John Alasdair Macdonald, PhD – founder of The Hebridean Explorer – guides all tours. John is a native Highlander and a Scottish Highlands historian with over 18 years of experience leading private guided tours.
No. 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.
Absolutely. Solo travellers are very welcome. Please note that as I focus exclusively on private tours, the booking is for the private hire of the vehicle and guide. The advertised tour prices still apply, and you will have the entire tour, vehicle and guide to yourself, with no other guests joining you.
No. 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.
Yes. Any of the multi-day itineraries can be combined into an extended journey.
Please note that if you are interested in combining the 4 Day Outer Hebrides Tour with an itinerary to Orkney and/or Shetland, I recommend a free day in Inverness between these island groups.
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 18 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.
Enjoy the ease of a private pickup — I will meet you directly at your Inverness accommodation (within 5 miles of Inverness City Centre) on the morning of Day 1 to begin the tour. At the end of the tour I will drop you off at your preferred Inverness location.
Most locations across all the advertised tours involve just short walks from the vehicle to viewpoints, castles or historic sites. The pace is relaxed and there is plenty of time to enjoy each stop. If you would prefer to skip a particular walk or explore at your own pace, that is absolutely fine on a private tour.
Tours have plenty of viewpoint, photo, and refreshment stops along with regular restroom stops. As it is a private tour, we can pretty much stop whenever you want!
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 and mobility level.
The current tour vehicle comfortably accommodates up to three passengers with the rear boot (trunk) for luggage allowing for one medium bag/suitcase per person and one small day bag/backpack per person. For private groups of three, if you are unsure about luggage capacity, please let me know the size of your suitcases and I can check against available space.
Yes. I am happy to help with your suitcases at each overnight location – some 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.
The weather can be a significant issue during this period, along with the limited daylight hours from November to mid-February, and seasonal closures of many historical sites. To ensure guests receive the best possible experience, I focus on the core season from 1st March to 31st October.
However, for those who are prepared to adapt to unpredictable winter weather and shorter daylight hours, please feel free to get in touch for a chat about either the 3 Day or 5 Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Tours.
For all new enquries, I focus on the eight advertised private tour itineraries to ensure the highest standard of historical depth and pacing.
However, I do provide a Returning Guest Service for those who have previously travelled with me. These bespoke journeys are arranged privately and build upon our first tour together and can include sites from across the breadth of Scotland.
With my primary focus on the West Highlands and Hebridean Islands, for those of Macleod heritage or ancestry I can can easily modify the 3 Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Tour into a dedicated 3 Day Clan Macleod Tour, focusing on Culloden Battlefield, Dunvegan Castle and their ancestral lands around the Isle of Skye. Please request this option when making an enquiry.
No. To ensure a personalised experience and direct communication, I work exclusively with private guests. I do not accept bookings through travel agents or re-sellers. All tours must be booked directly by guests.
