THE 10 BEST Scotland Bus Tours

Bus tours in scotland.

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bus tours scotland 2024

  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

bus tours scotland 2024

1. Loch Ness & Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

2. The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness

bus tours scotland 2024

3. Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Small-Group Day Tour from Inverness

bus tours scotland 2024

4. Scottish Highlands and Hogwarts Express Tour from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

5. Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

6. Outlander Adventure Tour from Edinburgh Including Admissions

bus tours scotland 2024

7. Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

8. Private Greenock Shore Excursion Highland Lochs, Castles & Glens

bus tours scotland 2024

9. Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow

bus tours scotland 2024

10. Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Fort William Full-Day Tour from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

11. St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

12. 3-Day Isle of Skye and Highlands from Edinburgh Inc Accommodation

bus tours scotland 2024

13. Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour Including Admission

bus tours scotland 2024

14. Isle of Skye, The Highlands and Loch Ness- 3 Day Group Tour from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

15. Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glen Coe Day Trip from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

16. 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles

bus tours scotland 2024

17. Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Cruise Day Tour from Glasgow

bus tours scotland 2024

18. Half-Day Trip in Orkney

bus tours scotland 2024

19. Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour

bus tours scotland 2024

20. Royal Edinburgh Ticket with Hop-On Hop-Off Tours, Edinburgh Castle Admission

bus tours scotland 2024

21. Standing Stones, Inveraray and Kilchurn Castles & Highland Tour starting Glasgow

bus tours scotland 2024

22. Skye In A Day From Portree Visiting The Most Scenic Spots

bus tours scotland 2024

23. Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness

bus tours scotland 2024

24. Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness

bus tours scotland 2024

25. Rosslyn Chapel, Dunfermline Abbey and Stirling Castle Day Tour from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

26. Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian's Wall Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

bus tours scotland 2024

27. Semi Private Tour - Orkney and Kirkwall

bus tours scotland 2024

28. Orkney West Mainland Tour

bus tours scotland 2024

29. Orkney Travel Classic Tour - 5-6 hours

bus tours scotland 2024

30. 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh

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Scotland Tours

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You're sipping a wee dram of smoky whisky as you gaze out over a glistening loch. You and your new friends compare the photos you took of the Highland Coos you just spotted in a heather-covered moor. And someone is daring you to try haggis for dinner tonight... This is Scotland. And you're on a Rabbie's tour. Maybe you’re on a 1 day tour out of Inverness, or perhaps you’ve decided to discover the Scottish islands on a 17-day’ adventure. The choice is yours. Which of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks call to you? Loch Ness and its enigmatic monster ? The endless epic views of the Highlands? The raw beauty and legends of Skye ? Let our driver-guides take you there and share stories that go deeper and connect you with the land you travel through, its history, music, and culture.

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Why you'll love Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Epic tales and terrific traditions

Scotland is the birthplace of Sherlock Holmes, the television, and whisky. So, the culture is a mix of poetry, intellect, and fun. The locals also love showing visitors a good time. So don’t be surprised when you’re invited to a Highland dance or regaled with folk tales at the local pub.

bus tours scotland 2024

Famed beauty

Scotland’s landscapes are more dramatic than a superhero movie, more beautiful than a three carat diamond, and older than any of your grandparents’ stories. From blonde beaches to serene mountains: you’ll discover the scenery lives up to its reputation.

bus tours scotland 2024

A trove of secrets

It’s no secret Scotland has fascinating history. But what’s less known, is how much of it’s shrouded in mystery. There are unexplained standing stones, untranslatable hieroglyphics, and unbelievable myths. So, keep your eyes peeled, your mind open, and your imagination switched on.

bus tours scotland 2024

Natural flavours

Everyone wants a slice of Scotland’s local larder. The seafood is exported to the best restaurants, Angus beef is enjoyed everywhere, and whisky is loved worldwide. And although these flavours travel far, there’s no place it tastes better than in Scotland.

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Tour Scoop

10 Incredible Scotland Tours for 2024 

These standout scotland tours include luxury offerings, outlander-focused itineraries, budget options, and everything in between. .

Katy Spratte Joyce

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Scotland is an exceptional destination for culinary enthusiasts, nature lovers, and urban adventurers. Tours of Scotland deliver all this, plus a mix of sights like the Scottish Highlands, islands, cities, and coast. Whatever your specific travel needs and wants, there’s sure to be a great tour to fit your needs. Here are my favorite Scotland tours for 2024. 

10 Great Scotland Tours for 2024 

These 10 great Scotland tours hit the highlights in as many as a few days or up to a few weeks. All accommodations, activities, transport, and most meals are handled on these tours, all with a local guide to lead the way. Simply show up with an open mind and get set to enjoy all that Scotland has to offer visitors. 

Brendan Vacations: Best of Scotland 

view of Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Duich, Dornie in Scotland, a stop on Brendan Vacations' Best of Scotland tour

Brendan Vacation’s Best of Scotland (offered in both summer and winter ) itinerary is a year-round offering, but is especially lovely in sweet summertime. Travelers looking to hit many of Scotland’s rugged, beautiful highlights in a short amount of time will appreciate this compact seven-day trip.

Your first nights are in the walkable capital city of Edinburgh, exploring its famed castle and Royal Mile. If dates coincide properly, enjoy a Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance as well. On day three, venture north to the Scottish Highlands, stopping at the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews, along the way.

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From Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, explore Loch Ness, Culloden, and the Isle of Skye on a day trip. Then, journey back south to spend two additional nights in Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. A few sights and stops along the way, including the tragic and scenic “Glen of Weeping”, the UK’s highest peak (Ben Nevis), and a wildlife cruise on Loch Lomond help break up the journey.

A classic distillery tour, a visit to stunning Stirling Castle, and a local farm farewell dinner (complete with traditional music and storytelling) round out this great itinerary. For a discounted price, consider the best of Scotland winter timeframe , for November through March departures. 

  • Length: 7 Days
  • Starting price: $2,246
  • Group size: Custom tour for your group

CIE Tours: Scottish Daytripper

CIE Tours ’ specialty is Ireland (the company is partially owned by the Irish government’s national transport company), but it also has some great tours of Scotland, including the company’s Scottish Daytripper tour. The tour is unique because it uses a single city—Glasgow—as the home base so you only have to unpack once. 

And though you sleep in the same hotel (the Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel) every night during the six-day, five-night tour, you get to see a lot of Scotland on day trips to spots including the Isle of Arran, Loch Lomond, Edinburgh, and in the Scottish Borders region. 

  • Length: 6 Days
  • Starting price: $1,695
  • Group size: Usually around 35 people

Abercrombie & Kent: Cruising the British Isles

view of the Scottish Highlands

Abercrombie and Kent’s luxury expedition cruise Cruising the British Isles is an autumnal offering that features the best of Scotland, as well as Ireland and England, all in a two-week window. Begin this all-inclusive voyage in storied Edinburgh with a stay at the luxurious, centrally-located Balmoral Hotel.

You’ll then board Le Dumont d’Urville for a sail through the Firth of Forth with views of Bass Rock, home to the world’s largest gannet (seabird) colony. Then, enjoy perfectly-tailored excursions in the Scottish Highlands before exploring a pair of famed archipelagos: the Orkneys and the Hebrides. Think sea caves, the highest cliffs in Britain, Stone Age settlements, and windswept beaches. The rest of the itinerary offers highlights of Ireland and England before adjourning in London. 

Pro Tip: book early to save $2,000 per person on all stateroom categories and suites. Additionally, for even more time in Scotland, there’s a pre-trip add-on for four extra nights in Edinburgh. 

  • Length: 14 Days
  • Starting price: $19,495
  • Group size: limited to 148 passengers

Contiki: Scotland

view of young woman on Scotland tour in the Highlands

Contiki’s six-day Scotland adventure is a popular trip for younger travelers that starts in Edinburgh and ends in Glasgow, and includes a day in the Scottish Highlands. Begin with two nights in Edinburgh, and a visit to the castle, before spending one night in Inverness and two additional nights in Glasgow.

WANDER FREE: 10 Great Contiki Tours to Take in 2024

Travelers get to explore the birthplace of golf, hunt for Nessie on a Loch Ness cruise, see the William Wallace Monument, and sip their way through a whisky tasting. Other highlights include the Glenfinnan Viaduct (yer a wizard, Harry), a curling lesson, live music, and local food experiences. Winter departures are the most affordable. 

  • Starting price: $972
  • Group size: Average of 38 people

Bonus: Contiki also offers an end-of-year trip over Scotland’s Hogmanay also known as New Year’s Eve, from Dec. 29 to Jan 2. Travelers can revel for four days in Edinburgh to celebrate the new year. Highlights include a night street party, bagpipe performance, tour of the castle, and whisky tasting.

Intrepid: Scotland’s Orkney Islands

guests on an Intrepid Travel tour in Scotland

This cool tour from Intrepid offers something special: A chance to go beyond the highlights of Scotland and dig a little deeper into the Orkney Islands . This northern archipelago is teeming with Viking history, Stone Age relics, and natural beauty.

Activities include a coastal walking tour, a trip to a small town pub, and a refined whisky tasting as you island hop. Begin by meeting your group in Inverness before taking a train north to Thurso and then hopping on a ferry to the Orkneys.

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On the ferry ride, don’t miss the Old Man of Hoy, the UK’s tallest sea stack. Get settled, then explore highlights like prehistoric Skara Brae, northern Europe’s best preserved Neolithic village. Check out the Ring of Brodgar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a few days of touring, head back to Inverness with your group. Please note, this itinerary is only offered from April through October. 

  • Length: 5 days
  • Starting price: $2,265
  • Group size: Minimum 1, Maximum 12

Costsaver: Majestic Scotland 

View of landscape at sunrise at Quiraing on the Isle of Skye in Scotland

Costsaver’s Majestic Scotland itinerary kicks off in Glasgow with a feast for the senses as you experience the city’s food and drink scene. Your time in Glasgow also includes a walking tour to learn about the history of the area.

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Then, head north to the Highlands, with optional add-ons like a Loch Lomond cruise and farm experience. Check out Culloden battlefield, Loch Ness, Eileen Donan Castle, and the Isle of Skye on the action-packed tour. Finish in Edinburgh, the stately capital city of Scotland, where you’ll visit Georgian New Town and the Palace of Holyroodhouse before departing. 

  • Length: 7 days
  • Group size: Private tours for up to 12; group trips average 40 or 45

Brendan Vacations: Highland Trail inspired by Outlander 

View of Edinburgh at dusk

This 13-day itinerary embraces a major recent driver for Scottish tourism, the television series Outlander. The Highland Trail trip will be offered with select departures in May, June, July, August, and September of 2024.

Centered around famous filming locations for the show, this itinerary also offers a great look at major Scottish highlights from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Begin with three nights in the capital city of Edinburgh before spending nights in Dundee, Inverness, and Thurso, stopping at historic sites and walking in Claire and Jamie’s footsteps.

Next, go “over the Sea to Skye” for a night on the island before overnighting in Pitlochry and Glasgow for two nights each. The TV settings for Fort William, Cranesmuir, the standing stones, Castle Leoch, 1940s Inverness, and the moors of Culloden are just some of the amazing filming locations covered on this sweeping itinerary. 

  • Length: 13 days
  • Starting price: $4,332

Insight Vacations: Country Roads of Scotland

Small group of people on an Insight tour of Scotland talking to a local expert in Edinburgh

On Insight Vacations’ curated nine-day Country Roads of Scotland tour, visitors grow to love Scotland as they visit the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Thurso, along with the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. Begin with a castle tour in the capital city of Edinburgh before heading to St. Andrews and Inverness for golf and Loch Ness lore. Learn about fishing traditions and sample whisky in Thurso before taking a ferry to the Orkney Islands.

From there, the tour guide brings guests to the Isle of Skye for an overnight complete with views of the rugged Cuillin Hills. The tour ends with a journey south to Glasgow, with a stop at Loch Lomond on the way. Insight Vacations’ Country Roads label promises hidden adventures, local flavor, and unexpected retreats. 

  • Length: 9 days
  • Starting price: $3,803
  • Group size: Classic group tours average 33 guests 

Trafalgar: Amazing Britain

view of bridge and green hill in St. Andrews, Scotland

While not strictly a Scotland tour, Trafalgar’s Amazing Britain tour spends a lot of quality time in Scotland, and includes England and Wales as well on the whirlwind 10-day itinerary. It’s a good fit for travelers who want to get an overview of Britain and go deep on Scottish destinations including major cities, lochs and castles, and the Scottish Highlands, and who want to have plenty of good times along the way.

The tour begins and ends in London (which offers the benefit of plenty of flight options, a boon if you’re booking your own flights), but spends half of the tour days in Scotland. The itinerary includes two nights in Edinburgh, a night in the Scottish Highlands, and a overnight in Glasgow. Activities are a mix of included outings like city tours of Edinburgh and Glasgow (the perfect places to get hands-on lessons about the history of Scotland) plus optional paid add-ons like a Loch Lomond boat trip and a trip to a small village for a tour and dinner. 

The trip’s non-Scotland stops include the Lake District, Liverpool, York, Bristol, and Stratford-upon-Avon. 

  • Length: 10 days
  • Starting price: $2,895
  • Group size: Average of 40 to 45 guests

Windstar: Gaelic Explorers

With two summer 2024 departures (July 5th or August 22nd) a small ship cruise around Scotland with Windstar offers the best of Scotland’s land and waters. This journey from Dublin to Edinburgh is described as “the land of good golf and great Scotch” and includes stops in Tobermory, Portree (on the Isle of Skye), Kirkwall, Invergordon, and Leith (the port of Edinburgh).

Highlights of this highly recommended tour include Dunvegan Castle on Skye, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland; and a Royal Mile tour in Edinburgh. Optional excursions in every port help guests perfectly tailor this luxe cruise for a land-meets-the-sea look at Scotland. 

  • Starting price: $4,499
  • Group size: 312 guests onboard 

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bus tours scotland 2024

Seven Day Outlander Tours of Scotland 2024

Seven Day Outlander Tours of Scotland 2024

Dates for 2025 are available here .

Departing from near Edinburgh

  • 10 April 2024 – 16 April 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 9 April 2024. Tour begins 10 April and ends by 3.00pm on 16 April 2024
  • 24 April 2024 – 30 April 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 23 April 2024. Tour begins 24 April and ends by 3.00pm on 30 April 2024
  • 15 May 2024 – 21 May 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 14 May 2024. Tour begins 15 May and ends by 3.00pm on 21 May 2024
  • 5 June 2024 – 11 June 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 4 June 2024. Tour begins 5 June and ends by 3.00pm on 11 June 2024
  • 26 June 2024 – 2 July 2024 (TWO PLACES AVAILABLE IN A SHARED ROOM) Check into the hotel on 25 June 2024. Tour begins 26 June and ends by 3.00pm on 2 July 2024
  • 10 July 2024 – 16 July 202 4 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 9 July 2024. Tour begins 10 July and ends by 3.00pm on 16 July 2024
  • 24 July 2024 – 30 July 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 23 July 2024. Tour begins 24 July and ends by 3.00pm on 30 July 2024
  • 7 August 2024 – 13 August 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 6 August 2024. Tour begins 7 August and ends by 3.00pm on 13 August 2024
  • 21 August 2024 – 27 August 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 20 August 2024. Tour begins 21 August and ends by 3.00pm on 27 August 2024
  • 11 Sept 2024 – 17 Sept 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 10 Sept 2024. Tour begins 11 Sept and ends by 3.00pm on 17 Sept 2024
  • 2 October 2024 – 8 October 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 1 October 2024. Tour begins 2 October and ends by 3.00pm on 8 October 2024
  • 16 October 2024 – 22 October 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 15 October 2024. Tour begins 16 October and ends by 3.00pm on 22 October 2024
  • 30 October 2024 – 5 November 2024 (FULLY BOOKED) Check into the hotel on 29 October 2024. Tour begins 30 October and ends by 3.00pm on 5 November 2024

For the above dates check-in to the hotel is on a Tuesday afternoon/evening. The tour starts at 8.15am on Wednesday and finishes the following Tuesday afternoon.

If you wish to book a single place on this tour, then please contact us .

Price is £2,595 per person *

Travel back in time as your Outlander Experience unfolds:

Visit many Outlander filming locations near Edinburgh. Step through the arch at Lallybroch.

Journey north to Inverness in the beautiful Highlands. Explore the book locations and learn about the Clans.

Cross ‘Over the Sea to Skye’ for a day of breath-taking scenery… Feel inspired by the majestic mountains of Glen Coe. Experience the energy as you stand on Craigh na Dun…

Walk Culloden Battlefield as you discover how that fateful day unfolded. Enjoy Afternoon Tea at Culloden House, where the Jacobites camped.

Explore many of our 18th century antiques and books.

Enjoy all of this, and take a journey back through time to explore your own Past Lives too (included and optional).

CELTIC HANDFASTING – If you’re coming as a married couple and would like to experience a Traditional Celtic Handfasting and Vow Renewal in the Highlands, we can include this as part of your tour (with no additional charge).

These are just a few of the locations and highlights.

What makes our Outlander Tours of Scotland so unique?

  • All 5-star reviews.
  • Two driver-guides, not just one (husband and wife team).
  • A very personal tour with a maximum of six guests.
  • Past life Regression to explore your own past life memories (included and optional).
  • A complete set of Professional quality photographs of your tour included!

bus tours scotland 2024

As well as all the locations you’ll be visiting which are listed in the daily itinerary below, all of this is also included:

  • Seven nights accommodation with breakfast.
  • Afternoon Tea at Culloden House.
  • Whisky Distillery visit with optional tasting.
  • Our own whisky tasting and Gaelic toast at one of the Outlander locations.
  • Jacobite weapons demonstration.
  • Andy wears the fèileadh mòr (Giant Kilt, like those worn in Outlander) for the Highland part of the tour.
  • A day on the stunningly beautiful Isle of Skye.
  • A journey through the magnificent mountains of Glencoe.
  • A visit to see ‘The Kelpies’ (Waterhorses).
  • Admission fees to all tour locations, as per the itinerary.
  • Collection from your hotel each morning, and return there in the evening.
  • We will send you a self-guided walking tour of the Outlander filming locations on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, which you can enjoy at your leisure before or after our seven-day tour.
  • As mentioned above, Past life Regression to explore your own past life memories (included and optional).
  • A complete set of Professional quality photographs of your tour.
  • Many more personal and professional extra touches which we save for the tour itself…

If you feel a deep connection with Scotland, then this tour is for you. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the journey in comfort, while you step back into Scottish history with us…

bus tours scotland 2024

Your Outlander Tour Itinerary:

Day one: the filming locations around fife, in the heart of scotland….

Falkland  – this beautiful town substitutes for 1940s and 1960s Inverness in the first and second series. See Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouse and the famous fountain where the ghost looks up at Claire’s room. Walk down the cobbled streets of old Inverness and explore inside the magnificent Falkland Palace.

Cranesmuir Village and Square – explore the fictional village of Cranesmuir where Geillis lives. See the square where the Tanner’s lad had his ear hammered to the stocks. Visit the impressive garden where Claire and Geillis gathered herbs, the room that was used as Jamie and Claire’s bedroom and many more filming locations. This town also lends its backdrop to the Jacobite encampment.

Black Kirk – walk through the secluded ruins of this ancient church where Jamie and Claire discover the reason for the young boy’s illness.

The French Port of Le Havre  – this picturesque harbour was transformed to portray the French port of Le Havre in the 1740s where Jamie and Claire land when they escape to France. This is where Claire discovers smallpox on the Comte St Germain’s ship.

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Day Two: More filming locations…

Hopetoun House – we’ll take you on a guided tour of this stunning stately home and gardens, to show you all of the Outlander filming locations – inside and outside – of which there are many!

Lallybroch,  the filming location for Jamie’s home.

Jack Randall’s Fort William HQ – this incredible 15th century fortress provides the setting for the Black Jack Randall’s Fort William headquarters and featured the heart-breaking scene of Jamie’s flogging.

The Kitchen where the Duke of Sandringham was beheaded – wander around this beautiful and historic kitchen, where the Duke met his fate at the hands of Murtagh.

The Church where Brianna visits Frank’s grave.

The Railway Station where Claire and Frank said their goodbyes. This picturesque station was transformed into a wartime London railway station for this scene.

The Kelpies (a wee extra treat for you) – enjoy a wander around the largest equine structures in the world. They are magnificent! After all, you can’t come all this way and not see the Kelpies. They are the Waterhorses…

bus tours scotland 2024

Day Three: Journey north to the Highlands, taking in more filming and book locations en-route…

Castle Leoch – This historic castle plays a leading role in Outlander as the fictional Castle Leoch, home to Colum MacKenzie and his Clan. It also features in the first episode when Claire and Frank visit the castle when it stands in ruins on their day trip out.

The Chapel where Claire and Jamie hide from the Redcoats and Claire operated on Rupert’s eye . Look out of the same window as they watched the Redcoats approaching. This is a beautiful Chapel with an amazing history.

Cranesmuir Witch Trial Court – this beautiful church in Perth has medieval origins and was used as the location for Cranesmuir Church. This hosted the infamous scenes of Claire and Geillis’s witch trial, where you can stand in the very same pulpit.

Glencoe – enjoy one of the most stunningly beautiful drives in Scotland through this famous Glen. The drive takes you through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, through Rannoch Moor and into Glencoe as we head north towards Fort William and the Highlands. The instantly recognisable and breath-taking mountains of Glencoe were used in the opening scenes of Outlander. This Glen was also used at the beginning of Series Six for the outdoor scenes of Ardsmuir Prison.

Fort William – we’ll take the scenic drive south from Inverness to the town of Fort William where you’ll see the foundations of the original and mighty Fort overlooking Loch Linnhe. This is the book location for Black Jack’s Fort William. 

Arrival in Inverness, Highlands.

bus tours scotland 2024

Day Four: The Clan Lands and Loch Ness – the Outlander book locations…

Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch Ness  – The last of the government troops garrisoned here during the Jacobite Risings and blew up the castle when they departed. Urquhart’s iconic ruins remain, offering glimpses into medieval times. Walk down to the shores of Loch Ness and look for the ‘Water Horse’ which entranced Claire.

Inverness, as it was in 1745  – step back in time as we take you on a historic walking tour along the oldest street in Inverness to visit the buildings that were standing during the mid-18th century and before. This includes an ancient church where Jacobite prisoners were executed after the battle. Although the fountain outside Mrs Baird’s Guest House does not stand in Inverness now, it once did. We will take you to that place and show you exactly where the ghost would have been seen by Frank.

Beauly Priory – walk around this beautiful 13th Century ruin where Claire met Maisri, the Lovat’s Seer, as we read you the excerpts from Dragonfly in Amber which were set here.

Wardlaw Mausoleum –  reputed to be the final resting place of Simon ‘The Fox’ Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat who is Jamie Fraser’s grandfather in Outlander. We will visit the underground crypt that was said to contain his headless body, smuggled here after his execution at the Tower of London. The Mausoleum was built as a burial place and shrine to the Frasers of Lovat.

Glen Ord Distillery was founded by the Clan Mackenzie. You can enjoy a whisky tasting if you wish to (the price of the tasting is not included in your tour), or just browse the shop and explore the exhibition. If you’ve come all the way to Scotland, why not enjoy a wee dram…

The Beautiful Black Isle – enjoy a stunning circular journey around the Black Isle, stopping at several places of historic interest along the way. They include an extraordinary ancient Kirk, a Museum, a white sandy beach (you may even see Dolphins!) where you will have views of Fort George’s formidable ramparts (built in the wake of the Battle of Culloden), the ruins of a Medieval Cathedral and a journey through some picturesque historic villages which feel like they belong far back in time…

bus tours scotland 2024

Day Five: Over the sea to Skye…

Prepare to journey through the wild, remote, breathtaking Highlands, where every mile is beautiful. Lochs, Heilan’ Coos, castles, mountains and glens…

Loch Ness… our first stop of the day will be at a small village on the banks of Loch Ness where you’ll have your photo taken by Andy at an iconic monument to the famous Loch.

Haunted Graveyard – you’ll visit a Lovat graveyard with an incredible and spine-tingling history behind it.

Dun Bonnet’s Territory – we’ll show you where the real Dun Bonnet once lived and where his home once stood, near to where he hid in a cave for seven years after the battle of Culloden. As we travel this road, we will be sharing stories of the people who lived or passed through here from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Eilean Donan Castle  – after several spectacular viewpoints, we’ll stop for a break at this iconic castle which is one of the most famous in Scotland. It was used as a filming location for ‘Highlander’, ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’, ‘The Master of Ballantrae’, ‘The New Avengers’, ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘James Bond – The World is Not Enough’.

Then we’ll travel over the sea to Skye…

Kyleachin – we’ll stop at this small village briefly for a wonderful view of the Skye Bridge.

Cuillin Mountains  are a spectacular and majestic mountain range as we begin our journey on the Isle of Skye.

Portree – we’ll enjoy lunch overlooking a Loch at a cafe and gift shop on the outskirts of this colourful town.

The Duirinish Peninsula stretches west from Dunvegan. Most of the area is wild and uninhabited, with the flat-topped mountains of Healabhal Mor and Healabhal Bheag, or Macleod’s Tables, dominating the surrounding countryside. The story goes that when the Chief of the Clan Macleod wanted to impress a visitor, he dined with them atop Healabhal Mor, surrounded by torch-carrying clansmen. On our way around Duirinish, we’ll be taking you to a working Croft where you can meet some Highland Cows, learn how to spin wool and visit a local artist’s studio. These are the very skills which keep Skye thriving with Celtic spirit.

Sligachan – we’ll stop at this beauty spot for a rest and a cuppa before heading back to Inverness…

Loch Carron – we may just have a wee surprise for you here!

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Day Six: Culloden and the Standing Stones… 

The Standing Stones  – this is an exceptionally well-preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns and standing stones which were built around 4000 years ago. They include the famous ‘split stone’. It’s these stones near Culloden Battlefield, where the sounds of battle would have been heard on that fateful day, just as they were Jamie and Claire said their goodbyes before he went into battle and she came back through the stone.

Culloden Battlefield – where the last pitched battle was fought on British soil. Enjoy a guided tour of the battlefield with a Jacobite (Andrew) and see the gravestone for the Frasers who tragically fell on 16 April 1746 along with many other Clansmen. After that, tour the indoor museum and gift shop at your leisure. 

Past Life Regression  – this is included in your tour, and is also optional, so it’s at your discretion whether you’d like to experience it or not. There are many who feel a deep connection to particular places, yet are unable to explain why. They find that exploring their past lives answers many questions for them. For information on what Past Life Regression is  click here.   You are welcome to download our free   Past Lives Clues Workbook , which may help you begin to join the dots.

Jacobite Weapons Demonstration : See how the weapons were used in battle and handle them yourself – the Targe, Lochaber Axe, Basket Hilt Broadsword, Flintlock Musket, Flintlock Pistol, Brown Bess, Blunderbuss, Powder Horn, Dirk and the Sgian Dubh. Also see our collection of historic pieces and books from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Culloden House – at the time of the Jacobite uprising in 1745-46, Bonnie Prince Charlie used Culloden House as his lodging and battle headquarters prior to the fateful battle on Culloden Moor. As such, Culloden House featured heavily in Outlander towards the end of Series two and of course in the novels. Diana Gabaldon stays here when she visits Inverness.

Afternoon Tea at Culloden House – enjoy an indulgent Afternoon Tea in their magnificent Adam Drawing Room; a feast of cakes, freshly made Scottish shortbread, pudding, scones with cream and jam, hot sausage rolls and sandwiches, all included in your tour.

Personal time in Inverness – from 3pm you’ll have some personal time to enjoy shopping and exploring this beautiful city.

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Day Seven: historic and filming locations…

Ruthven Barracks (historic location)  – you’ll travel south through the Cairngorm National Park to these famous Barracks. Following the Jacobite defeat at Culloden, it is estimated some 2000-3,000 men gathered here to await word from the Prince, when a note was received from him stating  ‘Let every man seek his own safety in the best way he can.’  Though not a filming location, this historic site is most definitely worth a visit.

Craigh na Dun – you’ll stand on that very special hill and take in the breath-taking views and the tangible energy surrounding you. After all, your Outlander tour would not be complete without a visit to this famous hill. Do note though, that the standing stones won’t be there, but the energy of the stones and what happened there remains…

House of Bruar – enjoy some indulgent shopping and a sit-down lunch at this unique shopping centre in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park.

Stunning Woodlands used in Outlander Season 5 filming – we’ll take a walk through breath-taking scenery, through some of the tallest trees and most beautiful woods in Scotland, to an incredible waterfall and viewpoint.

The tour finishes at Dunkeld and Birnam train station (near Perth) by 3pm . From there you’ll be able to catch one of the regular trains direct into Edinburgh or Glasgow, or to Edinburgh Airport.

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This is more than just a tour…

Your tour guide wears the full Jacobite Kilt: called a féileadh-mór for the Highland part of the tour. This is the style of kilt worn by the Jacobites during the 1745 uprising, and by Jamie in Outlander.

Professional quality photographs of your tour: Throughout the tour we will take professional quality photographs of you in each location (only with your permission of course), and we will e-mail you a complete photographic record of your Outlander experience within two weeks. Here is a  link  to photos of recent Outlander clients who have kindly given us permission to share them.

A maximum of 6 people per tour means that you can come to know your fellow Outlander travellers as friends, and that we can ensure everyone’s needs are met.

Two very passionate Tour Guides throughout your tour: We are Andrew and Diane Nicholson, husband and wife team, and we are passionate about this beautiful country, its remarkable history, and sharing it with you. We have a very personal story to share about why we love Scotland so much, why we chose to include the option of Past Life Regression on our tours, and why Outlander affected us both so deeply. You can read our past life story here.

For a Photographic Gallery of some of your Outlander Tour locations, you can enjoy the album we’ve shared on our Facebook Page .

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Your Overnight Accommodation…

Prices listed are based on two people sharing a twin or double room with en-suite bathroom. If you would like to book a single room for the duration of your tour, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can advise on the cost of a single room supplement, subject to availability. Room rates rise during the summer months, so please do let us know as soon as you can. Breakfast is included and you can decide whether to enjoy cooked or continental each morning.

Your stay involves three nights in a hotel in Dunfermline (near Edinburgh) and four nights in a hotel in Inverness (the Highlands). All accommodation is booked with hotels which have excellent 4 – 4.5 star TripAdvisor and other online reviews. Hotels are perfectly situated for the tour locations. You will be forwarded full instructions on how to reach your hotel along with your tour welcome pack. Please note that we do not include or provide accommodation on the last day of your tour, as people have differing onward travel plans. We are happy to recommend accommodation in Edinburgh or Glasgow city centres or by the airports if you need assistance. On the afternoon of the final day, we drop you off at a train station with easy and direct access to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Your Outlander Experience Tour does not include:

Your flights to Edinburgh Airport are not included. There are low cost direct flights from many UK and overseas airports to Edinburgh Airport. There are also excellent train and bus services direct to Edinburgh from many UK locations, including London. Your travel to your hotel is not included.

Lunches and dinners, apart from one Afternoon Tea at Culloden House (which serves as lunch) are not included. For lunch, due to our packed itinerary, and as you will have had a good hotel breakfast and usually an evening meal (of your choosing), we take you to a supermarket to buy a packed lunch to eat on the go. This we store in a cool bag for you.

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Do we work with Travel Agents or 3rd parties?

We do not sell via OTAs or work directly with travel agents or third parties. We wish to build a great relationship and enjoy clear communication and a shared understanding with our tour clients.

For this reason, if you are working with a travel agent who may be assisting you with flights or aspects of a wider tour agenda, we are happy to provide you with information to assist with this process. We do however, request that all communication goes through the lead tour guest who makes the booking and is attending the tour. This person is likely to communicate on behalf of others in their party.

Book this as a Private Tour?

Due to the high demand for our regular scheduled tours, we are unable to offer this tour as a private or customised tour for the foreseeable future.

We are available for other Outlander and non-Outlander-related private tours between November and March. These are normally based out of Inverness as a start/end point. Please refer to the other tour menu options on our Regular Tours menu, or contact us to discuss a bespoke tour such as one based on Clan Ancestry, Scottish castles, The Jacobites, Photography etc.

On your arrival in Scotland…

On arrival in Scotland on the date listed at the top of this page for each tour, we suggest you spend that day exploring Edinburgh at your leisure. You can store your luggage at Edinburgh Central train station so that you may explore with ease. We supply you with a self-guided walking tour of the Outlander filming locations on the Royal Mile, along with suggestions for other places you may wish to visit.

To book your Outlander Experience Tour…

PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE YOU BOOK:

Your Deposit secures your place – A 15% non-refundable deposit is payable to book and secure your place on the tour. Deposits are non-transferable to alternative dates. Please note, we do not accept additional payments/instalments until the final payment is due. The remainder of your payment will be due 60 days prior to your touring dates. If you are within the 60 days when you pay your deposit, then we will forward a payment request to you for the remainder of the payment once we receive notification of your deposit.

The price is per person, not per room, based on two people sharing a room. For the avoidance of any doubt – in the UK, a twin room contains two single beds – each suitable for one person.  A double room is the same size room containing one larger (UK queen size) bed for two people; this bed is approximately the size of two single beds together. All rooms are en-suite.

Solo travellers will pay an additional single supplement if they require a room of their own (but not if they share with another solo traveller). If you are a solo traveller and require a single room, then please do not book using the widget; instead, please make an enquiry via the form on our Contact Us page and let us know how many single rooms you need. We will then confirm availability and the additional cost of the single room supplement.

Fitness and mobility requirements . We personally guide our groups around each location, which is one of the benefits of choosing this tour. We don’t just drop you off and tell you what time to be back at the minibus. As we guide our group around each location, we share a great deal of history and the Outlander context. Each location is carefully timed to allow us to visit every place on each day’s itinerary. In this regard, it is very important that you are able to keep up with the group and the guides. We do quite a bit of walking over the seven days. Please note, we are not able to leave you alone in the minibus at any location. Therefore, you will need to be able to:

  • walk a mile non-stop at an average pace.
  • walk unaided on uneven surfaces and cobblestones.
  • manage 20 steep steps.
  • walk up a steep (1 in 3) hill for 100 yards.
  • lift yourself up onto a step, duck down and easily manoeuvre yourself into and out of our minibus several times a day.

Travel sickness – We travel many narrow, undulating and winding roads on the Highlands part of this seven day tour. We wouldn’t be able to stop on a regular basis to allow travel sickness to subside without significantly disrupting the itinerary timings. So if you suffer with severe travel/motion sickness which can’t easily be cured with medication, then this tour would not be suitable for you.

If any tour participants have special requirements in terms of mobility, dietary needs, hearing impairment or anything else that is not listed here which may affect the tour, then it is vital that you discuss this with us before booking so that we can assess whether this tour is suitable for you. If you book without discussing special requirements with us first and we do not feel this tour is suitable for you, then you may forfeit your payment depending on when you advise us of your requirements. Any refund we agree to pay you if we are unable to accommodate you on this tour will be 1) based on our standard cancellation terms which are explained in our Terms and Conditions , and will also be 2) minus the Stripe fees, which will have already been charged to your payment and are not recoverable, plus an administrative fee.

This tour is not suitable for non-English speakers. We share a great deal of history and information throughout this tour, including in the minibus while we travel between locations. We are a small group of six tour guests plus two guides, so having to allow for translation between every few sentences would greatly disrupt the flow of delivery and the experience for the others on the tour. Therefore, this scheduled Seven Day Outlander Tour is for English speakers only. If you would like to book as a non-English speaker and translator onto any of our tours then you would need to book a private tour and contact us to discuss this. We are unable to provide translation services ourselves.

This tour is not suitable for children – this Seven Day Outlander Tour is for adults over the age of 16 only.

Please ensure you have travel insurance in place , so that you are covered in the event you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances or that something happens to you while in the UK. The industry recommends you buy travel insurance ASAB (as soon as you book).

Please note that we are unable to hold places on verbal or written request.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions page where you will find lots of information about this tour which will help you establish whether this is indeed the right tour for you. This includes photos of the minibus, inside and out.

Please ensure you read our Terms and Conditions before booking, as by booking with us, you are agreeing to be bound by them.

A confirmation of your booking and payment will be sent to you from us and from Stripe, our secure payment gateway. For more information about online booking and Stripe – click here for our FAQs page . The person booking the tour (the lead person) does so on behalf of all the other individuals included on the booking, so that all are bound by the booking terms and conditions.

Payment is taken in British Pounds (£ GBP). If you are from overseas, your card company will convert this to your local currency when shown on you bill. For international payments from outside the UK, we can accept Visa, Mastercard or Amex cards.

If you prefer to pay by bank transfer in your own currency, please   contact us  and we will forward our bank details on to you.

Select your preferred date and options from the booking widget below, then click the NEXT button, then enter your personal details, credit/debit card details, then click the MAKE BOOKING button to submit your booking. Your tour can be booked within just a couple of minutes.

Booking Widget

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Displaying all tours (1), we found 67 tours browse all tours, 7 day best of scotland incl. jacobite steam train, mon 1st april 2024 - 6 nights, 8 day best of scotland tour 2023, thu 4th april 2024 - 7 nights, 7 day best of scotland tour, mon 8th april 2024 - 6 nights, 4 day iconic scotland mini tour, wed 10th april 2024 - 3 nights, 3 day whisky chaser mini tour, wed 10th april 2024 - 2 nights, 8 day west coast islands & wild highlands tour, thu 18th april 2024 - 7 nights, 12 day outer hebrides, neolithic orkney & highlands tour, mon 22nd april 2024 - 11 nights, sat 27th april 2024 - 6 nights, 7 day best of scotland with walking, sun 28th april 2024 - 6 nights, sun 28th april 2024 - 3 nights, 8 day best of scotland incl. jacobite steam train, mon 29th april 2024 - 7 nights, 10 day grand tour incl. jacobite steam train, sun 5th may 2024 - 9 nights, 5 day highlands & skye tour - 2022, mon 6th may 2024 - 4 nights, mon 6th may 2024 - 11 nights, 7 day outlander, whisky & highlands tour, tue 7th may 2024 - 6 nights, 10 day highlands, neolithic orkney & st andrews, fri 10th may 2024 - 9 nights, 11 day grand tour incl. jacobite steam train, tue 14th may 2024 - 10 nights, fri 17th may 2024 - 6 nights, 4 day historic castles, highland villages & east neuk mini tour, fri 17th may 2024 - 3 nights, sat 18th may 2024 - 3 nights, 10 day spectacular castles and gardens of scotland tour, sun 19th may 2024 - 9 nights, 14 day hebridean wildlife, neolithic orkney & highlands, thu 23rd may 2024 - 13 nights, sun 26th may 2024 - 6 nights, wed 29th may 2024 - 6 nights, 8 day grand tour of scotland with jacobite steam train, thu 6th june 2024 - 7 nights, fri 7th june 2024 - 10 nights, mon 10th june 2024 - 9 nights, mon 10th june 2024 - 6 nights, mon 17th june 2024 - 6 nights, 5 day highlands & skye tour, mon 17th june 2024 - 4 nights, 10 day malt whisky, castles & walking, thu 20th june 2024 - 9 nights, 14 day west coast islands, orkney & puffin cruise, thu 20th june 2024 - 13 nights, fri 21st june 2024 - 6 nights, tue 25th june 2024 - 6 nights, mon 1st july 2024 - 6 nights, thu 4th july 2024 - 3 nights, sat 6th july 2024 - 6 nights, mon 8th july 2024 - 11 nights, mon 8th july 2024 - 6 nights, fri 12th july 2024 - 10 nights, thu 18th july 2024 - 3 nights, 10 day islands, castles & walks incl. jst, mon 29th july 2024 - 9 nights, august 2024, fri 2nd august 2024 - 6 nights, mon 5th august 2024 - 11 nights, fri 9th august 2024 - 3 nights, mon 12th august 2024 - 6 nights, fri 16th august 2024 - 6 nights, 7 day scottish lochs, castles and country walks, tue 20th august 2024 - 6 nights, tue 20th august 2024 - 4 nights, mon 26th august 2024 - 6 nights, 9 day highlands & west coast islands, tue 27th august 2024 - 8 nights, wed 28th august 2024 - 2 nights, september 2024, sun 1st september 2024 - 6 nights, wed 4th september 2024 - 11 nights, thu 5th september 2024 - 9 nights, tue 10th september 2024 - 3 nights, 8 day best of scotland with jacobite steam train tour, thu 12th september 2024 - 7 nights, sat 14th september 2024 - 10 nights, sun 15th september 2024 - 7 nights, 8 day west coast & skye tour, fri 20th september 2024 - 7 nights, 4 day iconic scotland tour, mon 23rd september 2024 - 3 nights, thu 26th september 2024 - 7 nights, october 2024, sat 5th october 2024 - 6 nights, thu 10th october 2024 - 3 nights, mon 14th october 2024 - 6 nights, wed 16th october 2024 - 4 nights.

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Let Scotland's lochs and highlands enchant you

There's a reason a unicorn is the symbol of Scotland—it's a land of pure magic. Travel there with CIE Tours to discover every enchanting vista, from the heather-covered Highlands to the depths of Loch Ness. Explore the rich Scottish culture, beyond the traditions of tartan, whisky and bagpipes. Let us introduce you to the charms of Scotland.

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With its medieval Old Town, chic Georgian New Town, and timeless views from Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh is truly the romantic heart of Scotland.

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The Scottish capital's "Old Town" retains much of its medieval-era charm—and wandering the streets and exploring the shops is a popular thing to do in Edinburgh.

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Military Tattoo

One of the most popular things to do in Edinburgh is this August event—a grand tradition that began after World War II, with drum and pipe corps from around the world performing.

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  • Edinburgh Castle

Walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two at this unforgettable Scottish destination.

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This medieval-era royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, is alive with many exciting tales.

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  • Isle of Skye

One of the largest of Scotland's 790 islands, Isle of Skye features colorful port towns and villages, and dramatic, stony landscapes.

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  • Dunvegan Castle

This medieval fortress rises up majestically from a promontory on the Isle of Skye.

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Whisky Distillery

One of Scotland's most legendary creations is its fine Scotch whisky—and many CIE Tours of Scotland feature distillery tours where you can sample a dram or two and see how it's created.

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A wild storm nearly two centuries ago unearthed this seaside Neolithic village of stone, dating to between 3200 and 2200 BC.

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Scottish Highlands

The best time to catch the Highlands heather in full bloom is late August into September. But you can taste it year round in heather ale and Scottish honey—the bees often rely on heather pollen for their food source.

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The Old Course at St Andrews is the very first golf course in the world, dating back to the 1400s.

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  • Stirling Castle

Scotland's grand castle played a key role in both Scottish and English history, and many of the most famous Scots, including Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Bruce, once dwelled within its walls.

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  • Iron Age House

The sea helped bring this nearly intact Pictish village to light, just 25 years ago.

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Quaint Culross lets visitors step back in time to the 17th and 18th centuries for a taste of what life was like for its inhabitants. It's served as a backdrop for many scenes in the series Outlander.

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  • Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is the largest lake by area in all of Scotland, at more than 24 miles in length. You'll find Scotland's famous red deer and other wildlife along its shores.

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Callanish Stones

These mysterious Neolithic "standing stones" in the Outer Hebrides may be older than Stonehenge.

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The depths of this lovely Scottish lake contain more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined—and perhaps, if the legends are true, "Nessie," the Loch Ness Monster.

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  • Urquhart Castle

Some of Scotland's most stirring history has taken place at this magisterial fortress overlooking Loch Ness.

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This historic climbing hut is an icon in black and white against the green hills of Glencoe.

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  • Bodmin Moor
  • Bodnant Welsh Food Centre
  • Boka Waterfall
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  • Brecon Beacons National Park
  • British Golf Museum
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  • Brodie Castle
  • Brú na Boinne Visitor Center
  • Bunratty Castle
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  • Canal Cruise
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  • Glencoe Mountains
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  • Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter)
  • Glengesh Pass
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  • Loch an Duin
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  • Mayflower Steps
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  • Mercato Centrale
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  • Mljet Island & National Park
  • Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto
  • Moscow University
  • Mount Snowdon
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  • Smallest House in Britain
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bus tours scotland 2024

Scottish Daytripper

Starting from $1,695

Immerse yourself in history, culture and natural splendor as you unpack once in thriving Glasgow and discover Arran, the Highlands, the Scottish Borders, and Edinburgh.

​Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups

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2024 Tours: Buy One Airfare, Get One 50% Off - use code bogoho24

Taste of Scotland & Ireland

Starting from $2,895

The perfect combination of two great countries in one itinerary. Start in Glasgow before exploring the Scottish Highlands with a Loch Ness cruise and whisky tasting. Visit St Andrews and Edinburgh…

Loch Lomond

Scottish Dream

Starting from $2,445

Check the must-sees off of your wish list on this good-value Scotland tour, which is an ideal introduction to the bustling cities and breathtaking landscapes.

bus tours scotland 2024

The Scots Irish Tour

Starting from $3,295

This fast-paced Scotland and Ireland tour focuses on their rich history, with plenty of castle tours and museums to help bring the past to life. It's the perfect trip for those interested in…

Military Tattoo

Taste of Scotland

Starting from $1,345

Explore the very best of Scotland's gorgeous scenery and bustling cities on this short-and-sweet introductory tour. 

bus tours scotland 2024

Scottish Isles & Glens

Starting from $3,745

Head a little off the beaten path on this tour of Scotland's rugged Highlands, coastal byways, and the archaeological treasures on Orkney and the Isle of Skye.

St Andrews Cathedral

Scottish & Irish Dream

Starting from $3,795

This great combination tour covers essential parts of Scotland with dreamy castles, mythical Isle of Skye, historic Culloden, skilled sheepdogs and the capital city of Edinburgh. Your adventure…

bus tours scotland 2024

Scottish Clans & Castles

Starting from $3,045

Revisit the past on this leisurely Scottish tour filled with castle ruins, ancient battlefields, and colorful stories from the country's rich history.

Old Man of Storr

Scottish & Irish Gold

Starting from $4,095

This great combination tour covers the same itinerary in Scotland as on the Scottish & Irish Dream with romantic castles, mythical Isle of Skye, historic Culloden, and Edinburgh. In Ireland…

Tower Bridge

Best of Britain

Starting from $2,845

This fast-paced tour is the perfect introduction to England, Scotland and Wales, showcasing the very best historical and scenic spots, alongside vibrant cities. 

St Andrews

Scotland at a glance

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A good bottle of malt Scotch whisky

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Scottish shortbread

I had a magnificent journey through the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. Everything about this tour was top notch.

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Best of Ireland and Scotland

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Best of Ireland and Scotland Guided Tour

15 Day Ireland and Scotland Tour from Dublin to Edinburgh

15 days, 3 countries and 21 cities

Accommodation

14 Breakfasts, 1 Be My Guest, 6 Dinners

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Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.

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15 days itinerary trip from Dublin to Edinburgh visiting 3 countries and 21 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Dublin, Londonderry, Belfast and Edinburgh with a Local Specialist

Discover Waterford, Adare, Galway and Glasgow

Visit the Irish National Stud in Kildare, the Waterford Crystal Showroom, Blarney Castle, Giant's Causeway, Titanic Experience in Belfast, a whisky distillery and Edinburgh Castle

View Eilean Donan Castle, the battlefield of Culloden and the 18th green at St. Andrews

See St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Galway Cathedral and Loch Lomond

Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry

Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates

Glencoe Visit

See this Highland village on Loch Leven.

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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland

Optional Experiences and free time

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

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bus tours scotland 2024

10 Stunning Stays in Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

14 Wonderful Wildlife Tours to Book in Scotland

11 reasons why you should visit scotland in 2024.

Where else can you be part of a world championship, experience 900 years of history and top it all off with a glass of authentic Scottish whisky? 

This country has so much to offer, but here are some of our top reasons to visit Scotland in 2024. 

Start the year off with a bang Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Northern Lights over the Old Man of Storr

© Airborne Lens / Liam Anderstrem

Scotland is a great place to visit any time of year, but there’s something quite magical about crisp winter days and starry nights. We’re well-known for our Hogmanay celebrations, so why not ring in the new year with epic fireworks, spectacular light displays and world-renowned fire festivals? But it doesn’t stop there! The darker nights provide the perfect backdrop for stargazing and even the chance to see the Northern Lights. Here are just a few highlights to add a bit of light to those darker months: 

  • Hogmanay – celebrate like a local and join in our New Year celebrations 
  • Up Helly Aa – connect with Viking history at Shetland’s annual fire festivals, running from January to March
  • Hebridean Dark Sky Festival – soak up the wonder of the night sky on the islands  
  • Dark sky parks and stargazing – winter in Scotland is the best time for stargazing 
  • Northern Lights – will you be lucky enough to see this elusive phenomenon? 

Delve into our epic history Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Statue of Robert The Bruce outside Marischal College

2024 marks the 750th anniversary of the birth of Robert the Bruce, one of Scotland’s most famous rulers. The king who fought for Scottish independence in the 14th century travelled all over the country, so there are plenty of spots to connect with his story and continued influence in this landmark year. Make sure to add some of these to your list! 

  • Stirling – discover the history of Stirling Castle and the nearby site of the Battle of Bannockburn, a landmark battle in Robert the Bruce’s campaign. It’s also the 900th anniversary of the Royal Borough of Stirling in 2024, so there’s no better time to visit. 
  • Dunfermline Abbey – this stunning abbey is also the site where Robert the Bruce is buried, along with other significant Scottish monarchs from history. 
  • Melrose Abbey  – Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders is supposed to be where Robert the Bruce's heart is interred.
  • Arbroath Abbey – take a trip to the coast to see the atmospheric abbey ruins where the famous Declaration of Arbroath was drawn up. 

Visit Scotland's top destinations Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Duncansby Head

If you’re looking for places to visit in Scotland, the north Highlands isn’t a bad place to start. With rugged landscapes and engaging history, it’s no surprise that Caithness and Sutherland have been listed in Lonely Planet’s Top Destinations of 2024 . The vast region makes up the northern Highlands area of Scotland, where there are plenty of signs of its Viking heritage, unique wildlife and stunning Flow Country. The Flow Country is in the running to become the UK’s next natural UNESCO World Heritage site, so there’s no better time to visit and find out more about the vital role it plays in our defense against the effects of climate change.  

Another must-visit destination to add to your list is Galloway and Southern Ayrshire who were recently named by National Geographic on their Cool List for 2024 as one of the most exciting places to visit in 2024. It is home to Scotland's first UNESCO Biosphere reserve and has been granted 10 years of protection by the organisation. 

Indulge in a wee tipple Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

The Port of Leith distillery

This year is set to be the best yet to sample some of our most famous spirits! Complete your holiday to Scotland in 2024 with a trip to a distillery:  

  • Port of Leith Distillery – situated in Leith, one of Edinburgh’s coolest neighbourhoods, this vertical distillery has some pretty unbeatable views across the Firth of Forth.  
  • Rosebank Distillery – this Falkirk-based whisky distillery is ideal for those looking for a luxury, authentic experience.  
  • Portintruan Distillery – part of the Elixir family of distillers, their latest distillery is due to open on Islay’s south coast in 2024. 
  • Eden Mill Distillery   – the St Andrews-based distillers will be opening their new premises overlooking the estuary and St Andrews skyline. 
  • Harris Distillery – famous for delicious gin and their glass-blown bottles, Harris Distillery has launched their highly anticipated whisky, The Hearach.  
  • Drumbane Distillery  – this brand-new whisky distillery in Callander will offer guided tastings and the chance to meet master distillers.

Experience world class events Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Royal Troon Golf Course

© Ayrshire and Arran Tourism Group

This year is going to be packed with events taking place across the country, including the  World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow . There are very few tickets left for the event so make sure to book now to avoid disappointment! Other big events in Scotland this year include:

  • National Cyclo-cross Championships – Callendar Park in Falkirk is hosting a weekend of cycling taking place in January, the first time they've ever been hosted in Scotland! 
  • World Irish Dance Championships – yes, you read that right. Scotland is hosting the World Irish Dance Championships in 2024, they’ll be taking place at the SEC in Glasgow in March. 
  • The 152nd Open, Royal Troon – visit this historic course as it hosts its 10th Open in July. 
  • Sprint World Orienteering Championships – grab your compass and head through to Edinburgh in July for this programme of exciting orienteering events. 
  • Clipper Round the World Yacht Race – for the first time in its history, the Clipper Race will stop in Scotland in July during its 2024 edition, in Oban. 
  • The AIG Women’s Open – enjoy the Women’s Open taking place in St Andrews in August.

Celebrate Disney’s 100th year with a magical visit Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Craigievar Castle

Disney celebrates its 100th year in 2024, but did you know there are plenty of Disney connections in Scotland? Most famous is the pastel pink Craigievar Castle , which reopens in 2024 and is thought to be the inspiration for the iconic Disney castle. 

Although it’s animated, Disney’s Brave features many real-life Scottish locations, from Dunnottar Castle in Aberdeenshire to the Calanais Standing Stones in the Hebrides.  

Immerse yourself in Scottish culture Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Perth Museum - The Home of the Stone of Destiny

© Greg Holmes

If you’re looking for a more cultured 2024, then Scotland is the place to be. We’re well-known for our fascinating history, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of newly refurbished museums and galleries reopening to the public this year to add to your list:

  • Perth Museum – opens on Easter weekend 2024 (29 - 31 March) after a huge redevelopment of the historic Perth City Hall. It will be be the permanent new home of the Stone of Destiny. 
  • Scottish National Gallery – the refurbished Scottish Wing of the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh is free to visit and reopened at the end of 2023.
  • Paisley Museum – after a £45 million investment, Paisley Museum is a world-class museum space, featuring the famous Paisley textiles. 
  • Kilmartin Museum – recently reopened, explore the museum which is packed full of ancient artefacts from burial sites close by. 
  • Citizens Theatre Glasgow – work is underway to transform this iconic Victorian building in the Gorbals area of Glasgow this year.  
  • Ruthwell Savings Bank Museum – the site of the world’s first saving bank will reopen to visitors in Dumfries & Galloway in 2024.

Dine in style at our latest Michelin star restaurants Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Timberyard restaurant

© @timberyard10

Scotland was awarded not one, but two new Michelin star restaurants in 2023, which should be on any foodie’s list to try: 

  • Timberyard – nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, Timberyard is run by Head Chef Jimmy Murray and is the perfect spot for those looking for exceptional dining in stylish but cosy surroundings. 
  • Heron – based in Leith, the team at Heron showcase Scotland’s best natural produce in a Scandi-inspired environment.  

These are just the latest to receive a Michelin star – we're lucky to have Michelin restaurants across the country so make sure you check out the full list. 

Make a splash with an on-the-water experience Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Canoeing under Yair Bridge

© Marc Marshall Photography

Scottish landscapes feature unspoiled coastlines, fresh rivers and rich sealife, so why not plan a water-based experience when you visit? There are some incredible new facilities and trails to try in 2024: 

  • Lost Shore Surf Resort – come and visit Europe’s largest inland surfing destination when it opens in September 2024! Based just outside of Edinburgh, it will be capable of generating up to 1,000 waves per hour and be set within a country park with luxury accommodation, food, shopping and even a wellness spa.  
  • Isle of Arran Snorkel Trail – see Scotland like never before with this award-winning snorkel trail for your chance to spot anything from sponges and anemones to dolphins and whales!  
  • Tweed Valley Canoe Trail - launching in spring 2024, the first official canoe trail in the south of Scotland covers a 30-mile stretch of the majestic River Tweed. 

Coorie up with a luxury stay Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

A cosy wood burning stove in a contemporary Scottish home

© VisitScotland / Iona Spence

Start 2024 as you mean to go on, by slowing down to soak up some of Scotland’s finest luxury hotels. One of Scotland’s most famous hotels, The Gleneagles in Perthshire, is celebrating its 100th anniversary, but there are also some new kids on the block to try:

  • Dornoch Station – part of the Marine and Lawn chain, this old hotel has been tastefully restored. It’s the ideal spot for fans of golf, only a few steps away from the Royal Dornoch Golf Club. 
  • Harestone Moss Treehouse – escape the everyday with this luxury hideaway in the Aberdeenshire countryside. Complete with fire pits, underfloor heating and hot tubs (of course), it’s a great example of eco luxury. 
  • 100 Princes Street – due to open in 2024, be amongst the first to savour this boutique hotel full of character in the centre of Edinburgh.  
  • The Address – this design-driven hotel in the heart of Glasgow opened at the end of 2023. Its great location and townhouse façade are matched with craft dining, using sustainable, local produce. 

Get on your bike! Across Scotland

bus tours scotland 2024

Cyclists on the Forth Road Bridge

Keep active this year with some stunning cycling trails across Scotland. It’s a really unique way to explore the country and our engaging landscapes. 

  • Round the Forth – this long-distance cycling route is launching in January 2024, just in time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge! 
  • Hoy on Hoy Cycling Route – launched by Sir Chris Hoy to celebrate the reopening of the Scapa Flow Museum, take in the sites on this route across the island of Hoy in Orkney. It is part of a collection of 12 new routes across Orkney's islands launched in 2023.
  • Kirkpatrick C2C – this coast-to-coast route was inspired by the creator of the first pedal-driven bicycle! Cycle across the stunning countryside of the south of Scotland, from Stranraer on the west coast to Eyemouth in the east.  

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The Independent

Six Nations 2024 LIVE: England name Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in starting side plus Ireland and Scotland team news

LIVE – Updated at 16:31

After almost two weeks off, the fourth round of the 2024 Six Nations is nearly upon us with another enticing trio of matches lined up for the weekend as the championship heads towards its conclusion .

Ireland will look to continue their search for historic consecutive Six Nations grand slams when they take on England at Twickenham. Andy Farrell’s men have been unbeatable in the tournament so far and dominated Wales 31-7 in their last outing.

Meanwhile, Steve Borthwick ’s side have something to prove following a 30-21 loss to Scotland in the Calcutta Cup and a headline-grabbing victory over the Irish could be just the thing to get their campaign back on track. Alex Mitchell returns to the side at scrum half and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is handed a first start on the wing but Marcus Smith is only given a place on the bench.

Italy , fresh off a 13-13 draw with France, host Gregor Townsend’s Scotland who will be thinking about ending their campaign on a high after regaining their momentum against England. Intriguingly, France travel to Wales where Warren Gatland’s young side hope to transfer decent performances into winning results.

Follow below for today’s team announcements and all the latest news ahead of the third round of matches this weekend:

Six Nations news and updates live

  • The Six Nations has reached the penultimate round with three more matches this weekend
  • England take on grand slam-chasing Ireland, Italy host Scotland and Wales face France
  • Immanuel Feyi-Waboso handed first start as Steve Borthwick makes three changes to England side
  • Ireland opt for continuity with Hugo Keenan fit to return at full back
  • Cameron Redpath replaces injured Sione Tuipulotu and George Horne handed rare start for Scotland
  • Louis Lynagh to make Italy debut against Scotland after leaving Harlequins
  • George North dropped as Warren Gatland makes big calls for Wales clash with France

It’s been class – Sam Underhill delighted to be back as main man for England

Sam Underhill is savouring his England revival having feared his international career might already be over.

Underhill is poised to win his 34th cap in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham after returning to favour under Steve Borthwick – a comeback he views as a personal triumph.

Still only 27, the big-hitting Bath flanker missed 20 successive Tests from the second match of the 2022 tour to Australia because of a combination of concussion and selection.

But a sliding doors moment arrived when Jack Willis sustained a neck injury in last autumn’s World Cup and Underhill was propelled straight into the back row for the bronze final against Argentina.

A defensive masterclass consisting of 24 tackles resulted in the man of the match award and now that he has played four consecutive Tests, he grants himself a moment of recognition.

Centre Huw Jones: I was ‘tempted’ by move to France before committing to Glasgow

Scotland centre Huw Jones revealed he was “tempted” by the prospect of a move to France but he ultimately felt that remaining with buoyant Glasgow was the right decision for his career overall.

The on-form 30-year-old was the subject of recent interest from Top 14 side Montpellier and was also linked with Bayonne.

However, he ended speculation about his future last week by signing a new two-year deal to commit his future to Warriors until 2026.

Jones, whose partner is expecting a baby at the start of April, admitted the prospect of following Scotland colleagues Blair Kinghorn and Ben White to France did hold some appeal.

“I’ve said in the past that I’d be open to a move to France, so, yeah, it was certainly tempting,” he said, speaking from the Scotland camp ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match away to Italy.

Former great Diego Dominguez believes in bright future for Italy

Diego Dominguez, Italy’s highest-ever points scorer, played a major role in their Six Nations beginnings and, despite their struggles since, is optimistic for Italian rugby‘s future.

Dominguez scored 983 points and without him Italy may not even be involved in the Six Nations today. He helped Italy to wins over Ireland, Scotland and France in the 90s, which paved the way for their inclusion.

Italy made their Six Nations debut in 2000 against Scotland in Rome, where Dominguez kicked 29 points as they pulled off a surprise 34-20 win.

“It was an extraordinary game, for Italy’s rugby movement, for the team on the field, for the people who watched in the stands,” Dominguez told Reuters.

“We were underdogs and Scotland arrived as champions, but that day they found a very united team, with a lot of character, where many things came easily.”

Things do not come so easily these days. Italy go into Saturday’s game at home to Scotland still without a victory this year, but Dominguez has seen plenty of positives and believes they should have won in France.

A late penalty miss meant the game ended in a 13-13 draw after Paolo Garbisi almost ran out of time when the ball fell from the tee as French players advanced illegally and his kick hit the post.

“They clearly broke the laws which are very clear. It was a young referee, his first Six Nations game, but this was a serious mistake,” Dominguez said.

“It wasn’t just once, they advanced two or three times. The kick wasn’t difficult, but the ball falls, they come in front of him, anyway, Italy deserved to win.

“Next is Scotland, who for me were one of the favourites before the championship started. We’ll have a full stadium in Rome and two very motivated teams.”

Six Nations round four match officials

Italy v Scotland (Saturday 9 March, Rome)

Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)

ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Adam Leal (Eng)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

England v Ireland (Saturday 9 March, Twickenham)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)

ARs: Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Craig Evans (Wal)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

Wales v France (Sunday 10 March, Cardiff)

Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)

ARs: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Damian Schneider (Arg)

TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

Six Nations referees: Who are the match officials for the tournament?

Steve Borthwick: ‘Ireland are the best team in the world'

“Ireland are the best team in the world,” Steve Borthwick said earlier. “They might not have won the World Cup, but they are the best team in the world. Their attack is probably the best in the world. We are going to be really tested there and I’m looking forward to seeing our defence go against that test.

“We’ve forced teams to make a lot of errors, and we’ve started to capitalise on those. But if they are allowed to get into their rhythm, they are a very strong side.”

Rory Best explains exactly how Andy Farrell has taken Ireland to the brink of history

What do Ireland need to win the Six Nations against England this weekend?

Ireland could secure successive Six Nations crowns with a game to spare as they travel to Twickenham to take on England in round four this weekend.

Andy Farrell’s side remain unbeaten in this year’s championship and will hope to make history as the first men’s team to secure back-to-back grand slams since the tournament’s expansion to six teams.

After taking on England on Saturday, Ireland host Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Super Saturday — but the title could be sewn up before then.

George Horne handed rare start as Scotland make three changes for Italy clash

Scrum half George Horne has been handed a surprise start for Scotland ’s Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome on Saturday, with Gregor Townsend making three changes to his starting XV.

The 28-year-old Glasgow back has been given the nod to wear the number nine jersey for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. Regular starter Ben White is rested and drops out of the squad altogether, with Ali Price – who has played no part in the tournament – promoted to the bench.

Saracens flanker Andy Christie is handed his first international start in place of Jamie Ritchie , who is among the substitutes.

Bath centre Cameron Redpath made a positive impact off the bench in the 30-21 victory over England and replaces Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu, who will miss the remainder of the championship with a knee injury .

Back-rower Matt Fagerson, who dropped out of the 23 altogether for the last match, returns to the bench, with Townsend switching from a 5/3 split to a 6/2.

More from Steve Borthwick on the England team

“Continuity in selection is one very important factor. As we build this team, it is an important factor. We know in the Scotland game that there were errors, and it was the first time in a while I’ve seen the shirt feel heavy on the players. We made some errors and then started playing in a different way. And when you start deviating from the way you want to play, it leads to more errors.

“But I believe in these players, and they are determined to put in a performance this weekend. I’ve sensed determination since that final whistle [at Murrayfield].

“We are trying to make an environment here where the players enjoy it. We know mistakes will be made but we want to keep doing the right thing. I back the players. We are disappointed in the performance and the result, but this is a group that has made enormous progress over the last year. It’s not always helped the team to have lots of changes regularly, and I think this is the right team for this weekend.”

Ireland recall ‘world-class’ Hugo Keenan in only change for England clash

Ireland have recalled “world-class” Hugo Keenan for Saturday’s clash with England but will be without lock James Ryan for the remainder of the Six Nations.

Fit-again full back Keenan replaces Ciaran Frawley in the only change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV after overcoming the knee issue which caused him to miss the 31-7 round-three win over Wales.

Lock Ryan, who has been reduced to a peripheral role during the championship, suffered a “freak” bicep injury in training on Wednesday and will sit out the trip to Twickenham, in addition to next week’s finale against Scotland.

Jamie George on his close mate Danny Care, who is set to win his 100th cap

“I’m incredibly proud of him as a mate. We are very close and he’s had to work incredibly hard to get to this milestone. He made his professional debut in 2003! An incredible guy, an amazing player, and he deserves this moment. Hopefully we make it special for him.”

Steve Borthwick on England’s selection

“Everyone was available for selection. It’s great that Marcus Smith and Alex Mitchell have returned to fitness. Fin Smith took a knock in the Scotland game but trained fully today.

[On Immanuel Feyi-Waboso]: “He was full of gratitude. We see these young players with incredible ability and determination, each time you throw a challenge at them, they seem to relish that challenge. We’ve seen him progress brilliantly and he has earned this opportunity.

“The blend of players is important. Manny came on to the field two weeks ago and had an incredible impact. He is a player who wants the ball.”

Danny Care set to win 100th cap

The other headline news from that England selection is that Danny Care is in line to win his 100th cap from the bench, becoming his country’s sixth male centurion. We spoke to him ahead of the Scotland game to find out how he keeps himself going.

Danny Care is not done yet – England’s survivor on Scotland and ‘freedom’

Louis Lynagh to make Italy debut as Azzurri team named to face Scotland

Team news galore now as Italy have named their side to take on Scotland. Louis Lynagh will make his debut on the wing, winning his first cap after recently moving to Benetton from Harlequins.

The son of Australia legend Michael Lynagh was also eligible for the Wallabies and England but has opted to tie his international colours to the Azzurri mast

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to make first start as England confirm team for Ireland clash

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will make his first international start as Steve Borthwick makes three changes to the England team to face Ireland.

Exeter wing Feyi-Waboso replaces Elliot Daly in the starting side after making his Test debut against Italy in round one.

The 21-year-old scored his first try for England off the bench against Scotland a fortnight ago and earns promotion, while George Martin is also brought in to beef up the pack, with Ollie Chessum moved to the blindside.

Alex Mitchell returns from injury at scrum half and a fit-again Marcus Smith provides extra quality on the bench.

Ireland opt for continuity for England clash

A little bit more on the Ireland team. Ciaran Frawley drops to the bench as Hugo Keenan is fit again, so takes back the No 15 jersey, joining Calvin Nash and James Lowe in the back three.

Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki continue in the centres, with no Garry Ringrose in the 23, while Iain Henderson replace the injured James Ryan on the bench as second row cover.

Ireland XV: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. James Lowe, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris

Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Ryan Baird, 21. Jack Conan, 22. Conor Murray, 23. Ciaran Frawley

Ireland name team to take on England

Double team news time as Ireland’s squad has also dropped.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso starts as England confirm team to face Ireland

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will make his first international start with England head coach Steve Borthwick making three changes for the clash with Ireland.

The Exeter wing replaces Elliot Daly in the starting side, with Alex Mitchell fit to return at scrum half.

George Martin is promoted to the starting side to partner Maro Itoje in the second row. Ollie Chessum starts on the blindside.

England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (capt.), 3 Dan Cole; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 George Ford; 11 Tommy Freeman, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; 15 George Furbank.

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Alex Dombrandt; 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Elliot Daly.

England and Ireland preparing to announce teams for Twickenham showdown

Not long now until our next two team announcements this afternoon, with England and Ireland both due to be naming their sides at 2pm. The pair will face off in a Twickenham showdown on Saturday and we’re expecting a couple of changes in the England side with the likes of wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, scrum half Alex Mitchell and lock George Martin all pushing to be included in the starting XV.

Huw Jones outlines Italy challenge faced by Scotland

Huw Jones retained his place in the centres for Scotland’s trip to Rome on Saturday, although he will have a new midfield partner with Cam Redpath replacing the injured Sione Tuipulotu.

In an interview with scottishrugby.org, Jones has discussed the championship so far and what to expect from the Azzurri on Saturday as they look to build on a 13-13 draw with France last time out.

Jones said: “They’ve got attacking threat, great shape and they have talented players. I think from that perspective they’re a threat with ball in hand but are also managing games well.

“They are strong tacklers who are good under the ball and at winning turnovers. As a team we’ve previewed them, we know how they play and what their strengths are. We’re going to have to be at our best to beat them over there but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to”.

RFU teaming up with Alzheimer’s Society to increase dementia awareness

The RFU has teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Society in a bid to increase awareness of dementia. An Alzheimer’s Society information stand will be located in the Twickenham fan zone on Saturday for England’s Six Nations clash with Ireland as the RFU backs the charity’s Sport United Against Dementia campaign.

Alzheimer’s Society chief executive officer Kate Lee said: “Alzheimer’s Society is proud to be working alongside the RFU to reach supporters who might be worried about dementia, but are unsure where to turn.

“We hope fans will drop into our stand at Twickenham to chat about any of their concerns. Thousands of people are living with undiagnosed dementia, unsure of the symptoms and too afraid to visit a GP. Getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but only then can you unlock the door to potential treatments, care and support.”

One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime and by 2025 one million will be living with the condition, the charity says.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “Dementia impacts so many individuals and their families and we’re pleased to be able to support the vital work of raising awareness, with the many thousands of people in the stadium as well as those watching at home.”

Alzheimer’s Society funds research into whether elite rugby players show more early warning signs of dementia than the general population and, if so, why. The PREVENT:RFC study follows 50 former elite rugby players, including ex-England and forward Leicester Ben Kay, and is part of a wider study involving hundreds of people.

Rory Best explains qualities that make Jamie George ideal England captain

Rory Best and Jamie George hit it off on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour, with the two hookers escaping the trip to New Zealand as friends - something that the former Ireland captain says is mightily rare.

“It’s quite unusual for hookers to come away from a tour still friendly!” Best told The Independent . “There’s always something, because it is such a combative position. But I took a lot from him on that tour in how to lead people off the pitch.

“He’s a cracking guy and I think he is going to be so important for England for the next few years. They have a lot of good young players but you need this core of people who have been there and done it and are still playing at the top level. Like Maro Itoje, like Jamie, like George Ford, even Dan Cole and Joe Marler – you need that core of players to buy in to what Steve is about and Jamie is going to pivotal to that.”

Chandler Cunningham-South pleased to be reaping the rewards after a ‘big step’

Chandler Cunningham-South is relishing every minute of the Six Nations maelstrom as he prepares to play a part in England’s daunting clash with back-to-back Grand Slam chasers Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Cunningham-South’s gamble in leaving New Zealand , where he had lived since the age of four, to return to the UK two years ago has paid off handsomely with his ascendancy to the full England squad for the first time this year.

His debut off the bench in the opening win over Italy, and subsequent appearances against both Wales and Scotland, have appeared to make the Harlequins flanker an integral part of head coach Steve Borthwick’s long-term plans.

“It has been a really big step up for me and I think I have done all right,” said Cunningham-South. “I think I am the youngest in the squad and I have been taken under a few people’s wings.

“I like it. Especially when we were up in Edinburgh getting off the bus – all the heckling and yelling. That sort of stuff motivates me and gives me an extra bit of energy.”

Wales forward Mackenzie Martin hopes to be a role model for the Ely community

Mackenzie Martin hopes he can be a “trailblazer” to inspire young people in Cardiff’s Ely community after making his Wales debut following just nine games of professional rugby.

The 20-year-old featured as a replacement in Wales’ 31-7 Guinness Six Nations defeat against Ireland.

Ely, a western Cardiff suburb, has not always enjoyed positive headlines and was the scene of major riots in 1991 and 2023.

Martin grew up on the estate’s Grand Avenue, and he is the latest sportsman to emerge from an area that can boast a portfolio containing Ryan Giggs , Steve Robinson and his fellow boxer Nicky Piper.

“I hope I can be a trailblazer,” Cardiff back-row forward Martin said. “I hope the kids are going to look up to me.”

Women’s Six Nations around the corner...

There are just two rounds left in the men’s competition, but the Six Nations fun doesn’t end after next weekend, with an eagerly anticipated Women’s Six Nations arriving in just over a fortnight. England begin life under John Mitchell hot favourites to retain their crown, but all six competing teams showed signs of real encouragement at WXV in the autumn and will hope to test the Red Roses.

Here’s the fixture list:

Gregor Townsend discusses Scotland selection

Some more from Scotland coach on his team selection for Saturday’s clash with Italy. Flanker Andy Christie, scrum half George Horne and centre Cam Redpath all coming into the team.

Scotland have two wins from three in this year’s championship with that controversial loss to France their only defeat, from which they bounced back to impressively down England in the Calcutta Cup last time out.

“Happy-ish,” said Townsend, reflecting on the campaign so far. “You’ve obviously got to be delighted for the team to beat England and retain the Calcutta Cup.

“But in terms of performance, we’re a little bit away from what we know we can deliver. The first 45 minutes against Wales is probably still the best we’ve played.

“We had elements of control throughout much of the France game and for the last 60 minutes of the England game. But there’s still a lot more to come from us.

“We feel Ben [White, dropped scurm half] has played a lot of rugby, he’s only missed one game since October. Going back and forward to Toulon during this period, something’s got to give in terms of a rest at some point, and we feel this week is the best week for him to recharge.

“And also with the form and experience of the two other scrum-halves in our squad who have been training really well. George [Horne] has been on the bench and Ali [Price] has been excellent during this period so we want to give those two an opportunity.”

What are smart mouthguards and how are they being used in the Six Nations?

Round two of the Six Nations featured a historic moment as Scotland hooker George Turner became the first player in the championship’s history to be removed after his smart mouthguard detected a collision which could have caused a concussion .

Turner was removed from the pitch during the first half of Scotland’s defeat to France for a head injury assessment after his mouthguard alerted medical staff of a significant head acceleration event after a tackle made on Charles Ollivon. The front rower passed his assessment and returned to the field.

The mouthguards, also known as gumshields, have been incorporated into the existing HIA protocols as another tool designed to support the drive towards better player welfare with a particular focus on brain injuries .

Six Nations 2024: Match officials for this weekend’s fixtures

Pete Horne gives insight into Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe’s driven mindset

Pete Horne has given an insight into the driven mindset of record-chasing Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe ahead of the Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome.

The 28-year-old’s match-defining hat-trick against England a week past Saturday took him to 26 international touchdowns, within one of Stuart Hogg at the top of the Scots’ list of all-time try-scorers.

Van Der Merwe could equal or break the record if he crosses the whitewash at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend.

But assistant coach Horne revealed how the combative wing returned to camp last Thursday – just five days after his Calcutta Cup heroics – and immediately wanted to start working on becoming stronger in contact and not getting turned over as often.

Six Nations 2024 LIVE: What do Ireland need to win the championship this weekend?

Ireland are on the brink of another Six Nations crown, and could even secure it at Twickenham on Saturday. What do they need? Here’s how things stand:

Sam Underhill delighted to be back as main man for England

Immanuel feyi-waboso set for first england start against ireland.

England will confirm their team to face Ireland at 2pm GMT this afternoon, with Steve Borthwick set to speak to the media at 2.30pm. The Independent understands that young wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is set to be included on the wing for a first start at international level, with Elliot Daly dropping out and George Martin due to bolster the starting pack after making his return from injury off the bench against Scotland.

Kevin Sinfield reveals key attribute returning Marcus Smith has brought to England training

Fin Smith is a major doubt for England’ s clash with Ireland on Saturday with Marcus Smith ready to step into the breach for the penultimate round of the Six Nations .

Fin Smith was the solitary member of Steve Borthwick ’s squad to miss training on Tuesday as he recovers from a calf injury and with only Thursday’s main session left before the Twickenham showdown, time is running out to prove his fitness.

The 21-year-old fly-half has won his first two caps in his breakthrough season for England, coming on as a replacement for George Ford against Italy and Scotland, but could now slip out of the 23.

“We have tried to look after him the last couple of days and we are hoping he will be in full training on Thursday. We are looking after him,” skills and kicking coach Kevin Sinfield said.

If Fin Smith is unable to convince Borthwick on Thursday that he is capable of facing Grand Slam-chasing Ireland, Marcus Smith is available to take his place on the bench.

Kevin Sinfield reveals key attribute returning Marcus Smith has brought for England

A grand slam is the ultimate goal for Ireland, though, as they look to become the first men’s team to complete back-to-back Six Nations clean sweeps. It would be a remarkable achievement for Andy Farrell, a man who arrived in Ireland in 2016 with his reputation in need of rebuilding. Rory Best was Ireland captain when Farrell first arrived on Joe Schmidt’s staff, and we caught up with the former Ireland hooker to find out how Farrell built one of the great sides in championship history.

Gregor Townsend explains Scotland selection calls.

A few words from Scotland coach Gregor Townsend about the selection calls he’s made – and those three changes in particular.

On Cameron Redpath in for the injured Sione Tuipulotu: “It’s disappointing news that Sione is injured. He is a key part of our team, both in terms of how he plays and how he leads. Cam is in really good form in training and also when he’s had the opportunities this year. He has a conenction with Finn [Russell] from club level which should mean the cohesion is still there, even though we’ve made that change.”

On George Horne starting at scrum half over Ben White: “We made that decision for two reasons really. Firstly, to reward George and Ali [Price, named on the bench] who have been in very good form for us and with their clubs as well. Also it was to give Ben a rest – he’s played a lot of rugby since September/October and a lot of rugby through this period as well, so we feel he needs a recharge this week. I’m looking forward to George having a start and Ali bringing his experience on at some point.”

On Andy Christie starting in the back row: “Andy Christie played a lot of rugby before the Six Nations, he was consistent with Saracens and knocking hard on the door for selection for us. He’s come off the bench in the last two games and really made a difference. He’s added energy, did well in defence and as part of our attack, so he’s earned the right to start.”

Three changes for Scotland to face Italy

Let’s delve a little more into that Scotland team just announced by Gregor Townsend. There are three changes to the side that impressively beat England last time out as Andy Christie, Cam Redpath and George Horne all come into the line-up.

Christie is preferred to Jamie Ritchie in the back row, where he’ll line up for his first Scotland start alongside co-captain Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey, while Redpath comes in for the injured Sione Tuipulotu to form a midfield partnership with Huw Jones and Horne starts at scrum half, as Ben White drops out of the 23 entirely with veteran Ali Price the chosen No 9 replacement.

Scotland XV: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell (co-captain), 9. George Horne; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Grant Gilchrist, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Andy Christie, 7. Rory Darge (co-captain), 8. Jack Dempsey

Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Elliot Millar-Mills, 19. Sam Skinner, 20. Jamie Ritchie, 21. Matt Fagerson, 22. Ali Price, 23. Kyle Rowe

Scotland name team for Italy clash

Scotland are the first team this morning to name their side for the weekend. They face Italy in Rome on Saturday afternoon

Six Nations 2024 LIVE: Ireland welcome back key quartet ahead of England showdown

Garry Ringrose , Hugo Keenan , Iain Henderson and Oli Jager are in contention for Ireland ’s Six Nations clash with England after training on Tuesday.

Leinster centre Ringrose is yet to feature in this year’s championship because of a shoulder injury.

Full back Keenan and lock Henderson missed the round-three win over Wales due to a knee issue and a dislocated toe respectively.

Munster prop Jager made his Test debut as a replacement in that 31-7 success on February 24 before sustaining a knee problem.

Grand Slam-chasing Ireland, who play at Twickenham on Saturday before completing their campaign at home to Scotland seven days later, reported a clean bill of health ahead of holding a more physical training session on Wednesday.

Ireland welcome back key quartet ahead of England showdown

Six Nations 2024 LIVE: George North and Nick Tompkins not rocked by shock omission

Wales boss Warren Gatland has sprung a major selection surprise by omitting established centres George North and Nick Tompkins from his line-up for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with France.

But Wales assistant coach Mike Forshaw says both players have “jumped back on the horse” after being left out, with a new midfield pairing of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin preferred.

While North and Tompkins have 155 caps between them – North is Wales’ most experienced Six Nations squad member – 23-year-old Scarlets centre Roberts will make his first tournament start and Watkin is recalled after featuring against opening opponents Scotland.

“I think it is an opportunity to have a look at Joe,” Forshaw said. “I think Joe was unlucky not to go to the World Cup.

“We just felt if we were going to have a look, this was the game to do it. He (Roberts) is a really promising young 13 going forward, and Owen Watkin has a lot of experience.”

George North and Nick Tompkins not rocked by shock omission – Mike Forshaw

Six Nations 2024 schedule in full: Fixtures, kick-off times and results

The Six Nations is back with Ireland looking to defend their grand slam crown and finding the perfect start with emphatic wins over France, Italy and Wales

The start of a new cycle has seen a significant change to the six competing unions since a thrilling Rugby World Cup in France.

England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France all began the campaign with new captains at the helm, while Italy have made a promising start to life under Gonzalo Quesada after a post-World Cup coaching change.

Scotland, denied cruelly against the French in round two , will be hoping to build on a third-placed finish a year ago as they look to deny Ireland back-to-back triumphs. Here’s everything you need to know:

Six Nations 2024: Fixtures, schedule, kick-off times and results

Six Nations 2024 LIVE: George North dropped as Warren Gatland makes big calls

Wales have already confirmed their team for Sunday’s encounter with France, with Warren Gatland again going early with his line-up. There’s big news, too, with both Nick Tompkins and George North dropped as Gatland looks at a new centre partnership, and captain Dafydd Jenkins deployed in a new position.

George North dropped as Warren Gatland makes big calls in Wales team for France

Six Nations 2024 LIVE: England, Ireland, Scotland and Italy set to confirm line-ups

A very good morning and welcome to The Independent ’s live coverage of a big day of Six Nations team news. England, Ireland, Scotland and Italy will confirm their line-ups for Saturday’s games today ahead of a crucial round of fixtures .

We’ll have all the latest team news and reaction throughout the day.

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Traveling Ireland by bus. With a dozen banjo players. And jokes. What could be better?

bus tours scotland 2024

Ireland – The conference room at the Old Ground Hotel was crowded with newly assembled musicians and traveling tourists - and 17-year-old musician Flynn Whitmore was a bit nervous. One of the most respected tenor banjo players in Ireland, Enda Scahill , had just played a finger-flying, knee-bobbing jig with other well-known traditional Irish musicians at the meet-and-greet session and Scahill invited the music students to leave their seats and come up and play.

“I didn’t want to play,” said Whitmore. “But … Enda told me to get my banjo. So, I did.”

That first day, we were strangers. But just a few days later, Whitmore would venture out onto a jagged fang of the Cliffs of Moher, hundreds of feet above the sea spray of the Atlantic Ocean, to draw notes out of his four-string in the whipping wind while the rest of us tourists and newfound fans marveled at how much his confidence had grown.

This was no ordinary bus tour through Ireland. This was a mashup of a dozen banjo-playing musicians of all levels and abilities, mixed in with an audience of music-loving tourists, all packing together the same bus to explore the Emerald Isle together, one note, Guinness and Irish joke at a time.

'I hear the biggest city in Ireland is growing. It’s Dublin.'

So how did I end up on this bus − swaying and bobbing through the narrow lanes that separate endless farms of sheep and cows − with a dozen banjo players?

Wild Atlantic Music Tours is a travel company that provides the uncommon experience of exploring Ireland with star musicians leading the way, quite literally on the same bus with tourists. Sometimes it’s a fiddler or a guitarist . Sometimes it’s a band . The point is to experience Ireland through its best storytellers and musicians, and to observe and appreciate the history of this mystical country through the music. Wild Atlantic Music Tours takes its buses to big cities like Galway as well as remote villages with little more than a church, a soccer pitch and a pub. Guides Eddie King and Robert Hanrahan are like Irish cousins showing us the best places to eat, drink and tune out our worries with a harp, a bodhrán and a banjo.

This particular Wild Atlantic Music Tour − in October, 2023 − was the first of its kind featuring Scahill, the former front man for the popular CeltGrass band We Banjo 3 which, during its decade-long run, drew thousands of fans to its performances at Milwaukee Irish Fest . Scahill had experience in these tours, going on them with We Banjo 3 years ago; last year, he was ready to do one on his own, especially for other banjo players and music-minded tourists.

I don’t play the banjo. And I didn’t know anyone − other than Scahill, a little bit. But I was determined to go. In 2016 my cousin invited me to visit Irish Fest for the first time and I joined her, mortified, in the fifth row at the Harley-Davidson stage of a We Banjo 3 concert, embarrassed to make eye contact with the performers. This was not my scene. I listen to hip-hop, K-pop, dance, R&B. Banjos? I was sure I'd hate it.

But We Banjo 3 just brought so much energy to the stage and their versatility between cover and original music was unlike anything I'd ever heard before. Their sound was big and pure and danceable and I loved them, and so did Milwaukee, and Wisconsin − so much so that in 2018 I wrote two stories about We Banjo 3, and that’s when I first talked to Scahill.

More: Milwaukee's Irish Fest feels like home for Galway's We Banjo 3

More: Irish Fest regular We Banjo 3 uses music to shine a light on mental health

Right before the pandemic I took one of those DNA tests that confirmed my German-Polish Milwaukee South Side roots, but there was a surprise: Holy eejit, I’m Irish, too! Not a lot, but I vowed to embrace the shamrock enthusiastically. In 2023, with We Banjo 3 on hiatus, Scahill had focused on his solo work, his Irish music podcast Inside the Banjoverse and a new passion. He started teaching banjo-playing students all over the world on his banjo-lesson Patreon account . A Wild Atlantic Music Tour just made sense (and he's doing another right now).

That bus took us all along the middle-west coast of Ireland, with visits to the Aran Islands, Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, the Burren and the international and charming city of Galway. We learned to walk with the sun for good luck at the temple on the Inis Oirr, that County Clare is the home of traditional Irish music, that Doolin has both pine and palm trees, that the Burren in spring has both Alpine and Mediterranean flowers , and that and some scenes from The Banshees of Inisherin were shot in a perfect tiny old smokehouse with a low roof and uneven floors.

'He’s Scottish - he’s not allowed to ask for water at a bar. They’ll take his passport.'

We tourists came from all over and so did the banjo students: Ireland, Scotland, the U.S. Young Flynn, whom we all adopted, is from Australia. And yet even with all the beauty of exploring Ireland's patchwork green countryside and pursuing the end of every rainbow, incredibly, Scahill managed to get more than a dozen performers to join our musical motley crew on tour. They are all renowned musicians who left us mesmerized:

Mark Donnellan (fiddle), Brian Donnellan (concertina), Aodán Coyne (guitar and vocals); Micheal Ó hAlmhain (whistle), Eoin O'Neill (bouzouki), Manus Maguire (fiddle); Sorcha Costello (fiddle), Diarmuid Ó Meachair (melodeon, accordion); Christy Barry (flute, spoons), James Devitt (fiddle); John Carty (fiddle, banjo), Fredda Hatton (harp, concertina), Julie Langan (fiddle); Liz Kane (fiddle), Mirella Murray (piano, accordion); Brian McGrath (banjo), Mick Conneely (fiddle), Damien Quinn (bodhran).

These musicians, along with the bus tour banjo students, played master classes in the morning, or sets in the afternoon at pubs, or full concerts at night. Some were private concerts just for us; others drew packed crowds, like at the Crane Bar . That meant that music filled several hours of the day. And every session got better than the last as the group got more comfortable playing in public and playing together.

'Do you know how to have $1 million after 10 years playing the banjo? Start with $2 million.'

We got history lessons, too, on the music and the instruments. Barry explained that jigs were different than barn dances and peasant music, that music and dancing were the religion of their grandparents and that musicians played for the dancers.

“That’s what got your energy up was the dancing,” said Barry, brilliant blue eyes shining.

Ireland’s Young Musician of the year in 2022, Diarmuid Ó Meachair grew up with Irish as his first language and sang an Irish language song about a man who loves drink alcohol. Sorcha Costello brought the crowd to a standstill with her fiddle, and a massive line of new fans formed to buy both of their CDs, just to support these young talented people and music. (Never mind that most of us customers don’t own a CD player.)

And on the cross routes in between the pubs and sites, bus life on Wild Atlantic Music was never boring or confining, and the guides never dragged out a ride, as most were between 1-2 hours. In fact, the bus provided stress-free downtime to hear Enda, Rob and Eddie outdo each other with Irish stories and Dad jokes, or just close the eyes and rest. The view of the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the world's longest coastal drives, must be seen in person; no camera will ever do it justice.

We were all moved by the tour, the history, the culture, the love of a country that has taken in 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. But it might have changed one young man's life.

'Tá áthas orm' - means, 'I am happy,' in Irish

Do you believe in destiny? Whitmore is Australian, but his parents chose to name him Flynn, an Irish name; they gave him the middle name, Mackenzie, which is Scottish. Crazier still, it was just a few years ago that Flynn took up banjo − in rebellion. His mom Bronwyn was determined to make music part of his education. The Woodford Folk Festival is a 45-minute drive from their home, and she plays the harp; dad plays the digeridoo.

So, Flynn’s first choice was drums. “Mum said, 'something with notes,'” said Flynn.

Flynn’s second choice was electric guitar. “'Something acoustic,' said mum."

“Funnily enough, I then picked ‘banjo’ − just because I knew we wouldn't be able to find a banjo teacher. It was a complete joke,” said Flynn.

But the scarcity of Irish traditional music in Australia wasn't a problem. After seeing The East Pointers at Woodford, Flynn came across Scahill’s banjo video lessons on Patreon and took off with it. His talent, drive and enthusiasm for the music became apparent within minutes of meeting young Flynn. Everyone on tour was telling Flynn he’ll be performing on stages in no time.

But playing 'Mouse in the Kitchen' with new friends on tour is one thing for Flynn. When Whitmore met Carty , he was awestruck.

“I didn’t want to whip out my banjo − I just respect him so much.”

Whitmore was content to play as much as he wanted, but also sit back and appreciate the music as a fan, too.

'I tried work. But I found it took up the whole day'

Scahill wanted his bus tour to be a one-of-a-kind experience. After he endured the pandemic, which shut down We Banjo 3's touring for more than a year, he had had enough of that (like the rest of us). His home country of Ireland is a treasure and being here is a privilege. So, more than anything, Scahill wanted his banjo students, who play songs with titles and lyrics that reference Irish cities, towns and people, to come with him, tour Ireland, and actually play in those towns, and meet those people.

“When they come to Ireland, and are playing with the best musicians in the country, the whole purpose of the tour is immersive and it's inclusive,” said Scahill. “You don’t have to be at a 'level'; or worry if you’re not good, or enough you’ll get pushed aside.”

It doesn't mean he's grooming professionals, necessarily. He wanted immersion, and that goes both ways. Scahill started performing – on stage – at the age of 10 and his career has taken him on months-long tours all over the world, often to sold-out theaters or packed festivals. With all his musical connections, he was sure to invite guest musicians to join the tour, and the students, because he knew they would have fun playing with, and embracing, banjo students students and hobbyists. There's not much room for ego on this bus.

Perhaps the best part of the tour was listening to Scahill talk about the challenges of being a musician, of dealing with success, and fallouts; of dealing with critics, and comparisons. He's achieved a lot in his career, but also seems bolstered by getting back to the roots of music, by teaching others how to play. A side benefit was for the other tourists like me, who don't play, but now better appreciate the banjo and the music overall.

Maybe young Flynn will be on stage one day; maybe not.

“I want him to figure it out himself, which he will,” said Scahill.

But Flynn's passion for the banjo, for being around music-minded people, for hiking in Ireland's woods − and crawling out on its precarious cliffs − rekindled the wanderlust in all of us.

Lori Nickel is a sports columnist with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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Scotland Tours in June 2024

  • Mar '24
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136 Scotland trips in June 2024

Bonnie Scotland Tour

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Coach / Bus

Bonnie Scotland

We really enjoyed the tour. I would have liked to have had more time at Dunnotar Castle, Inverness and in St Andrews. Those visits were too rushed.

3 Day Isle of Skye Tour

3 Day Isle of Skye

this tour was amazing to get a glimpse of the highlands and the isle of Skye! The tour is weather dependent, and we were blessed with strong winds and rain but nonetheless Neil our guide provided us with suggestions and options for what was best. We were still able to see and do a lot and tick off some bucket list experiences and the weather was all part of the adventure! Neil’s knowledge and passion provided us with excellent folklore stories and information on Scottish history! Macbackpackers takes you off the beaten path compared to other tour companies, making it more of a unique experience! I will 100% be back for the 5 day tour!!

Scotland Tour

It was a good trip seeing a lot of Scotland and the tour guide was very good. However a few things to improve are: There were too many people in the group so didn't really interact with the rest of them and the language difference didn't help either as I didn't realise that most of them spoke Spanish so the guide had to say everything in 2 languages. There was confusion on the trip as in the main Itinerary, it only mentioned breakfast included but when you looked into individual days it said dinner included, so didn't match. I feel that at least 1 dinner would have been nice to help with interacting with the group. I was a bit disappointed that the distillery changed days instead of the 1st day as I would have liked a bit more time to see Edinburgh especially as it was nice that day. Also the day in Edinburgh shouldn't be on a Saturday as it was too busy. A few places I felt rushed like Fort William as we only had time to get out, see it a bit, have a hot drink and toilet and then go but to be honest there wasn't much there so could have gone anywhere really. It was nice to see the castles except it would have good if Edinburgh castle had been included, but also maybe see something else for a variety like a mine or cave, or we did pass a cable car and that would have been nice. But overall it was a nice trip seeing places around Scotland in the time.

3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Tour

3 Day Loch Ness & Skye

Absolutely loved this trip! Wish you had more local tours in the UK like that.

Scotland (Summer, 6 Days) Tour

Scotland (Summer, 6 Days)

  • €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Isle of Skye & Outer Hebrides Tour

Isle of Skye & Outer Hebrides

Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides was a fabulous tour. Our tour guide Steve was so well spoken on everything Scotland. His of sense of direction and driving ability were amazing. He was able to navigate us around seamlessly and had a sense of time needed at each stop. He told us all the stories and folklore and played an amazing track of Scottish music that he put together himself. If you want a breathtaking tour of Scotland, I highly recommend this tour.
  • €75 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

A Scottish Journey Tour

A Scottish Journey

This was our first overseas trip and we could not have asked for a better experience! The tour guide, Rob Carr, was excellent - so knowledgeable, humorous and so caring about all of our group. He added so much with his stories and when we had bad weather, he was adept at changing things on the fly and taking us to see the sights off the beaten path. The tour featured a great mix of Scottish history, beautiful scenery and good fellowship between the other folks on the trip.
  • €150 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Country Roads of Scotland (Classic, 9 Days) Tour

Country Roads of Scotland (Classic, 9 Days)

Well done. I would recommend the trip to one and all.

Classic Scotland Self Drive Tour

Classic Scotland Self Drive

We did not have a guide, so that question is not applicable. Rental car and accommodation were good.

2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group) Tour

2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)

Steven was a Great Tour Guide, He was very knowledgeable about the History of Scotland and had a Great Sense of Humor as well. Thank You Steven for a Fabulous Tour !
  • 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Real Scotland (8 Days) Tour

Real Scotland (8 Days)

Incredible tour and Tim the guide was absolutely fantastic. So knowledgeable and a good all round guy

5 Day Skye & Highland Fling Tour

5 Day Skye & Highland Fling

the tour was fantastic. you have seen and experienced so much. a dream for every Scotland fan

Scotland\'s Orkney Islands Tour

Scotland's Orkney Islands

Intrepid needs to tighten up this tour. Two free afternoons is too much when one has only three days on the island. Either make the tour two full days or two full days with one full day free to make plans to go to Hoy or Rousay. Give people guidance on what to do on the free day.

3-Day Lewis, Harris and the Outer Hebrides Small-Group Tour from Inverness Tour

3-Day Lewis, Harris and the Outer Hebrides Small-Group Tour from Inverness

Excellent small group tour!! We were fortunate to have Helen (whose historical knowledge was excellent) AND to only have 8 in our group. It was personal and comfortable and not rushed.

4 Day Islay Whisky Tour Tour

4 Day Islay Whisky Tour

This is part of the email I sent to Scottish Routes: "The itinerary was excellent – very well planned; the accommodation on Islay was most pleasant, hosts Andrew and Alison vey hospitable; we were fortunate to travel with a very interesting and varied group of people and the transport provided was very comfortable. Unfortunately we had the tour guide from hell - Moray. Moray was extremely rude, crude, unapproachable, obnoxious, ignorant and insensitive. He drove at excessive and dangerous speeds along the narrow roads, becoming extremely impatient with other drivers, cursing them in no uncertain terms and constantly tailgating. Not even the rain slowed him down. If a passenger asked a question that he had already answered he would call them stupid and tell them that they should have listened the first time. He had zero tolerance for anyone who was not back on board at the designated time and let them know he was annoyed. A further example of his poor behaviour is when a passenger asked the source of electricity on Islay. He was driving and initially seemed to ignore the question (this was not unusual) and then threw his hands up in the air and said that it fell out of the sky. There were many more examples of his unprofessional behaviour but I am sure you get the picture."

Reviews of Scotland Tours in June

We thoroughly enjoyed our Bonnie Scotland tour. The location was beautiful and the trip well organized. Our tour guide, Gavin, was simply the best. Loved the experience!!
What a whirlwind!! Neil was a fantastic guide and bursting with knowledge about the land and its people. We got to explore a variety of sites ranging from popular tourist locations to hidden treasures and honestly we did a lot more in three days than I thought was possible!! Our group was a small one which made the trip even more fun - can’t wait to look back on the memories from this trip as I actively plan my return to the highlands ?
It was a good trip seeing a lot of Scotland and the tour guide was very good. However a few things to improve are: There were too many people in the group so didn't really interact with the rest of them and the language difference didn't help either as I didn't realise that most of them spoke Spanish so the guide had to say everything in 2 languages. There was confusion on the trip as in the main Itinerary, it only mentioned breakfast included but when you looked into individual days it said dinner included, so didn't match. I feel that at least 1 dinner would have been nice to help with interacting with the group. I was a bit disappointed that the distillery changed days instead of the 1st day as I would have liked a bit more time to see Edinburgh especially as it was nice that day. Also the day in Edinburgh shouldn't be on a Saturday as it was too busy. A few places I felt rushed like Fort William as we only had time to get out, see it a bit, have a hot drink and toilet and then go but to be honest there wasn't much there so could have gone anywhere really. It was nice to see the castles except it would have good if Edinburgh castle had been included, but also maybe see something else for a variety like a mine or cave, or we did pass a cable car and that would have been nice. But overall it was a nice trip seeing places around Scotland in the time.

Destinations

  • Northern Scotland June 2024 (31)
  • Argyll June 2024 (4)
  • Scottish Highlands June 2024 (20)
  • Isle Of Skye June 2024 (14)
  • Orkney Islands June 2024 (4)
  • The Hebrides June 2024 (4)

Regions in Scotland

  • Northern Scotland (31)
  • Scottish Highlands (20)
  • Isle Of Skye (14)
  • Orkney Islands (4)
  • The Hebrides (4)
  • Spring 2024 tours (137)
  • Summer 2024 tours (144)
  • Fall / Autumn 2024 tours (143)
  • Winter 2024 / 2025 tours (36)
  • Spring 2025 tours (68)
  • Summer 2025 tours (31)
  • Fall / Autumn 2025 tours (31)
  • Scotland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
  • Best 7 Day Scotland Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

International Versions

  • Deutsch: Schottland Rundreise im Juni 2024
  • Français: Circuits en Écosse en Juin 2024
  • Español: Circuitos por Escocia en Junio 2024
  • Nederlands: Schotland Rondreizen in Juni 2024

IMAGES

  1. 10 Best Coach / Bus Tours in Scotland

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  2. Keegan Bus Tours: Scotland, Spring 2024

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  3. Going on an Outlander Tour of Scotland with Highland Explorer Tours

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  4. Scottish Outland Adventure 2024 by Cosmos Tours with 3 Reviews

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  5. Scottish Escape 2024 by Globus Tours with 13 Reviews

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  6. City Sightseeing Edinburgh: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour

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COMMENTS

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  26. Irish bus trip immerses writer in musical culture, and jokes

    Scahill wanted his bus tour to be a one-of-a-kind experience. After he endured the pandemic, which shut down We Banjo 3's touring for more than a year, he had had enough of that (like the rest of us).

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