Looking for the best small group tours Scotland has to offer? Well, I’m here to help. There are many different companies that provide services for small group tours of Scotland, but it really depends on what kind of trip you’re after! I’ve been to Scotland myself twice, and I know the feel of the country, and I’m also a travel agent (why YES, I CAN book this trip for you if you want!), so I also know the companies! I’ve decided to highlight the best Scotland small group tours by category, so you can see which might suit you best!
- Categories for Scotland Small Group Tours:
Best Highlights
Most Encompassing
Best for Partying
Best for Outlander
Best for Whiskey
Best for Orkneys/Hebrides
Best for Hiking
Best Highlights of Scotland Small Group Tour
This one is my top pick for most people. It hits up the classic spots and in a good amount of time.
G Adventures ~ 7 days ~ from $2299
Accommodations: Hotels
Highlights:
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- Eilean Donan Castle
- Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint
- Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle visit
- Culloden Moor visit
- Ben Nevis forest walk
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Harry Potter Bridge!
Pros: The best small group tours Scotland can offer need to hit all the major cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. It also tacks on the Isle of Skye, and you get to taste some Scottish Whiskey!
Cons: You miss out on some cool spots like Isle of Mull and Iona, as well as my favorite Castle (Dunrobin).
All in All: I think this is a solid Scotland small group tour for someone shorter on time and wanting to see the classic spots!
Most Encompassing Small Group Tour of Scotland
I wanted to have a nice category for a long tour. There are many small group tours of Scotland that are 1-4 days, but Scotland does have a lot to offer… and I wanted to provide you an option for a more expansive tour.
Rabbie’s ~ 12 days ~ from $1482ish
Accommodations: Not included for this tour. Pros/Cons of that! They do offer suggestions, but that means you’re free to select a place more suited for you whether you want a more party hostel, chill hostel, casual cottage, or elegant castle!
Highlights:
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- Eilean Donan Castle
- Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle visit
- Skara Brae
- Iona and Staffa (Puffins!)
- Culloden Moor visit
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This is on the other side of Giant’s Causeway!
Pros: Flexibility in accommodation type since you’re choosing your own (or you can let me take care of that for you!). This small group tour in Scotland includes the Orkneys AND Iona/Mull!
Cons: It might be annoying to you to have to book rooms sep and/or it might bum you out to not be with the friends you’ve made on the tour. Although that could be a pro, depending on how you feel about it!
All in All: I think that this is a great Scottish small group tour for those who like to be with others but also enjoy a little downtime. It also hits up the most iconic spots on one tour and is affordable, but you do have to remember to factor in price of booking a room.
Best Scotland Small Group Tours for Partying
One thing I like to ask my clients when I’m trying to find the best company for them is what level of partying are they into. I actually have a whole category devoted to it in my Small Tour Group Comparisons post. I think it’s important to consider because some are really into that and some people aren’t. Scotland is going to be the same no matter what company you’re with, so you want to find one that vibes with you the best. So for partying, I suggest Haggis.
Haggis ~ 10 days ~ From $1369
Accommodations: Hostels
Highlights:
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- Eilean Donan Castle
- Dunrobin Castle
- Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint (and can ride it!)
- Loch Ness
- Doune Castle
- Callanish Standing Stones
- Skara Brae
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I’m basically a princess now
Pros: This tour hits up all the main highlights too, plus whiskey, and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE CASTLE Dunrobin. Ugh… so freakin’ dreamy. This is more of a “younger crowd” tour which includes drinking and staying up late, but surprisingly nicer accomms than those tour types normally have since it’s only a twin share basis.
Cons: This is such a great itinerary, although I feel like maybe I’m personally too old for it. So it really depends on your age and level of partying. Bathrooms are shared and aren’t in the rooms. I’m a shy restroomer hehe.
All in All: This is an excellent option for a small group tour Scotland itinerary for those young enough to stay up late drinking! Of course, I’ve been with Haggis and other similar companies too and can tell you that you definitely don’t have to, but just a heads up!
Best for Outlander Small Group Tours Scotland
I hope Outlander isn’t the main reason you’re searching for a Scotland small group tour but…. Actually… never mind, who cares! Outlander definitely sucked me into the books and show in the same way that the stones sucked Claire into the past. My last visit to Scotland, I actually took myself on a little road trip that was mostly inspired by Outlander. I had some time constraints as well as other things I wanted/needed to see for my blog, otherwise, I would have done one of these two options. You can check out my cost for my Scotland roadtrip.
Guided Tour ~ Rabbie’s ~ 4 days ~ from $345ish
Accommodations: Not included for this tour. Pros/Cons of that! They do offer suggestions, but that means you’re free to select a place more suited for you whether you want a more party hostel, chill hostel, casual cottage, or elegant castle!
Highlights:
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- Loch Ness
- Culloden Moor visit
- Midhope (Jamie’s place!)
- Falkland (where Claire and Frank Honeymooned!)
- Duone (Castle Leoch!)
- Cullross (Crainesmuir!)
- Blackness Castle (Fort William in the show)
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I’m *IN* the show!
Pros: You’ll go to the major Outlander film locations! It’s pretty amazing to literally be within the actual places where your favorite show was filmed! I’ve been to a few Outlander locations and Game of Thrones in Ireland and in Morocco.
Cons: It might be annoying to you to have to book rooms sep and/or it might bum you out to not be with the friends you’ve made on the tour. Although that could be a pro, depending on how you feel about it!
Self-Guided ~ Go Way ~ 8 days ~ from $1103
What makes this tour so interesting, is that they’ve done all the legwork like renting the car, planning the route, and securing accommodations… but then you can float along at your own pace! I think this would be the best option for a family! AND since you’re on your own time, I could even suggest a few stops along the way or slightly off route to enhance the trip! Even if someone’s not into Outlander, this would be a great tour because those film locations were chosen for a reason… they’re stunning!
Accommodations: Hotel
Highlights:
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- Loch Ness
- Culloden Moor visit
- Falkland (where Claire and Frank Honeymooned!)
- Duone (Castle Leoch!)
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Pros: This one is nice if you want to go at your own place but also don’t want to have to cobble together a whole itinerary. It also includes the rental car (an automatic!) and pretty nice hotels along the way! This is a beautiful mix of planned and flexible.
Cons: It doesn’t quite go to as many film locations as the Rabbie’s does BUT because it’s so flexible (and many of those are on the way, and more), it’d be really easy to add those on. You could even slink away from Inverness for a little and add Dunrobin! Or the “Versailles” Gardens. However, this is best for groups with even numbers.
All in All: I think this is an excellent option for those who like a bit of planning but more time to themselves. Some people feel rushed!
Best Whiskey Small Group Tours of Scotland
Pretty much all of these tours have whiskey stops, but if you want full-on whiskey, this one is for you.
Self-guided ~ Go Way ~ 8 days ~ from $1052
Accommodations: Hotels
Highlights:
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- Small Scottish towns
- Many whiskey distilleries like Glenfiddich, McCallan, and more.
- Culloden Moor
- Loch Ness
- Stirling Castle
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Pros: This tour definitely highlights the distilleries that Scotland is famous for! It’s nice if you like to go at your own pace.
Cons: Bummer that you will drink whiskey and have to drive! Definitely not for someone who wants to imbibe too much.
All in All: Honestly, I feel like if you’ve got a casual interest in whiskey, any of the other tours will include that. But if you’re an adamant and passionate whiskey drinker, this could be the best small group tour Scotland has for you!
Best Scotland Small Group Tours for Orkneys/Hebrides
This one is a bit lengthier, but it really goes over the islands like the Hebrides, Orkney, Skye, Mull, and Iona!
Rabbie’s ~ 17 days ~ from $2073
Accommodations: Not included for this tour. Pros/Cons of that! They do offer suggestions, but that means you’re free to select a place more suited for you whether you want a more party hostel, chill hostel, casual cottage, or elegant castle!
Highlights:
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- Loch Ness
- Isle of Mull and Iona
- Orkney Islands
- Hebrides
- Skara Brae
- Oban
- Eilean Donan Castle
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pros: This small group tour of Scotland hits up some jewels, although they aren’t the “classics,” they are well known. You’ll see a variety of Scottish landscapes.
Cons: It might be annoying to you to have to book rooms sep and/or it might bum you out to not be with the friends you’ve made on the tour. Although that could be a pro, depending on how you feel about it!
All in All: If you’ve got the time, you’ll definitely check off the major spots to see in Scotland with this bad boy.
Best for Hiking Small Group Tour of Scotland
This is a great tour that goes to some key sites, but is also a little more active if that’s your style!
Intrepid ~ 8 days ~ $2325
Accommodations: Hotels and guesthouses
Highlights:
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- Eilean Donan Castle
- Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Loch Ness
- Isle of Skye
- Whiskey tasting
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How awesome to be so close to photoshoot backdrop-worthy spot!
Pros: If you’re outdoorsy, this one affords more time to get out into nature and the Highlands.
Cons: This one doesn’t go to as many castles.
All in All: Small groups of Scotland go to many similar places, but this one is the best for hikers out there!
In Conclusion!
There is a wide variety of small group tours in Scotland, and I tried to narrow them down the best I could for you. If you still aren’t sure which one (or want to see more options!), please consider using me as a booking agent to find the perfect one for you! Just contact me here, and check out my testimonials!
Beautiful Adventure, Perfect Planning
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Highly Recommended!!!
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