NDesco

We are four adults who would like to visit Scotland in September. We prefer a small group( not more than 22) escorted tour because we prefer not to drive nor to handle much luggage. Also, we enjoy meeting new people with similar interests. And it helps to have a knowledgeable guide. We've done OAT trips in the past, but they don't have one that does only Scotland, nor that visits the places we want to see. We'll be coming from the US. We'd like to see some of the islands, the highlands, the lochs, Edinburgh, St. Andrews and the Glasgow area. Your suggestions, please

historytraveler

Look at Discover Europe. They do small groups and have a tour scheduled for September.They are associated with Scotland magazine.

I believe the website is www.discovereurope.com

historytraveler

Sorry,I gave you the incorrect website.

It should be www.discovereuropeltd.com

CecilBD

About six of us are booked to explore Scotland this summer. We have opted to go with a small van operator, split all costs, and use a varied itinery, sometimes lush, and some days on a budget. We have done this before with good success both in Ireland, and on the continent. There are several companies that offer 'personalized' tours, there is a company, Lynott, that does small groups. I have no feedback about their value or competence.

NDesco

Thank you. I've checked out both suggestions, the first doesnt' have anything to Scotland for the length of time we want and the second only has a large group tour. But they were good sites, so I'll bookmark them for future use. I hope others will respond with more sites.

janisj

You might have a bit of a problem, so some of your criteria may have to change.

1) you want to cover a lot of territory - whereas most of the good small group tours are semi-specialist itineraries. "Highland and Islands", "Home of Golf", "Neolithic sites" - those sorts of things

2) Most driver guides -- if you book one independently -- will of course pack your luggage into his van - but for schlepping it up to your rooms and such, you'll be on your own.

How long do you want to take?? For what you want, your best bets are either to book a driver/guide and w/ him plan your itinerary, OR, to drive yourselves.

NDesco

Hi,
We can take 2-2.5 weeks, maybe a couple of extra days. We have driven in Italy, but didn't like all the lugging around of belongings. We might look into a driver.
Has anyone used Best-scottish-tours.com? They use an 8-passenger car with driver.
Thanks.

navgator

I travelled with Rabbies in 2001 and found them to be very good.They were using small mercedes buses which hold a max of about 15 people. Check with them directly, I'd be surprised if things are different as roads are not very wide in the highlands and pretty much impossible to navigate with a large tour bus. the vans shown on this page look similar to the tour bus I was on , although I'm sure it was a little smaller http://www.rabbies.com/scottish_scot...roup_tours.asp . The longest tour is 5 days according to their website.

If you use edinburgh as a base you can supplement one of these tours with day tours elsewhere and ofcourse Edinburgh. I would add Stirling to your list, only about an hour away by train and lots of history, nice castle and site of Braveheart battles etc.
Hope this helps!