FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in the price?
The tour price covers transportation on one of our state-of-the-art Mercedes midi-coaches and your passionate local guide who’ll lead the way. Accommodation is not included but we reserve all your accommodation on our extended tours, so your quality Bed & Breakfast or Hotel accommodation is guaranteed.
How much will entry fees cost?
We keep extra costs to a minimum and entry fees are always optional. You could expect to spend £5 - £8 a day if you visited all the attractions we stopped at.
What about meals?
We’ll be stopping at some excellent and varied restaurants en route with traditional and contemporary options to suit every palate. We’ll never tell you where you have to eat. Instead, your guide will be on hand to give you the locals’ tips on the best hidden gems and then the choice is yours.
What type of accommodation do you use?
Once again, you choose. When you book you’ll be asked whether you would prefer B&B (about £25 - £40 pppn based on 2 people sharing) or Hotel accommodation (approximately £40 - £60 pppn based on double occupancy).
Do you organise accommodation for the night before and after the tour?
We don’t, but we can provide information about a variety of Hotels and B&B’s close to your departure point. Please contact us for further details.
Where will I be picked up from?
From the Highland Explorer office at 60 High Street, Royal Mile Edinburgh.
Can I be picked up or dropped off somewhere other than the Highland Explorer office?
To make sure we make the most of our day we only pick up and return to our office. Other companies provide this service but it means your day is compromised driving around the city. Most city centre hotels are only a short distance from the office and if you have any concerns about how to reach us for your check in, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.
What time do tours depart and arrive back?
For the Loch Ness 1 Day Tour, please be at the Highland Explorer office at 08.00 on the morning of your departure. For all other tours, check-in is at 08.45am. Tours return to this office around 17.30. The exceptions to this are: the Loch Ness 1-day tour which gets back at 20.00 and the Highland Games 1-day tours, which will return at 18.30 except for the Lonach and Braemar Highland Games tours which return at 20.00
Return times are approximate and are dependent on weather and traffic, so if you’re leaving Edinburgh that night, give yourself plenty of time to make your connection.
Are there any age restrictions?
Our suggested minimum age is 5; an adult must accompany all minors. There are no maximum age restriction at all. Please contact us with any queries regarding under-5's wishing to travel.
How much time do we spend off the bus each day?
As much time as possible. We want to help you experience our beautiful country and the best way to do that is off the bus. We keep travel times to a minimum so that we can maximize the time we spend exploring castles and monuments, explaining our legends and history, and soaking up the beautiful Scottish scenery.
Are there any luggage restrictions on tour?
Each passenger is allowed one standard piece of baggage, carried in the cargo area of the coach, up to a maximum weight of 15kg. We are unfortunately not able to store any extra luggage at our office. Waverley train station has luggage storage and it is also worth speaking to your accommodation provider as they may have secure storage facilities too.
You may find it useful to bring a small bag in which to keep your purse, a bottle of water and anything you might need during the day. You can bring this bag onboard the bus with you and store it in the overhead luggage rack.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory. If you'd like to recognise great service then please feel free to do so. 100% of tips are retained by our team - not the company. [We are often asked 'How much?' - around £1 / day on average - but feel free to tip as little, as much or not at all as you feel appropriate.]
What will the weather be like?
Predictably unpredictable. The Highlands wouldn’t be so green, and the lochs so beautiful, if it didn’t rain from time to time. Scotland has a worse reputation than it deserves in terms of weather but come prepared for a bit of everything. Wet weather gear, sunblock, t-shirts and jumpers are all recommended.
Which is the best tour?
The key to Highland Explorer tours is variety and this is what we offer both in terms of our tour timetable and within each individual trip. Please feel free to contact us with your specific interests; we’d be happy to suggest which tour would suit you best.
Why Don't you go to Rosslyn Chapel?
We do not operate a guided tour to Rosslyn, simply because it's so close to Edinburgh you can actually get there on a local bus (Lothian Bus no. 15 or First Bus no. 62) for just £2 return! The bus departs St Andrews Square Bus Station every hour and takes just over half an hour.
Rosslyn Chapel Opening Times:
1st October - 31st March: 0930-1700
1st April - 31st September: 0930-1800
Sundays: 1200-1645
Prices: Adults - £7 Concessions - £5
What do I do if I can’t find the answer to my question?
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can call us on +44 (0)131 558 3738, email us at info@highlandexplorertours.com, or visit our office at 60 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh with any queries you may have.