Top Scotland How to Get Around in 2026

I have a deep and thorough knowledge of the city, both historic and from a visual, photographic perspective. I know the best places to go for brilliant photos and I will tell stories about these places as we travel. We will discuss your personal preferences for our itinerary beforehand, and tailor your tour to suit. The weather and the season will influence where I suggest to take you whether you want sunset scenes, people shots, or architectural detail. We can climb crags in the dark, poke our heads into cobwebbed tombs or gaze out over Autumn splendour. I know how to get unique and atmospheric views of Edinburgh and I will show you how to take images that you will love showing your friends.

Experience Edinburgh's iconic Royal Mile entirely your way on a 100% private, customizable walking tour. Guided by a passionate local expert in a traditional Scottish kilt, you will explore world-famous landmarks, discover hidden closes, and uncover centuries of rich history tailored entirely to your group's interests and physical pace. From the majestic gates of Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, dive deep into dark tales of Old Town, royal intrigue involving Mary Queen of Scots, and local secrets that typical large group tours overlook. Because this tour is entirely private, you have full control of the itinerary—stop for photographs whenever you like, pause at a local pub, or spend extra time exploring historic courtyards. Whether you are first-time visitors seeking an essential overview or history enthusiasts wanting a deep dive into Scottish heritage, your guide provides a personalized, flexible, and unforgettable tour through the heart of Scotland's capital.

This tour is guided by a local, a professional architectural photographer, historian and author of "Hidden Edinburgh - A Walk Through Medieval History", and features both well-known and the more hidden features of Edinburgh's Old Town. Whist basic digital camera knowledge while shooting in Manual mode is assumed, advice is given on photographic best-practice and where the best places to shoot will be. In addition, signed copies of the book are available at a discounted price to tour participants.

This tour is guided by a local, a professional architectural photographer, historian and author of "Hidden Edinburgh - A Walk Through Medieval History", and features both well-known and the more hidden features of Edinburgh's Old Town. Whist basic digital camera knowledge while shooting in Manual mode is assumed, advice is given on photographic best-practice and where the best places to shoot will be. In addition, signed copies of the book are available at a discounted price to tour participants.

A flawless Highland escape! Magical castles, wild seals, leaping salmon, and dramatic scenery. Highly recommend!

Discover how one of Scotland’s newest distilleries is shaping the future of whisky on this 90-minute guided tour. Explore the award-winning distillery, see the mash tun, washbacks, and copper stills in action, and learn about Ardgowan’s innovative sustainability practices and Infinity Cask project. Finish with a guided tasting of three distinctive Clydebuilt whiskies. - 90-minute guided distillery tour - Explore award-winning architecture and production areas - Learn about the Infinity Cask and sustainability initiatives - Taste 3 Clydebuilt whiskies with an expert guide

Our tour focuses on the little known stories of Glasgow's past residents which can be discovered throughout the Necropolis' graves- from obscure yet colourful characters to some of the cities brightest stars. More general history of the cemetery and the city will be provided for context but this is not the focus! Additionally, our guide will be taking photos of our customers on a 35mm film camera throughout the tour and complementary scans of the photos will be provided to all attendees once they have been developed, within 7-14 working days.

Explore the stunning Scottish Highlands with exclusive, personalized tours tailored to your interests. As a family-run business with deep roots in Edinburgh, Kell Tours offers unique experiences, including bespoke adventures and ancestry tours that connect you with your heritage. Enjoy a custom-designed itinerary that highlights Scotland's breathtaking scenery without the long travel times. Perfect for groups seeking an intimate and enriching journey through the Highlands, your tours promise both cultural depth and unforgettable memories. - Private tours departing from Edinburgh, designed just for you - Bespoke itineraries based on personal interests and family history - Explore hidden gems of the Scottish Highlands without long travel times - Ideal for individuals or small groups looking for a unique experience

Discover historic St Andrews and the picturesque fishing villages of Fife’s East Neuk on a relaxed private day tour shaped around your interests. Hullo, I’m Darryl, a proud Scot who bides in the Kingdom of Fife. I’ll be your local guide, sharing the stories, places and hidden corners that make this region special. Explore St Andrews and hear tales of medieval pilgrims, religious conflict, Scotland’s oldest university and the town’s place as the Home of Golf. See highlights including the cathedral and castle ruins, historic streets and coastal views. Continue through the traditional fishing villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem and St Monans. Wander beside colourful harbours, explore narrow wynds and enjoy viewpoints across the Firth of Forth, with time for photographs, refreshments and local food. The route and stops can be adapted to your pace, interests and pick-up location, with a warm local welcome that will make you feel like you’ve arrived hame.

Discover Scotland with a personal touch on a private chauffeur tour led by Craig Fleming, a native Scotsman with over 60 years of local knowledge. Tailored for 1 to 4 guests, these tours allow you to explore hidden gems, historic castles, and breathtaking landscapes without the crowds. Enjoy the comfort of Craig's executive BMW as you uncover Scotland's beauty and rich history in an intimate setting. - Personalized tours for 1-4 guests, ensuring no crowds - Explore iconic landmarks and hidden corners with a local guide - Travel in comfort in Craig's clean, late-model executive BMW

Experience the world of Outlander on a private full-day tour through Scotland's most iconic filming locations. Travel in comfort with a knowledgeable local Scottish guide as you visit Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Blackness Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Doune Castle and the historic village of Culross. Unlike larger coach tours, this exclusive experience is designed entirely for your group, giving you a relaxed pace, personalised commentary and the flexibility to enjoy each location without feeling rushed. Along the way, discover the real history behind the castles and landscapes that inspired one of television's most beloved series.

Discover the best of Edinburgh on a private half-day tour designed around your interests. Explore famous landmarks alongside hidden corners, from the historic Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle viewpoints to Dean Village, Calton Hill and Victoria Street. With private transport, hotel or cruise port pickup, and a maximum of four guests, you'll enjoy a relaxed, personal experience led by a knowledgeable local guide. - Private half-day tour for up to 4 guests - Doorstep pickup and drop-off included - See highlights like Calton Hill, Dean Village, and Victoria Street - Duration: 4 hours and 15 minutes with opportunities for unique photo spots

Skip the rushed tourist crowds and join former history professor Sami - and occasionally our friendly Golden Retriever co-guide - for an intimate, conversation-led walk through Edinburgh's Old Town. Rather than hurrying through a generic checklist, this small-group experience is designed like a relaxed stroll with a local friend. We trace the Royal Mile from the literary courtyard of Makars’ Court up to the dramatic walls of the Castle Esplanade. Along the way, Sami brings the past to life with authentic humour and deep local expertise, diving into the real human history of Edinburgh's historic witches, rebels, and ordinary citizens. After winding down the vibrant curves of Victoria Street and through the Grassmarket, our walk finishes near the legendary Greyfriars Bobby statue. Here, we separate myth from moving fact, uncovering the true story of Edinburgh’s most loyal dog.

Skip the rushed crowds and join former history professor Sami - and occasionally our friendly Golden Retriever co-guide - for a relaxed, conversation-led walk through Edinburgh's social history. Rather than a generic checklist, this small-group experience focuses on the human stories of the city's workers, writers, rebels, and historic women. We start in the literary courtyard of Makars’ Court, explore the dramatic Castle Esplanade, and descend the vibrant curves of Victoria Street into the historic Grassmarket. After a moving stop to uncover the true story of the legendary Greyfriars Bobby, we cross George IV Bridge back to the Royal Mile to meet the brilliant thinkers and characters who shaped the city. We finish right at St Giles’ Cathedral with powerful tales of saints and sinners, leaving you with a deep, personal understanding of Edinburgh.

Skip the rushed crowds and join former history professor Sami - and occasionally our friendly Golden Retriever co-guide - for an unhurried, wider-ranging journey from the Old Town into the elegant New Town. Rather than a generic checklist, this small-group walk traces centuries of history. We begin with the writers at Makars’ Court, step onto the Castle Esplanade, and descend through Victoria Street into the atmospheric Grassmarket. At Greyfriars Bobby’s statue, we separate fact from fiction, sharing a moving story that will stay with you long after the walk ends. Rejoining the Royal Mile past St Giles’ Cathedral and Tron Kirk, we uncover hidden histories - clues in the stonework and street lines that most people walk straight past. Finally, we wander down iconic Cockburn Street, crossing into the New Town to finish near the magnificent Scott Monument with a completely fresh perspective on Edinburgh's city centre.

Step back in time with the Guards Patrol tour, where a 16th-century city watchman leads you through the historic heart of Edinburgh, clad in authentic armor. Discover iconic sites like St. Giles, the John Knox House, and the Grassmarket while immersing yourself in tales of Edinburgh's storied past. This engaging journey highlights the city's rich heritage and provides a unique perspective on its history. - Guided tour by a watchman in authentic 16th-century armor - Explore key historical landmarks including John Knox House and St. Giles - Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Victoria Street and Grassmarket - Concludes at the iconic Castle Esplanade for stunning views - Tours run rain or shine—please dress appropriately! Tours are only canceled in severe/dangerous weather.

Glasgow doesn't just listen to music; it consumes it, wrestles with it, and sings it back louder than the band. This redthread tour takes you deep into the beating heart of a UNESCO City of Music. From the legendary sprung dance floor of the Barrowland Ballroom to the sticky, beer-soaked basement of Nice N Sleazy, you will uncover the symbiotic relationship between the city's iconic venues, its homegrown talent, and its famously passionate audiences. Join us as we trace the evolution of live entertainment, exploring the underground electronic dominance, the fierce DIY indie spirit, and the intimate 300-capacity rooms where global superstars are born. - A 4.0 km self-guided tour with 6 stops over 113 min - Ideal for travelers interested in Pop Culture & Media Landscapes and Social Fabric & Everyday Life - Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals - Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

Step into the shadows of 19th-century Edinburgh, a city split between Enlightenment brilliance and desperate, grinding poverty. On this immersive true-crime journey, you will trace the bloody footsteps of William Burke and William Hare, two men who turned murder into a highly profitable business. Discover how the insatiable demands of the medical establishment created a black market for human corpses, and explore the chilling ethical lines crossed in the name of science. This is not just a story of serial killers; it is a tale of class, complicity, and the forgotten victims of the Old Town. - A 2.7 km self-guided tour with 6 stops over 94 min - Ideal for travelers interested in History & Memory and Social Fabric & Everyday Life - Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals - Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

Discover the clifftop drama of Dunnottar Castle and the charm of Stonehaven on this private half-day tour with a driver who knows the area inside out. We collect you from your hotel, home or cruise ship and head straight to Dunnottar, the spectacular ruined fortress perched above the North Sea that has starred on screen and in Scotland's history for centuries. You will have time to walk down and explore the castle and its headland, with your driver on hand for the stories along the way. We then take in Stonehaven's picturesque harbour and coastline before returning you to your door. It is an easy, comfortable half day for families, couples and small groups who would rather travel privately than pile onto a full-size coach.

Explore Royal Deeside, the stretch of Aberdeenshire the Royal Family have loved for generations, on a relaxed private day tour from Aberdeen. Your local driver takes you out along the River Dee to grand castles such as Crathes and Balmoral, through pretty villages like Ballater and Banchory, and up towards the edge of the Cairngorms, with plenty of stops for photos and fresh air. You travel in a comfortable, unmarked minibus or car, just your own group, so the day runs at your pace. Castle interiors and gardens are there to enjoy if you wish, paid on the day, and your driver is happy to shape the route around what you most want to see.

Discover Speyside, the beating heart of Scotch whisky, on a relaxed private day tour from Aberdeen. Your local driver takes you up into the glens and along the River Spey to famous distilleries and the working Speyside Cooperage, where oak casks are still built and repaired by hand. Stop for a dram or a distillery tour wherever you fancy (tours and tastings are paid on the day), enjoy the Highland scenery, and let someone else do the driving. You travel in a comfortable, unmarked minibus or car, just your own group, at your own pace, and your driver is happy to shape the day around the distilleries you most want to see.

Discover the rich tapestry of Edinburgh's history on this immersive tour through the Old and New Town. From the iconic Palace of Holyroodhouse to the lively Grassmarket, this experience uncovers the stories of rebellious queens, scandalous ministers, and revolutionary figures that shaped the city. Stroll with a knowledgeable kilted guide as you explore both ancient and contemporary sights, revealing hidden gems and historical landmarks along the way. - Visit major highlights like St Giles Cathedral and the Scottish Parliament - Experience the evolution of Edinburgh from its origins to modern times - Enjoy a guided stroll through both the Old Town and the New Town - Led by a local guide in traditional attire for an authentic experience

Discover the heart of Edinburgh's vibrant history on this unique pub tour that traces the footsteps of the city's greatest thinkers. From your first refreshing beer to the final golden dram, delve into the tales of the Scottish Enlightenment and how it shaped modern society. Experience the charm of Edinburgh’s quaintest pubs while wandering up the iconic Royal Mile, guided by a passionate local in traditional kilt attire. This tour offers a blend of cultural insight and delightful drinks, making it perfect for history buffs and whisky enthusiasts alike. - Enjoy a guided tour of Edinburgh’s historic pubs - Learn about the Scottish Enlightenment and its impact on the world - Stroll along the famous Royal Mile, soaking in local history - Led by a knowledgeable kilted guide with a passion for whisky - Tour price includes a pint or glass of wine in the first pub, and a dram of whisky in the last pub.

Let us take you on a journey through the winding streets of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Lead by your kilted local guide, you'll learn the origins of Scotland’s Capital and see how it transformed into one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We’ll regale you with all our favourite stories of the people who once walked the streets of this great city.