's what our travellers say on Tripadvisor.
Beautiful nature walks and quaint villages!
Angela was a conscientious, entertaining, and informative guide…
Read moreFantastic Day!
So much to see in so little time. Roddy was an amazing tour guide on the wee red bus…
Read moreBest of Scotland in a Day is right
We had scheduled a different tour but that one was cancelled so Heart of Scotland offered us spots on this one to replace it, and I'm glad we ended up on…
Read moreGreat experience!
I chose this tour as I am not particularly enthusiastic about long bus rides…
Read moreBeautiful nature walks and quaint villages!
Angela was a conscientious, entertaining, and informative guide! The tour was incredibly well-timed and we got to see some fabulous parts of Scotland. We really liked walking the grounds at Blair Castle, especially since the weather was so nice. The Hermitage was unforgettable—so peaceful and pretty. We loved the village stops too (the jewelry factory in Pitlochry was so unique and we got amazing focaccia at Aran Bakery in Dunkeld). Feeding the red deer at Blair Castle and later the hairy cows were sweet experiences too. Angela also offered to stop around New Town if anyone was staying in that area, which was very thoughtful. We learned and saw a lot! Sláinte mhath!
Fantastic Day!
So much to see in so little time. Roddy was an amazing tour guide on the wee red bus. He was personable friendly and knowledgeable. He had great stories. We did the best of Scotland tour. We walked to see the old Birnam Oak Tree near Dunkeld, we saw a castle, stopped at a Loch, hiked to falls and pet hairy cows. What a fantastic day!!
Best of Scotland in a Day is right
We had scheduled a different tour but that one was cancelled so Heart of Scotland offered us spots on this one to replace it, and I'm glad we ended up on this tour. We had a fine day out with guide/driver Angela, who explained what we were seeing, told us loads about the history, and played us nice music in between comments. The scenery was gorgeous – the Queen's View was spectacular, and our walk in the woods at the Hermitage was very relaxing. Blair Castle is quite interesting. Exploring Dunkeld and Pitlochry was fun, and we had a reasonable amount of time to look around (and buy lunch and an afternoon snack). Meeting the Highland cattle at Taste of Perthshire was a highlight. We stopped at the Forth Bridge at the end of the day, and got to see a tiny lighthouse as a bonus. I have traveled on the Wee Red Bus once before and they do a great job - can't wait to see them again next time I'm in Scotland.
Great experience!
I chose this tour as I am not particularly enthusiastic about long bus rides. I wasn't disappointed in the least. Our well-experienced guide, Graham, kept us well entertained with his quick witted humour and tales from Scottish history. The bus made a couple of stops at beautiful places including Blair castle, the Hermitage as well as Dunkeld cathedral. We got sufficient time at each stop to take in the beauty of the place as well as grab refreshments. the wee little bus does a great job of showing us Scotland in all its glory! I would highly recommend taking one of their tours and hope to do a longer one next time I'm in Scotland!
