Best of Scotland in 13 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our third RSE tour and it delivered as expected. There was a good variety of attractions visited, scenic vistas, guided walks and excellent restaurants. Our tour guide was a walking history encyclopedia and we got our fill of past events, dates, names of prominent figures, more than anyone could absorb. The tour should have had an extra day in Edinburgh as there was more to see, vs Iona which only had a cathedral and took the whole day.The weather cancelled one visit, but not RSE fault.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit of the sheep farm was a highlight, luckily the weather cooperated. The ride on the chairlift up Glencoe resort gave great views, in spite of the bone chilling cold wind that awaited us at the top."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nigel was so knowledgable about the history of Scotland and all of the little details. Davey the driver did a wonderful job of negotiating the roads and floods. The places we visited were very interesting and beautiful. The places we stayed were great too. I loved every aspect of the trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments but I really loved Oban, Mull, Iona and the mountains of Glencoe"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and a great group to tour with. We had a wonderful time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip out to Iona to see the ancient abbey. We had to switch days on going on the ferries due to the weather but our guide managed the switch very well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our second Rick Steves tour. We loved the Ireland tour with Lynn and hoped this would be as great. it was! The motels were 5 star. Beautiful rooms, comfy bed. The breakfasts were traditional Scottish breakfast with so much food, all delicious. The meals we had were excellent. Nigel, our tour guide did an excellent job of sharing the history of Scotland. He was very attentive to our needs. He shared several Scottish songs during our bus ride, which was really nice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The difference between Glasgow and Edinburgh was striking. We enjoyed both cities, but for difference reasons. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was an excellent experience thanks to our great tour guide, our skilled driver, our delightful fellow travelers, many delicious meals, the welcoming people of Scotland and their beautiful country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were MANY "wow"moments! Sharing a dram of whiskey with fellow travelers on a mountain near Glencoe was pretty amazing! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very well organized and got to see quite a bit of Scotland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the deer and highland cows on the farm and having lunch in the teepee. I thought the lunch was our best meal on the tour. Also loved visiting the sheep farm and the border collies at work. Neil, the owner was AMAZING."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Scotland was a fascinating country to see the beauty of the mountains, lochs, the villages, live there ocean villages. To taste the food and talk with the people who Live there. Our bagpipe musician was lovely and telling her story was very interesting. The bus driver was careful, efficient, good sense of humor. Nigel our tour guide was very informative with his historical facts of each place we visited. He enjoyed sharing his love of whiskey wirh us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"At the Dingle bar, the owner a former Riverdance performer entertained us with a flashing smile and fantastic footwork."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Scotland is such a beautiful country and the people are lovely and easy to listen to.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When Niell hypnotized the sheep before hand shearing it!!!!!!!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time touring Scotland with Ann, our guide and Iain, our coach driver. It was also fun to share great meals and conversations with other couples. Such a beautiful and history-rich country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the hairy coos, red deer, and a fantastic lunch in a yurt with the Rothiemurchus ranger and company."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the mix of group tour activities and time on our own to explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite thing was cruising away from Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness in the sunshine. What a beautiful sight."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The trip itinerary was good and provided a variety of things to do. I learned a lot of history. The bus trip was great for scenery and our guide, Anne, was knowledgeable but not overpowering. I liked that she played Scottish music for us on the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No "wow" moments on this trip. Maybe I have become jaded. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I appreciated seeing places that related to the history and culture of Scotland, and not the typical tourist spots. The hotels were quaint and comfortable. Our tour guide Anne and our bus driver Iain were fabulous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Feeding Anita, the hairy coos calf, and seeing the sheepdog demonstration with the Shepherd at the working farm."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall it was wonderful! Good food, good people, great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the best part was the hermitage hike. It was beautiful - the leaf colors were gorgeous, and the sound of the water was so soothing! I also loved seeing the Kelpies!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The whole tour of Scotland was well-organized and suited to varied interests. The guide and bus driver, as well as the local guides were good-natured people with interesting information to offer as well as a sense of humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was pleased to learn that the significance of the Battle of Colladen was perhaps more cultural than anything else. The tour of the sheep farm and following lunch were interesting, amusing, and ultimately tasty."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

It was our first RS tour, so wasn’t sure what to expect. Overall we had a good time, but realized that we aren’t tour people. I understand that it needed to be that way to see and do everything that was scheduled for that tour, but it was too structured for our liking. I’m not saying anything negative about the tour because I found everything was very well done.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"To be in Scotland; rain and all!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved the variety of places, experiences, and people (both part of our tour group and not) I encountered throughout my travels through Scotland

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Entering Glencoe and admiring the mist-shrouded peak of Ben Nevis. This is the Scotland I came to see."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was a great introduction to Scotland with a great mix of activities, pace, and atmosphere.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A quick stop while driving through the Highlands. We were able to immerse ourselves in the awe of the mountains."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was such an amazing honeymoon experience! We did have to spend an additional day in Oban due to excessive rain and flooding, but the staff at Oban Bay Hotel were so kind and accommodating, and our guide Ross took everything in stride. Speaking of Ross, he was excellent! I loved his passion for his country, and want to thank him for sharing his love of Scotland with all of us. My only wish is that we had more time in Edinburgh, as we were only there for two nights. 10/10 recommend this trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick just one! The stunning beauty of Glencoe, seeing the sheepdogs and getting to snuggle with the puppies, and the city of Edinburgh were all incredible experiences. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Oh, that there are places in the world like Glencoe, islands like Mull and Iona, and seafood like Cullen Skink (and everything else that we ate)!!!! I just had no idea how great it would be to be in Scotland. What a wonderful, beautiful place and filled with such wonderful people who I saw step up to help visitors stranded by the storms that had occurred while we were there. Thanks to Ross, our guide, for a spectacular and educational experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glencoe....but also the incredible beauty of the islands...and Edinburgh (I know its cheating to name a whole city...there is so much there, but WOW)."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very well organized, and Ross, our guide, was fabulous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glencoe and the Highlands were the highlight for me. The natural beauty was almost overwhelming."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed the contrast of large city architecture and history to beauty of the country side. Our guide Ross did a great job dealing with unexpected heavy rain and flooding getting an extra day of lodging in Oban.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stopping in the Highlands near Glencoe with panoramic views with mountains and mist!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide, Ross, was excellent. Enjoyed the history lessons & "as the story goes" tales. With the exception of the hotel in Edinburgh, our hotels were good if not wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The rugged beauty of the Highlands was a "wow" moment for me."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Scotland was outstanding. This was my first Rick Steves trip. There was too much free time. Also, having to purchase many of our own meals made the cost of the trip excessive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery, especially the hairy coos. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour, with a wide variety of sights and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning the history of Scotland as we visited various sights was quite valuable to me. Our guide James wove past and present together to provide a clear understanding of the culture and people of Scotland. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Guide was great. Very disappointed to have 9 people drop out of the group due to Covid.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery, meeting with the shepherd and St. Andrews."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First Rick Steve's tour (or any tour) and it was a great experience. It met our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The people! The Scottish were open, friendly, kind and nearly always had a welcoming smile. Our travel companions were also delightful. As far as the sites and experiences there were too many to choose from."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had the best time on the Scotland tour. Our guide, James, was fantastic. He made sure we really saw, tasted, and got the developed an understanding of life in Scotland while comparing it to life in the US.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, seeing the Scottish highlands and understanding life there was my “wow” moment. Spectacular views and the dogs and animals were a delight. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

James was a fantastic guide. His passion for his country and it's culture and food is shared perfectly. All of the towns that we visited were fun, interesting and informative. We really feel that we had an overall great trip, although adjusting for the weather, always making the best of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"From eating fresh seafood from the shack by the port in Oban, to Dunkeld and it's nature walks through the redwoods. The trip to Isle of Mull and the cruise on Loch Ness was a great time as well. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved everything about the tour itself, but it was dampened by the amount of apparent and confirmed illness in the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite experience was watching the shepherd demonstrate how he has trained his dogs to move the sheep in whatever way he needs them to go, and having an opportunity to shear a sheep. I also appreciated hearing about the industry and how it is changing."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The tour itself was exceptional in where we went and the experiences. There was no way on my own that I could have covered so much of Scotland and enjoyed such good variety of scenery and city vs country. Separate from the tour package I have one very big disappointment with the handling of Covid that made the time very uncomfortable. I managed to stay well but many others did not. If handled differently from the beginning i believe it would not have affected so many of my travel companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moments definitely was the Highlands. The opportunity to be right close with Highland coos and ponies and the sheep dogs was something I will never forget! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First and foremost, Liz was outstanding. Her depth of knowledge was incredible. This is not a reflection on the tour, but 13 days was a long time. I think we learned that about 8-10 days is good for us. I would have preferred to have advance notice of the hotels we would be staying at. The Edinburgh B&B was at best questionable. We ended up not staying at this facility but moved to the hotel we had selected for an extended stay. Would we do another tour? Absolutely! I need more specs for respons

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona was the “wow” for me. I knew nothing of the historical significance of Iona and I was just blown away. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt the tour started slow but ended strong. I did not like having “Vacation within the vacation” so early in the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The young guide at Culloden was awesome. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Charlie, was great...upbeat, knowledgeable & well organized! Hurricane Lee cancelled our ferry to the Isle of Iona, but Charlie, on short notice, organized 3 different activities in its place. The tour covered a good mix of sightseeing, the accommodations were good; as well as the breakfasts/group dinners. Wonderful tour members, but, sadly, we lost 8 of them within the first 4 days. With the Covid Policy as it is, a suggestion may be to postpone the 1st group dinner to day 3.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several "wow" moments, but one that wasn't expected was the herd of red deer that greeted us at the highland estate in the Cairngorms National Park, as well as seeing several hairy coos up close. One other "wow" is my husband left his wedding ring our last morning at BB+Edinburgh. I'm delighted to say with the staff finding his ring & the assistance of On Call International that the RS Tour provides, it made its way back to my husband's finger where it belongs! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful group! Our guides both local and our main guide were entertaining and extremely informative. The beauty of Scotland and it’s people is undeniable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although there were many moments, I really couldn’t get over the beautiful scenery and plentiful thoughtfully groomed walking paths in every place we stopped. I also loved the Kelpies which I saw on my own before the tour. That would be a great addition to the tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We visited so many beautiful and diverse places in Scotland, from cities to small towns and villages, as well as gorgeous mountains and valleys an farmland. Our guide, Anne, was delightful, helpful and very knowledgeable about Scotland’s long history. We really enjoyed getting to know our fellow travelers who all clearly love traveling and were great fun to be with.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but the trip to the island of Iona was very special and also our visit to Neil’s farm was particularly memorable. Watching him work his dogs was fascinating, but we were all totally amazed to watch him hypnotize - in seconds - the sheep he was about to shear. I have seen sheep sheared before, but never one hypnotized!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Like our previous 3 Rick Steves tours this one was no less enjoyable. Every day was well choreographed and any little glitches were handled by Anne with ease.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure if there was a single wow moment but if I had to choose it would be our visit to St Andrews. As an avid golfer St Andrews is the Mecca of golf and to have our picture taken on the old stone bridge on the18th fairway was very special!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lots of interesting historical facts and picturesque sights worthy of many photo ops! Guide, Anne added to the fun with thought-provoking stories, "back of the coach" tasty food and drink tastings, and toe-tapping traditional music. Expert Scottish driver, Steve, safely traversed the narrow roadways with confidence and a smile. Tour guides in Glasgow, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh added to this spectacular Scottish tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being a golfer, St. Andrews was my WOW moment. Being able to talk with actual caddies and players and learning the history of golf was informative. All of the artifacts, information and displays in the World Golf Museum were top notch! Definitely earned a PAR for this stop on the tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent itinerary with knowledgeable guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our group consisted of exceptional people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful giuide,, enjoyed the places we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing all the countryside and the animals and going to St. Andrews golf course."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my second Rick Steve's tour, and it was very enjoyable. The tour was very well organized, the guide was fantastic and really added to the quality of the tour, and given the time frames, where we went, what we did and saw, provided a good cross section of the country, culture and locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments, but I would say the west coast, Oban, Mull and Iona, were my favourite parts of the tour."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall the experience was great, guide was exceptional and well informed about the country. Bus driver was courteous and drove our bus with great care, he was awesome. A couple of hotels weren’t up to I would put anyone’s standard, especially the one in Oban Scotland, old and very tired would be a compliment, 3 days here “ not acceptable “ The last hotel of the tour in Edinburgh was ok but climbing the four flights of stairs because the elevator was broke “ for the summer

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Culloden battle museum "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Scotland is a beautiful place with great history and culture… our tour guide Helen was the best and full of energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the country… she managed to show us so many incredible sites… we’ve been on 4 RS tours so far with truly great guides but she really is the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we took the bus ride on Mull and seen the beauty and then on the island of Iona… incredible place. Another wow moment is stopping off in Glencoe… awesome!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very pleasant

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glen Coe with bagpipes playing in background "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall it was wonderful

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to Oban, Mull And Iona"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the entire tour was awesome! Helen was amazing. Her knowledge was incredible. Such a sweet soul. We did however have one water incident at the best Hotel of the trip. This was in the Dunkeld House Hotel on day 9. We were awakened at 3:00 AM by the sound of dripping and our bed was soaked. I called the front desk and they were there in minutes to move us to a new room. We had to pack up our belongings.They also reported back that the water was coming from the toilet above us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"After hearing the story of what happened in Glencoe, we went up to the three sisters in the highlands and they took my breath away and to top it off, a person in full highland garb began playing Amazing Grace on the Bagpipes. The tears were relentless. Very touching moment. Then of course there was my dream to see the Old Course At St . Andrews and our driver, Ian had booked the putting course for myself and 2 others. So I guess I can say, "I played St. Andrews!""

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour through Scotland was very well organized. Enjoyed all the sights and cities. As first timers to a Rick Steve tour we enjoyed spending time with our fantastic guide Nigel and our merry band of travelers. Scotland was fantastic. The people were friendly and helpful. The food was amazing. The history and soul of Scotland was brought to life by all of our drivers ( Mark, John) , guides ( Nigel, Jenny, Christine, Tom, James, ? ). The weather was beautiful ! Great time!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm in love with the bagpipes. My favorite "WOW" moment was being the room at the hotel getting to see Gilly. She shared with us her stories. First female in all male band, all about her bagpipes, and uniform. I would have enjoyed her playing more pipes . Loved her reciting the poem by Robert Burns " Address to a Haggis". There was a Scottish fire in those eyes! Well done Gilly! Thanks Nigel."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Best of Scotland was very exciting and scenic trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I truly enjoyed having the tour set up for me

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Architecture"

Well-curated itinerary, good fellow travelers, great guide, good hotels (in general). The history at Culloden and Glencoe was so sobering

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona and the Abbey and the history that goes with it. The Culloden use I’m was outstanding. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Scotland was a Beautiful Country. Our guide Nigel was excellent and very professional. Our driver Mark was also very professional. Seeing all the animals, and being able to feed the red deer and sheep, and pet the hairy coos was fun. Watching the sheepdog demonstration was amazing. The dogs are amazing. This tour was everything I expected and even more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was driving across the Island of Mull. The scenery was spectacular and it was so peaceful. Our driver/guide John was very interesting."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed the tour. We saw many sites and things we would not have experienced on our own. Very glad to have Nigel as our guide was a definite plus. His knowledge and enthusiasm added to the experience. Our coach driver Mark was kind and so good at navigating. We enjoyed having him as part of our tour. We were new to Rick Steves Tours. Lots of walking and stairs but so worth it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the Coos Cows. Really enjoyed hiking to waterfall with Nigel such beautiful country. Golf Course at St Andrews was truly special. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is a very well planned tour, giving us significant and varied highlights of Scotland, its history, landscapes and people. There is a great balance between "time on our own" and planned group experiences. Our tour guide Charlie Rawson is a real gem - she brought such a lot to the experience that I am certain that it would have been "very good" without her, but she is what made it "outstanding". Her regular "treats" were much enjoyed and appreciated too!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many but the day we had Neil Ross and his dogs and sheep in the morning, then Gillie McNab and her bagpipes, stories and humour in the evening really stand out. Quite special - and not experiences we would likely have had except for the RS tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We only experienced 2/3rds but had a good time as always! Scotland is not my favorite destination,though. I found we spent a lot of time on the bus and didn’t see much in the end of the journey. I loved the history and we learned a lot! The people of Scotland were the nicest and most friendly of any of our other trips.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sorry to say we were really looking forward to the days we missed as those had unique experiences we were excited about!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Opportunities to do things that I wouldn’t have traveling alone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep dogs herding sheep. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Pros: 1. great tour guide, 2. interesting experiences, 3. tasty group meals, and 4. gracious accommodation of my vegan meal preference. Cons: 1. the hotel at Oban was miserable - there was mold on my room's ceiling, 2. the open day in Oban (which felt like a wasted day as there wasn't much to do there beyond what we'd already done), and 3. the Covid policy, which felt too cautious in 2023. 25% of our group had to leave the tour early.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had three - the sheep dogs, the bagpiper, and the day trip to Iona."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experiences with our guide Helen and our driver Iam. The countryside is stunning. We were fortunate to be in Oban for the Highland games. truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Pipes demonstration by Gilley. We loved hearing of her introduction to piing and how the tradition has passed through her family."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Tour was not that different from other companies we have done. I thought that would be more obvious differences. There was not!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Feeding the baby lambs at the sheep farms."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had just the right amount of time at each place, with something for everyone whether that be highland forests, city restaurants, castles or museums.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glencoe -- a stunning valley where McClusker the Busker was playing bagpipes."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Friendly tour group; beautiful sites, beyond what I had anticipated; friendly Scotish people; Most hotel accommodations were good, but not all,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed and was pleasently surprised at how beautiful Scotland is, as well as watching the sheepdogs, absolutely amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the itinerary and the ease of getting into museums and venues without long waits or confusion. Our tour guide, James, was excellent. An historian, storyteller, poet and native of the Hebrides, he brought so much to the travel experience because of his love for his country and the people and culture there. Our bus driver, Paul, was friendly, thoughtful and got us everywhere safely! Each day had special ‘surprises’…a wee dram here or there…a lunch of freshly caught and prepared seafood.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While visiting Iona and St. Oran’s chapel, our guide, James Macletchie, sang a Gaelic hymn to us. The acoustics being perfect, it was a very spiritual moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour. James, our director, is a Renaissance man. His knowledge is incredible. Loved his humor, singing, and spirit of adventure. He went out of his way to help us with and find off-the-beaten path experiences. The places visited on the tour provided a wonderful opportunity to visit many beautiful and historical places in the country. The hotels were very nice and our fellow travelers were all very friendly and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One of the “off-the-beaten-path” experiences was watching a Shinty championship in Oban. Totally spur of the moment and something James had never seen. It was so fun being with the local team supporters and we really felt part of the community when the home team won. Another “wow” was visiting “The Tenement House” in Glasgow. And of course, Mull. And Glencoe. And whisky. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was terrific, the hotels were very nice and the food was great. Unfortunately, my partner contracted covid, so we had to leave the tour after just 5 days. We still managed to have a great trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to the Island of Iona, and James singing in the small chapel."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Amazing and talented tour manager that made us comfortable, informed and engaged with the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Opportunity to visit the countryside and some of the local animals up close."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a well paced tour and Jaime was an excellent guide. The opportunity to attend the Tattoo was wonderful. And as we've come to expect on Rick Steves' Tours, our travel companions were delightful. The balance of group time and time on our own was appropriate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Culloden was extraordinarily evocative, and Iona was spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good blend of urban and rural sites and time. Good tour time vs. free time mixture. Guide and drivers were superb. Hotels were well appointed and locations and landscapes were lovely. Breakfasts were great and diverse.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Isle of Mull and Highlands landscapes unbelievably beautiful"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a very good tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to the Culloden Battlefield brought to life by our guide."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was good with the exception of the trip to Iona which I felt was a waste of a day. 5 hours transit time total on ferry's, bus and another ferry for really a nothing final destination. Also the free day would have been better if it was in Inverness as opposed to Oban. nothing really to do in Oban where out of Inverness we could have done a side day trip to Skye.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That two days were really wasted in Oban. The juice was not worth the squeeze."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dunkeld House Hotel, St. Andrews, Oban/Island of Mull/Bus driver/Guide & Edinburg B&B"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed my fellow travelers. Our main guide Robert was outstanding. Bus Drivers were competent, knowledgeable and humorous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The overall scenery was beautiful. The cruse on Loch Ness was the best due to the great weather day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There is so very much to see, and the tour was set up for us to get the most out of Scotland. We were with a wonderful group of people, and Robert was terrific. He made all of us feel included and important, both individually and as a group. All in all, it was wonderful!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the Highlands was pretty hard to beat...the lakes, the bens and the munros. (I've even learned some of the terminology. :) And also tying in all the history of the areas we went through, gives is another layer of interest. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed the trip around Scotland. The weather was fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was listening to a jam session in a pub. I also enjoyed the angry clouds in some of the pictures."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Pure luxury to have all the travel details taken care of. We have always read and followed RS guide books and enjoy getting to see the famous and hidden treasures in a country. With a fantastic guide and driver, we relaxed as we traveled and learned even more along the journey.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"If I have to choose one favorite, it would be the Iona Abbey. The history is so interesting and tragic. 2. The reconstructed Turf House at Glencoe, set in the Highlands. 3. Hairy coos 4.Cawdor Castle 5. St. Andrews 6. Military Tattoo"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

8.5 out of 10. Several of us were REALLY unhappy about your choice of hotels, however.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bagpipe demo by the lady. Now, THAT was Scotland! To have been offered that by your tour was unexpected and really special."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had an interesting itinerary that included several "must see" stops in Scotland. Our tour guide, Charlie, was great! She was exceptionally knowledgeable, personable, helpful, and kind. Our driver, Javid, was excellent and easily maneuvered the narrow streets and tight squeezes encountered along the way. Our tour was hindered somewhat by the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and Stirling and heavy rains in Culloden, but overall, it was a very enjoyable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband and I can't narrow it to just one moment! Stirling Castle was extremely interesting. The Highlands were absolutely beautiful, especially the Three Sisters of Glencoe and the Meeting of the Three Waters. Lunch at Inverdruie House in Cairngorms National Park was amazing. Gilly, the bagpiper who played for us at Dunkeld House Hotel, was both entertaining and informative."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the stops, the comraderie of the group, and our thoughtful knowledgeable tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is difficult to choose: walking around the St Columba chapel on Iona, and having our guide transport us in time through his storytelling, and then singing in Gaelic in the tiny chapel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Scotland, and it was a great introduction to the country. Our tour guides were excellent, as were the bus drivers engaged for transportation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments you mean."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing, showed a great amount of Scotland. Tour Guide James and bus driver Ian were amazing and added a great amount to the experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona easily, the Isle was so amazingly beautiful and was my favorite place I have ever traveled to "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After having been to Greece on our first RS tour we were definitely not disappointed. We did have high expectations as our guide in Greece, Filippos was amazing. Our Scotland trip led by James could not have been better. I think the guides, number one make the trip memorable and the destination is perhaps secondary. The guides convey a love for their country and we as tourists see the world in often a new perspective.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many. Sterling Castle and its history. The Isle of Iona and its history was very memorable as James told its story and even sang a beautiful song in the little church. That was a wow moment. The Highlands and Glencoe where we stopped for our first whisky tasting. It doesn’t get any better than that as you admire the beautiful scenery. The Culloden Battlefield helped us begin to understand the complex history during those times. Our visit with Neil and his sheepdogs was fascinating. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very organized and the places we visited gave us a true flavor of Scotland. James, our tour director, was excellent. His stories and music he played (and sung!) on the bus were great. While my husband and I went off on our own in our free time after consulting with James, it would have been better if there had been more suggestions on what to do during our free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had several - seeing my first puffin, visiting the Roslyn Chapel and going to the Tattoo in Edinburgh."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide James was a ten star guide - absolutely outstanding. He worked hard and made the tour very enjoyable and entertaining for everyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Neil's sheep herding demonstration."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, I had a wonderful time. It seemed very rapid, although we had our "own" time to do things. I would suggest an extra day in Edinguburgh, and the "day" to ourselves more in the middle of the tour: maybe in Inverness? There were a few wonderful hotels, and a few that I would take off the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't think I can narrow the experience to a favoarite "wow" moment. There were so many "wow" moments!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Helen Houston is an absolutely fantastic guide. We had a wonderful tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheepdog exhibit was a favorite, along with feeding the lambs. We are so happy that Glasgow was included in the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was excited about this trip and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed all of the tour stops and what made them all even more special was the outstanding tour guide Helen and our wonderful bus driver Mark. I can say that I truly missed Helen and found I was sad to say goodbye to her. She was such a wonderful guide and made sure that we all had a terrific trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Free day on Oban was my wow moment. My husband and I used took the ferry to the Isle of Kerrera and hiked the island. We were by ourselves for most of the hike on this beautiful island-- just us and the sheep. It was beautiful and truly a unique experience. As for my favorite tour activities they were (1) sheep dog demo and (2) Culloden guided tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was tremendous. Scotland is a beautiful country and the people were so friendly, almost to a shocking level. The architecture of the trip was excellent but the best part of the whole tour was, without question, our tour guide Helen Houston and our bus driver, Mark. They both made every part of the tour comfortable, relaxing and fun. As soon as the tour was over, me and my wife were already missing them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was the visit to the working sheep farm with the herding demonstrations of the sheep dogs. The demonstrations were excellent but the explanations by the shepherd Neil were outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the quality we had hoped to receive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the Scottish Highlands were so beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Helen was an outstanding and knowledgeable guide. Bus driver was excellent. The itinerary was out of this world. Restaurants were outstanding. Hotels were great

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting that first view of the view of the highlands and being in Glencoe. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Liked the tour group and saw many great things. Especially liked our guide Liz.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Reaching Glencoe in the highlands "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall tour experience was excellent. It was a nice mix of planned activities and time to explore areas on my on. The tour guide and bus driver were knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Probably the best trip I've ever been on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glencoe and live Scottish music at Gellions in Inverness."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have taken several Rick Steves tours and this one ranks up with one of the best. We loved our guide Liz. She was a great tour guide, positive and able to pivot easily if plans had to change. We had a great group of travelers and a beautiful country to experience. Many enjoyable activities both with the group and time spent on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip to Iona and visiting the Abby. Also we had free time to experience a small town highland games in Taynuilt near Oban."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved the tour - the mixture of urban and rural landscapes, the history, the people, the food and the music. Liz and Sharon were lovely guides who kept everything running smoothly. Liz's stories of Scotland, past and present, made the country come alive for us. And Ian our singing driver kept us amused and on the road. We traveled with a friendly and caring group and enjoyed the balance of group activities and time to explore on our own. Tasty meals, comfortable beds. We can't wait to return!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful drive through Glencoe and the tradional folk music at Gellions. And seeing the Kelpies!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Scotland tour was wonderful. The itinerary was well-thought out. We enjoyed the group activities and delicious meals. Our guide, Liz, was organized, attentive, and great fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed the day trip to Iona. The boat and bus rides were very scenic. The island itself was quite peaceful, including the visit to the abbey."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all this email was rescued from my "SPAM" folder which is the reason for my delay in responding. I had a great time, visiting a beautiful country with a great group of fellow travelers. Our guides James and his "trainee" Andrew aptly explained Scottish history and the interweaving of Scotland and England, culturally and financially. They presented the challenges to any desire of future separation or independence that quite frankly could only be explained by someone from Scotland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite day on the trip is not an obvious overwhelming "Got-You" moment. We visited the Culloden battlefield site. Walking through the paths thru the park encountering the stones marking a possible burial site of the different clans of Jacobite followers and seeing my family name, affected me more than I realized at the time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 7th Rick Steves trip and it was as well planned and crafted as any. Scotland has a story to tell and our guide James and the other guides did a perfect job of telling it. As always there was a good balance of guided tour with great content and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of great moments, but the best one for me was the tour of the Culloden Battlefield Tour. It was probably the most significant battle in Scottish history. Our guide walked us across the battle field.with a running commentary of what happened and when After the tour was over you felt you knew the facts and felt the emotion of the battle."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful! We had planned to visit in 2020 so this was emotional to finally get to Scotland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Iona trip was the best! What an amazing and peaceful place. I spent some time with my tour buddie trying to figure out how we could just stay there! Just kidding😀"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Shepard, hearing what he had to say, and seeing him work his dogs and sheep"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nigel and Jody were expert tour guides. Our meals and accommodations were very good. The local tour guides provided excellent information and insights into Scottish history and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially enjoyed our trip to Iona and seeing and visiting the ancient ruins and monastery. The city of Oban was delightful and scenic. I arrived early in Glasgow and was able to ride the Hop on an Hop Off bus tour and went to Kelvingrove Museum which was absolutely spectacular. I felt quite relaxed and enjoyed the tranquility. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Really appreciated our guide, Nigel, our fellow travelers and the experiences we shared.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Surprisingly, Neal and the sheep dog/sheep shearing demonstration."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great! The variety and depth of Scotland was wonderful to experience. I would go back. The people were colorful and wonderful. It is a beautiful county. The tour guide and fellow travelers were excellent travel mates.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling to the abbey on Iona. Representative of Scotland with its outsized impact upon the world to this day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellent tour, our leader Yorick made it fun and exciting. Steve the bus driver was incredible

Favorite "WOW" moment

"wow moment was when yorick and steve found out about a highlands game that was scheduled in the town we stopped at and last minute got us tickets to go. loved the impromptu surprise and flexibility of this tour"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed every minute. We had a great group and our guide, Yorick, was super. He had a great sense of humor and a laid back style for storytelling which helped me remember the historical bits of Scottish history. For the most part, all the hotels were great and all were clean and comfortable. Shout out to our driver, Steve. He was just as invested with giving the group a good time as Yorick. Very personable, shared Outlander stories & gave us Super Caly's Go Ballistic, Celtics Are Atrocious!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite was driving through the Highlands, drinking in the scenery and particularly stopping in Glencoe. I think the site that grabbed my heart was the Cullodon Battlefield. Going to the Highland Games, in the Sottish Highlands, was also a great memory for me. That was an unexpected surprise."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had not visited Scotland before, and there were places on the itinerary I would not have thought to visit independently. Never a fan of bagpipes, I enjoyed the school band performances in the town of Oban, as well as the visit from Gilly, who is both a good performer and a gifted raconteur. I often find the things I would not have done myself to be the most enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The border collies herding performance and the hairy coo calf at the farm visit were what I most wanted to see. The experience did not disappoint. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed wandering Scotland with Jim. We saw a good variety of the country (urban and rural) and experienced much of the local scene. The pace was wonderful. No one dropped into bed at the end of the day exhausted but we definitely saw a great deal. We miss our fellow travelers now that we are at home which is a sign of a great time had by all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ferry from Oban to Iona was simply spectacular. Perfect weather (we saw several seasons that day but nothing oppressive) and we've never seen so many shades of green! Such beautiful scenery. We would love to further explore the Inner & Outer Hebrides. Another big surprise was the quality of the food. We did not expect some of the best meals we have ever experienced to be in Scotland but were so pleasantly surprised!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I generally enjoyed the tour, our guide Jim was helpful and attentive. The trip was too long, too short in Glasgow and Edinburgh and too long in Oban and Inverness. Views of Glencoe and the tour of Culloden were excellent. Hotels were adequate, although the last in Edinburgh was hampered by no elevator but Dunkeld was impressive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The presentation by the bagpiper"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheep dog demonstration and presentation by the Shepherd. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Weather was a bit dicey; very unpredictable (and sometimes dramatic) changes. Good itinerary, but I think not including the Isle of Skye is disappointing (though I think I understand why it is not included). As always, one learns a great deal about Scotland on a Rick Steves tour; and I always appreciate being treated as a mature, intelligent adult. Three days in Oban may be one too many.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dunkeld was an unexpected treasure. We had great activities for those two days. The hotel and its grounds was fantastic - one of the best hotels we have experienced on a Rick Steves tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I loved seeing so many different parts of Scotland in one tour. It was great to have the itinerary planned out, and to just show up ready to go. I really loved having local guides, who made each tour more personal and special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving through Glencoe was absolutely stunning. We stopped at a viewpoint to take in the gorgeous scenery, and were surprised by a local playing the bagpipes. It was totally coincidental that he was there, but hearing the pipes in the Highlands was something I will never forget."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a lovely trip to Scotland with our guide Helen, we really enjoyed Glasgow and the Highlands. It did rain a bit most every day but did not keep us from doing anything on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting up close to the Hairy Coos in Cairngorms National Park, lunch in the park in our private teepee tent, the food was amazing, also the sheep dog demonstration with Neil."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We learned so much about Scotland, appreciated our guide, and found it quite well-organized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the incredible history of the country, and the interconnectedness of the culture and politics with the rest of the United Kingdom."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent guide, very positive attitude and knowledgeable. Enjoyed the amount of walking on this tour, good balance of bus and walking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The bagpipe concert. Gilly provided excellent info on the construction of bagpipes, the attire. She has such a rich history with bagpipes. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really well organized and thought out. Enjoyed the fellow travelers and our guide Charlie was "brilliant." Meals were high quality and lodging was pretty much as expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Inverness and the visit to the Culloden Battlefield / Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel / scenery in the Highlands"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Scotland is a beautiful country! Everywhere we visited, the people were charming. This tour was a balanced mix of history, nature, and of course, whisky. There were even nuggets of exciting connections for us fans of Outlander! The hotel locations were ideal as they were within walking distance to things we wanted to do.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being on Iona on the summer solstice was magical. The clouds parted as we were leaving and the waters transformed into varying shades of blue that just took your breath away! I did not want to leave. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Guide. Good itinerary. Friendly tour mates. Enjoyed Scotland with beautiful scenery, interesting history, and friendly people. That was clean and convenient. Tour was exactly as advertised. Enjoy this trip as we have previous Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"1. The beautiful Isle of Iona with the history, scenery, boat trip and brief look at the Scottish isles. 2. Beautiful Glencoe with wild scenery and emotional history. 3. Visit to the sheep farm - not just to see the dogs work and to shear the sheep - but to hear the farmer's relationship to his animals, land, and life."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very pleasant trip. A little too much bus time but you have to be on the bus to get all around Scotland!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day we went to see the hairy coo’s and had lunch at Cairngorms. And the sheep dog demo. My favorite town was Dunkeld. Would have loved to have another vacation from my vacation day there to hike some of the trails. But appreciated the extra day in Oban as well."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was an exceptional tour in that I was able to explore on my own, and experience areas that were on my list-one that surprised me. We had excellent, knowledgeable guides and a tour director "Charley"!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dunkeld House Hotel and grounds, the Highlands followed by the sheepherding dog experience. The Isle of Iona! Many wow moments."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall such wonderful experience. The country is beautiful and so rich in history that we will enjoy going back through our pictures and guidebook to revisit the places we went and all of the details that made this such a special time. All of our guides were very informative and engaging. Anne, in particular, was amazing! The time and effort she put into the small details made this even more m

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had two "Wow" moments. The Highlands and the beauty of the area and having seen the Book of Kells in Ireland, it came full circle to see where they were written. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

the tour was well planned hitting all of the highlights and more. I especially like all of the small extra places and guided tours that I would never include if I had planned my own journey.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had no one real wow moment but I did enjoy all of country and Highlands and glens we drove through around the Lochs"

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Unfortunately airline delays and cancellations and contracting Covid made this trip very stressful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Burrell Museum in Glasgow. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From start to finish, this tour and services were outstanding. Weeks before day 1 our 1st Hotel was changed; we appreciated that our "pre-tour" night reservation was smoothly transitioned to the new property. Specialist guides, and our R/S guides were exceptional as was our bus driver! I felt the itinerary of daily group activities mixed with some unscheduled time to explore on our own worked well, including the "vacation from our vacation" day. Only regret is that the Kelpies weren't included.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" I loved the beautiful landscapes with water everywhere, and sheep dotted hills; ewes and baby lambs cuddling in the shade. The Sheepdog demonstration, chance to help shear a sheep, and bottle feed a lamb were a thrill. And who doesn't love meeting a "Hairy Coo" or two!!! Kudos to our female bagpiper for an awesome demonstration !! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A thoughtfully assembled tour that provided an intimate experience of Scotland's diverse cities, gorgeous highlands and lochs, cultural treasures and sometimes heartbreaking history. Our Scottish guide, Anne, added so many personal touches with stories, music, surprise picnics, and hand-picked local guides. I wanted to record her lilting laugh so I could bring a bit of the experience home with me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Petting a highland calf and feeding the lambs and the red deer were high on my list, although standing in awe of the heather-covered peaks at Glencoe was close. There wasn't a single activity I would trade."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Scotland is a beautiful country with friendly people. As expected from a RSE tour, the tour guides are the strength of the tour. Our tour guide Anne was wonderful, very knowledgeable, organized and pleasant. The hotels were the weakest part of an otherwise very nice trip. The one in Oban in particular was very in a poor condition and should not be acceptable by RSE standards. The hotels in Glasgow and Dunkeld were the exception as they were pretty nice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking in Kerrera island to the ruined Gylen castle was wonderful. St Andrews and Edinburgh were charming but unfortunately we didn’t get the chance to spend enough time there. We would have preferred to have less time in Oban and more time in St Andrews, Edinburgh and maybe some time for hiking in Glencoe. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour. Wonderful guide, Ann

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The highlands and Edinburgh Castle "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour overall met my expectations. I love hearing about the history and culture of places I am visiting as well as controversial politics - historical and current. There was a good mix of together time and free time to explore. Our guide helped with suggestions to enhance the free time experience as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick just one wow experience. I have 3 that stand out. I loved the Isle of Iona especially the peaceful setting - walking to the beach as well as sitting in the afternoon meditation and scripture reading. I also loved the free day as we were able to get over to the small Isle of Kerrera. The hike to the ruined castle and a lunch stop in the middle of "nowhere" was wonderful and relaxing. The third was enjoying local musicians at a pub in Dunkeld. Fun to visit with locals!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Everything went about as I expected it to go.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't say there was any "wow" moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic time, our guide Anna was terrific and provided us historical facts combined with fun personal anecdotes that meant there was never a dull moment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Blaine loved the sheepdog experience and Urquhart, as well as the cruise on the Loch Ness. Kristine loved the abbey and Isle of Iona. We both loved Sterling and Oban, and the "vacation from our vacation day" provided some much needed time to complete errands like laundry and explore on our own."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I think the guide was amazing but the cleanliness and the quality of the hotels was questionable. Our first hotel that we stayed in was horrible. It was not clean, several of us suspected mold and it was below the standard of what was expected. I know you have a service now booking the hotels and I am not sure if you are cutting costs but it def. influenced my decision to take another trip. I have taken 4 thus far and by far this was the worst. I would discuss with the co. you hired.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I was welcomed as a solo traveler even though I still mostly prefer to keep to myself outside of bus and meal time. The guides and bus drivers were extremely professional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The fancy lunch outside buffet before visiting the hair coo pasture was delightful, and the beef stew was so tender and flavorful. It was the best I’ve ever had. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As expected, the tour was very well organized. Guide Ann is a wealth of knowledge about her country. Though is somewhat by chance how the group will get along, she did a wonderful job of creating group cohesiveness so I think the whole group had a lot of fun together

Favorite "WOW" moment

"An optional activity while staying in Oban. A group of us took a short ferry from there to the island of Kererra, a small sparsely populated island of the Inner Hebrides. We climbed into the Gylen Castle which was built in 1587, had amazing views of the ocean. Such a tranquil place. There is a tea room about 2 miles along the hike that was so welcoming and delightful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had an amazing time. I'd read the details regarding the tour well in advance and it was everything I expected. Our guide, Alistair, was very entertaining and knowledgeable, I couldn't say enough positive things to describe him. Once again the website was descriptive in what to and what not to expect at the hotels. The funniest thing I encountered was the necessity of asking for ice. It was unusually warm in Scotland and became a little stuffy in a few hotels but nothing unbearable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's impossible to single out a particular moment as there were several. Learning the history of each site we explored, river we traveled and town we stayed in was an individual experience. My absolute favorite place was a town named, Oban. I'd love to return there one day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I've been a traveler all my life but have always preferred to travel on my own. This experience changed my attitude entirely! We were able to see, learn and do more than we could ever have experienced on our own. The guides were outstanding, the group was lovely, and the transportation was excellent. I hope to book again soon!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheepdog farm! Watching the interaction among these animals and their human was astounding to say the least. I had a huge grin on my face all day!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We loved our tour of Scotland. Traveling with Alasdair, an entertaining and personable guide, a true Scotsman in a kilt no less, who attended to every detail of our journey, and a group of like-minded travelers with shared interests and appreciation for the beauty and story of this amazing country made this a trip that we will never forget.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"What an unfair question! There were so many experiences I will not forget from seeing the hairy coos, red deer and sheepdogs to experiencing the majesty of the Highlands up close. I will particularly remember stopping the bus in the Glencoe valley (I think!) and exiting the bus for a few minutes to take in the scenery and sharing a toast with smooth Scottish whisky before continuing our journey. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our overall tour experience was exceptional, primarily due to the efforts of our tour guide, Alasdair. Alasdair's knowledge of Scottish history, culture, and geography---coupled with his enthusiasm and positivity---made our our tour experience a memorable one!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, the majesty of the Highlands was my "wow" moment. Though my attempts to capture the mountains through photography fell short of relaying the wonder and beauty of the Highlands, my memory of their impact will last forever!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the highlands "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day I thought “oh my gosh! TODAY is my favorite” until, the next day, then, that day was my favorite.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glencoe"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide was incredible. Knowledgeable, friendly and kind. He was instrumental in making this a great tour. He helped me learn Scottish culture and history. I came home feeling like I had really experienced Scotland. And I came home wanting to learn more. I’ve read two books since I’ve been home on Scottish history. I also appreciated being on a smaller tour. Our bus driver was also great. I was on a tour once where the driver got lost a few times and it cost us precious tour time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona. I experienced the “thinness” of the island."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well-organized and our guide was exceptional.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Alasdair McDonald was a terrific tour guide, with deep knowledge, was able to answer questions, and also had a great sense of humor. Our bus driver, John, was also wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Isle of Iona. This was a bit of a personal pilgrimage for me"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Alisdair was a fine guide. The group was okay. The weather was much warmer and sunnier than the forecast. Scotland was beautiful and interesting. The itinerary was great. However, I could have used at least another hour at Stirling Castle and another half hour at the Culloden battle site.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Shearing a sheep at the working sheep farm."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our trip to Scotland was fabulous! Our guide offered interesting information on so many topics—what a great resource! Hotels, restaurants, sites— all well planned and engaging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sterling castle—very interesting "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 8th Rick Steves tour and we learned so much visiting all of the important historical, political and cultural sites in Scotland. We have a very great application now for Scotland

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "Wow" moment was taking the ski lift up the mountain in Glencoe which provided many breathtaking sights of the Scottish Highlands."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

outstanding guide (Nigel), fun group of people, great locations, and the FOOD!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"riding the lift near Weeping Glen"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized with all seeming to enjoy. Our guide Nigel was excellent! Very knowledgeable! The bus driver Steve was also very good. Our tour had 29 people so having a full size bus made it easy with plenty of room. Overall, we are very pleased with the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments but being in the Scottish Highlands was beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well paced. We loved the sense of community we experienced with our tour group members. Our tour guide Nigel was very informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful scenic mountains of the Scottish Highlands."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very nice tour and a very good Guide (Nigel). Nigel's impressive knowledge of Scottish history and his narrations made this tour special.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 2nd RS Tour and it was just as great as the 1st. Nigel is a great guide, his knowledge and background was so beneficial to learn about this wonderful country. His bartending ability with the whiskey sampling was unparrelled, As we are avid Bourbon drinkers gaining knowledge of the whiskey was an added bonus.The cities and towns we saw and driving through the glens and valleys was breathtaking. Steve our bus driver did an exceptional job driving down the one lane roads was unreal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a few WOW moments both with the tour and prior to the tour on our own. The Palace of Holyrood House was spectacular which we did on our own before the tour began. We also went to Inverary Castle which walking into the Central Hall took my breath away. On the tour the drive through beautiful Glencoe valley was amazing and the visit to Culloden was somber and thought provoking just realizing what took place there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Scotland is such a beautiful country with interesting history and very friendly people. Nigel was a great guide, he gave us lots of information that helped me better appreciate each area we visited. Local guides were also very good. We had a nice group of fellow travelers and great weather so in all a fun trip. My only complaint is the group size of 29 was too big. The website says small groups-24 to 28 max, but many tours this year are larger than that. Doesnt feel like a small group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially loved seeing the beautiful highlands countryside & visiting the sheep farm. Also getting to see the hairy coos up close. The Culloden battlefield and visitor center was really interesting."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Was a great time with Nigel and Steve. They were very good at telling us what to expect and what was upcoming the next day so we knew how to prepare for the day. Weather was warmer than normal and not much rain so we lucked out there. All of the sights were just beautiful and the places we stayed were what to expect when staying in Scotland. No AC and stairs, put the packing light to the test.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't really say there was just one WOW moment as Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Culloden, Cairngorms was just too beautiful to put in words. The first was not part of tour and we did on our own and it was at Inveraray Castle going into the Central Hall and seeing all of the guns used at Culloden. This should be part of the tour, we stopped in the town on the way to Oban so there wasn't really time with the itinerary, definitely need a few hours."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Highlights: Tour guide knowledge & scheduling of the day's events. Well chosen sites. Disappointments: Tired hotels, can't classify as "European Quaint." Vacation from our vacation at the beginning of a tour - Oban - was poorly timed. Break should be mid-tour. Little to do in Oban. Possibly a group option on the free day? Guide didn't offer hidden surprises; had to find these on our own. Poor scheduling of group meals. 29 people, too many. Expensive; some weak local guides.Rushed at Sterling.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While the sites were interesting, there was no "wow" moment. Nothing inspired me to want to return or tell people that they need to put this tour on their bucket list."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour although we have used the guidebooks for the past 10+ years to plan our own trips. We weren't really sure how much we would like or fit into a group with a more rigid time schedule and also busing from place to place. We had the best possible experience. Our tour guide Charlie (Charlotte) was fabulous. She was so organized, always upbeat and positive even when minor changes had to be made, and was able to manage 25 tour members with ease.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to name them all. Glasgow was an unexpected delight with wall paintings, lovely architecture. Oban and the trip to the Isle of Iona with the free day to explore McCraigs Tower, Dunollie Castle, the ride on Loch Ness, the peaceful river island park at Inverness, Culloden battlefield and great guide James, Charlie's narratives as we rode and the many bus treats of whiskey & pastries, the gorgeous mountains, Dunkeld House Hotel, Neil and his sheep dogs, golf, Rita and the tour of Edinburgh"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every destination was absolutely incredible!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's so hard to pick a favorite! However, we especially enjoyed our time in Glasgow, Oban, Iona, and Edinburgh."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

covered a lot of territory

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona, but not enough time, Stirling Castle, Culloden. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall experience for me was brilliant! Our guide, Charlie was knowledgeable, always cheerful and I loved listening to her! Riding in the coach was relaxing for me as we glided through the cities and countryside with Iain as our driver. He handled all the challenges of a large coach in tiny spaces with an abundance of skill. Plenty of room for anyone to sit alone if they chose to. Accommodations were great, with a special nod to Dunkheld House Hotel. Weather was sunny and warm so I loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona, working sheep dogs, golfing at St. Andrews (and losing to Iain) are just a few. Wow Day in Oban. 6 of us went to the Isle of Kerrera & hiked the entire loop stopping for lunch at the Tea garden where we joined a beautiful peacock just chill’n on a picnic table! As we hiked towards Gylen Castle, we came upon a farmer who was rounding up their sheep to shear. Fascinating watching the dogs herd the sheep & observe their process of shearing them. Scenery was stunning. wow.moments.all.day.long!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized tour, outstanding tour guide, pleasant and friendly travelling companions, interesting sites, good historical information. We both loved the tour. Exceeded our expectations by 200%.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking the island of Kerrera while staying in Oban. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good. Saw a wide variety of places and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cannot pick just one"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour well organized and guides were good. Enjoyed the day off in Oban to tour on our own. Tour guide, Charlie, was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep dogs"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall trip was very good, we saw a lot and our guide made every effort to make sure we understood the context of what we were seeing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona. Wish we had a day or overnight there, 2 hours was not enough"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed the personal touches all the tour guides provided.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ross had a lot of knowledge about each area we visited. The “added” guides also just blew me away with all the facts. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic! I think we would go back just to spend four days in Edinburgh.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several: sheep herding, the Edinburgh castle, Highlands."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Throughly enjoyed the tour. The guide “Ross” was absolutely great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think I enjoyed Glencoe was great. We would have liked to stay in that area longer."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great guide, Ross, beautiful places to visit, knowledgeable local people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving with Glencoe, wishing we could have more time there."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed learning about this magical country and the beautiful scenery. Ross Tillbrook is a very knowledgeable guide and we enjoyed his stories very much.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The colors of the water around the isle of Iona and seeing all the castles"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, Ross, very knowledgeable about his homeland. Highly recommend this tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The huge trees and beautiful flowers just didn’t stop!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The accommodations were good and in very good locations. The transportation to the various locations was second to none. Our tour guide kept us informed entertained. And thank God, we had excellent weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maybe it was not one most people would say, but it was the first breakfast. It had all the local breakfast foods I wanted to try.. I was also amazed at the skills of the sheep dogs. Even though I did not understand half of what they told me, I was impressed with their kindness and helpfulness. As to the sites, I am always impressed with the architecture and the labor to build it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Extremely well organized. Excellent itinerary. Our tour guide was Ross was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The morning we spent at Sterling Castle. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The most relaxing vacation I've experienced including amongst those we've planned ourself

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scotland was great but the hotel in Dunkeld was outstanding both in amenities and setting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was so well organized, it saved us from all the work that usually accompanies traveling! The expertise of our guide Alasdair, as well as the local guides, made it an unexpected learning experience. I made new friendships among our group and lasting memories of the happy land that is Scotland!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheepdog demonstration was right up there, but we also had the very best weather anyone could ever expect from Scotland - that was a big "wow"!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Scotland tour was amazing. Our tour guide, Alasdair, was fantastic. His knowledge of the history, folklore, culture and culinary delights was impeccable. This was our fourth Rick Steves' tour and once again, we were impressed by the thoroughness and quality of the tour. The tour hit all the "must see" highlights while still providing insight into the country, culture and people. The tour also hits the right balance of being together as a tour group and providing time on your own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The rugged beauty of Glencoe was my "wow" moment of the tour - followed closely by rounding a corner in Edinburgh and seeing the castle looming overhead perched on a rocky cliff. The natural beauty of Scotland is breathtaking. Alasdair made these moments even better by sharing the history associated with these spots and revealing the fortitude and humor of the Scots."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a fabulous trip with a fabulous guide, Alasdair Macdonald. 13 beautiful days in Scotland without a drop of rain! Amazing! This tour is very varied - bustling cities, oceanside villages, glens, stunning mountains and castles! It had it all!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"WOW moments are many on this tour! 1- hiking the Island of Kerrera just off the coast of Oban. 10 min ferry ride over - a lovely tea house and ruined Gylen Castle standing high above the ocean. Stunning! Another moment was checking into our hotel at Dunkeld and seeing my family crest in stain glass - and then learning that the land had once been held by my family! Fun to learn additional family facts!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour and taste of Scotland. Our guide, Alastair, and driver, Mark, really made the tour for me with their knowledge, friendliness, and sense of humor. I was very impressed by this tour and am dreaming about my next trip to Scotland now! The tour was very well put together and my fellow tour members were a delight to spend time with!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many special moments on this trip. The weather (no rain - in Scotland?!), the tour members, & the places. Oban was one of my favorite cities on the tour. I was skeptical about spending so much time there, but I had such a good time watching sunsets and exploring! The sheep dog demonstration was also impressive, especially seeing how even the puppies have such an instinct to herd. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everyday just seemed to get even better than the day before. We were amazed by everything. The coordination, our amazing tour guide, James, the quality of our experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I personally loved the day at the Abbey and taking the ferry there. It was wonderful. James made the experience even more exceptional by his personal touches. In this troubled world we live in, it's nice to have some sort of spirtual connection. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I fell in love with Scotland, and I would go again! This was my first time on a Rick Steves tour, and I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the group and the organization. The coach and the coach driver, in was fabulous. It was nice that we were not all crowded in and that we all had the room that we wanted. and the highlight of the tour was the guide, James, he shared so much, and made the experience very human, personal, informative, safe and fun. He looked out for everyone in the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many beautiful locations on the itinerary, but I did very much love the trip to Iona. The islands, the ferry, the spirituality, all blended together to create a great experience, James, singing in Gaelic in the chapel! How could it not touch your soul? And of course, everyone loved the sheep dogs and the puppy❤️. Dunkeld.! The highlands. Glencoe. Wonderful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

James and Ian were fantastic. Smooth running operation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dunkeld hotel was great. Loved the distillery tour. Iona was special. Harry Coos and dogs were a hit. Local tour guides were top shelf. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was great. The weather could not have been better as we had no rain. Unheard of in Scotland!! The travel was easy and the travelers were very prompt and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A rather odd "wow" was traveling across the isle of Mull to go to the isle of Iona. Most of the trip was on a one lane road with cutout every 50 to 100 yards. The bus driver (Ian) was incredible and handled the bus with extraordinary skill. What an incredible country!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seamus our tour guide and Ian. Bus driver They make a rest team. I would go on all tours if these two were there"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our RS guidebook helped us maximize our free time, discovering fabulous museums, gardens and river walks. Glasgow was a treasure trove of art; we focused on Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, Margaret Macdonald and the muralist Smug. From the majestic mountains of the Highlands to the wildflower strewn meadows of Iona, each day provided new wonders. We salute our congenial tour companions, driver Ian and seasoned guide Seamus (aka James) for making this 2 week adventure such a pleasure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment occurred in the House for an Art Lover, a building designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1901. Every element of the interior: doors, lighting, furnishings, windows, flooring etc reflects his aesthetic and the artistry of his wife Margaret MacDonald. Gorgeous! The work of an architect is best appreciated when standing in the three dimensional space the artist has designed. This unexpected delight is a typical happening when we go exploring during a Rick Steves tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything we expected. It was outstanding. The country was beautiful, the people charming,the itinerary fulfilling, but what really made the tour was our guide James and our driver Ian. They not only did the job of providing a well organized and smoothly run tour, but went well beyond to show us their love for Scotland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona. Oban was nice. The bus driver, John, was a character and distracted us from the crazy road trip across Mull. But, it was the time we spent on Iona that moved us the most and we will remember forever. The sheep dog exhibition comes in second. Sterling castle comes in third (it's good to be the King)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first tour with Rick Steves and it was a wonderful experience! Our guide, Nigel and our bus driver, Steve, were considerate and knowledgeable. I learned so much about Scotland and saw so many interesting things. Everyone on the tour made it so enjoyable as they were friendly and interesting people to be with. I hope to take another tour next year!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat ride to Inverness. The beauty of the landscape and the peacefulness of the water. Just a wonderful experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time. We were impressed with Scotland. The scenery was green and lush. The lochs and rivers were majestic. The people of Scotland were warm and friendly. The good weather was beyond our expectations. Nigel did terrific job dealing with a few last minute schedule changes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We waited for the ferry from Mull to Iona. Looking for something to eat, there was a local "fish" shack operated by two charming women. An order of local mussels was placed and soon we had the meal of the trip for us. Fresh, local mussels served hot and ready to eat. YUM, YUM"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was very knowledgeable, and the destinations and experiences were very fun. I especially enjoyed learning about the history of Scotland through our main guide and other guides along the way. There was a good balance between structured and discretionary time. The accommodations were very nice and so was the food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. It’s difficult to single out just one. Seeing the Edinburgh Castle and the Crown Jewels was definitely among at the top of my list of wows. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guides make all the difference, and Niguel certainly made the difference on this tour. We were SO fortunate to have fabulous sunny, dry weather the entire tour, which is not usual for Scotland. Green, lush hillsides dotted with sheep and Highland cows--it couldn't be more picturesque!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to say the weather was the "wow" sentiment for the whole tour! And the sheep dog trainer and piper were also fabulous."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th RS tour and, like the previous 3, it was great. Nigel, our group leader was outstanding as were all the local guides. We really like the balance of organized activities and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My highlight was the "up close and personal" demonstration of the sheep dogs herding the sheep and later interacting with the sheep dog trainer and the sheep dog pups. "

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

The hotel accommodations were comfortable enough. Had some great meals. Fellow travellers were companionable. However, more unstructured free time than expected and not enough days in Glasgow to really get a sense of the city. Little or no real direction for free time usage was provided by the guide, Charlie Rawson. Had to leave the tour before Edinburgh due to contracting COVID. Very unhappy how she handled the situation. Couldn't cut us from the tour fast enough after we test, violated our

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Kelvingrove Museum visit including a lovely organ recital."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Charlie did a great job. High energy, knowledgeable, well prepared, and fun. Everyone got along well. We saw a lot, did a lot, saw a lot, and had a great time doing it all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scenery was awesome but the fun and singing in the pubs was special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experiences, new friends and tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hairy coos and deer!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour ever. It met or exceeded every expectation we had. One of the best parts of the tour was Charlie our tour guide. She was so knowledgeable; made sure we knew what we were seeing or preparing for what we were going to be doing that day. Mark our bus guide may each trip fun while keeping us safe. Scotland is beautiful and the other people on the trip made each stop and bus ride enjoyable. I feel so blessed to say I have 25 new friends!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is really hard to pick since there were so many wonderful moment. If I base it on my pictures it would be the stop to see the Highland Cows "Hairy Coos." They are so awesome. The afternoon spent on the Rothiemurchus Estate was great. We saw beautiful landscape of the Cairngorms, but the stop to feed the Hairy Coos was magical. We got to see so many up close and personal and were able to pet them. The twin calves were adorable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I travelled as a single person and came away with friends/family for life. I went outside of my comfort zone by going in a group and burning my candle at both ends on a few occasions. Both aspects, though tiring for an introvert, added so much value to the experience. I loved sharing the tours with folks who I could discuss what we saw during meals and other moments where we gathered. Scotland by all accounts is absolutely beautiful and so are the people who live there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the country side, the sheep, border collies, deer and coos. We had marvelous weather. Surprisingly I enjoyed St. Andrews and Edinburgh (since I prefer the country). These cities offered a cozier and intergenerational atmosphere. My favorite experience in a hotel and town collectively was Dunkeld. The hotel charm and amenities, the walking area along the river and the proximity to the town for shopping. I wish we had more time there and in the Cairngorms."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Charlie was the best tour director, and Mark was a great bus driver. Our group seemed to enjoy each other, and we had no negativity on the trip. Our schedule was shuffled a little bit, but it was a smooth and enjoyable tour. Most of the accommodations were top notch, and the food was all great with plenty of choices at our group dinners.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The island of Iona was the favorite wow moment for me. There was a view of Scottish life in the past and reverence for the past life at the Abbey combined with the life with nature. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour of Scotland with an exceptional guide (Charlie) and a wonderful group of fellow travelers!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Tay River and our stay in Dunkeld, beautiful hotel, great food, gorgeous walks along the river."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a fantastic time! Charlie was the best tour guide and our group was all wonderful. I appreciated getting to see so many different places in the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking up through the woods to the top of a hill in Oban and getting a 360 degree view including the ocean"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was seamless - excellent guide and travel group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Time spent at Dunkeld and our hotel - Dunkeld House"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well- planned, and gave us many experiences packed into every day. Our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The we drams on the bus were fun. We had great fun with our fellow travelers. All the hotels were very nice, with the exception of the last one.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touching the ancient sherds at the Scottish Folk Museum. Amazing experience!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very organized and informative. James’ soul is Scottish to the core and we were lucky to have him as our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow “ moment was the seafood tasting in Oban. If the seafood would have been any fresher, it would still be in the ocean."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed the tour. This was my first tour experience. We have always traveled to Europe on our own. I liked not having to worry about scheduling and booking hotels, tours and restaurants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really liked the history that was shared by our guide James. You could tell he was passionate about his country and how we as visitors understood it. I also enjoyed the spontaneous get togethers. Seafood afternoon in Oban was excellent. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour exceeded all my expectations. The guides were beyond excellent and added creativity, vitality, historical context and rich cultural perspective to the shared adventure. Their stories helped us see, feel and experience the pulse of Scotland, past and present. The pace of the tour was perfect, balancing scheduled activities with opportunities for personal discovery during free time. The accommodations and shared meals were superb.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a number of serendipitous conversations, both with tour members, guides, and local folk that were so very special, meaningful and transformative. Hearing personal stories brought castles, lochs, battles, distant times and distant places alive. These unplanned, spontaneous moments are the ones we cherish most."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides (especially James, our main guide), and mostly great tour stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved our time with a sheep herder and his sheep, border collies, puppies and lambs."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. It was well organized and our tour guides expanded knowledgeably on areas we visited. They skillfully brought our group together which made the trip even more enjoyable. I liked the amount of walking and the mix of organized activities vs. alone time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The first wow was visiting the puffins on Staffa island. The second was in the Cairngorms National Park. I had not expected the depth of its beauty. The overall wow moment occurred halfway through the tour when I was looking out the window and realized that all I had to do was sit back and enjoy the scenery and the guide’s talks. I didn’t have to worry about traffic or reading a map. All I had to do was enjoy!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had been wanting to visit Scotland for years but it kept getting put off. We had two RS tours cancel on us, and were offered first "dibs" on our choice as a result. And Scotland it was! This was our 7th RS tour. We had the most wonderful group this time. Newbies and veterans alike, including a young woman who was a breath of fresh air! We were lucky to have two full-time guides: James, who was a true veteran, immensely experienced and capable, and Maureen, an apprentice who was fabulous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This one is tough. I really loved getting "up close and personal" with the hairy coos and the sheepdogs and puppies and the lambs. St. Andrews was a huge, unexpected high point for us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, James, was outstanding. Being a native of Scotland, his knowledge of the country’s history, culture and regional differences was so very interesting and insightful. Although the tour itinerary provided a very well balanced experiences of both city and country side highlights, the personal touch that James added along the way made each experience that much more enjoyable. Maureen, our assistant guide, was also very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful countryside, Glasgow and Edinburgh sights and museums, the friendly locals and the great pubs were all equally wow moments. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was sad when this trip had to end! I joined as a solo traveler & Rick Steves first-timer. Everyone on the tour was so kind, welcoming, & good-humored which made the trip even better! Our guide James and apprentice Maureen were too good at their jobs, & I hope they never stop taking people around this special place. The itinerary was amazing, & I now have lots of stories to share with jealous family & friends. My parents say we're Irish, but I think I might actually be Scottish!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty & peace we experienced nearly everywhere we went. I particularly loved the white sand beach of Iona. Even in a big city like Edinburgh, you could always find a quiet, pretty spot. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our tenth RS tour…and it was one of my favorites!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning about my family heritage at Stirling Castle! And…my other favorite was my birthday surprise-James arranged to have a bagpiper play the birthday song for me! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Not only saw the amazing countryside and major cities of Scotland, but learned so much about the culture, history, economics and general welcoming hospitality, that the Scottish people always give you

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite well moment was going to the island Straffa and seeing the puffins! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful! Jean Ann and I loved the sights, sounds, and experiences of Scotland's big cities, little towns, rivers, skies, seas and islands. Highland Cattle (Harry Coos), Red Deer, and the beauties of nature and wildlife, provided a peaceful context for remembering Scotland's history of clannish, national and religious struggle. The insider perspectives of our tour guides, James & Maureen, combined with delightful fellowship of our world-traveler-friends, made this an unforgettable journey.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was hoping for experiences of spiritual epiphany (moments of sudden understanding and awareness on a deeply meaningful level). One of several such "epiphanic moments" was seeing the shepherd's unique bond of partnership and friendship with his dogs. I felt such great emotional gratitude for the joys of Friendship with my Shepherd Master (and with my dog, Buddy :-)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The puffers on Staffa"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I had a great experience on the Scotland Tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to Stirling Castle"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour offered a wonderful trip around the urban/rural, highlands/lowlands parts of this beautiful country. The knowledge of our guide, Nigel, and all the local guides, shared with generous doses of Scottish humor, made learning about the history and culture of Scotland quite entertaining. Unfortunately, losing 10 of our original 28 tour members to Covid resulted in a lower level of camaraderie than is customary on Rick Steves tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was actually on our off day in Oban. It happened to be King Charles' coronation day and I stumbled upon an Episcopal Cathedral that was live streaming the coronation. The host congregation was very welcoming, serving tea and light refreshments and offering a punch toast after the actual crowning. Singing along with the hymns and joining in on the prayers in the Oban Cathedral as we watched the ceremony in Westminster Abbey was a delightful once in a lifetime experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide was knowledgeable, friendly, entertaining

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep dogs and trainer; lambs; hairy coos; Collodan; wee dram; distilleries; food; walking tours"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Scotland tour was our fourth RS tour and my wife and I had a great time. Our guide Nigel and our bus driver were both very professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. The scenery was stunning. The accommodations and meals were very good and the sites and people of Scotland were great. It was a really nice trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The island of Iona and Oban as well as Stirling Castle, so many great moments!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wonderful overview of Scotland with many little surprise touches. Our guide, Nigel, was very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to the sheep farm was so much fun, and felt surprisingly intimate. We got to speak with the shepherd at length about his way of life. We got to feed a baby lamb and hold a sheepdog! So thrilling. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

It was a very expensive five day experience, since we had to cancel the tour after only five of 13 days due to Covid-19.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery in Scotland is just incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide, interesting and knowledgeable local speakers/presenters.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheepdogs"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great trip. Scotland is a beautiful country. Our tour guide Nigel was excellent and kept us kept us informed and entertained with his knowledge of the history and culture of Scotland. Javi, our bus driver, was amazing at navigating the crazy roads in Scotland all why staying cheerful. We highly recommend this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick a favorite Wow moment. We enjoyed it all. I would have to say the Dunkeld House Hotel and the expansive grounds were quite impressive. It is set right on the River Tay and was quite beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour had a great balance of scheduled activities and free time. Our guide was engaging and knowledgeable. It was a fantastic experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several great moments but the most memorable for me was the excellent hike we did on the island of Kerrara in Oban. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Anne and James were great tour leaders and Ian our bus driver did a fabulous job. We really enjoyed our group and were sad that a few people ended up getting sick and had to leave the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many wow moments. We really enjoyed our day off in Oban, we scheduled the 3 island tour with West Coast Tours and it was phenomenal. I also enjoyed Neil's sheepherding demonstration and feeding the lambs."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic! Our guides, Anne and James, were so knowledgeable, and our bus driver Iain was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona, the Kelpies, Glen Coe, tent dining and heilan coos."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the crannogs, Culloden, cairns to castles and cathedrals, this tour was full of amazing history! Thanks to our wonderful tour guides and fantastic bus driver!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We loved Rothiemurchus/ National Park with the Highland coos and red deer. Border collies, Isle of Iona, the Dunkeld stay and Gillie the piper were other highlights to a brilliant Scottish experience!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Anne the tour guide really knew her history. She was extremely knowledgeable and adaptable to make the tour a better experience. The tour sites were good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Iona. Walking down the path towards the beach and being all alone and looking at the sheep, the ocean. It was a WOW moment"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded my expectations at every !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching the border collies respond to the shepard's commands as they demonstrated their sheep herding skills."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I tested positive for COVID half way through. Up until then, it was pretty much bus ride to visitor centers.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The main tour guide -Anne Doig, other on site tour guides, lodgings, travel buses, and itinerary met our expectations. This was our first Rick Steve's tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taking a ferry from Oban and hiking the Isle of Kerrera."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

4 out of 4 stars!! Covered the sights I wanted (although I did want to see the Falkirk Wheel, would've preferred that over the Kelpies). The guide and apprentice were walking encyclopedias and full of fun. The group meals were tasty and plentiful. Again, no grumps from this tour group, unfortunately Covid reared its ugly head and affected 3 tour members. Pitlochry was a liitle gem as was Dunkeld.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were two. The ferry ride to and from Iona in the sun and savoring the peace and tranquility of the inner Hebrides. The second "wow" moment was being at Edinburgh Castle during King Charles coronation complete with a 21 gun salute and all the pomp and pageantry of the military. Our timing on the tour to witness history was exquisite."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Anne was our excellent guide, Iain was our very funny and personable bus driver, Jim was a fun addition as the apprentice.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seaside town of Oban"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour with wonderful people. Our tour guides and driver were outstanding. A good blend of scheduled and free time activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hikes. In particular on Kerrera. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Scotland....land of my ancestors!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Iona...very remote and beautiful. Birthplace of the Book of Kells. I'm a calligrapher and love ancient manuscripts."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to Rothiemurchus estate. The countryside was beautiful, the lovely lunch they prepared for us and the ride through the estate to see the animals. I also liked the visit to the Iron- Age Crannog Center. The docents brought the history of these ancient peoples to life."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Friendly, flxible and knowledgeable guides, friendly tour members, outstanding scenery and sights, comfortable hotels, delicious food, and a good ratio of on-our-own time to group activity time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling through the Highlands was a highlight for me, just viewing the surroundings from the bus, but then especially when we took the ski chair lift to the shoulder of a peak. The views, the wind, the snow-capped mountains, and the vast expanse of open land were breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching Neil and his sheepdogs was the highlight of my trip."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

our first time to Scotland, a very enjoyable overview of countryside that we had never seen.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"seeing the hairy "coos""

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the Scotland tour, with a great guide, a variety of experiences, and a fun group. We enjoyed great weather and loved seeing the beauty of Scotland, trying the food and learning about the history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved driving through the Highlands and going to the Culloden battlefield. The museum was fabulous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nigel expertly showed us all the ins and outs of Scotland. I feel familiar with the major cities, small towns, countryside, it’s traditions, music and important sites. It was a well rounded tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hairy coo and red deer safari and Neil Ross’s sheep dogs. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The guides were great. Knowledgeable, Informative, entertaining and approachable. The bus and driver were all great. The attractions were interesting and educational though the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh were overcrowded with tourists and trinkets.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Noel Ross and his sheep-herding dogs as well as the up-close and personal interactions with the hairy coos."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As usual, well organized, enjoyable, educational...

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Playing the "Himalayas" at St. Andrews!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were fortunate to have 2 guides on our trip, James and Alasdair. Both made our trip so much the better. James was the lead and provided us the history of Scotland, the Highlands, songs and great advice on dining. Alasdair provided us the flavor of the Eastern side of the tour. The hotels were charming, some impressive like that of the Dunkeld House Hotel in Perthshire. The locales were spectacular and the weather we were told uncharacteristically sunny. Our bus driver too was first class.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of Oban, Mal and Iona, the "Three Sisters Peaks" in the Cairngorms Nat'l Park, Neil the shepherd, his border collie demonstration of bringing sheep in from the meadows, amazing, and his bringing out a baby lamb and puppies.....you could hear the women's voices in the group going two octaves higher when that happened! I really enjoyed Glasgow it's botanic gardens, the Kelvingrove Museum . All the castles icing on the cake. Having a private bagpipe concert with Gillie was special too!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first RS tour with guides James and Alasdair and driver Ian exceeded our expectations! We knew it would be fantastic from reading reviews but the experience was out of this world! We learned so much from our guides and truly appreciated the charm of the quaint villages.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each new place we visited was a "wow" moment! Each story that our guides shared with us was a "wow" moment! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful fellow travelers, wonderful guides. So much sharing of stories, history and information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As we all said goodbye after our last dinner together, it felt like leaving very good friends even though we had known each other for only a short time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Where to start ! This is our first RS tour , we’ve used the books to formulate our own European trips and even that is a huge help. Our Scotland tour was beyond our expectations. The tour guides are truly what can make the tour really good or not. In our case , beyond stellar . James MacLetchie and Alasdair MacDonald were well informed, easy going and had the best sense of humor. A must when you’re with 22 unknowns at the beginning . For me personally , they set the bar very high !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The weather really cooperated and it was not the typical April weather and that made the ride on the ferry to Iona pretty spectacular . "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best tour I've ever been on. Everything worked perfectly. Hotels. guide, local walking tours, etc.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hearing our great guide, James MacLetchie, sing in Gaelic in the chapel in Iona. It was other worldly and seemed from another time. It was an experience I'll never forget."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour with an excellent guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A hike to a waterfall in the Hermitage near Dunkeld"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 12th Rick Steves tour and as usual it was a great tour. I have never been disappointed on any tours. Always enjoy the other tour members and the guides. Weather could have been better but we have always said "won't let a little bad weather spoil our fun".

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No big WOW moment. Iona, the "hairy coos" and the Dunkeld Hotel were favorites. James was an overall WOW."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pleased with the overall pace

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hike in the Hermitage"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hairy cows! Love them!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Greatly increased my knowledge of Scottish history and current culture. Whiskey tastings, traditional music, and sheep dog demonstration were highlights. Such a wonderful opportunity to see and experience the natural beauty of of Scotland and some of its islands.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheep dog demonstration and the chance to talk extensively with the trainer and shepherd. A rare chance to experience some of the genuine history and culture. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great trip. The lodging choices were outstanding. The planned dinners were perfect for the area, our guide, NIgel, knows the area well. I would have given it an outstanding rating if not for 2 things; not enough 'getting to know you' time with fellow travelers', and the time spent bussing could have been more educational and interesting. The more you know your fellow travelers the more fun these group adventures are.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Andrews was so much more than i expected. The golf courses, the culture, the churches, the uni. It was an amazing place. I was terribly disappointed that we didn't spend most of hte day there. we really only had a couple hours and i could have wandered there for hours. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

t was lovely to be in Scotland. The tour provided numerous sites and experiences. How great to get on the bus and let it unfold every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to choose but I have it narrowed down to the sheep dog demo and the stay at the beautiful, gracious Dunkeld Hotel."