rabbie's tours from edinburgh

Rabbie's

• See all photos

Loch Ness and Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh

3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Day Tour Including Admission

St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

Outlander Locations Tour Including Admissions from Edinburgh

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

RABBIE'S (Edinburgh) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

• Scotland Tourism
• Scotland Hotels
• Scotland Bed and Breakfast
• Scotland Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Scotland
• Scotland Restaurants
• Things to Do in Scotland
• Scotland Travel Forum
• Scotland Photos
• All Scotland Hotels
• Scotland Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Scotland
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Rabbie's tour - Skye and Highlands - Scotland Forum

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• Scotland    

Rabbie's tour - Skye and Highlands

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• United Kingdom forums
• Scotland forum

Also - can people comment on how active these tours are? We don't want to spend hours driving.

https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/5-6-day-tours/iona-mull-the-Isle-of-skye-5-day-tour?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlZixBhCoARIsAIC745AVGaS-Tgz6-dt9rPMqB9Z5r-F9g7HQ5MX6PzM7ojCuxUYM4o3uK7IaAi6xEALw_wcB

https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/5-6-day-tours/highland-explorer-skye-far-north-5-day-tour

4 replies to this topic

That's actually a very difficult choice, both are excellent itineraries through wonderful landscapes.

The basic trade off is a visit to Iona & Staffa vs the mountain landscape of Assynt/Torridon, both are excellent, perhaps look up Iona Abbey and Staffa and see if that wins out or not over pictures of Assynt/Torridon.

There is a fair amount of driving on both trips, it's unavoidable but my impression is that both trips offer a very worthwhile compromise in distance and sightseeing,

Other parts of the Highlands are nearer at hand and offer great deal.

IME, unless you go with a specialist outdoors tour provider, the vast majority of Highland tours are set up for people who won't go very far from the bus.

As said, both are excellent trips.

I might just veer towards the one that includes Mull and Iona and Staffa…the islands always hold huge appeal for me though north of Ullapool is just stunning too.

Thank you, everyone! I appreciate your thoughts.

• Where to stay between St Andrews & Edinburgh Airport 8:36 am
• We’re to stop when returning to Edinburgh from Isle of Skye? 8:27 am
• Requirements for entry 8:21 am
• Stirling Castle and The Kelpies 7:08 am
• Blair Castle and Estate 7:08 am
• Walk from argyll hotel to buchanan street station 5:51 am
• Itinerary / journey suggestions please 5:20 am
• Help with Itinerary after Highland Games 5:10 am
• Boat trip 4:26 am
• Cumnock to Kenmore what is most interesting route? 3:49 am
• Uber from sorn castle yesterday
• Take away for lunch yesterday
• Travel from Gleneagles to Isle of Skye & back to Braemar? yesterday
• What to pack for weather in mid-May? yesterday
• What are the most beautiful places to go in Scotland ? 14 replies
• Most Scenic Drives In Scotland 15 replies
• Tipping in Scotland 70 replies
• Scotland for 9 or 10 days 9 replies
• Train Travel from St. Andrews (Leuchars) to Glasgow Airport 9 replies
• winter in scotland 21 replies
• 7 days in Scotland where to go? HELP!!!!!!! 11 replies
• Car rental liability insurance question 12 replies
• Must pack items for Mid-September to early October trip? 16 replies
• When does heather bloom? What are the Fall length of days? 5 replies

Scotland Hotels and Places to Stay

• Warning!! Read this before you hire a car
• Trip Reports
• Driving in Scotland
• One foreign visitor's perception of Scottish Roads
• Scottish top 5
• What can I do in 'wild' Scotland?
• The forgotten corner of Scotland which everyone passes by..?

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

A Scottish Highlands Tour from Edinburgh with Rabbies Tours

Last updated: March 25, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 4 Comments

We recently had the pleasure of being invited on a number of tours with a Scottish based tour operator – Rabbie’s Trail Burners, including a five day Scottish Highlands tour from Edinburgh. Taking these tours seemed like a handy way to get to know Scotland a little better, and let someone else do the heavy lifting for a change in terms of the planning, driving, and itinerary management.

All we would have to do was sit back, soak up the scenery, and decide where to eat each evening. I have to say, that was a good proposition, and one we were happy to take up.

We started our Rabbie’s adventures with three one-day tours, a Whisky Tasting Tour of the Highlands plus two different one-day tours of the Scottish Border region . Those day trip tours from Edinburgh are great for those looking for a tour outside Edinburgh but don’t have time for a multi-day trip.

These were all excellent tours, but I have to admit that I was most looking forward to the five day Highland Explorer tour , which headed far up into the beautiful Scottish highlands, and included two days on the Isle of Skye.

This was Jess’s first visit into the far north west of Scotland, and my first visit to Skye – billed as one of the most photogenic places on earth. So you can probably understand my excitement. Did the tour live up to expectation? Read on and find out!

A Five Day Scottish Highlands Tour Itinerary With Rabbie’s

I’m going to give you a run down of our tour, the key highlights from each day, and finish off with some advice as to whether or not this tour is something you might want to do. Starting with:

Day 1 – Waterfalls and Lochs

Our five day Scottish highland tour kicked off in Edinburgh, with a 9am departure from Rabbie’s centrally located office. Here, a multitude of tours depart (there’s even a live departure board!), and you can grab a coffee or something to eat to get you going after you’ve checked in.

Once we were checked in, we walked the two minutes up the street to find our bus, where we were introduced to our driver and guide, Ross. Ross was to be with us on the whole trip, keeping us entertained and informed, whilst hunting out all the best spots for photography and sight-seeing.

Our first day had us heading up to Ullapool, which is a fair distance from Edinburgh, and this meant we were due to spend a good deal of time on the bus. A quick note on the bus, since we spent a while on it!

Our tour was fully booked, meaning fifteen people, but the bus (a new Mercedez Benz) was very comfortable and had plenty of space for all of us. I was particularly impressed by the fact that all the seats came with high-speed USB charging ports, meaning our phones never ran out of power, and we were able to keep our Instagram accounts updated as we went. Always a plus.

There was a bit of shelf space above all the seats for small bags, coats or umbrellas, and we had plenty of leg room. We also had reading lights above our seats (not that we needed them!), the bus had comfortable air conditioning, and there were also individual speakers above each seat that could be turned on and off. Our luggage was stored beneath the bus in a locked storage area.

On the bus, Ross gave us a quick overview of our route, and what we would be seeing that day, as well as an expectation of an arrival time in the early evening into Ullapool. He also pointed out places of interest and spectacular scenery along the way. Highlights of the day were:

The Village of Dunkeld

Part of Dunkeld Cathedral is in ruins, whilst part of it still serves as the parish church, and it’s fascinating to see how the styles of architecture has changed since the structure was started in the 12th century. Yep, this is a pretty old church.

After wandering the church for a bit, we headed back to the bus via the village itself, availed of the bathroom break opportunity, and continued on. I’d say we stopped for roughly half an hour, which seemed to be enough for everyone to see what they wanted to see.

The Falls of Bruar

Another ninety minutes of driving, and it was time for lunch. We stopped off at the popular roadside rest stop “ House of Bruar ”, which is both a restaurant and a shopping outlet for a variety of Scottish clothing and gifts. We took advantage of this location to stock up on a couple of gifts for Jess’s family and if you’re on this trip we can recommend taking advantage of the wide selection of items available here – it is one of two of the major shopping stops on the tour.

Of course, it wasn’t all about the shopping. We had lunch here, and also partook of the short walk to the Falls of Bruar. These are around a half mile walk from the main buildings, following an easy path along the river, and this walk is very much worth doing – try to avoid spending all your time shopping if you can!

There’s an additional walk to another waterfall if you’ve got the time (grab a sandwich and start hiking!), but we were happy with just the walk to the first falls, where there was a cute stone bridge and plenty of vantage opportunities.

Then, you guessed it, back in the bus for the third leg of our trip!

Another hour or so of driving brought us to the small village of Carrbridge, where we had a quick stop to use the toilets and grab a drink, plus take in the rather pretty arch of the old stone bridge across the river Carr. You can probably see where the town got it’s name from.

This was just a quick stop, but we still got a few photos to keep us going.

Ah, Loch Ness . Probably the first place on the list so far that you’ve recognised. Unless you’re a Scotland expert that is. Anyway, I’m sure you’re familiar with the myth of the beast who lives in the Loch – the famous Loch Ness monster affectionately known as Nessie.

By volume, Loch Ness is the largest loch, or lake, in Britain. It has more fresh water in it than all the lakes of England and Wales combined, and due to all the peat in the surrounding lands, is also spectacularly murky. Which means that Nessie has lots of space to hide, and lots of gunk to hide in. Which probably explains why no-one has, as yet, provided any real evidence that she exists.

Still, despite the low chance of spotting Nessie, we very much enjoyed our visit to Loch Ness, which happened to be on one of the warmest days of the year.

This meant that there were people actually swimming in the lake, as well as sunning themselves on the beach. We opted to just have a walk along the shore and admire the creations of the resident Loch Ness monster hunter, who has been keeping a watchful eye on the Loch since 1991.

If you plan on visiting this Loch, see our complete guide to visiting Loch Ness for more information.

Finishing up with Loch Ness, it was back into the bus for the last couple of hours of driving, up to Ullapool, which was to be our base for the next two nights. This was definitely a full day of driving, but there were enough stops to make it interesting, and the gorgeous scenery certainly helped – not to mention Ross’s occasional commentary and musical selection.

Finally we arrived into Ullapool at around six pm, where we journeyed around the small town dropping folks off at their hotels. Note that Rabbie’s doesn’t include hotel costs in the base costs on the tour, but you can specify a quality of hotel (from luxury hotel to hostel) and they’ll book it for you.

More on this at the end of the post. We had opted to stay in B&B’s throughout, and so it was that we found ourselves checking in to the Riverside B&B, about a five minute walk from the town centre.

Ross had given us some options for dining out, and we chose the Ceilidh Place – one of the finer dining options in Ullapool. We had an excellent dinner, and then popped out to watch the sunset over the harbour before returning for an early night – ready for another full day!

Day 2 – Beaches, Castles and Landscapes

Our second day started with a full Scottish breakfast, which is about the best way to set yourself up for a day of Highland exploring. Bacon, black pudding, fried egg, toast – what more could you want? I’m hungry just thinking about it.

Following breakfast we had a pickup time of 8.45 and we popped around all the hotels to get everyone on board before setting out on the days adventure. This was to be a day with a lot more exploring out of the bus and less driving – a stark contrast to the mileage of the previous day.

Ross was particularly excited about our day. The weather was gorgeous, and we could tell he was passionate about this region of Scotland, the north western highlands. Our day went as follows:

Ardmair Beach

A few minutes drive from Ullapool, and we stopped to take a walk on the beautiful Ardmair Beach, which set the scene for the day. This was to be a day of gentle walks and stunning scenery, with short bus rides in between.

Ross guided us along the stretch of pebble beach, Jess and I found some things to photograph, and the group reconvened at the bus, full of fresh Scottish air and excited about what the rest of the day had in store. Which, it turned out, was quite a bit!

Back on the bus, we headed along to Achilitibuie, with stops along the way to take in the incredible landscapes. A highlight was definitely the photo stop for Stac Pollaidh , where I grabbed a photo of Ross in his kilt.

Achiltibuie Area

I mentioned near the start of the post that Jess hadn’t been to this part of Scotland before, but didn’t fill you in on my experiences here. Well, way back in the 1980’s, my family holidayed up in this part of the world, specifically in the village of Achiltibuie. Not a village name you want to try to pronounce after a couple of beers.

I was excited to revisit, but mostly so I could tell my mum about it – if I’m honest, my memories of that trip largely involved being left outside a pub in the rain so my parents could enjoy a beverage. Licensing laws around children being allowed in pubs being apparently quite strict in the Scotland of the eighties.

Anyway, that memory was washed away by our visit to Achiltibuie on a glorious sunny day. We took in a local croft, stopped for a cup of tea, and took some photos of sheep, boats, and giant balls on a pebbly beach.

Then, it was on to our lunch stop, but not before stopping a couple more times to take photos of more incredible highland scenery.

Lunch was at a small cafe near Inverkirkaig, where options ranged from paninis to soups. After lunch we had the opportunity to take a stroll, which Jess and I did, finishing up on Inverkirkaig beach, where Ross picked us up, before heading on to our next stop:

Achmelvich Beach

I have seen photos of Scotland’s beaches in summer, and have usually had a “I can’t believe that’s Scotland” reaction.

It turns out that Scotland has gorgeous white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. When the sun is out, you could be mistaken for thinking you’ve teleported to the Caribbean.

Of course, all you have to do to shatter the illusion is dip your toe in the water. It’s not exactly Caribbean warm, although plenty of people were enjoying the waters. Instead of enjoying the waters with them, we opted to wander the two beautiful coves, take lots of pictures and generally just relax for the ninety minutes that we had at the beach. Definitely a highlight of the day.

Ardvreck Castle

Finally, our relaxing beach time came to an end and it was time to return to the vehicle, and set off towards our first castle of the trip!

Ardvreck Castle is a ruined 16th century castle, which sits on a rock outcrop on the shore of Loch Assynt. It was built by Clan MacLeod, but was destroyed when invaded by Clan MacKenzie in 1672. They built a manor house nearby, but that too was destroyed, in mysterious circumstances, meaning that there are now two impressive piles of ruined home on the shores of Loch Assynt.

We had about half an hour to explore, and we wasted no time in getting to the rocky outcrop of Ardveck Castle. Due to high rains in the previous weeks, the Loch was high, necessitating some knee high wading through the waters to actually reach the property. This was definitely worth it though, as the ruins of the castle against the backdrop of the highlands were wonderful to behold.

Finally, it was back to the bus, where barring one scenic reststop, it was the end of our day. We had an evening meal from a food truck serving up delicious local sea food, before hitting our bed again.

Day 3 – Castles, Coos and Passes

Day three was to be another day with a bit of driving, but again, we were to be touring some of Scotland’s most stunning locations, and the day was due to end on Skye. So obviously that was exciting. We loaded up with a full Scottish breakfast, before checking out and loading ourselves onto the bus for another full day of adventuring.

This was a beautifully still day, which meant one thing – stopping to take pictures of magnificently still lochs! It had become apparent to me by this point that Ross was a talented and keen photographer as well as being an excellent driver/guide, which meant that we had some truly epic photo opportunities on our trip.

We stopped at Loch Broom, Loch a’ Chroisg and Loch Clair – the latter of which was a definite highlight! I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

I think you’ll agree, Scotland with a bit of sunshine is pretty special.

All Loch’d up, and we headed on for a morning coffee break, stopping on the shores of Loch Torridon at The Torridon Inn. This is a relaxed cafe / pub for refreshments with a nice-looking hotel next door. We had a coffee, and explored the grounds a little, before we set off on the fantastically scenic Applecross coastal road – a windingly scenic highway around the edge of the Applecross peninsula.

It was here that we encountered two things. First, the first grey weather on our trip, which lasted all of around an hour. Second:

A Highland Coo!

Yes, another iconic Scottish sight, the hairy Highland Cow, or Coo, as the locals call it. This wonderfully hirsute beast is near the top of sights for many visitors to Scotland, and so we were thrilled to find such a fine looking animal just sitting by the side of the road.

Despite the fog, which, to be honest, just lent a bit of atmosphere to the experience, we all piled out of the bus and went to say hello.

Despite their horned appearance, Highland Coo’s are generally well mannered and approachable, although you should maintain a respectful distance, refrain from trying to touch them, and don’t come between them and their calves as they can be aggressive if provoked. We were able to get fairly close for some lovely photos, which was a wonderful experience. Then, we headed on, to our lunchtime stop at the Potting Shed Cafe & Restaurant , near the town of Applecross.

Here we had a rather delicious meal of locally sourced food, before setting off on one of Scotland’s most spectacular mountain roads – the Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle). This road is one of the highest in Britain, reaching 2,053 ft, and it offered us our first glimpses of Skye, across the sea to the west.

Skye itself was cloud draped, but her mountain tops were poking above the clouds, so it was quite an impressive sight. Then, we wound down the hill to our last big stop of the day, the most visted attraction in the Highlands, and definitely one of the most photographed in Scotland:

Eilean Donan Castle

Sitting on the junction of three lochs, and built upon a rocky promontory which can only be accessed by a stone bridge, Eilean Donan is definitely one of the most photogenic castles in Scotland.

It’s also probably the busiest of all the visitor attractions in the highlands, and the day we visited was no exception. Ross actually suggested that due to the volume of visitors, we might prefer to skip going inside the castle and instead to just take photos of it from the shore, but we opted to go inside and experience it. Most of our group decided to go in and tour on their own but a few decided to just spend time in the gift shop and check out the closest town.

Eilean Donan is actually a bit of a strange castle, as the original was entirely destroyed in the 18th century by the British Royal Navy in retribution for the role it played housing Jacobite revolutionaries. For two hundred years the castle lay in ruins, before being entirely rebuilt in the early 20th century to it’s former design – the main change being the stone bridge across which you access the castle today.

The castle was definitely crowded, but worth the visit nonetheless, although the best photos of it are definitely to be had from the shore.

Finally, our castle time concluded, and we took the short drive north and headed across the bridge to the last stop on our day, the magical:

Isle of Skye

Skye is actually quite a big island, and it was around an hour’s drive from where we drove onto the island to the small village where we were to be based for the next couple of nights. Naturally, Ross updated us with the key geological features, notably the Black and Red Cuillins, which we stopped briefly to photograph.

Finally, we arrived at our B&B, which was around a twenty minute walk from the town centre, and after dropping our bags off, Ross gave us a lift into town where we had a lovely evening meal at the Antlers Bar & Grill (I particularly enjoyed the seafood platter!), part of the Portree Hotel , before walking home to bed.

Day 4 – Skye: Mythic Landscapes and Faerie Folk

Our fourth day was entirely set aside for exploring the Isle of Skye, but first, of course, we had to get started with a full Scottish breakfast. The breakfast is usually my favourite part of staying at a B&B, and the Feochan B&B didn’t disappoint. Jess opted for lighter options.

Fully equipped for the day, we set off, with our first stop being:

Loch Fada and the Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is one of the more recognisable sights on Skye, a finger of rock that juts out of the surrounding landscape. The actual walk up to the Old Man of Storr would have taken more time than we had, so we stopped by beautiful Loch Fada to soak up the view and get some gorgeous reflections of the Old Man of Storr while we were at it.

Conveniently, Loch Fada also had some boats parked in it, which only added to the view!

Some time, and many photographs later, we hopped back into the bus for the first waterfall of the trip, the spectacular:

Mealt Falls

Mealt Falls are fed from nearby Mealt Loch, with their key feature being that they plunge off the side of the sea cliffs and down to the waiting sea, some fifty plus meters below. With the backdrop of the Kilt Rock, these are a stunning sight on any day, and we were particularly lucky to have fine weather when we visited, which gave the water below a wonderful greenish tinge.

We enjoyed the view for a time, before taking a short ride on the bus along to the town of Staffin, where we stopped for a coffee at the Columba 1400 cafe . As well as offering lovely views, this is a social enterprise and charity, where the funds raised go towards helping young people through tough times.

The Quirang

The next stop on our trip was another well known spot on Skye – the Quirang. Formed as part of a series of huge landslips from the Trotternish peninsula, the Quirang is home to a series of stunning landscape formations, including The Needle and The Table.

The vistas from the top of the Quirang are unbelievable, and the half hour or so that we had to explore slipped away all too quickly.

The Faerie Glen

From the Quirang we carried on to the other side of the Trotternish Peninsula, to visit a curious geographic region known as the Faerie Glen. This is a place rife with fokelore and legend – Ross warned us to avoid invitations to a night of partying from the faeries, as whilst we would likely have a wonderful time, we might emerge to a world very different to that which we had left!

Sadly, we had no such encounters (I was all for a time travelling night of partying), but we did still enjoy the climb up to the top of the rock formation known as the Faerie Castle, the views of the strange hills, and the overall weird atmosphere of the place. So much so, that we were almost sad to leave and head back to Portree for our lunch stop!

Lunch was at our leisure – Ross gave us some options, but Jess and I went off piste and decided to go for an Indian. Which was actually excellent, and definitely recommendable. Following lunch, we had a bit of time to explore Portree and its shops and harbor, after which we headed to another part of Skye, to try another Scottish classic.

You basically can’t come to Scotland and not try Whisky, and what better place to have a sample than at Skye’s most famous (and only) distillery: Talisker. Founded in 1831 on the south shore of Loch Harport, the Talisker Distillery is a popular tourist attraction – and for good reason!

Here you can learn about the history of the Talisker brand, including the various hardships the distillery has gone through, most notably it’s total destruction by fire in 1960, an event which was said to have set the Loch itself aflame with whisky.

Today there is less flaming whisky, and more tasting whisky, and we partook of a wee dram whilst learning all about the history of Talisker. Definitely a good call by a couple of our fellow travellers who suggested a visit here! We also had the option to stay in Portree and relax, go on a boat ride, or hike, but most people chose to come along for the whisky tour.

The Faerie Pools

After our visit to Talisker, it became apparent that the weather was really closing in. Whilst the afternoon tour was optional, everyone had opted to come along, and we started to experience weather that was perhaps a bit more typical of the Isle of Skye. Rain and fog descended, and our afternoon trip to the stunning Faerie Pools was attempted, but the weather wasn’t really good enough to make the walk worth it.

Ross drove us further, and we did take in some more sights, including a blustery and wet walk on a beach, followed by a blustery and wet quick viewing of Dunvegan Castle, before we decided to head back to Portree, have a bite to eat, and get an early night. Jess and I had dinner at The Granary , which was a really excellent meal, and really finished off our last night on Skye in fine style!

Day 5 – Forests, Glens and Forts

Our last day of the tour was also another big drive, all the way back from the Isle of Skye down to Edinburgh. We were going to be taking a very different route with different scenery and highlights on the way back, so it was still a day to look forward to – after I’d eaten my full Scottish breakfast of course!

Loading up, we headed south and away from Skye – with a quick stop on the way to grab an image of some stunning reflections on Loch Ainort. Ross was always on the lookout for excellent photo opportunities, and this was one we couldn’t miss!

Then, we were off Skye, and we headed back to Eilean Donan castle to get some additional photos. We couldn’t complain about Eilean Donan photo opportunities!

Ross, then took the time to get a nice group photo of all of us, before we turned our noses south, and headed to our first new stop of the day, the:

Commando Memorial

The Commando Memorial, near the foot of Ben Nevis mountain (the UK’s highest mountain), is Scotland’s most famous war memorial, and is dedicated to the Commando’s who trained all around this area and fought in World War 2. Officially unveiled by the Queen Mother in 1952, the memorial depicts three Commando’s in full dress, cast in bronze, gazing south to Ben Nevis.

If you’re not familiar with them, the Commando’s were an elite unit of men, formed during the second world war, with the goal of carrying out raids in German occupied Europe. During the war, 25,000 men passed through the nearby Commando training facility of Achnacarry. Their first test, an eight mile march in full gear from the train station to the training camp, passed right by the location of the memorial. Any man who failed to complete the hike in sixty minutes was returned to their unit. As you can imagine, the training only got harder from then on!

Today, the memorial is used for major memorial services, including the D-Day landings and Remembrance Day ceremonies. It’s also a very popular tourist spot – both for the memorial itself, and the views it offers over the surrounding landscapes. Well worth our stop!

Spean Bridge

From the Commando Memorial it was a short drive down to nearby Spean Bridge, where we stopped at the Spean Bridge Woolen Mill. This was the other main opportunity on the trip for shopping, and we had around a 40 minute stop here – plenty of time to peruse everything on offer, from whisky to tweed clothing.

The best part of the stop was the whisky tasting, with three types of whisky out for trial – definitely worth the stop in itself, despite it being fairly early in the day still. We also bought a couple of warm hats, one for me, one as a gift for Jess’s father. We certainly appreciated the opportunity to get in a bit of gift shopping as the trip was coming to a close.

Fort William

The largest town in the Highlands, Fort William was a logical stop for lunch. It’s also a very picturesque location, surrounded by towering mountains and on the shore of Loch Linnhe. With the fine weather we were having Jess wanted to have a picnic, so grabbed some sandwiches and headed to the ruins of the old Fort itself.

Then, it was on to the free West Highland Museum, where we entertained ourselves learning about Jacobite revolutionaries and the region’s history. This is definitely worth a stop if you are in Fort William and the museum staff were lovely. At the train station waiting for our bus, we saw the steam locomotive “The Jacobite”, most famous for starring as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter movies. Finally, we were back onto the bus for our last afternoon of driving.

Time was against us, so we had a very short amount of time in one of Scotland’s most stunning highland valleys – Glen Coe . I wasn’t too bothered about this as I spent a few days photographing the landscapes of Glen Coe in 2015, but I did feel that the trip could have benefited from a few more scenic stops in Glencoe for the benefit of the other passengers.

Still, Glencoe is a super popular stopping point, especially in August, and most of the parking areas were absolutely stuffed, so maybe it wasn’t so bad after all!

From Glencoe we wound our way down to the town of Callander, where we stopped for a coffee and a stretch of the legs. We also had a brief stop at Doune Castle, not officially on the tour, but as it’s the main filming location for one of the Monty Python movies, was worth a few minutes of our time for the photo opportunities. Finally, we drove back into Edinburgh, arriving at around 7pm, where we said our thank you’s and farewell’s to Ross, and headed home via public bus. Phew. What an adventure!

Now, let’s go through some thoughts on our trip and maybe you’ll be able to make up your mind if this is something for you!

Is A Five Day Scottish Highlands Tour with Rabbie’s For You?

First, this tour covers a lot of ground, as you can see from our itinerary. The days are definitely packed, although for the most part we didn’t feel too rushed, and were able to see everything we wanted. Of course, there’s always the feeling that you could have more time at some locations, but that’s the nature of it.

The nicest thing about a tour like this is that everything is handled for you. Driving in the UK (on the wrong side of the road for many people!), can be a bit of a challenge for visitors, so letting someone else handle all the driving is a definite positive if you’re nervous about hiring a car.

The other thing we appreciated was how timely the tour was. This was a combination of Ross’s excellent time keeping, and the fact that 95% of the time, everyone made it back to the bus at the specified departure time. This made for a very well run tour, and gave us the opportunity to sneak in a few extra short stops here and there.

Of course, there are downsides to an organised tour, in that there’s less flexibility, and you can’t stop wherever and whenever you want. Ross did his best to accommodate requests, but broadly the itinerary was fairly fixed, and time was not infinite. If you’re more of a self-drive kind of traveller, then of course this tour might not be right for you.

This is also definitely not a party kind of tour. The days are quite long, and you’re left to your own devices in the evenings. Of course, you can go out and party wildly, but generally the folks on the trip that we were on were more interested in enjoying themselves in the daytime and resting up in the evenings. We chose to generally head off and do our own thing during free time and evenings,  but some of the participants had group dinners together or met up for walks or drinks. So you can definitely spend as little or as much time as you like with others. Just note that the group is spread out among 3-5 lodging places at night.

Overall, we can definitely recommend this tour for anyone looking for a small group tour that takes in a good many of the highlights of the Scottish Highlands. It’s well priced, the bus is comfortable, it all runs smoothly, and this is an incredible part of the world to visit.

Who’s Going To Be On A Rabbie’s Tour?

There was a wide range of travellers on our trip, from young couples, through to single older folks, and even a family. Three of the tour participants were traveling on their own and the rest were in a couple or family group. Nationalities included Germany, Canada, United States, UK, and China, and speaking to Ross he indicated that they get a wide mix of folks from all over the world. Many had taken a Rabbie’s Tour before (always a good sign), and everyone was friendly and easy to get along with.

Another great thing about booking this tour is that it is guaranteed to leave even if you are the only person signed up! While rare, Ross told us that he once did a Highland tour with just one person. So you don’t need to worry about booking a Rabbie’s tour and it being cancelled due to not enough participants.

What’s Included On A Rabbie’s Tour?

The tour includes the driver/guide services and all bus transportation. Accommodation, meals, and entry fees to attractions are not included unless otherwise noted in the itinerary.

Rabbie’s can book your accommodation for you (this is our recommended approach as it makes things a lot easier and they often get a discounted rate on rooms). This means that you can adjust the price of your trip to suit your budget, with options ranging from hostels through to fairly nice three and four star hotels.

As mentioned, we stayed in some nice B&B’s, which were in the midrange of the price, running to around £50 – £70 a night for the two of us, including breakfast.

Beyond that, you’ll also need to bring spending money for gifts and incidentals. Guides also greatly appreciate a tip at the end of the trip if you enjoyed it!

What You’ll Need To Bring

Scotland is known for having unpredictable weather, whatever the time of year. We lucked out with mostly warm and sunny days – Ross said that his trip the previous week was just grey and cloudy the whole way round, with pouring rain – in August!

So you basically need to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions depending on when you are traveling – everything from 25C / 80F + down to freezing in Winter. Layers are the answer, so you can dress up or down accordingly. A waterproof jacket would also be a recommendation.

Beyond that, I’d suggest comfortable shoes – you don’t need full on hiking boots, but comfortable hiking trainers that offer some water resistance would be suggested.

If you’re travelling in the summer months, then suncream and insect repellent are must-have’s. In our case, Ross had insect repellent we could borrow, but we’d suggest bringing your own anyway as his supply was limited. The midges (little mosquito like insects) can be particularly bad in certain areas.

Beyond that, you’re going to need spending money, charging cables, your camera – basically everything you’d need for any trip. For ideas on what to pack, check out my ultimate travel packing list to be sure you don’t miss anything.

Final Thoughts

We really enjoyed our five day trip with Rabbie’s Trail Burner up into the Highlands of Scotland. It was well planned, our driver/guide Ross was friendly, courteous and professional (and knew all the photo spots!), and we saw some fantastic scenery. The accommodation was good, the food was excellent, and overall, we can definitely recommend this trip to anyone looking to get a great Scottish experience at a reasonable price.

If you’re interested, you can book this trip here , and find out more about all the tours Rabbie’s offers right here .

Further reading for your Scottish Adventure

We’ve got lots of resources to help you plan your trip to the UK, from posts we’ve written ourselves to third party content we’re happy to recommend. Here it is:

• If you’re planning a longer trip covering more of the UK, check out our detailed one week and two week UK itineraries .
• Our guide to avoiding the crowds on the Isle of Skye
• A guide to driving Scotland’s epic North Coast 500 , as well as accommodation options on the North Coast 500
• A two day Edinburgh itinerary & 21 Highlights in Edinburgh
• Edinburgh: Getting off the beaten path
• A Two Day Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary
• A guide to  things to do on Islay
• A guide to 10 of the best Stately Homes in England , to give you some ideas as you plan your itinerary
• For London, we have some detailed itineraries to help you plan your visit. These include a 1 Day London Itinerary , a Two Day London itinerary and a six day London itinerary
• The top Harry Potter sites in London
• The Best Photography Locations in London
• Tips on Buying and Using the London Pass
• Eight Things to Do in Kensington
• The Highlights of Oxford
• Visiting Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds
• 20 Things To Do in Dublin
• A Guide to Touring the Scottish Borders
• If you’re interested in getting better photos when you travel, take a look at my online photography course , where I’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting better photos – whatever camera you have!
• If you want a physical (or digital!) book to accompany your travels, then Amazon do a good line in UK Travel Guides , and there is naturally a Lonely Planet and a Rough Guide to the UK available.

Disclaimer: Our trip with Rabbie’s was provided complimentary to us, and they also covered our accommodation, meals and entry to attractions. All opinions remain our own, check out our code of ethics for how we decide who to work with.

Enjoyed this post? Why not share it!

There are 4 comments on this post

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

Tara Davda says

10th November 2020 at 3:11 pm

Sounds really interesting.

Considering Covid19 restrictions, Is the tour available first week of December 2020.

Laurence Norah says

10th November 2020 at 3:25 pm

Thanks for your comment! So things are very much in flux right now. The exact tour that we took, which was a five day tour, isn’t running until March. However, there are some tours running in Winter, including this 4 day Isle of Skye and Highlands explorer , which doesn’t go all the way up to Ullapool but does instead visit the beautiful Highlands around Fort William, including Glencoe and Glenfinnan, as well as Skye. That currently has an available departure on the 7th December.

There are a few other tours running at the moment as well – you can see all the tours Rabbie’s are running through the winter here .

Let me know if you have any more questions!

26th February 2018 at 5:16 pm

Hello and many thanks for such a thoroughly detailed account of your tour. The photos make me yearn to visit! My husband and I are planning our first visit to Scotland this September and definitely are interested in doing a tour. You have given us lots of great information to help plan our trip!

26th February 2018 at 5:19 pm

Our pleasure Linda – have a wonderful trip, and do shout if you have any more questions! Also check back from time to time, we’re always writing new content on Scotland!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let me know when there's a reply to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. This also makes you eligible to enter our monthly giveaways!

We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store your data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

5-Day Outer Hebrides & the Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided

Places You’ll See

• Introduction

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Operated by Rabbie's Tours

Rabbie’s small group tours are driven by curiosity and guided by storytellers. We find the stories that go deeper and live longer in travellers' minds. On our journeys, everyone’s hungry for the little-known or just-happened, and we can go after them: no track too small, too trodden or obscure. No need for scripts, because our guides know places like the back of their hand.

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.7
• Itinerary Excellent 5.0
• Guide Excellent 5.0
• Transport Excellent 5.0
• Accommodation Excellent 4.7
• Food Excellent 4.7
• Tour Operator Rabbie's Tours 4.7

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• Monday 29 Apr, 2024 Friday 3 May, 2024 English Sold Out €1,071 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 6 May, 2024 Friday 10 May, 2024 English Sold Out €1,071 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 13 May, 2024 Friday 17 May, 2024 English Sold Out €1,071 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 20 May, 2024 Friday 24 May, 2024 English Sold Out €1,071 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 27 May, 2024 Friday 31 May, 2024 English Sold Out €1,071 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 3 Jun, 2024 Friday 7 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €1,099 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 10 Jun, 2024 Friday 14 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €1,099 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 17 Jun, 2024 Friday 21 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €1,099 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• 7 Other Unavailable Departures
• Monday 24 Jun, 2024 Friday 28 Jun, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €1,099 Confirm Dates
• Monday 1 Jul, 2024 Friday 5 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €1,099 Confirm Dates
• Monday 8 Jul, 2024 Friday 12 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €1,099 Confirm Dates
• Monday 15 Jul, 2024 Friday 19 Jul, 2024 English Sold Out €1,099 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 22 Jul, 2024 Friday 26 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €1,099 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
• Monday 29 Jul, 2024 Friday 2 Aug, 2024 English Sold Out €1,099 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Monday 5 Aug, 2024 Friday 9 Aug, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €1,099 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

• Currency £ Pound Sterling England and Scotland

As a traveller from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.

• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 24th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 24th June 2024, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Rabbie's Tours. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Rabbie's Tours will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Rabbie's Tours" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Rabbie's Tours. Please familiarise yourself with the Rabbie's Tours payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
• Experience the world with Explore!
• Qwerty Travel Argentina - Ask a Question
• Hiking in Europe in October
• Victoria Falls Guide: 10 Facts Not to Miss Be…
• 10 Best Nepal Trekking Companies & Tour Opera…
• 10 Best Hiking & Trekking Companies
• How to Go to Himalayas (from Nepal & India)

Similar Tours

Keep Exploring Europe

• Scotland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 3 Weeks Europe Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• 10 Best Cultural Travel Companies
• 10 Best Cultural Experiences in The World 2024/2025
• Europe from Edinburgh
• Europe In-depth Cultural
• 5 days Europe
• Operators in Europe
• 5-Day Outer Hebrides & the Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh Tours in Scotland
• In-depth Cultural Tours
• Scotland Tours
• Europe Tours
• Family Tours
• Group Tours
• Fully Guided Tours
• Scotland tours
• England tours

What's On In Edinburgh

Things to do in edinburgh, rabbie’s tours.

Go Beyond the Guidebooks

Award-winning small group tours of the UK & Europe.

Edinburgh United Kingdom

Mon - Fri: 07:30 to 12:00, 13:00 to 15:00, and 17:00 to 19:00 Sat - Sun: 17:00 to 19:00

[email protected]

www.rabbies.com/en

+44(0) 131 226 3133

It’s time to combine little-known legends with classic destinations on a Rabbie’s friendly mini-coach tour of the UK & Europe. Travel in groups of 16 people or less and visit the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, The Lake District, The Cotswolds, the Wild Atlantic Way and many more…

Each trip comes with its own driver-guide who knows the stories, sights, and secrets of the area you’re visiting.

And you get to support the local communities – Rabbie’s take you to the lesser-known attractions and recommend locally-owned accommodation. And for every ton of carbon they use, they donate £10 to environmental and community projects.

Tours depart from Edinburgh city centre, or you can also travel form Glasgow, Inverness, London, Manchester & Dublin.

Get planning, get packing, and get ready to go beyond the guidebooks!

Get in touch

Fill out your details and message, using the following form, to contact the business directly.

First Name (required)

Surname (required)

Your Email (required)

• What's on in Edinburgh Reviews
• Tripadvisor

What’s on in Edinburgh Reviews

Tripadvisor reviews.

Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands 1 day tour

Myths, monsters, and mountains: this tour is the best way to see Scotland in a day.

Tour Highlights

Rannoch Moor - Admire unforgettable views at this epic expanse of untouched wilderness.

Glencoe - Be moved by the sheer beauty and tragic tales of one of Scotland’s most famous landscapes.

Great Glen - A humongous fault line through the Scottish Highlands; it’s a location that’s as historically important as it is beautiful.

Fort Augustus - This wee town of 650 inhabitants is a great spot to watch boats traversing the Caledonian Canal.

Loch Ness* - Take a chance to go on an optional boat cruise or wander around this alluring and eerie loch.

Grampian Mountains - Enjoy classic views of one of Scotland’s most mesmerising mountain ranges.

Highland Perthshire - Travel through pine-clad slopes and take in views of fast-flowing rivers.

Your journey

Journey deep into the Highlands of Scotland on our monster-sized day tour. You hear the legendary stories of the Jacobites, gaze into gorgeous Glencoe, and get a chance to spot the mythical Loch Ness Monster.

It’s a tour packed with bewildering beauty and perfect if you’re short on time and want to see as much of Scotland as you can.

Tour Details

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

• Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
• Loch Ness cruise may not be available at busy times.
• Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
• Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
• Air conditioning as standard
• The stories and services of an English-speaking driver guide

You leave the cobbled streets of Edinburgh and travel past Linlithgow Palace and Stirling Castle.

This region is soaked in history, so sit back and relax as your driver-guide entertains you with the tales of Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace, and Scottish folklore.

If you keep a look out, you can catch a glimpse of the Kelpies. These 30-metre tall horse head sculptures need to be seen to be believed.

Your driver-guide takes you to their favourite stop within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park where you can grab coffee and enjoy the views.

After this stop, it’s time to get your camera ready. Because as you travel north into the Highlands, the landscapes suddenly become more provocative.

Shimmering lochs, rugged mountains, forest filled glens: it’s all so beautiful that it’s easy to forget these were once battlegrounds for fiercely territorial Highland clans.

You stop in Glencoe, one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. This beautiful area boasts steep slopes and photogenic peaks. Your driver-guide may reveal to you the tragic tale that’s haunted this valley for over 300 years.

You then enter the glacial valley known as the Great Glen and pass under the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain.

After this visual feast of mighty inclines, you arrive in Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness. At 23 miles long and over 700ft deep, Loch Ness is the largest loch by volume in Scotland.

You have around one hour and a half here. You can search for the infamous monster on a relaxing boat cruise,* wander around the shores of the loch at your own pace, and grab a bite to eat.

Your journey south is packed full of classic Highland scenery. You travel through the curvy Cairngorms National Park, along Loch Laggan, and past Blair Castle.

Amongst the tall trees of Perthshire, you have a final refreshment break before journeying alongside the UNESCO Forth Rail Bridge and back into Edinburgh.

*The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice.

This route may be reversed on some occasions.

Attractions

Tour Attractions

You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:

• Cruise Loch Ness 

Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email [email protected] as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email [email protected] , or check out our full FAQs .

Customer reviews

Please enable JavaScript to book your tour

Prices from £69.00

• Work With Me

• Travel to Scotland
• Travel to Roatan
• All Destinations
• House Sitting

Edinburgh Expat , Travel Tales

Rabbie’s tour of st andrews and fife.

This page may contain affiliate links, for which I could earn a small commission. You can review my full disclosure  here .

The Rabbie’s tour of St Andrews and Fife is a fantastic day trip from Edinburgh. If you’re visiting Scotland and basing much of your time in the capital city, you can easily take day trips from Edinburgh to many interesting locations.

While public transportation is readily available and accessible, sometimes it just doesn’t quite get you where you want to go. For those places, it’s worthwhile taking a tour.

Read next: Why I think expats make the best tourists and advocates for their new countries.

Rabbie’s tours are my personal favorite option for getting out of the city and seeing more.

I did the Edinburgh city tour with Rabbie’s , which offers a fabulous overview of Edinburgh’s history and geography.

After that, the Rabbie’s tour of St Andrews and Fife was the option my family chose when they came to visit us.

And what an excellent choice it was!

About Rabbie’s Tours

Rabbie’s offers tours in Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland. They also just added a new option to cover even more ground by integrating trains into their tours between England and Scotland.

Now, you can start a tour in London and still see much of my beautiful adopted home ! I haven’t done one yet, but I sincerely love the concept.

We opted for the St Andrews and Fife Rabbie’s tour for several reasons. First, my dad is an avid golfer and St Andrews is a beloved destination for any fan of the sport.

Second, the St Andrews and Fife tour is not a monstrously long day, which some of the highlands or west coast tours can be. Since St Andrews itself is just an hour drive from Edinburgh, adding in a few leisurely stops en route still doesn’t make for a crazy day.

I’ve done the day tours when you board around dawn and return after dark. You see so much and they can be amazing! But you also feel utterly exhausted by the end of the day and the next day is not an easy one for doing lots of activity.

Since much of my family had visited Edinburgh before, we could take it easy enough and enjoy the city. But getting out and seeing somewhere new was a highlight on the itinerary!

Read next: What it’s like to be an American in Scotland and how I’ve adjusted over the years.

Rabbie’s Tours from Edinburgh

All Edinburgh-based Rabbie’s tours leave from their main office near Waverley train station. This is super convenient no matter where you’re staying around Edinburgh.

We lived on the other side of the city and it still only took us about 15 minutes door-to-door. If you stay outside of town, hop a bus or train and they mostly all drop right at Waverley Station. The Rabbie’s office is just a block away from there, heading towards Calton Hill.

Rabbie’s offers a wide variety of tours on any given day, but they are also a well-oiled machine.

Make sure you arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before tour departure so you can check in and be ready to board your bus. There will likely be several tours leaving around the same time, so don’t risk showing up late and delaying everyone!

There is a cafe at the office so you can also enjoy a coffee before you hit the road. Given the early departure times of many of these tours, that caffeine is most welcome!

The buses are actually comfortable 16-passenger vans. These aren’t the massive coach buses I took on my first whirlwind visit to Europe where I visited every church and museum in 3 countries in 8 days. #AmericanTourist

Instead, these tour buses offer familiarity and a closeness with your tour guide and with your fellow passengers. You’ll be spending all day together, so go ahead and say hello!

If you’re lucky, your bus will even be led by Kevin the Coo. He has some fans on social media and was our mascot for the day of our tour! How lucky were we??

Overall, Rabbie’s comfortable seats, USB outlets, and professional tour guides make for a fabulous day out.

Note that, because this is not a coach bus, there are no bathrooms on board. Stops are planned frequently though, so you are rarely on board for so long as to feel uncomfortable.

About the Rabbie’s St Andrews and Fife Tour

The St Andrews and Fife Rabbie’s tour leaves from their main office in Edinburgh in the morning and heads first to South Queensferry, which is a favorite stop of mine.

Read next: My favorite day trips from Edinburgh , by rail or by road.

This town overlooks the Forth of Firth toward the Kingdom of Fife beyond. There are three bridges launching from this area: The Forth Rail Bridge and two road bridges.

The Forth Rail Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a true beauty. It bears a similarity to the Golden Gate Bridge, albeit on a dramatically smaller scale. It is beautiful to look at from afar and also lovely to cross by train.

The other two bridges are road bridges, with the newest one having just been completed in 2017. From further inland, you can see all three bridges spanning the water and rising above the low hills of the Lothians.

I love catching those quick peeks from the train into Edinburgh from West Lothian. The new road bridge looks like a 3-masted ship setting sail. The combination of historic and modern architecture is stunning.

From South Queensferry, you can stand under the bridges and admire their beauty up close. The town is also super cute to drive through, with its cobblestone streets and narrow lanes lined with stone houses. You’ll get to enjoy this en route to the road bridge itself.

Once over in the Kingdom of Fife, you’ll hop along the coastal route, which is a much smaller road but allows for you to hug the sea. There, you’ll stop into Anstruther, a small fishing village that’s been a popular spot for centuries.

Grab a coffee or a pint, whichever you fancy. Check out the boats in the small harbor and step out onto the small local beach before boarding the bus again for the lovely drive to St Andrews.

The town is famous for golf and for its eponymous university, which has educated many a famous royal, politician, and more. The ruins of the old St Andrews Cathedral overlooking the sea are also impressive, as are the beaches and dunes by the Old Course.

The town is quaint but offers enough options for you to find any lunch that suits your tastes. You’ll have plenty of time to do so with a few hours in St Andrews.

You’ll also find plenty of good shopping opportunities to snag a souvenir. Or just stroll the beach, explore the ruins, and – of course – admire that popular golf course .

After your lunch and wandering around St Andrews, you’ll hop back onto the bus to circle back toward Edinburgh.

A final stop in the village of Falkland offers Outlander fans a chance to visit a filming location . This town stood in place of old Inverness in the first season.

Not a fan? No worries, you can wander the small streets or explore Falkland Palace instead. And, of course, take the time for another pint with your dad!

Why Choose Rabbie’s Tours

I never write about a service or company that I do not use, enjoy, and personally recommend. I have used Rabbie’s, I like Rabbie’s, and I will definitely go on more Rabbie’s tours in the future! (I’m absolutely ogling a trip to Wales while writing this!)

Rabbie’s now offers tours all around Europe! Check out the options right here .

Even though we have our own car now, there are still trips that are better made with a tour guide (or a designated driver!).

While we can use Google maps to drive around every backroad, we won’t get a running commentary about the history en route.

We can drive to the historic sites, but we won’t get the funny little stories that a professional guide can offer in addition to the important facts and figures.

I am a huge proponent of tourism professionals (thus my involvement in Travel Massive everywhere I go!). No matter how much information we can gather online, it cannot be delivered in the same entertaining ways as a professional storyteller and history lover can do.

And – while I’m enormously grateful for it – public transportation just isn’t the same. We’re still not really paying attention to what we pass en route, while a tour guide would point out that little spot or pull over at this special view.

I choose to take tours run by reputable operators.

I also prefer small groups so I don’t feel like cattle and I don’t worry that we are causing harm everywhere we go. Large buses cannot possibly be environmentally friendly and I know they are not road-friendly!

Let’s face it: We are also not good when in large groups.

We follow the masses, we do things we otherwise wouldn’t do because we aren’t thinking as individuals or making decisions based on our surroundings.

Instead, we play follow-the-leader and lose all sense of individuality. I’ve seen it too often to condone it here!

Small groups, private tours, or going solo are pretty much the only options I see as viable.

I choose to go with Rabbie’s tours because they fit within my ethos while still being affordable and personable.

I adored our guide, Gill, so much that I started following her on Instagram right away! She posts regular photos from her tours and it keeps me wanting to see more of this beautiful country.

I have also met other Rabbie’s employees and I know other bloggers they’ve worked with. The company is good. The people are good. The tours are good.

I like to support companies that do good and I hope you do, too!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Rabbie’s tours or about visiting Scotland in general! We’ve lived here on-and-off since 2015, so I have loads of tips to offer.

Liked this post? Pin it!

Looking for more?

• Start with My Expat Timeline to see where I’ve lived
• Get all the Scotland expat info here
• And the Roatan expat info here
• See my travel destinations
• Get help with your digital content for your business
• Subscribe to my newsletters to stay in touch !

Amanda Walkins

Amanda Walkins was an expat for more than a decade and has been a travel and tourism professional since 2013, a fully remote worker since 2015, an international house and pet sitter since 2016, and a writer since she learned to read. Join her for whatever the next adventure may entail!

• Expat in Roatan
• Expat in Scotland
• Expat in Malta

~ The Rabbie's Blog ~

The Best of British Tours with Rabbie's

Exploring the country by joining fantastic British tours will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. With plenty of fascinating history and endless iconic landmarks, you’ll never want to stop visiting new destinations. Luckily, there’s no shortage of spots worth visiting in the UK. Embarking on a British tour can be achieved with ease from the Highlands of Scotland all the way down to the bustling city of London. We have lots of suggestions when it comes to the best of British tours, no matter which area of the country you start your journey. Let us guide you through some of our top picks.

Table of Contents:

Best of Scotland

• Best of England

Best of Ireland

Best of wales.

What better place to start than from the very top, with the beautiful country of Scotland . Thanks to its rich cultural heritage and unbeatable natural landscape, Scotland makes an excellent choice when choosing somewhere to take a British tour. What’s more, there are multiple convenient spots from which to begin your trip. All that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy everything this stunning part of the world has to offer.

Tours from Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is famed for its medieval town centre, breathtaking castle and many engrossing museums. Visiting Edinburgh is a treat in itself but this city is also a great starting point for exploring more Scottish gems.

Here are just a few of the wonderful sights to see when taking a British tour from Edinburgh:

• The Isle of Skye - This famous Scottish island will dazzle you with its dramatic landscapes that have inspired legends and appeared in movies. Exploring this picturesque location, our Isle of Skye tour  will allow you to take in the most beautiful sights on the island as well as the must-see Eilean Donan Castle , Glencoe and Five Sisters of Kintail .
• Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands - Lovers of a beautiful landscape will enjoy taking in the impressive sights of Cairngorms National Park , which can be seen on our tour of Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands . Spotting Urquhart Castle is another must for those who love engaging in local history during a British Tour. The crowning glory of this trip from Edinburgh is a chance to wander around the shores of the mysterious Loch Ness , world-famous for its connection to the Loch Ness monster legend. 

Tours from Glasgow

For a different perspective of Scotland, take a short 1-hour train journey from Edinburgh to the city of Glasgow . Being the culture capital of Scotland, it can be the base for plenty of British tours and a way to explore other fantastic areas of the country.

Here’s just a taste of what you can expect from a Scottish tour from Glasgow:

• Stirling Castle & Loch Lomond - Also known as the “Key to Scotland”, Stirling Castle makes essential viewing for any fan of British tours. Complete with arresting views and impressive architecture, it’s a perfect choice when taking in the best Scotland has to offer. Plus, a trip to Glengoyne Whisky Distillery and sampling their delicious whisky at the place it’s distilled is simply a must. Experience it for yourself on our 1-Day Stirling Castle & Loch Lomond tour .
• Outlander Adventure - Fans of the hit TV series must embark on a British tour to see the sights from the small screen. With several castles including Doune Castle and Blackness Castle , you’ll have no trouble picturing scenes from your favourite show as you tour the sites first-hand. Our Outlander Adventure tour stops at five locations that are important to the show, so be ready with your camera to get the perfect picture.

Best of England 

The exciting world of British tours doesn’t have to end in Scotland. Flying for less than an hour and a half between Edinburgh and London will open you up to twice the potential for British tours. Jump on a tour from the capital city of London and venture across England to explore more beautiful spots.

• Devon & Cornwall - Escape to the postcard-esque scenes of coastal England with a tour to the southern counties of Devon & Cornwall . Thanks to its beloved legends of King Arthur , this region makes a must-visit area for tourists.
• The Yorkshire Dales & Peak District - Heading a little further north will bring you to the beautiful valleys and market towns of the Yorkshire Dales & Peak District . Enjoy an authentic Bakewell tart in the historic town of Bakewell , and bask in the natural prowess of Robin Hood’s Bay whilst on your British tour to this area. 
• Bath & the South West Coast - Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Stonehenge , the region of Bath & the South West Coast is one to be experienced in your lifetime. There are plenty of hidden gems to be discovered in the Roman city of Exeter, plus stunning photo opportunities at Durdle Door .

Make use of London’s well-connected routes to the beautiful country of Ireland to continue the next leg of your British tour. Just 1 hour and 20 minutes on the plane from London to Dublin will take you directly to the base for plenty more adventures touring around the country.

Find inspiration in our best spots for touring Ireland:

• Northern Ireland & Atlantic Coast - Get the best coverage of this gorgeous island by touring its northernmost regions from Dublin. The region is full of astounding natural beauty from the dramatic coastline to the legendary Giant’s Causeway. You can also immerse yourself in the historic capital of Belfast to tick yet another major city from your list. See the regenerated waterfront where the infamous ship was constructed during a visit to the Titanic Quarter and be moved by its tragic history. Combine with a stop in Galway to relish in cosy local pubs and witness local traditions first-hand.
• South West Ireland - For a change of pace, a tour of the South West of Ireland will leave you revitalised by the stunning natural beauty. Cruise along the majestic driving route of the Wild Atlantic Way and be blown away by the beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. Stand alongside the 700 ft drop of the Cliffs of Moher and marvel at incredible views you’ll remember for a lifetime.
• West Coast of Ireland - Be at one with wildlife on a British tour to Ireland’s gorgeous West Coast , complete with a trip to Connemara National Park and its panoramic views. For a taste of local culture, visit Kilbeggan Distillery . Here, you can sample whiskey in this oldest licensed distillery in the entire world.

Last but not least, a British tour would not be complete without sightseeing opportunities around Wales . Continue the Celtic themes explored in Ireland by visiting all the must-see spots in the affectionately named “Land of Song”. From the convenient base of London - or from Manchester for those located further north - you can tour the very best Wales has to offer with ease.

• Snowdonia, North Wales & Chester - Explore beaches, a national park and more with a trip through the beautiful North Wales . On the bucket list of many tourists is the jaw-dropping Snowdonia , appreciated for its scenic walking routes and dramatic views. Be wowed by the 13th-century architecture of Conwy Castle on your travels through this amazing region. Lovers of a traditional seaside trip will adore Llandudno with its Victorian pier and quintessentially British charm.

Explore the Best of Britain with Rabbie’s

British tours are made accessible by Rabbie’s. Explore the next region on your bucket list with our tours for small groups around Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. On our trips you can sit back and relax as you travel comfortably by luxury mini-coach and soak up the scenery.

Book a tour now or sign up to our newsletter for all the latest updates about new tours and departure points.

Popular Posts

• Why Edinburgh?
• Organising Your Conference
• Attending A Conference
• Ambassador Programme
• Find a Venue or Service:
• Accommodation
• Make Enquiry

Rabbie's Tours

Be a part of it and take a tour with Rabbie’s Tours throughout Scotland. Our friendly guides and small groups of 16 people maximum ensure an excellent customer experience. Guaranteed departures all year.

Experience Scotland’s splendour with Rabbie’s personalised small group tours. Our tour programme covers from one-day sightseeing tours to Scotland’s well-known sights.

Designed for the independent traveller, we take you off the beaten track with plenty of stops in beautiful places. All tours are fully guided by knowledgeable and enthusiastic individuals, with a passion for their country.

Small groups mean you can discover the real country, get off the beaten track and onto the back roads where other tours cannot go. Touring with no more than 16 passengers gives you more. More personal attention, more time with the locals, more time off the bus, more time on the back-roads and just more of an all-round memorable experience.

We promise to get you in touch with the people, places, history and legends of our country and deliver you a unique and memorable experience to last you a lifetime. Our local guides are your hosts; each hand-picked for their pride and passion for the areas they tour and dedicated to delivering outstanding travel experiences.

[email protected]