10 Private Tours in Scotland That You Shouldn't Miss

August 26, 2021 Fernanda Pittenger

– in Europe  (green & dark grey) – in the United Kingdom  (green)
Restaurants in Scotland

1. Central Scotland Driving Tour - Stirlingshire (Private)

Monarch Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover whats beyond the city walls on your very own full day private tour of central Scotland in our Land Rover Discovery. See the castles, the lochs, the hills and even some of the filming locations that makes Scotland the stunning country it is today. All our tours can be personalised to your needs and be as action packed or relaxed as you want.

Inclusions: All guiding fees, All vehicle costs including parking (Parking at Midhope castle is not included), Hotel pickup and drop-off , Air-conditioned vehicle, Child Seats (must be pre-arranged), Land Rover Discovery for up to 6 adults, Bottled water

Exclusions: Bottled water is available in the car free of charge (all other food and drink is not included within the tour), Gratuities, Entry to the sites are not included (Castles, Distilleries etc)

Reviewed By janinaw574

we booked an online tour with Chris through Edinburgh. It was really fantastic, thank you! Chris is very knowledgeable and passionate about this beautiful city, it was almost like being there in person. Cannot recommend him enough.

2. Private 4 Hour Tour of Edinburgh in a Spacious 6-seater Mercedes

Edinburgh Cab Tours
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5.0 based on 28 reviews

Soak up the amazing sights of both the Old and New Town of Edinburgh in the comfort of a Mercedes 6-seat vehicle during this 4 hour tour. This private tour is perfect for the visitor who has limited time and who wants to see all of the major attractions. You will have time to get out, walk around and take photos and to learn about this beautiful medieval city from your guide. Or perhaps, you are a visitor who simply wants a shorter tour to orientate yourself to the layout of the city with hints and tips from your guide on the best places to visit, eat and shop in your own time. Here are just some of the places that you will be able to stop at on your tour: Edinburgh Castle Grassmarket Greyfriars Bobby Royal Mile St Giles Cathedral Mercat Cross Palace of Holyrood House Arthur's Seat Calton Hill Walter Scott Monument New Town Dean Village

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide, All activities

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Anna P

We had a complicated itinerary coming to Scotland when moving our oldest over from the US to attend university here and having to do a mandatory two week quarantine upon arrival. There were many logistics and details that had to work out just right from our arrival with many bags to collecting us after quarantine and then picking up a special order of essentials at the local department store. We simply could not have done it without Andy. Starting with the original email correspondence, he was extremely professional, friendly and helpful and through it all he offered excellent communication and handled our few curveballs with grace and a great attitude. He's very knowledgeable about this great country and it's history and landscape and is such a great guy that we've invited him and his wife to come stay with us sometime in California. That's how much we trust and appreciate Andy and Edinburgh Cab Tours. Highly recommend for an airport transfer or better yet, a tour of the the city and beyond.

3. Private One Day Highlands Tour of Scotland

Highland Private Tours
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5.0 based on 18 reviews

Our one day Highland Tour has been created specifically for you to experience a flavour of our beautiful country.  With a wealth of hills, lochs, mountains, distilleries, castles and don’t forget the Highland Coos, we will showcase this all in any one of our unique trips.   Travelling in our Mercedes Vito Tourer, with luxury leather seat and easy access electric doors, our transport can take up to seven people per daily tour. You will have the opportunity to see and do so much more than what is listed in any tourist guide book and with our local knowledge of Scotland we can take you to all the amazing landmarks and hidden sights other tours don’t usually go.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup, Hotel drop-off, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch

Reviewed By Debbie G

Excellent tour by Rowan. He took our family of 5 to the Highlands from Edinburgh. His recommendations on sites to visit along the way kept the attention of adults and 2 teenagers. Very entertaining and fun adventure. He also dropped us off at a fabulous restaurant and gave us suggestions on what to order. Would highly recommend!

4. GHD Clan tour of OUTLANDER series

Royal Highland Hotel, 18 Station Square, Academy St, Inverness IV1 1LG, UK GHD Clan Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

George will personaly guide you through time pointing out all the references to the Outlander Series in the Highlands. Visit the Culloden Battlefield and other areas where Claire and Jamie travel.

Inclusions: Bottled water, To hear George talk about Culloden, you'd think he was there

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Reviewed By mutleymushu

I wanted to book a trip where myself and my husband were the only passengers but I wasn’t paying stupid money, and this trip fitted the bill. We had an excellent trip with George, who went out of his way to find us as many distilleries as he could. Unfortunately because of coronavirus many had shut their doors to visitors. Unsurprisingly none of the distilleries we did visit were doing tours of where they do production, but the ones we visited for tastings were well worth it. The highlight for us was Glenmorangie. We’d highly recommend a day with George, a true gent and Highlander.

5. Select South Private Tour from Invergordon Cruise Port

37 Shore Rd, Invergordon IV18 0EH, UK Highland-Excursions
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

This is a Private Tour by Luxury MPV from Invergordon heading South taking in a number of iconic attractions. This tour is laid back and at a speed to suit my customers. Whilst there will be an itinerary it is your day and this can be changed in real time as we go to change what we see or do. Tickets for attractions are not included but can be acquired at short notice at cost price.

Inclusions: Pick up and drop off from the Port of Invergordon, Complimentary water and snacks are carried in the vehicle, There is complimentary wifi where reception allows, Good craic, Snacks, Bottled water

Exclusions: Entrance tickets to attractions, meals

Reviewed By spinart2016

My husband and I had a wonderful day last week (Oct 2020) exploring the Northern Highlands from Inverness with Craig. Prior to our visit, I communicated with Craig via email to plan our day. I had a few things in mind that I wanted to see, such as the Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and Dunrobin Castle, but mostly explained that we wanted to get a sense of the history and culture and stop and take in the beautiful landscapes and take photos. Craig delivered all that and more, exceeding our expectations, with his knowledge of the area and his delightful stories. In addition to all of the above, Craig whisked us off to a surprise visit to fascinating Wardlaw Mausoleum to learn more about the Clan Fraser (Outlander fans will understand!), Beauty Priory, Shin Falls to see the salmon leaping (yes, we did get to see actual salmon!). We had another surprise at Dunrobin Castle with a Falconry demonstration, which normally would not be operating this time of year. Many stops along the way to see beautiful vistas, Loch Fleet World Heritage site where we had a good view of the seal colony, and Clootie Well. Craig was the ultimate host, picking us up and dropping us off at our Inverness hotel, driving us in comfort, complete with safety measures of hand sanitizer and masks, and more importantly a picnic hamper full of snacks. He was very responsive and communicative before and after our trip. I highly recommend Craig as your personal tour guide to the delightful Highlands.

6. Crime and Punishment: Explore Aberdeen's darker history on a walking audio tour

The Tolbooth Museum, Castle St, Aberdeen AB11 5BB, UK VoiceMap Aberdeen
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

From bodysnatching and beheadings to witchcraft and whippings, we share real life stories of crime and punishment from the last 500 years on this self-guided GPS audio tour. Along the way you’ll see major Aberdeen landmarks, from Marischal College to the Mercat Cross, and learn how they were witness to darkest chapters in the city’s history. Scot Free Tours sheds a light on the baffling and often unjust laws of the last five centuries – and reveals that past is not as far away as we think. Thousands of people have loved our 5-star rated live tours and now you can experience them with freedom of an audio guide! The tour plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. Start the tour in the app, put your phone in your pocket, and let us guide you around Aberdeen. The total walking distance is 3km and takes about 45 minutes without stopping, but you can pause anytime!

Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap app for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Food and drink, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Reviewed By nickjtravels

A very informative tour of Aberdeen that we did on our brief stop in Aberdeen earlier this year. When we return we will be doing one of the other tours on VoiceMap. Altogether a great experience that is perfect in a COVID-19 world as you go around by yourselves and will still work well when this pandemic is well behind us. We were so pleased with this tour we did another one in Liverpool on the same trip and this was of the same quality. Just make sure you have plenty of charge on your phone!

7. BMW X5 SUV Ultimate Speyside, Macallan, Cardhu, Glenfiddich, Aberlour, Glenlivet

Inverness Whisky Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Gavin Nicholson, the two metre tour guide has been discovering Scotland his whole life and over the last 8 years he has become one of the most sought after tour guides in Scotland. Gavin is a knowledgeable and passionate born and bred Scottish Highlander who will entertain you with stories and anecdotes about growing up in Scotland. Sit back and relax while you tour in one of the most technologically advanced luxury tour vehicles in Scotland. Gavin's BMW X5 M50d 4x4 SUV can take you to parts of Scotland other tour vehicles can only dream of. An elevated vantage point so that you can see more of the beautiful Scottish Highland scenery throughout your tour. Panoramic roof for 360° degree views. Widescreens front and back to view maps and information throughout your journey. Heated seats front and back for those chilly days where you need warmed up. Chocolate paired whisky tastings from Gavin's extensive private collection.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water, Snacks, Kilted Highland Guide, Whisky and Chocolate Tasting, Face Mask and Hand Sanitiser, Free WIFI so that you can stay connected

Exclusions: Lunch, Entrance Fees

Reviewed By wontonshawn

I honestly do not have enough good things to say about Gavin and his company. He organized a great day of distilleries and sights for us and it was easily the best day of our vacation. It is obvious he does this because he genuinely loves sharing Scotland (and its whisky) with people. We basically left all the planning up to him and it was the correct choice. He was also able to get us last minute reservations at a fantastic restaurant in Inverness and coordinated a taxi driver (John, who was also a lot of fun to spend time with) for us as well. In short, this is the kind of experience one hopes to have when traveling and very rarely gets. Do yourself a favor and book Gavin himself if you have the opportunity, we can't recommend him highly enough.

8. Self-guided Discovery Walk in Edinburgh: An Obscure Adventure

Statue of Frederick Duke of York and Albany on the Esplanade, Castlecliff Hotel, 25 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2NH, UK Secret City Trails in Edinburgh
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Just one look at Edinburgh’s intriguing cityscape hints at all the secrets beneath… Are you curious to discover them? Follow in the footsteps of an enthusiastic history buff, Chris, and seek answers to location-based riddles he created. Wandering through obscure streets, you’ll find atmospheric gardens, intriguing statues and wicked delights along the way. Even long-time locals said they were surprised with hidden spots and stories they discovered on this self-guided walk! This playful walk across Edinburgh’s Old Town sharpens your senses and encourages you to appreciate the most wonderful – and often hidden – details around you. Whether you know Edinburgh or just start exploring here, this experience gives you a perspective on discovery that will inspire your curiosity wherever you go next. There are 12 fun location-based riddles to solve on this route. You can fully enjoy this experience of connecting with the city while staying in your own group.

Inclusions: A link to the web app game (received via email). The game is played in the browser of your phone.

Exclusions: Food and Drinks, Mobile data

9. St Andrews Golf History Tours - Private Tours Only

The Russell Hotel St Andrews, 26 The Scores, St Andrews KY16 9AS, UK St Andrews Ghost Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Tour times 12 noon and 2pm, 7 days a week throughout the year (check booking calendar for any exclusions). Your guide for all of the tours is author and historian Richard Falconer who is endorsed by noted St Andrews Golf Historian and author David Joy. These are golf orientated historical tours of St Andrews, giving an all-round insight into what makes St Andrews so unique, from the golf to the wealth of history through the town. St Andrews is not only the 'Home of Golf', it has Scoltand's first University and the ruins of the Cathedral and Archbishops Palace was once the seat of the Catholic Church for over eight centuries. The golfing enthusiast generally knows a lot about golf in St Andrews, so these tours feature lesser known aspects and appeals to all who have an appreciation of the game and an interest in history.

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By AniaB951

A strong 5 star rating for the small group tour (was just me and my friend). The guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. He gave us great portion of information and history of this area. A great tour to take on the first day of your visit to St Andrews. Highly recommended!

10. Orkney Mini Tour 5 hours

Orkney Travel
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

This tours take you through some of Orkney’s famous Neolithic sites including Skara Brae, Standing Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar. We then have a drive with scenic views of the sheltered of Scapa Flow which was used by the British Navy during both World Wars and the final resting place of HMS Royal Oak. We then go to the Italian Chapel. Built during the 2nd World War by Italian prisoners of war who were stationed on the island of Lamb Holm and tasked with building the Churchill Barriers. Finally we have a look around the beautiful St Magnus Cathedral in the heart of Kirkwall. Built in 1137 when Orkney was under Norse rule.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Private transportation, Bottled water

Exclusions: Entry Fee's to Skara Brae and Italian Chapel

Reviewed By gtorkos

My husband and I booked a tour with local Orkney guide Garry for 9-28-19. Prior to our trip Garry sent an email introducing himself and asking if we had any special requests. We arranged for him to pick us up at the Kirkwall airport at 8 am where we would start our 8 hour tour. Garry was inside the airport waiting for us when we landed with a name placard. We got settled (with our luggage) in his car while he reviewed our itinerary. He used a small microphone so that my husband who was seated in the backseat could hear him as well as I could in the front. He was very organized, arranging the sites according to when they were not as busy. He also used laminated maps and photos to help us understand the geography and sites. Garry has lived in Orkney all his life, so he was able to talk about historical facts, historical figures, and landmarks with personal knowledge and experiences which gave the tour a personal touch. Garry was also very flexible, as we talked and he got to know us, he was able to make several unscheduled stops that he thought we would like. We opted to eliminate one scheduled stop to keep us on schedule. He dropped us (and our luggage) off at our hotel at the end of the day. Overall, it was a wonderful tour. Garry was punctual, knowledgeable, flexible, patient and passionate about the Orkney Islands. One thing to consider. If you purchased a Scotland explorer pass, let Garry know in advance. He prepaid for two admissions for us, and we had free admission with our passes. I think he was able to be reimbursed for this, but if we had told him in advance it would have saved him some time getting it all straightened out. I would highly recommend this tour and this excellent tour guide.

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