Private Tours of Scotland from Heartland Travel
Your Award-Winning Scotland Tour Company

Authentic Private Tours of Scotland from Edinburgh, Stirling, Dundee & St Andrews

Heartland Travel specialises in private guided tours of Scotland designed exclusively for your group. Our family-run business creates bespoke private tours that showcase our magnificent country to discerning travellers seeking an intimate Scottish experience.

We provide expert private tour guides who lead your exclusive journey whilst handling all transport and logistics in our luxury vehicles. This allows you to relax and savour every moment of your personalised Scotland adventure. Each of our professional tour guides possesses deep passion for Scotland and natural storytelling abilities. We’ll paint a vivid picture of Scotland’s rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes – all at your own pace.

Our custom private tours deliver the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, with dedicated attention to Scotland’s must-see attractions. Creating an authentic and exclusive Scottish experience is our mission. During your private Scotland tour, we understand you want meaningful experiences beyond simply viewing scenery. We prioritise time exploring Scotland’s natural wonders on foot, ensuring your group enjoys intimate encounters with our spectacular landscapes.

We specialise in welcoming American visitors to Scotland, helping you discover your Scottish heritage and the landscapes that shaped your ancestors, as well as welcoming those that are just curious! Our guides love sharing stories of Scottish-American connections and can help trace clan histories during your journey. We also offer small group tours (maximum 25 passengers) for those seeking excellent value whilst maintaining an intimate Scottish experience.

Private Scotland Tourism - on YOUR Terms

We take immense pride in our private tour services and believe you should control every aspect of your Scottish adventure. Our private guided Scotland tours empower you to choose exactly what you’d like to experience during your exclusive journey. Whether you’re dreaming of a private Outlander tour or an exclusive Isle of Skye expedition, your tour is meticulously tailored to ensure the perfect private Scottish vacation.

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Award badge for Tailor Made Tour Company of the Year in Scotland 2023 by Travel & Hospitality Awards

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Travel Scotland In Our Luxury Private Mini Coach

Award Winning Private Scotland Tours

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Private and Group Tours of Scotland

Discover the beauty of our warm and welcoming country with a tempting choice of memorable Scotland tours, including private tours and group tours

Award Winning Tours of Scotland

Best Tour Operator Award
Travelers Choice Award

Who is Heartland Travel?

Heartland Travel is a small family run business with a real passion for Scotland. Nory and Louise, the founders of the company, have always had and a driving ambition to travel and explore Scotland in the fullest of detail. Many years before they started the company, they would spend their spare time travelling the length and breadth of the country to satisfy their need to learn more about places they imagined they needed to visit. Heading off the beaten track to find many of the hidden gems whilst including all the famous sites.

Every weekend and holiday they would make plans to travel Scotland and see more of the beautiful scenery while uncovering some of the journeys they had experienced in their earlier years. Both growing up in Scotland and having enjoyed many family holidays and trips within the country, have plenty of fond memories to share with friends and their own children as they grow up.

It’s quite common for them to throw some essential items in a bag, fill the car with fuel and head outward to find a fresh change of scene. Spending so much of their time in the heart of Scotland, they both have a longing for coastal scenery and a taste of the salty air on our lips. Within a relatively short space of time, they are able to reach out to some of the most beautiful coastlines in Scotland.

Sometimes, just like the toss of a coin, they would look at the weather forecast for both sides of the country before calling either east or west. Route planning and road knowledge would allow them to benefit from the most favourable weather and terrain for each day trip.

As a result of this they have been known drive over to Oban in just over one hour where they enjoy some tasty seafood and swimming at a nearby beach. Similarly, they are able to head out east and visit some of the most pretty fishing villages in the neuk of Fife and sample some award-winning Scottish seafood.

Benefitting from being situated in Scotland’s centre means that both of the largest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, are easy to get to.

Either of these airports are easy to access and within an ideal range for collecting friends or family when they arrive in the country. Aside from this, arguably Scotland’s most stunning castle is in Stirling, situated right on the doorstep of Heartland Travel, alongside many other well-known visitor attractions which are not to be missed by anyone coming to Scotland for a genuine experience of life in the heart of Scotland.

It is easy here to see the home of Braveheart and visit the National Wallace Monument, but also to revisit the experience of battle at the Bannockburn Centre.

It is entirely possible for this company to pick up passengers from either Edinburgh or Glasgow airports and commence your Scotland tours from this point onward. If you would prefer to hit the ground running and head off on your Scottish Highland Tours, then this can easily be done. The cities can wait until another time!

Why Choose Heartland Travel?

When you book a private tour with Heartland Travel, you get exclusive use of our luxury mini-coach and personal tour guide. Want extra time at that perfect viewpoint? Done. Fancy a spontaneous whisky stop? We know the best distilleries. Our small group tours (maximum 25 passengers) and bespoke Scotland tours work around you, not the other way round.

We keep groups small because Scotland’s narrow Highland roads can’t handle massive coaches. This means we can reach hidden waterfalls, secret beaches, and those perfect photo spots that big operators miss. All our tour guides grew up in Scotland or have lived here for decades. You’ll get to know your guide during your travels – no strangers, just genuine Scottish folk sharing their homeland.

We’ve helped people propose on remote beaches, tracked down clan connections for Scottish-Americans, and found snow in summer for kids who’d never seen it. When Highland weather changes (and it will), we change with it. Rain at Glenfinnan? Sunshine on Skye? We’ll switch things up. You’ll go home with memories that last generations.

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Heartland Travel Reviews

CJ C wrote a review May 2025
CJ C wrote a review May 2025
@CJ C
The tour was amazing! Our guide Ross, was awesome! I could not recommend it enough! It was a regal of tales and history, as well as cultural knowledge. The accommodation was top-notch, and the music in the bus was on at the right time every time! It was absolutely fantastic! I had the time of my life! And the views were exceptional :)
Rebecca wrote a review July 2025
Rebecca wrote a review July 2025Rebecca
One word: Duncan!!! (he was our amazing guide!) Wow. Where do I begin with this incredible 3 day private tour. We were a group of 13 (w/5 kids). We spent 3 days with Duncan. He drove us from Edinburgh to Oban, then on an all day tour of Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona and Isle of Staffa. Then he drove us from Oban to Inverness. He was friendly, funny, kind, witty, intelligent and an incredible story teller. He made the drive interesting, fun, and had so much knowledge of the history of Scotland. On one of our drives we were scattering the ashes of our father and he found the perfect spot for us in Glencoe. He was so incredibly supportive and empathetic during this difficult part of our journey. Every family member expressed how much they cared for Duncan and how he made our trip to Scotland incredible. Our kids all said that having Duncan’s stories and songs were their favorite part of our trip to Scotland. I would 1 million percent recommend this tour company. David (the owner) met with us (via the WhatsApp) before our trip, to give ideas for the trip. Then Gail started helping us plan the actual itinerary. Gail was so easy to chat with and made an incredible plan for our 3 day tour. We truly had the most incredible 3 days and would love to come back and explore other parts of Scotland with this tour group!
Patricia C wrote a review June 2024
Patricia C wrote a review June 2024
Patricia C
Our guide was awesome! We had the same gentleman for two days in a row--one trip to the highlands, one to the lowlands. Very entertaining on the long drives, knowledgeable and ever so professional! This was a family trip with 13 member ranging in age from 12-81 and we all felt safe, comfortable and attended to during our tours. Could not have been happier! I would highly recommend--and ask for Alaster!
McKayla wrote a review July 2024
McKayla wrote a review July 2024
McKayla
If you are even considering taking a tour with Heartland Travel, trust me, just book it now! This was the most magnificent 3 day tour of the highlands I could’ve ever had, and with Nory, it felt like we were being driven by family. Nory’s magical stories and history snippets were so fascinating and he took us to the best spots to eat! 10/10 adventure experience🫶

Scotland Tours FAQs

Private guided tours offer the most personalised Scotland experience. With Heartland Travel's private tours of Scotland, you get exclusive use of our luxury mini-coach, your own expert guide, and complete flexibility to explore at your own pace. Our small group tours (maximum 25 passengers) provide excellent value whilst maintaining an intimate atmosphere that larger operators can't match.

May through September offers the warmest weather and longest daylight hours, perfect for Highland tours and Isle of Skye expeditions. However, winter tours of Scotland provide dramatic landscapes, fewer crowds, and possible Northern Lights sightings. Our seasonal Scotland tours are designed to maximise each season's unique advantages, from spring wildflowers to autumn's spectacular colours. I always say that Scotland in moody weather is Scotland at its best.

Most visitors find 3-7 day Scotland tours ideal for experiencing the Highlands, castles, and key destinations like Loch Ness and Isle of Skye. Our multi-day tours of Scotland range from 2-day weekend breaks to comprehensive 14-day Scotland adventures. Day tours from Edinburgh are perfect for first-time visitors or those with limited time.

Absolutely! Our family-friendly tours of Scotland cater to all ages with comfortable seating, regular stops, and engaging storytelling. Senior-friendly Scotland tours feature easy-paced itineraries, accessible attractions, and luxury vehicles with proper suspension for Highland roads. We adapt all tours to accommodate mobility requirements and individual needs.

Our guided tours of Scotland include expert local guides, luxury mini-coach transport, and door-to-door service from your accommodation. Private tour packages can include accommodation booking, entrance fees, and whisky tastings. All tours feature commentary about Scottish heritage, clan history, and local culture from guides who've lived in Scotland for decades.

Private tours of Scotland start from £900 per day for exclusive hire of our luxury mini coach and professional driver/ tour guide. Our vehicles can accommodate up to 16 or 25 passengers, making them excellent value for families or small groups. Group tours offer more budget-friendly options from £220 per person for three-day tours. Luxury Scotland tours and bespoke itineraries are priced individually based on requirements and destinations.

Yes! Our bespoke Scotland tours are completely tailored to your interests. Want to focus on Outlander filming locations, Scottish castles, or whisky distilleries? We'll create a personalised itinerary. Even our standard tours offer flexibility - if weather changes or you spot something interesting, we can adapt on the spot.

Our small group approach and local guides naturally reduce environmental impact compared to large coach tours. We support local businesses, use efficient modern vehicles, and promote sustainable tourism practices. Our intimate group sizes allow access to Scotland's natural areas whilst minimising disruption to wildlife and landscapes.

We specialise in Scottish Highlands tours, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness expeditions, and Central Scotland attractions. Our tours depart from Edinburgh, Stirling, Dundee, and St Andrews. Popular destinations include Glen Coe, Stirling Castle, Doune Castle (Outlander filming location), and the West Highland scenic routes.

Summer tours (June-August) should be booked 3-6 months ahead due to high demand. Private tours and bespoke itineraries require 4-6 weeks notice for optimal planning. Spring and autumn tours can often be booked 2-4 weeks ahead, whilst winter tours may be available with shorter notice.

Yes! Many of our guests are Americans discovering their Scottish heritage. Our guides excel at sharing clan histories and Scottish-American connections. We can incorporate ancestral research into your tour and visit regions where your family originated. Plus, we understand American travel preferences and provide the personal service you expect.

Interview with our owner on the Bannockburn centre Stirling