I'm wanting to take a one or two day tour of the Scottish Highlands (short, I know but all I can do and something is better than nothing.) Is Inverness a good place to begin? I don't feel comfortable driving myself and I would like to take a bus or private tour. Has anyone had any experience with that? Thanks.

Where are you going to be prior to these one or two days? Edinburgh perhaps?

If so, then just take a tour from Edinburgh w/ either Rabbies or Timberbush.

No reason to travel up to Inverness to catch a tour. In fact you'll have a wider choice out of Edinburgh (or Glasgow)

http://www.rabbies.com/
http://www.timberbush-tours.co.uk/

If you do not want to book ahead then once in Edinburgh head to the Waverly train station and bop into the Scottish Tourist Board there who will book such trips on the spot - that said if Janisj recommends those two you can't go wrong IME.

You'll save yourself a lot of time by booking ahead as you will likely find yourself waiting in a queue at the Scottish Tourist Board, and it'll take further time to sort out which tour you want. Look at the websites janisj provided and decide which suits you best and book accordingly. They are both excellent tour companies.

Thank you kind people!

Check out Rabbies.com---they are good.

I have been looking at tours of Scotland as well and this site seems to have some good ones.

http://www.scottishtours.co.uk/index.asp

bobthenavigator - you say Rabbies are good - what did you find good about them vis-a-vis other firms - what exactly is good about them? Curious as just to say 'they are good' is so empty without saying why.

Well, we are hardly experts in bus tours and have only done so in Scotland and New Zealand among our 30 trips. But, I was impressed with their overall professionalism and the knowledge of the drivers. We used them 3 times last Sep. including the Isle of Skye and Highlands. I cannot compare to other firms since we chose Rabbies based on reviews.

Both companies use vans for small groups, have excellent guides, have been around for years, come HIGHLY recommended.

Per TA reviews:

Rabbies - 899 Excellent/very good (the vast majority being excellent) vs. 21 poor/terrible

Timberbush - 407 Excellent/very good(the vast majority being excellent) vs. 35 poor/terrible