RLC3

Thank you again. Yes, few in group along with my husband and I have been to Scotland a few times, but west coast then east coast not this combination. We have driven as far as Torridon, along Highland Roads. We have MacGregors, therefore want to go to territory around Loch Lomond as well as Inchcailloch, reasons for spending time there. Thank you Scotlib, your idea with driver is interesting and will look into it.

historytraveler

Scotlib, working on a trip report of my Cornwall/ Devon 5 day tour with Rabbies. Hope to finish it soon. In short, I highly recommend them and think it's a great idea for private tours.

GreenDragon

We did a 23 day trip with 6 of us in two cars - and even then we were wishing for another! Being connected at the hip got tiresome quickly. Listen to janisj - she is wise!

GreenDragon

I have a trip report if you want suggestions and horror stories

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...h-scotland.cfm

scotlib

RLC3, one last suggestion (in trying to get a group together, it certainly is like trying to herd cats

I am not attempting to help with flights. Like a Rick Steves (and maybe others) tour, each person/couple takes care of getting to the first hotel to meet/create the group travel portion.

I am already finding hints that the "yes!" effect is fading and the trip may not happen, but I'm looking at the figures and going to try an idea .. I'll be insisting on some upfront non-refundable money. I am going to ask Rabbies for a quote that splits out the driving/guide and the accommodations. I think the driving part per person can be covered, or almost covered, by a $500-$600 range deposit.

If new people come on board, their deposits would repay the people who back out, but if no one comes forward, with the deposit nonrefundable then the trip can still be a go (empty seat just means more room for those on the trip). If the deposit money doesn't entirely cover the bus portion, then hopefully it's a majority of the cost, so the people who want to go still can with paying a bit more.

I also wrote to Travel Guard about using trip insurance (only b/c it's the company I've used for my own trip insurance - I have not yet used its claim services but always want the med evac plan with me). The reply indicated that a claim for the nonrefundable portion could be submitted with an invoice from me indicating the deposit amount and so long as the reason they back out meets the coverage in the insurance plan they purchase, of course.

I do wonder if this all happens that the insurance company would want follow up documentation. In my mind I picture someone paying a deposit, backing out for a covered reason, and still going, making for a double dip? Or maybe the documentation that I provide would include the deposit amount and also documentation they don't go? I don't know. I just figured a small inquiry to a travel insurance company would be helpful info.

Happy planning.

scotlib

Ah, my figures are based on 16 people for the days using the Rabbies minibus and estimates as of this fall .. different number of people and timing for quote requests could/would be different .. fyi.

For all the efforts of planning my next trip will again likely be just me or me and my sister, but the thought persists to get a group convinced and someday my efforts may work