Top 5 Western Highlands Private Sightseeing Tours: A Personal Review

Planning a trip up to the Western Highlands of Scotland, is that right? Well, you’re definitely in for a treat! It’s a region known for its dramatic landscapes, places with a rich history, and views that look, more or less, like something out of a movie. To properly soak it all in, a private tour can be the ticket. You know, something more intimate than a big bus tour? You get flexibility, personalized attention, and that inside scoop from a local guide that you simply wouldn’t get otherwise. Anyway, I’ve explored a number of these tours myself, and, actually, I’m here to share my thoughts on five that stand out. So, whether you’re chasing photo ops, discovering clan stories, or maybe sampling some local whisky, there’s, possibly, a tour here for you.

1. Highland Explorer Tour: The Loch Ness & Glencoe Adventure

So, let’s start with the Highland Explorer Tour, that is quite something. Anyway, this one usually combines the must-see spots of Loch Ness and Glencoe into a single, quite unforgettable day. You typically begin your day, or what’s left of it anyway, with a drive toward Loch Ness. Apparently, everybody who visits the area wants to catch a glimpse of the famous monster. The tour guides usually are, in fact, very knowledgeable about the area. You’ll often hear stories about the loch, the history behind Urquhart Castle (which you’ll likely visit), and some local legends. Is that all there is to it? Then you get to Glencoe, so the scenery changes dramatically. It’s almost somber with its tragic history (look up the Glencoe Massacre), that still seems to hang heavy in the air. What is extremely impressive are the views. You get a real sense of the grandeur of the Highlands. As a matter of fact, a professional photographer might feel very satisfied taking pictures of the dramatic mountains and glens. The Highland Explorer Tour often provides, or seems to provide, a great blend of history, mystery, and amazing views, right?

Read our full review: Loch Ness Glencoe adventure Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Highland Explorer Tour)

2. Skye High Tours: Isle of Skye Spectacular

Have you wanted to experience the Isle of Skye? Well, Skye High Tours might just be the ticket, or what’s left of it anyway. It’s, more or less, like stepping into a different kind of country. And your private tour really opens that up. First off, there’s the Old Man of Storr, right? You get to see that well known, strangely shaped rock pinnacle that juts out from the landscape. People will also tell you there are some stunning hikes around there. If you enjoy seeing beautiful bodies of water, then there’s the Fairy Pools with their unbelievably clear water that reflects all that surrounds them like some glass mirror. The pools are said to be a location where supernatural creatures, whatever form that might take, meet to relax. That said, Skye High Tours does seem to provide you with that personal touch, right? That inside knowledge of some not so obvious spots, or what’s left of it anyway. As I was saying, they tailor the experience to what you’re after, right? From photographic hotspots to the quietest trails.

Read our full review: Isle of Skye Spectacular Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Skye High Tours)

3. Timberbush Tours: Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park

Thinking of getting closer to nature? Timberbush Tours focuses on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Basically, this area is known, apparently, as “the Highlands in miniature.” That said, I guess it offers a great introduction to what the rest of the Highlands can offer, right? So, expect glassy lochs (Scottish word for lake), wooded areas, and views, or what’s left of them anyway, that can often take your breath away. It’s almost a guarantee you’ll stop at one of the lochside villages. What do most folks do there, you might be asking? Probably grab some local food. Apparently you can shop for artisanal crafts, or, well, I’m guessing here, you can just simply soak in the scenery. You may also hear stories about Rob Roy MacGregor, who did seem to spend a lot of time hanging out around these parts. Timberbush’s guides typically have an enthusiasm, a willingness, or really just something in the tank to tell all of Rob Roy’s tales, tall or short. Anyway, with the range of locations and the mix of views, you get a day out that is equally restful and inspiring. In some respects, Timberbush tours feels extremely good for those of us who need to de-stress.

Read our full review: Loch Lomond Trossachs National Park Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Timberbush Tours)

4. Rabbie’s Trail Burners: West Highland Way Day Trip

What’s this about, a hike you say? If you like the sound of exploring on foot, Rabbie’s Trail Burners West Highland Way day trip may float your boat. As a matter of fact, the West Highland Way is that long hiking trail through some of Scotland’s finest landscapes. You, more or less, won’t be doing the whole thing, right? Instead, Rabbie’s selects a very scenic portion that you can experience in a day. They’ll apparently handle transport to and from the trail. You will almost get views of lochs and mountains. Just a little piece of info, make sure you’ve got fairly decent shoes. Your feet might appreciate it, or what’s left of them anyway, especially as some ground might be, you know, a bit uneven? If the weather behaves (which can never be guaranteed in Scotland!), or seems to behave, you could see all these sights. Now, after the hike? Perhaps they whisk you off to a local pub, right? It seems very Scottish to relax and grab some refreshment there and reflect on the sites of the day. The mix of some activity and landscapes almost provides you a richer feeling of involvement with the area, is that right?

Read our full review: West Highland Way Day Trip Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Rabbie’s Trail Burners)

5. Scottish Routes: Distilleries & Hidden Gems

And what if you want a sip of the local culture? Well, Scottish Routes specializes in tours. I mean tours of distilleries and some more tucked away locations, obviously, or what’s left of it anyway. You’ll apparently be taken to distilleries where, usually, you can observe the whisky-making progress from start to finish. Usually, it finishes with a sample, right? This is usually some single malt, you see, to really understand the product’s features. Though these tours can seem all about whisky, that’s not always true. Because the “hidden gems” bit of the tour may, too, include historic sites or points of landscape beauty. The local guides will share historical information, stories about the region, and other cool local information. That way you’ll more or less experience something special and specific. And the thing of local whisky doesn’t hurt too! So, with all this to offer, one has, actually, a good amount to enjoy during their outing with Scottish Routes.

Read our full review: Distilleries Hidden Gems Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Scottish Routes)