Yes, I did book ahead. I didn't have any flexibility of choosing another date so wanted to be sure I got on the tour. This was in September and our mini-bus was completely full. All tours meet around the same time so I saw people going on the day trips and they didn't appear to be that full.

Hi CAPH52,

I was in Edinburgh in April.

I arrived in town on Sunday and booked at the Tourist Information Office for my Rabbie's tour the next day on Monday. It was spur of the moment decision to go and asking if a spot was available.

The bus was completely full. I do not know if they had other busses going out the same day or if ours was the only one. My tour was the St. Andrew's trip.

The other tour I had booked ahead, online, and that was the trip to Hadrian's Wall with Heart of Scotland Tours.

I booked ahead because it seeing Hadrian's Wall was a strong personal thing. The other tour was a "What's available? That looks fine." If no spot had been available I would not have been disappointed.

Thank you both for your very prompt responses!

Since we're going to be there in mid-June, it sounds like Caroline's right in thinking we'd probably better book ahead.

Have a great time. I just loved Scotland, despite constant rain when I was there. I've been all over Britain and Ireland but Scotland was my favorite.

I'm glad to know you loved it despite the rain! I don't care if it rains while we're in Edinburgh. But I sure would like to have good weather the day we do the day tour. However, it's not as though we have any control over it!

Thanks for your help and the good wishes!

When I went back to the Rabbie's site with the intention of looking things over before booking, I began to think that maybe the Loch Ness/Highland tour wasn't the most appealing after all. Caroline, you mentioned Loch Ness not being the most scenic. And I've read very nice things about Loch Lomond.

So now I'm leaning towards the Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle tour. There are several things about it that appeal to me. My one reservation is that it doesn't go very far into the Highlands. It mentions the Trossachs and lunch at Aberfoyle. Would that area give us a real taste of the Highlands? Or is it more of a "transitional" area?

Thanks again for opinions/advice!

The Loch Lomond & Stirling tour sounds nice too but it's not the Highlands - more kind of rolling hills. Loch Lomond is practically in Glasgow. But it would be a shorter day - it all depends on whether you really want to see the Highlands or not.

Thank you, Caroline! That's just what I needed to know. I'm going to have to give this some thought...