John Alasdair Macdonald, owner of The Hebridean Explorer, guides all tours. John is a native Highlander and historian with 18 years of experience leading private guided tours.
I do not sell individual or separate group tickets for people to join tours. The prices quoted are for your private and exclusive group only (of up to 3 people) where your private group collectively hires the vehicle as a whole for a tour. Advertised tour prices still apply if your group is less than 3.
The current tour vehicle is a Honda CR-V accommodating up to 3 passengers with window seats to ensure a high-quality, private experience. While there is a 4th passenger seat in the vehicle, it is a smaller middle seat with limited width and without a window view and as such I do not take three adults in the back.
Yes, flexibility is a key feature. I will do my best to adapt the itinerary to your interests, such as visiting ancestral sites.
All private tours need to be booked in advance with a 50% non-refundable deposit is required. Full payment for a tour booking is required 60 days before the tour start date.
I take advance bookings up to 24 months before a tour date.
I have an online Secure Payment System for deposit and balance payments which accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards. After confirmation of availability and tour details you will be sent a link to our Secure Payment page.
Tours leave from your Inverness City Centre accommodation (or within 5 miles of Inverness City Centre) or I can pick you up from Inverness train station.
Tours have plenty of viewpoint, photo, and refreshment stops. As it is a private tour, we can stop whenever you wish to enjoy the scenery.
I try and get off the beaten track on our tours so some stops give you the opportunity to walk over peat land or along the side of a loch. A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers with good grip is recommended, and a light waterproof jacket is always useful as Highland weather can be very changeable. Please note that all walks are entirely optional and can be tailored to your comfort level.
For groups of 3 the tour vehicle can accommodate 1 medium-sized piece of luggage per person plus a small day bag each.
Yes. I am happy to help with your suitcases at each overnight location – many of the smaller hotels around the Highlands and Islands do not have lifts but I will gladly assist in getting your bags to your room.
