Top Scotland Cultural Tours

Discover Stirling in the company of a guide who brings the city's rich history to life. Walk in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace, and Robert the Bruce as you explore the old town listening tales of the battles and kings and queens that shaped Stirling and Scotland. You'll see such highlights as Stirling Castle andThe Church of the Holy Rude, as well as some hidden gems.

Maximize time in Glasgow with a city center walking tour with a local guide. Each tour is unique depending on the guide, but potential stops include George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, and Glasgow Green. As well as well-known sights, the itinerary also includes off-the-beaten-path attractions and hidden treasures that you’d likely miss if exploring alone.

Experience some of the best of what Edinburgh, Scotland has to offer in one small group walking tour. Let your tour leader show you around Edinburgh Castle, The Georgian House, and the Scottish National Gallery. See Princes Street Gardens, Heart of Midlothian, Greyfriars Bobby, and more while you learn all about the city’s history, culture, and heritage from your guide.

Step into Scotland's most iconic fortress with a true Scotsman dressed in a traditional kilt. With so many tour options at Edinburgh Castle, it's difficult to know which offer the most authentic insight. This experience delivers genuine Scottish storytelling from a local who shares centuries of royal drama, bloody battles, and castle secrets while exploring the Crown Jewels, St. Margaret's Chapel, and more.

See the best of medieval Edinburgh—without the hassle of putting together your own sightseeing itinerary—on this walking tour, which includes skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle. As you walk, listen as your guide shares the history of this formidable city with ancient Roman roots and UNESCO-listed historical attractions. Explore atmospheric cobbled walkways along the Royal Mile, then breeze into Edinburgh Castle to witness royal opulence.

Visiting an unfamiliar city without knowing anyone there usually means relying on dated and often inaccurate travel guides. Enjoy a more personal experience in Edinburgh by spending time with a local Edinburgher who customizes your private, bespoke tour to your own interests, whether you want to check off the highlights or go off the beaten path to discover locals' favorite spots.

What could be more quintessentially Scottish than lochs and castles? Travel through the photo-worthy West Highlands, visit the haunting glen of Glencoe and stop at Loch Lomond on this day trip from Glasgow by Mercedes minivan. Numbers are limited to 16 passengers to ensure a more personalized experience with an informative guide, who offers insightful commentary at Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray town, Castle Stalker and more.

Uncover the mysteries of Loch Ness on a day trip from Edinburgh that saves you the hassle of car hire. Set out north along Scotland's West Coast to experience one of the country's most iconic lochs. En route, pass some incredible sights as someone else takes the wheel, including the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, Ben Nevis, and dramatic Highlands landscapes. Your guide regales you with stories about the area that you won't find in the guidebook.

Visit Eilean Donan Castle and the spectacular Isle of Skye on a full-day trip from Inverness, and explore an iconic Scottish landscape of wind-swept valleys, rock formations, and coastal cliffs. Travel in a Mercedes mini-coach, following a route through the mountains of Wester Ross on your way to Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye, then visit the island’s highlights with an experienced guide. This full-day tour departs from central Inverness, and it’s the perfect introduction for first-time visitors to the Isle of Skye.

Immerse yourself in the sights and stories of Edinburgh's atmospheric Old Town on this small-group walking tour. Unlike most tours of the Old Town, the maximum group size is just 15 people so you won't be elbow to elbow with other visitors as you explore the area, from the Royal Mile to Greyfriars Kirkyard, and Princes Street Gardens.

Trade the city’s bustle for a magical day in nature on this Harry Potter-themed excursion into the Scottish Highlands. In the morning, set off from Edinburgh and enjoy sightseeing stops en route, including the fishing village of Mallaig. Then, board the Jacobite Steam Train (a double for the Hogwarts Express) and travel along the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in the films. Finally, see Glencoe’s dramatic scenery before your return trip.

Many visitors rush through Inverness on their way to the Highlands. This guided walking tour ensures that you don't make the same mistake of missing out on its many attractions. In a small group, you'll visit such landmarks as Inverness Castle, the Inverness Cathedral and Balnain House, as well as some hidden gems, all while you guide fills you in on the history of the Highland capital.

Save hours of research time with this comprehensive day tour of the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe, and Loch Ness. A full itinerary is planned out for you, and someone else takes care of the driving, so you can focus on the incredible views. During the tour, hear about the legend of Loch Ness, hike to see beautiful waterfalls in Tay Forest Park, and stop to admire views of the Glencoe mountains.

Get an in-depth perspective on Edinburgh on this guided tour that goes deeper than most. Usually led by a guide with a PhD in Scottish history, this tour offers a journey through Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town from the main thoroughfares to the hidden closes (alleyways) and courtyards. Your guide shares tales of dramatic events in the neighborhood's history, as well as those of the writers, philosophers, and inventors who called the area home.

Get out of the city and soak up the natural beauty of Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands on this day tour from Edinburgh. See wooded lochs and tucked-away villages as you journey through spectacular scenery en route to Glencoe and Fort Augustus. Enjoy a boat tour in search of the Loch Ness Monster and traverse the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group.

Swap the usual sightseeing tours for the chance to discover the palaces and castles of the "Outlander" TV series on this tour from Edinburgh. Visit some of the sites that starred in the fictional Jacobite saga, including Linlithgow Palace, the setting of Wentworth Prison; and Culross, the setting of Claire’s herb garden. Throughout the tour enjoy guide commentary with fun behind-the-scenes stories about the show.

For those who have only one day to explore the beautiful Isle of Skye, this is the private tour for you. Your guide takes you to the most scenic spots, making sure you cover plenty of ground- much more than if you tried to do a self-guided tour. Enjoy private transfer the entire day as you visit spots like The Kilt Rock, Duntulm Castle, Neist Point, and much more before being returned to Portree.

See the historical and natural highlights of the Orkney Mainland all in one day, on this private tour from Kirkwall. Meet your guide at your preferred address, hop aboard your vehicle, and set off. You’ll admire the wild and rugged beauty of locations like Scapa Flow (a natural harbor) before encountering Neolithic cairns and villages, ancient stone circles, Bronze and Iron Age settlements, and other striking landmarks.

Explore the wild and beautiful Scottish Highlands—and even visit “Outlander” filming locations—on this small-group tour from Inverness. Following pickup from your hotel, hop aboard an air-conditioned vehicle and head into nature. Visit the Bronze Age–era Clava Cairns and the Culloden Battlefield. Then, look out for Nessie at Loch Ness before exploring the 1,000-year-old Urquhart Castle. As you go, learn all about Scottish history, and see where “Outlander” was shot.

This 'Harry Potter' walking tour gets fans closer to spots in Edinburgh that inspired J.K Rowling’s famous books. Walk past key sites that inspired places such as Diagon Alley, and even see the cafes and hotels where the writer wrote her book series. Your guide knows the quickest ways to get around the city on foot to fit more into your time, as well as fun facts about Harry Potter.

While there are lots of historic sights to explore in Edinburgh, there’s so much more to experience outside of the city. On this full-day tour, choose to explore a traditional whisky distillery to learn how one of Scotland’s most popular beverages gets made, or head to Blackness Castle to hear the role the stronghold played in local history.

Check off Stirling Castle, the Kelpies monument, and Loch Lomond on this day trip from Edinburgh. Have a photo stop at one of the largest equine sculptures in the world—The Kelpies, then travel through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Finally, enjoy the perk of having admission to Stirling Castle included so you can go on an interior tour.

Check out standing stones that are believed to be over 5000 years old, plus have more adventures in the Scottish Highlands on this small, intimate-group tour. Your guide has the gift of gab and can tell stories the entire tour. You also visit Inveraray, Kilchurn Castles, and more. Make several stops for photos and to stretch your legs, too.