Oct 6, 2024
Amazing private tour worth every moment and and every penny - Just got back from Scotland, but wanted to make sure to write a review for this company and this tour. Having seen the big tour buses around taking loads of time to load and unload at each stop, we decided to splurge on a private tour for just me and my partner to maximize our time in the area. We were picked up at our hotel in a large Mercedes van by Ryan Forbes, the owner of the company. He’s amazing. He revealed the he was born and raised in Inverness, and knows the area extremely well. Based on the weather and our interests, he quickly put together a tour just for us. Ryan is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area, and was able to easily answer any question I could think of. We saw all of the highlights of the big bus tours, plus were able to make side trips to see the outside of Culloden House (it’s currently a hotel), and a very cool waterfall that are not part of other tours. He even suggested a great lunch place in the charming village of Bealy which is a favorite with locals (and for good reason). He asked if we wanted to include some whisky tasting into our tour, but whisky isn’t our thing, so he just recalculated the tour on the fly and kept moving. There wasn’t a single moment of pausing or asking, “Hmmm, where should I take you next?” Ryan was especially keen to make sure we maximized and filled all of our allotted time and didn’t rush us back to our hotel early.
If you’re a big OUTLANDER fan, this is the tour to take if you’re coming to Inverness to see filming locations and get the history of the real Fraser family that the character Jamie Fraser is based on. Ryan even took us down a tiny road to the cemetery where the Fraser family mausoleum is. Not only that, but he got the big iron key that unlocks the door and took us inside the mausoleum and down into the burial chamber. You’re definitely not going to see that on a big bus tour.
If you’re traveling alone, or as part of a couple, or with small group up to six people, and have the means to do it, this private tour is absolutely the way to go. I’m going to make sure all of my travel agent friends know about Ryan and his company. This would be a great tour for families with kids because every stop is a quick in-and-out of the vehicle, as much time as you want at the site, then quickly on to the next one.
Apologies if the photos I’m attaching are out of chronological order, but all were taken by me on our tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 5, 2024
A Unique "Make It Up As We Go" Day - This was a unique tour in that I was the only client that day. Driver/guide Morven proved adaptable, competent, knowledgable, in crafting an unplanned agenda. I had actually been to Inverness in 2005, so we skipped a lot of "standard" stuff. Instead, we did things like look for obscure tartan patterns, extensively walk the Culloden battlefield. She even offered to drive ne to Fort William (not part of her usual itinerary) but we finally ran out of time. Since we got to talk extensively, I got to learn more about the average Scot, and vice-versa about the U.S.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 1, 2024
Excellent way to see the highlands on YOUR terms!! - We booked this tour in order to have a flexible and smooth experience seeing the highlands for the first time! The car was spacious, the itinerary was incredible with ability to tailor throughout the day based on personal preferences, and our guide was kind and knowledgeable! We saw so much in one day and got to spend time based on our enjoyment rather than a script schedule!! Would definitely do it again!
Review provided by Viator
Jun 22, 2024
An excellent tour by a local guide - Ryan Forbes, our guide and the company owner gave us an amazing tour of the countryside around Inverness. He picked us up promptly at 8am and spent 10 hours showing us his Highlands--as he is a local. He customized the tour for us as we visited sites and we both got to know each other better, and took us to some places few tourist see. He also was attuned to the tour bus crowds and helped us stay ahead or miss the crowds in some of the popular spots. I cannot recommend Ryan enough and hope to come back the area and see more with his guidance in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 21, 2024
Tailored tour great guide - Truly one of a kind. The best part of the tour was our tour guide, Michael! He took time to talk to each of us in the family and adapted the tour for our particular interests. Taking us to places not on the original tour, and even made calls to other places to make the experience so memorable. The patience, kindness and knowledge he shared with our family was priceless! Thank you for the best tour of Inverness!
Review provided by Viator
Oct 11, 2023
Easy-Peasy Travel - We travelled to Skye from Inverness and back. This company made the journey so easy! We loaded 7 adults and 2 small children into 2 comfortable vans for the 3 hr trip to Skye for a wedding. The vans were roomy and comfortable and the drivers knowledgeable and friendly. My husband and I also hired our driver, Ryan, for a private tour of Inverness before we needed to get to the airport. We saw many out-of-the-way sites - Beauly Castle, Culloden battlefield, Clava Cairns, and Ft. George. A highlight was a chance to see Simon Fraser, The Old Fox's, grave. The coffin was recently examined and it was discovered that the body inside was not that of Simon Fraser but of a woman. Simon Fraser was the last lord to be beheaded following the Jacobite Rising of 1745/46. (For Outlander fans - he was Jaime's grandfather). We had a lively discussion about whiskey and how it differs from American whiskey. (Barley vs corn). It was so nice to let someone else do the driving rather than try to navigate narrow roads, pouring rain, and driving on the "wrong" side of the road. The trip was pricey but worth every penny! We arrived on Skye on-time and un-stressed. The return trip was the same - though they took a different route to give us a variety to see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 25, 2023
Great tour of Inverness! - Culloden was fascinating and moving. Cawdor Castle was also a highlight. Our guide Michael was very knowledgeable, and took us to some places we would never have seen or known about.
Review provided by Viator
Sep 16, 2023
Great time exploring the highlands! - Ryan was an excellent guide, and we loved the tour! We learned so much about Scottish history and had a really fun time. Highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 15, 2023
Excellent personalized tour - Andrew is a great guide. He customized it from the start, so my wife and I saw what we wanted to see, including his recommendations. He knows all the history, but doesn't overdo it. Mostly, he personalized it with Scottish music (asked us first), fun stories and great rapport. Each time we take a cruise, we splurge one day with a personal guide, and I'd recommend this one to anyone. A great day in the Scottish highlands!
Review provided by Viator
Jun 5, 2024
Sucked - We were double booked - same day, same time, same itinerary and we are fighting to get our money back on this duplicate tour. The customer care teamis unable or doesn’t care to help.
Review provided by Viator