FAQs
How Do I Book a Tour?
The best way to make a booking is on-line, by clicking on the 'book now' button on the relevant tour page. As soon as your booking is made we will send you a booking conformation straight to your email address provided.
Can I Book by Telephone?
The most convenient way to make a booking is online Via our We Travel Booking Site . If this is not possible you can book by telephone by calling 01738 301573. Please note that lines are open between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. GMT.
Please note that you will need to quote your credit or debit card details in order for our representative to make a booking on your behalf.
How Do I Pay for My Tour?
We accept payment via:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
When Should I Book My Tour?
We would recommend making your booking as soon as your travel plans are finalised. Booking early will ensure that you can travel on the departure date of your choosing. The tours featured on this website are very popular and sell out.
How Do I Call You from Overseas?
If you are calling from overseas please call +44 1738301573. Please note that lines are open between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. GMT.
What Languages Do Your Tour Guides Speak?
All of our tours are delivered by English-speaking driver-guides.
Are Your Tours Suitable for Children?
Yes, the relaxed nature of our tours makes them uniquely appropriate for children 3 and above. Children aged 3 to 15 years old will travel at the appropriate child rate on both our one-day tours and our extended tours. Unfortunately, children under the age of 3 are unable to travel on our tours.
What Is the Best Tour?
We have designed our tours to ensure that there is a tour for everyone, no matter what it is that you’re interested in! If you are in any doubt, please contact us and we will be happy to recommend the tour that best suits you.
We also organise custom tours, so if you can’t find your niche with any of our scheduled tours, we’ll be happy to help!
Preparing for Your Tour
What Will the Weather Be Like?
Scotland is routinely unpredictable, but we do have a very temperate climate. The geography of Scotland means that it does rain more frequently in the west of the country and there are stronger winds in the east.
What Should I Bring with Me?
It is always advisable to be prepared for any weather in Scotland, so a jacket is always a good idea! A bottle of water for hydration and a camera to capture the spectacular views, and you are set to go!
It is not necessary for you to bring your own meals, as we will stop throughout the day in small towns or villages where you can purchase food; however you are more than welcome to bring along snacks or a packed lunch.
Should I Buy Travel Insurance?
We highly recommend you take out travel insurance to have it in place for your trip to Scotland, especially if you are visiting from overseas. To purchase a policy speak to your insurance broker or undertake a search on-line. We would also suggest checking your home policy or credit card contract as many suppliers include travel insurance as part of their offering.
What Should I Wear?
Whilst there are no strenuous physical activities on our tours, we would recommend you wear comfortable clothing and all terrain footwear, such as hiking boots. A jacket is always advisable.
Can I Bring My Dog with Me?
We are sorry, but we are unable to carry dogs (except guide dogs) on our tours.
Can You Pick Me Up for My Tour?
We can only pick up tour passengers who have booked private tours of Scotland. These passengers can be picked up from anywhere in Scotland. All other tours offer a number of pre-arranged pick-up points – just choose the pick-up point that suits you best.
What Would Happen If I Was Late?
Great Scottish Tours can’t delay tour departures for late arrivals, however we will always try to help you join the tour at a later stage, where possible. If this happens, any additional costs incurred will be paid by the late passenger, not Heartland Travel or any other passengers on the van.
What Is Included in Your Price?
All of our tours include transport by our luxury tour van, and the services of a Great Scottish Tours guide/driver. Our prices do not include entrance fees to any tourist attractions we visit on tour. Our six-and eleven-day tour costs do not include accommodation costs – we simply book your accommodation, and you pay the provider on arrival.
We also provide:
- Complimentary Water
- Soft Drinks
- Smidge Repellent Spray
- Smidge/Midge-Proof Head Nets
- Hand Sanitiser
- Waterproof Ponchos
- Use of Great Scottish Tours Binoculars
Additionally, our luxury van has the following amenities on board:
- Coffee Machine
- Fridge
- Six USB Charging Ports
- Umbrellas
- Over-Knee Blankets
- Fold Away Lunch/Dinner Table Side Experience
- Air Conditioning and Heating
- Privacy Glass
- Sun Shields
- Room for a 20kg Case for All Passengers
Every seat rotates to give you a comfortable view of the sights whilst on the tour van. We also provide lunch options on board with menus created by our corporate executive chef Graeme.
Do You Have a Set Minimum Number of Passengers on the Tour?
We do not have a minimum number of passengers for our tours. You can book with confidence that our tours will always run.
Is There a Toilet on the Tour Van?
We do not have toilet facilities on board the tour van. However, we do know Scotland well and will let you know in plenty of time when we are approaching the next toilet stop!
What Kind of Clothes Should I Wear?
Scotland’s weather is beautiful but changeable, so dress in layers that can be added to or taken away as needed. Ensure you have waterproof walking boots, a waterproof jacket, and a hat and gloves too. Even in summer, the hilltops we may explore can be both wet underfoot and breezy too.
Are Your Return Times Guaranteed?
We are sorry, but our return times cannot be guaranteed. We strive to return at the published return times but cannot be held responsible for delays caused by traffic, weather, or any other unforeseen circumstances. If you absolutely must return by a specific time, please let us know at the time of booking your tour with us.
Are There Any Luggage Restrictions on the Tour?
We recommend one reasonable sized suitcase or piece of baggage and one small carry-on bag per person, up to a maximum weight of 15kg. You may find it useful to bring a small bag in which to keep your purse, a bottle of water and anything you might need during the day.
What Is Included in the Price of the Tour?
The tour, the transportation and, of course, the knowledge and entertainment of one of our passionate driver-guides!
How Much Time Do We Spend off the Van Each Day?
As much time as possible. We want to help you experience our beautiful country and the best way to do that is off the bus. We keep travel times to a minimum so that we can maximize the time we spend exploring castles and monuments, explaining our legends and history, and soaking up the beautiful Scottish scenery.
Should I Tip the Tour Driver?
Tipping is not compulsory. If you'd like to recognise great service then please feel free to do so. 100% of tips are retained by our team, not the company.
What Are the Meal Arrangements?
Our tours stop at some excellent and varied restaurants en route with traditional and contemporary options to suit every palate. We’ll never tell you where you have to eat. Instead, your guide will be on hand to give you the locals’ tips on the best hidden gems so you can make your own choices. If you would like to have lunch on board, please see our menu for prices.
Testimonials
Our customers agree that we provide first-class Scottish tours and day trips.
“Exceptional”
"My Booking Experience with Great Scottish Tours was Exceptional from start to finish when booking my husband’s 50th Birthday surprise. They helped me find the perfect tour and the EXCLUSIVE PACKAGE Great Scottish Tours were attentive, friendly, and very professional "
- Tyler Reynolds
“Utterly Exquisite”
"Spending a few days in Edinburgh we contacted Great Scottish Tours for a day tour, came highly recommended. They were excellent in communicating all relevant information, reassuring us of the planned tour. The plans changed throughout the day as we started to discuss potential interests that would be more suited to us, the driver could not have been more flexible in accommodating all our requests. Later in the day we had planned to stop for a bite of lunch, the driver had actually brought a lunch for us which we ate in style overlooking the bridges, pure magical.
The van was luxurious throughout, all mod cons and super comfortable, including a charger cable for my camera. The guide was local, so we benefited from the wealth of knowledge which he shared throughout the day, the history of the city and surrounding area. The day was utterly exquisite, from beginning to end and one I will remember for a very long time. If ever in this part of the world again, I will not hesitate to contact Great Scottish Tours and will be raving to all my friends and family."
- Teresa Haughey
“Extremely Accommodating”
"We have just returned from a fantastic 17-day holiday touring West Scotland and some of the Weston Isles. The tour incorporated 11 days with Great Scottish Tours (GST) owned and run by Graeme plus 6-night cruise with The Majestic Line out of Oban covering the Southern Hebrides.
We asked Graeme to recommend and design a private tour of western Scotland that incorporated the already booked cruise. He did this with his great knowledge and in great detail for our approval. It consisted of travelling from Perth to West Scotland and on to Fort William for a trip on the Jacobite Express of Harry Potter fame. We then moved onto the Isle of Skye before returning to Oban via the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct to see the Jacobite express pass over.
After the cruise, Graeme met us at Oban to continue our tour to the Isle of Mull for our final two days.
During our trip with Graeme, we saw fantastic scenery, great historical places and tremendous wildlife including white tailed eagles, golden eagles, otters, deer and many other land and sea birds. It is almost impossible to pick a special moment as there were so many but the last evening in Mull sitting on a deserted beach being served with fresh mussels in the vehicle, cooked and prepared by Graeme (a corporate chef) will always be remembered.
Graeme is an excellent host and has a vast knowledge of Scotland, its history and wildlife,. He is extremely accommodating and makes you feel very safe and secure on the tour and booked all aspects of our tour. His purpose-built vehicle is extremely comfortable, built to his own design for touring and preparing and serving meals.
We cannot recommend Graeme and BST enough; we had a great tour and were made to feel welcome and special at all times. Already planning our next trip with Graeme and GST."
- Jeff and Elaine
“Fantastic”
"Our Scotland tour was a fantastic experience. All the accommodation was a delight. Our Tour Guide Graeme was so friendly and so attentive, he really made our trip so special. Great Scottish Tours airport pick up made everything so easy and hassle-free "
- Natasha
“Absolutely Perfect”
"We cannot recommend Graeme and Great Scottish Tours enough!!
Fiona worked with me one-on-one for months helping our family design a custom tour of the Loch
Lomond/Trossachs region, including last minute changes made after our arrival to Scotland.
Graeme was an absolutely treasure and made our day tour perfect from start to finish! Arriving in a gorgeous, spacious, and comfortable tour vehicle wearing a kilt, stocked with a sumptuous lunch (including a delectable homemade lemon tart), snacks, and plenty of drinks (waters and Cokes, plus wine for lunch!) he went out of his way to make our trip absolutely perfect!
He also made the point to make little stops for scenic photographs along with way the entire day, explaining so much about Scotland as a whole as well as the region we were in (he has a keen eye for birds, too). He took photographs and videos for us, Fiona and Graeme followed up with us upon our return and overall we were made us feel comfortable and well-taken care of during the entire experience.
If you want to truly experience Scotland, you MUST book a tour with Great Scottish Tours!"
- Jenn Kuyper
Accessibility
Accessibility Guide
If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact us before booking. One of our Great Scottish Tours reservations staff will be more than happy to assist with your enquiry.
We are committed to making everyone’s tour with us as enjoyable as possible no matter what their individual needs are. Nevertheless, there are certain limitations that may arise due to the local and rural nature of Scotland. The following is intended to provide useful information for anyone travelling with us.
Most visitor attractions in Scotland are accessible. However there are some, such as castles or historic buildings, which may not be suitable for those with limited mobility or for those using a wheelchair.
On tours, we have limited storage space and also a weight restriction for our Luxury Van and are therefore unfortunately unable to carry heavy wheelchairs such as electric scooters and electric wheelchairs. We may however be able to carry more flexible, lightweight, folding wheelchairs. Please contact us before booking.
Pick-up and Drop-off
Our luxury Great Scottish Tours van generally picks up and drop off customers at overnight accommodation properties or from trains and bus stations. We also arrange pickups from select ports and airports though there may be a short walk to meet the van at some locations.
Unfortunately, our guides are not able to assist with wheelchairs, but we can help and assist with loading them on to the tour van. We are unable to offer physical assistance when embarking or disembarking from the van due to (moving and handling) regulations. Passengers should be able to board and disembark the tour van themselves using the access doors or with the assistance of a travelling companion.
Accommodation
The accommodation establishments are 3-star or 4-Star standard Double Rooms as well as our more VIP trips which will include overnight stays in castles, bespoke lodges, and glamping pods. Some establishments are located in small towns and rural villages, which may have sloping streets and uneven paths. The properties are generally less than one mile away from the village/town centre and all the locations have taxis available on request from the accommodation reception.
Guest houses only provide breakfast, whereas hotels have dinner and breakfast options available. There will always be vegetarian options available but in more rural locations, gluten-free, and dairy-free options may be limited. If you have any diet requirements or food allergies please notify Great Scottish Tours when booking your tour with us.
It will not be possible for guests to prepare their own food in guest houses or hotels, but Great Scottish Tours have a wonderful Lunch Menu which you can have on board and can be made to fit your diet requirements. We also will be able to stop at varies locations for you to try local delicacies like fish and chips.
For extended multi-day trips ground floor accommodation is limited and subject to availability. With only a very few exceptions, all B&B and hotel bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms. Level-entry showers, ground floor bedrooms and adapted toilets are limited, only available on request and cannot be guaranteed. There may be several steps before accessing the reception area from the front entrance and guests should be able to walk up steps in order to access rooms.
If you have questions or concerns regarding this Accessibility Guide, you can contact us by writing to us at greatscottishtours.info@gmail.com or message us via the contact box below.