Rabbie’s Tours Review: What a Scotland Tour Is Really Like
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Wondering if doing a Rabbie’s tour in Scotland is worth it? After taking five day tours with Rabbie’s, I’m sharing my honest review to help you choose.
I normally prefer to travel independently in Scotland, but as a car-free traveller, it’s not always possible to reach the remote places I’d like to by public transport. Small group tour companies can help plug the gaps, save time and save me from needing a car.
In this Rabbie’s tours review, I share what they’re really like, what to expect, and whether I’d book again based on my experience of doing one of its most popular day trips, ‘Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles from Glasgow.’
Rabbie’s Small Group Tours at a glance
Group size: Up to 16 people
Tour types: 1-day & multi-day
Departure cities: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Aviemore
Sustainability: Certified B Corp
Vehicles: Modern minibuses with air conditioning
How to book: Rabbie’s Tours official site or GetYourGuide
If you’re considering taking a Rabbie’s tour and wondering whether it’s the right fit for you (especially if you’re car-free), this review can help you decide. Read on to find out what Rabbie’s is really like and how the experience compares to travelling independently.
Why I do small group tours in Scotland
I love the freedom of exploring Scotland my own way. As a car-free traveller, I often use trains and buses to get around, but I also like the convenience of day tours.
I can just sit back and enjoy the journey without worrying about complicated public transport routes. I don’t have to hire a car and navigate unfamiliar single-track roads (there are a lot of those on Skye!) or pay for parking.
I always prefer small group tours to large coaches with 30-50+ people. As someone who likes to be independent, I feel like I’m on a school bus when I’m on a coach. Not fun.
Minibuses with up to 16 passengers are more personalised, and you can escape the hordes. That’s why I chose Rabbie’s, as it only does small group tours.
My experience with Rabbie’s Small Group Tours
At the time of writing, I’ve done five day tours across Scotland with Rabbie’s. For this review, I’m focusing on the ‘Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles from Glasgow’ tour. I chose it because it packed in so much I wanted to see, including Glencoe and three different castles.
With just nine days on my itinerary, I wanted to maximise my time as much as possible, and this escorted day trip from Glasgow covered a lot of ground in one day. It was more efficient than trying to see all the sights myself.
Here’s what it’s like to do a day tour with Rabbie’s. I pay for all my tours myself, so all my opinions are my own:
Finding the Glasgow meeting point
Rabbie’s tours depart from central city locations with good connections to public transport. For my tour departing from Glasgow, the meeting point was Buchanan Bus Station in the city centre.
Rabbie’s tours start early, which can be a little stressful when you’re navigating a new city. My tour departed at 8:30 am, and I had to be there at least 15 minutes before for check-in. Luckily, it was easy to find, and I could spot people beginning to congregate.
Other Rabbie’s tours were collecting their passengers, so I gave my name to one of the guides, and they helped me get on the right minibus. Since I was one of the few solo travellers, I bagged the front seat next to my guide, whose name was John.
Once the minibus filled up, John explained where he’d be driving us and gave a safety briefing before we fastened our seatbelts and began our adventure.
John made sure everyone could hear him clearly by wearing a hands-free microphone. He wasted no time sharing entertaining stories and facts as we left Glasgow. Between commentary, he turned on his music playlist filled with jolly Scottish tunes.
First stop, Tarbet
About 45 minutes in, the road began to follow the western shores of Loch Lomond, and the landscape became more mountainous with views of the Arrochar Alps in the distance.
John told us the story of the eccentric woman who released wallabies on one of the islands on Loch Lomond (no, they aren’t native to Scotland!). They’re still there, and known to be a bit ferocious, “like a giant rat on steroids,” John joked.
Alas (or thankfully?), we didn’t meet any wallabies when we stopped at Tarbet for toilets and coffee about an hour into the tour. I had time to wander down to the jetty to enjoy the loch views before we were back on the road 20 minutes later.
Rest and Be Thankful Viewpoint
Heading west, we left Loch Lomond behind, and John introduced us to the Jacobite Rebellion in preparation for our next stop. He was an entertaining storyteller with plenty of terrible dad jokes to keep it light.
We drove through Glen Croe (not to be confused with Glen Coe!) towards Rest and Be Thankful. It’s a mountain pass joining the glen with Glen Kinglas, running parallel with an old military road laid by the English army in the 17th century.
We stopped at the viewpoint at the highest point for 15 minutes, and at 10 in the morning, we had it all to ourselves.
➡️ Want to see where Rabbie’s go in Scotland? Browse all tours here!
Inveraray
Back on the road, we continued west and followed the edge of Loch Fyne. John checked that everyone was happy with the temperature in the minibus, as it can get quite hot in the back seats.
After about 20 minutes, we reached Inveraray. John found a parking spot next to a cafe with toilets. The highlight is Inveraray Castle, built in the 1700s by the Campbells and still lived in today.
We had an hour here, which was enough time for a quick stroll around town or a photo stop at the castle. I decided not to go inside as the tickets were £18 and time was tight, but I planned to return to this pretty town by bus in future.
Kilchurn Castle
Turning north, we were treated to a spectacular drive with snow-dusted mountains up ahead. John pointed out Ben Cruachan, nicknamed ‘the Hollow Mountain,’ as it was excavated to build a hydro-electric power station inside it.
After 10 minutes, we parked on the roadside to take a photo of Kilchurn Castle. It was far away and in shadow, so it was tricky to get a good photo. I was kicking myself about not bringing my telephoto lens (I always pack it now!).
Lunch in Oban
About 40 minutes later, we arrived in Oban, our lunch stop, and we had an hour and a half here. John gave us helpful recommendations for where to eat, including an award-winning fish and chip shop.
Since it’s on the west coast, Oban is well-known for its seafood. I had already earmarked the Seafood Hut, which served crab sandwiches and seafood platters on the pier.
Editor’s tip: Make a note of the time the guide tells you to return to the minibus. It’s so easy to forget it or lose track, particularly after a long lunch break!
Castle Stalker
30 minutes after leaving Oban, we had another castle photo stop. This time, it was Castle Stalker, which you may recognise from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The fortress sits on an island in Loch Linnhe, near Port Appin.
John mentioned there were over 1,000 castles in Scotland, in various states of disrepair. Castle Stalker had been restored to a family home in the 1960s after being abandoned in the 1840s.
The drive through Glen Coe
Now it was time for the main event, Glen Coe. As we drove towards the glen, mountains rose ahead of us, and I was glad to be sitting in the front seat.
It’s hard to believe that such a beautiful setting had a dark past, but John recounted the deadly massacre that took place here one winter morning in 1692.
He told us the Scottish government sent 120 soldiers to massacre an estimated 30 Glencoe MacDonalds after they failed to swear allegiance to William and Mary. The orders were to kill every man, woman and child under the age of 70.
Parking at the Glencoe Visitor Centre, we wandered over the replica of a 17th-century turf house, which the Highland crofters would have lived in, together with their livestock.
Achnambeithach Cottage
A short while later, we pulled in for a brief stop at Loch Achtriochtan to take a photo of the famous Achnambeithach Cottage (try saying that five times!).
It’s a farmer’s home, so John advised us to keep at a respectable distance so as not to disturb the sheep in the field nearby.
Three Sisters of Glencoe
Our final glen stop was the Three Sisters of Glencoe, three dramatic ridges rising side by side. The road was busy, so John helped us exit safely for photos.
As we drove towards Rannoch Moor, he pointed out the Glencoe Ski Resort, and I got a quick glimpse of Buachaille Etive Mòr. I’d have liked to have stopped here, but by then it was nearly 5 pm, and we had a long journey back to Glasgow.
Heading south, John had wrapped up his commentary, so he turned on the music, checked we were all comfortable and focused on the drive.
Inveruglas and Glasgow arrival
About an hour after departing Glen Coe, we made a final stop at Inveruglas for a toilet break and a quick look at Loch Lomond. I chatted with an Australian solo traveller, which is one of my favourite parts of small-group tours!
We got back to Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow after another hour. It was 7 pm by then and just in time for dinner.
➡️ Check tour rates & availability on the Rabbie’s website by clicking here!
What I like most about Rabbie’s Small Group Tours
✅ The local guides
The guides make these tours. Often sporting a kilt, they bring the Scottish scenery to life with their stories and jokes. John was easygoing and had interesting anecdotes to share. He always made sure we were comfortable on the minibus.
✅ A responsible company
Rabbie’s is a certified B Corporation, meaning it puts people and the planet first. Its minibuses are fuel-efficient, and for every tonne of carbon used, Rabbie’s donates £10 to local charities.
✅ The people
I’m usually a solo traveller on Rabbie’s tours, and there’s almost always someone to chat to. You get a mix of solo travellers, couples, friend groups and families with older kids from all over the world.
Some factors to consider:
❌ Long days
The tours have busy itineraries and early starts, so they might not be suitable if you like to have a lie-in on holiday. Expect a long day too, as they finish between 5 pm and 8 pm.
❌ Some rushed stops
Some stops are a quick 15 minutes with little flexibility to explore. It’s understandable with such packed days, but I’ve felt a bit restricted at times.
❌ The music
The music adds a cinematic quality to the drive, but the jolly tunes did make me feel a bit loopy by the end of the day. “It’s all starting to sound like tea at Granny’s,” John joked, and mercifully changed the playlist.
Rabbie’s tours review FAQs
Is taking a tour with Rabbie’s a good idea?
If you don’t feel like driving or navigating public transport, a small group tour with Rabbie’s is absolutely a good idea. You’ll see much more than you could manage on your own, and you get a more in-depth insight into each place you visit.
The guides are what make the tours stand out. They’re fantastic storytellers and always take the time to get to know you. You wouldn’t get that same level of attention on a big 50-seater coach.
Where does Rabbie’s Tours go in Scotland?
Rabbie’s goes to most main attractions on their one-day and multi-day tours, including the Isle of Skye, Glencoe and Loch Ness. They always include lesser-known stops en route for balance.
These are the day tours I’ve done:
– Loch Ness day trip from Inverness
– Isle of Skye day trip from Inverness
– Torridon & Applecross day trip from Inverness
– Outlander Adventure from Glasgow
– Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles from Glasgow
My favourite was ‘Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles,’ swiftly followed by the ‘Torridon & Applecross.’ The scenery was phenomenal that day!
Where do Rabbie’s depart from?
Rabbie’s has tours departing from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Aviemore, and all are well-connected by train.
For tours to the Isle of Skye, Glenfinnan, Torridon and Loch Ness, I recommend Inverness. For the Scottish Borders, St Andrews and Outlander tours, Edinburgh is best.
Glasgow is ideal for the West Coast and Loch Lomond, and Aberdeen is good for the east coast, Speyside whisky and the East Highlands without a car.
What are Rabbie’s multi-day tours like?
I’ve only ever done day tours, but Rabbie’s also offers multi-day trips from three to 17 days. They’re ideal if you want to see the best of Scotland without worrying about logistics.
Your transport is taken care of, and groups tend to be smaller, giving you a better chance to connect with fellow passengers. Accommodation and meals aren’t included, but Rabbie’s can reserve rooms for you at checkout.
A lot of Rabbie’s Tours reviews in Scotland point out that the accommodation isn’t always the best, so you’re welcome to book your own if it’s close to the drop-off location.
How to book a Rabbie’s tour
You can book directly with Rabbie’s online through the company’s website. I also like to book through Viator and GetYourGuide.
The prices are the same, and there are no extra fees, but I can keep all my bookings in one place. It’s handy if I have activities with different companies during my trip.
I recommend booking your tours in advance, particularly in summer. Popular tours like the Isle of Skye and Glencoe tend to sell out weeks in advance.
Final verdict: Are Rabbie’s tours worth it?
If you’re still wondering whether Rabbie’s small-group tours of Scotland are worth it, I’d say absolutely yes. There’s a reason why they’re award-winning!
Rabbie’s Tours are ideal if you want to see the best of Scotland without driving or planning logistics. They’re comfortable, responsible and led by guides who genuinely care.
Escorted group tours aren’t for everyone, but small groups make the experience so much better, and Rabbie’s is up there with the best. You can also opt for a private tour if you’d rather just travel with your party.
If you’re planning your Scotland trip and want to see as much as possible without a car, I’d recommend starting with a Rabbie’s day tour from Glasgow or Inverness. Check the latest itineraries and availability on Rabbie’s website or GetYourGuide.
I hope you found this Rabbie’s tours review helpful. If you need some tips on day tours in Scotland, read my guide to the ones I recommend here.
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