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Book With ConfidencePlan your travels with peace of mind
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Trusted local travel expertsProfessional service from local experts
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Small groups guaranteedYour group will have a maximum of just 15 guests
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Great reviewsWe are proud of our reviews and customer satisfaction
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You are in good handsAssistance is close by with our 24/7 helpline
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Handpicked hotelsStay in carefully selected accommodation on your trip
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Full financial protectionYour payments are protected with financial safety as standard
Wonders of Scotland
Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness & Isle of Skye
2870GBP
2670GBP
Eur
Highlights of Scotland
Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness & Isle of Skye
4514GBP
4314GBP
Eur
Wonders of Scotland & Ireland
Ultimate Celtic Adventure
5855GBP
5455GBP
Eur
Wonders of Britain
England, Wales & Scotland
4608GBP
4288GBP
Eur
Wonders of England
London, Bath, York & Edinburgh
3396GBP
Eur
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Talk with our local experts
See contact choicesAbout Your Small Group Tour
Experience Scotland with a small group of like-minded travellers and a knowledgeable guide to lead the way. Learn about the country’s historic castles, and visit valleys (or “glens'') that are world-famous for their beauty. With your driver at the wheel, you can sit back and enjoy hearing about Scotland from your local guide.
When you book a Nordic Visitor guided small group tour of Scotland, you can expect:
• An authentic travel experience operated by a trusted local company
• An Edinburgh-based travel consultant who'll arrange your tour
• An expert local guide to offer unique insights
• A maximum of 15 people in a spacious minibus with a dedicated driver
• Handpicked accommodation for a comfortable stay
• Daily breakfast provided, as well as some evening meals
• 24/7 phone support during your adventure for peace of mind
Nordic Visitor has made it as easy as possible to plan your small group tour. Start your journey by following these simple steps:
1. Pick your favourite Nordic Visitor tour
2. Confirm your package
3. Check your confirmation email
4. Book your flights
5. Get ready for your trip
Why Choose Nordic Visitor
Book With Confidence
Secure your trip your way with Nordic Visitor. Book a tour with as little as 10% deposit. With a 20% deposit or more, you will receive our Cancellation Protection free of charge. You can also pay the full price right away to guarantee today’s exchange rate. Terms & conditions apply.
Trusted local travel experts
Established in 2002, Nordic Visitor has been creating expert-curated trips in Northern Europe ever since. Your Edinburgh-based travel consultant will use their insider knowledge to arrange your tour for you. Every aspect of your package is quality-tested by us so you can relax on a hassle-free trip.
Small groups guaranteed
Our guided tours of Scotland have guaranteed departures of up to just 15 guests with a guide and dedicated driver. Enjoy a more personal experience than you would get in a larger group. Plus, you’ll be able to learn from your expert guide without feeling hurried on to the next destination.
Great reviews
Our dedicated teams deliver excellent service quality, and this is reflected year after year when TripAdvisor awards us with their Certificate of Excellence. We also take great pride in our customer feedback: 97% of our travelers say they would recommend us to friends and family.
You are in good hands
We’ve got you covered if something unexpected happens on your trip. Call our 24/7 helpline for support and an on-call travel expert will assist you. They’ll handle any unforeseen situations and, if needed, move your accommodation and re-book activities, while keeping you safe and informed.
Handpicked hotels
Enjoy the best of Scottish hospitality at cosy inns, B&B’s and guesthouses. Check-in and recharge your batteries in lodgings that we’ve selected for their comfort, cleanliness and friendly atmosphere. We also visit each accommodation regularly to ensure it meets our high standards for your trip.
Full financial protection
With Nordic Visitor, you have peace of mind knowing your holiday arrangements with us are 100% financially protected. Your payments are safeguarded as we comply with European Union laws on Package Travel regulations. This guarantees you a refund in the unlikely event of insolvency.
Reviews of our Scotland Escorted Tours
Here’s what our happy guests have to say about their guided small group tour experience.
TerryUnited States
It was an amazing trip! My husband and I took the Highlights of Scotland tour in July and had a wonderful time! Our... read more
It was an amazing trip! My husband and I took the Highlights of Scotland tour in July and had a wonderful time! Our tour guide, Andy, was amazing. His knowledge of Scotland was top notch and kept us informed throughout the entire tour. Andy educated us on Scotland history, shared delightful stories and enlightened us with Scottish culture. The accommodation were all so nice. Each one a bit different, but comfortable and lovely. Each place had helpful and respectful staff. Our bus was very comfortable, lots of room and great windows for the amazing views of Scottish scenery. The drivers were great. So glad they were driving us around the country.
WilliamUnited States
Great communication, well-organised, very knowledgeable and personable guide, overall a great tour with no negatives... read more
Great communication, well-organised, very knowledgeable and personable guide, overall a great tour with no negatives whatsoever!
Certificate of Excellence
Your Scotland Guided Tour Highlights
Immerse yourself in the beautiful Highlands, traverse rugged coastlines and visit historic castles on one of these Scotland guided group tours from Edinburgh. Embark on a Scottish adventure and soon you could…
- Wander Edinburgh’s cobbled streets and follow the lively Royal Mile to reach famous Edinburgh Castle
- Marvel at the Isle of Skye’s jagged mountains and take in the coastal scenery on a wildlife boat tour
- Explore Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and Culloden Battlefield from Inverness, the “capital of the Highlands”
- Soak up stunning scenery in Glen Coe and Glenfinnan, which feature in the Harry Potter films
- Head to the Trossachs National Park in Scotland’s west Highlands and stroll along the shores of Loch Lomond
- Visit Royal Deeside and admire the heather-clad mountains of the Cairngorms National Park
- Tour Scotland’s renowned castles, including impressive Eilean Donan and the striking clifftop ruins of Dunnottar
- Savour a glass or two of Scotland’s most iconic tipple at an award-winning whisky distillery in Speyside
- Uncover the legends of Scottish history in Stirling and visit the castle where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned
Advice for escorted tours
Prepare for your Scottish adventure by reading our handy travel guides.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Scotland Small Group Guided Tours
You may have a few questions before booking your escorted tour, so we’ve compiled a list of the most commonly asked ones for your convenience. For more in-depth information, you can check out this handy Scotland Travel Guide.
It’s also good to know that when you choose Nordic Visitor, you can Book With Confidence, safe in the knowledge that your payments are protected. To find out about our booking process, payments and more, please read our FAQs and booking terms.
A small group tour is where a local guide leads you and a few like-minded travellers on an adventure together. Your guide will share their in-depth knowledge with you while taking you to all the best spots.
As well as being able to learn from expert guides, we believe that by keeping the group small you’ll have a more personal experience.
This is why, at Nordic Visitor, our Scotland group tours have a maximum of 15 people. Plus, exploring in a minibus means you will be able to visit places that large groups and coaches can’t get to.
Yes, Scotland is a safe place to visit on a guided group tour thanks to its public healthcare services and high health and safety standards. For any Scotland travel updates, and to find out why you can Book With Confidence, check out these helpful pages.
Having a handpicked tour guide who can share their local knowledge with you will make your adventure that much more memorable. They’ll take you to the Highlands’ best hidden gems, and you’ll learn about the history and culture from someone who lives here.
Not to mention that you’ll get the inside scoop on the best local whiskies, the most intriguing castles, and the ultimate breathtaking viewpoints.
If you’d prefer to travel in a group of your own choosing, such as with your friends and family, why not consider a privately guided tour of Scotland? Or, if you’d like to meet new people but haven’t decided on a destination yet, then check out these escorted tour packages in Northern Europe.
The maximum number of guests on small group trips to Scotland is 15. Capping the group gives you more personal contact with your guide. Plus, it also means that you’ll get to know your fellow travellers better than you would in a large group.
We welcome children aged 13 and over on our guided small group tours. Before you book, it’s worth noting that these packages feature trips to distilleries and other activities catering to adults. Please also consider that triple rooms are not available from our accommodation providers.
If you’re travelling as a family or with younger kids, we recommend looking into our self-drive Scotland tours, as these offer more flexibility.
You can begin each day full of energy as breakfast is provided each morning. On the nights when you are not staying in Edinburgh or Glasgow, your evening meals are also included. You can see exactly what meals are part of your tour package in the “what’s included” section.
While Scotland is known for interesting local delicacies like haggis and black pudding, there’s also a top-notch food scene here. Edinburgh and Glasgow in particular have a wide selection of places to eat. Venturing into the Scottish Highlands, you’ll get to sample plenty of delicious local cuisine, including fresh seafood on the Isle of Skye.
If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know when you book so that we can make arrangements before you arrive.
You’ll be staying in hotels and guesthouses that have been handpicked for their comfort, cleanliness and friendly atmosphere. This means you can relax after a day of exploring, safe in the knowledge that each accommodation has been quality tested by our travel experts.
Usually double and twin rooms are available at our accommodation options. Please choose your preferred room type when you book so your travel consultant can make sure that everything is perfect for your trip.
If you’re booking onto a small group trip as a solo traveller to Scotland, you can rest assured that you’ll have your own private room. While not all tour providers would assign you a room of your own in this case, at Nordic Visitor your comfort and enjoyment is our priority.
It’s also worth noting that our hotels and guesthouses do not offer triple rooms.
You can bring one suitcase or large bag per person for your overnight items. We also recommend bringing a daypack for daily essentials, like a camera, extra layers and wallets.
Between overnight stops your luggage will travel with you on the minibus. In this case we ask that you please take your bag to your room on arrival and then back on to the bus for the next day’s drive.
Figuring out what to bring with you can be a challenge. Happily, you can refer to our handy Scotland packing guide for tips and advice on what you’ll need for your trip.
To ensure you can get to all the best spots on your small group tour, you’ll be exploring Scotland in a minibus, rather than a large coach.
This means there aren't any bathroom facilities on the bus. But your guide and driver will factor in plenty of comfort breaks and opportunities to stretch your legs into each day’s journey.
Each of our minibuses has been chosen so that you can relax as you travel between stops. You’ll find that none of our tour buses are over 3 years old and there’s plenty of space onboard for everyone.
The standing height and seating room for most of our tour buses is designed to comfortably fit someone who is just above 6’4” (193 centimetres). Happily, this ensures that even most of our taller guests can travel with ease.
There will also be plenty of comfort breaks along the way where you can get some fresh air and take a short stroll.
Providing a gratuity is entirely up to you. In Scotland tipping your tour guide is not expected. Of course, if you’d like to show your gratitude with a tip, we’re sure your guide will appreciate it.
Many of our guests find that joining a small group tour makes for an immensely rewarding and hassle-free travel experience. You’ll get to meet and explore with like-minded people, while benefiting from the in-depth knowledge of your guide.
This is also the perfect way to discover Scotland if you’d prefer not to drive or would like company on your adventure but are travelling solo. Discover why a guided tour of Scotland is one of the best small group trips in Europe for solo travellers.
On the other hand, you could opt for one of our Scotland self-drive packages. Travelling independently is the best choice if you enjoy having plenty of flexibility and like going at your own pace.
Alternatively, if you’d rather have a guide but just want to go with friends and family, you could consider our escorted private tours in Scotland.
You can choose the departure that suits you best from the list of available start dates between May and September. If you have particular dates in mind, please make sure to book early in case that departure fills up.
You’ll also be able to see how many spaces are left on each start date when you check a trip’s online availability calendar. Remember, each tour operates with a maximum of 15 guests.
Yes, it’s easy to extend your time in Scotland. When booking online you can add extra days in Edinburgh or Glasgow to explore independently before or after your Highlands tour. This is perfect if you want to soak up even more culture in Scotland’s vibrant cities. Explore these amazing things do do in Edinburgh for inspiration.
If you’d like to include additional nights in your tour package but didn’t select this option when you booked online, please contact your travel consultant. They will check availability and make arrangements for you.
We advise checking estimates for flight times and prices before booking your trip online. Once your tour is confirmed by email, usually within 2 working days, you can go ahead and purchase your flights.
Please get in touch with us if you have missed out on flights and we’ll do our best to accommodate a change of dates.
In Scotland it’s possible to experience glorious sunshine and rain, all in one day. So although you might be travelling in summer, it’s best to be prepared for every season when deciding what to pack for your trip.
No matter the time of year, we recommend bringing:
- Walking boots or shoes with good grip
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm, insulated jacket
- Warm fleece or jumper
- Light base layers
- Warm hat, scarf and gloves
- Sunglasses
- Rucksack
- Reusable water bottle
- UK plug adapter
You might also like to take an umbrella, handy if you find yourself spending a day touring the city sights in the rain. For more information, read our helpful packing guide for Scotland, complete with seasonal tips on what to bring.
Contact us
Our Edinburgh-based travel experts will help you with any questions you may have about booking a tour of Scotland. Get in touch with us if you would like to know more or if you are ready to start planning your trip.
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