Imagine this: listening to stories of Scotland as you weave your way between hills and glens, deep into the heart of Scotland’s first national park, sailing on a steamship on a glistening loch surrounded by mountains, and drinking whisky at the oldest distillery in Scotland. Introducing the Scottish Highlands Sail, Bike or Trail Experience, an exciting new 1-day tour with Rabbie’s!
I was lucky enough to go on the Scottish Highlands Sail, Bike or Trail Experience 1-day tour with Rabbie’s. There aren’t many places I haven’t been in Scotland, bu t many of the locations on this itinerary were brand new to me.
I arrived at the Edinburgh Bus Station for my tour nice and early, to be directed by the friendly staff to my tour guide for the day, Nathan.
Nathan had a love of Scottish history, and during our journey he filled our minds with stories about Scotland’s queens and kings, famous battles, and quirky bits of history that you won’t find in the guidebooks.
THE DETAILS
📍 Departs from Edinburgh
🕔 9.5 hours
💲 From £61 pp (boat tickets, bike hire, and distillery tour not included in price)
The Scottish Highlands Sail, Bike or Trail Experience
Checking in for the tour
Finding the tour pick-up point was super easy. I made my way to the Edinburgh Bus Station in St Andrews Square, where Rabbie’s staff members were checking in passengers for a variety of tours departing Edinburgh. The pick-up point is at the end of the station, past the cafe and the WH Smith- just look for the people in bright Rabbie’s vests.
I introduced myself and told them which tour I was going on, and they told me my driver’s name and to take a seat. When our driver arrived, they called out the name of the tour, and we boarded our minibus. We were quickly away on our adventure!
Stop #1: The Forth Bridges
The Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site
As we drove through Edinburgh, our driver guide Nathan told us some interesting stories about the capital before arriving at our first stop of the day: the viewpoint of the famous Forth Bridges, which connects Edinburgh to Fife and crosses over the Firth of Forth.
The Forth Bridges are considered the pinnacle of engineering, spanning three centuries:
- The Forth Bridge, the most famous of the three, was built during the late 19th century and is used by trains
- The Forth Road Bridge opened in 1964 and today is used by buses and taxis. It’s also accessible to walkers and cyclists.
- The Queensferry Crossing opened in 2017 and is used by cars
The Forth Bridge is a Scottish icon. It was the world’s first major steel structure, and for 28 years it was the longest bridge in the world. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
The Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing
After departing the Forth Bridges, we continued to our first activity of the day, passing the Kelpies, Stirling Castle, and Callander along the way. We listened to tales of the mighty William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and the part they played in fighting for Scotland’s freedom, before venturing down a road that took us north of the Highland Boundary Fault.
10 Reasons I love Rabbies tours
✅ Award-winning, small group tours (maximum of 16)
✅ Modern and comfortable vans
✅ Excellent guides who are passionate about Scotland’s history
✅ Explore more, in less time
✅ Easy-going pace
✅ Plenty of free time
✅ You’ll explore both the must-sees and hidden gems of Scotland
✅ Enjoy a dram (or two) without the worry of driving afterwards
✅ Excellent customer service and reviews
Stop #2: Choose your own adventure at Loch Katrine
We travelled down a single-track road to reach the ethereal Loch Katrine, nestled within Scotland’s first National park: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.
Sunshine and a gentle breeze greeted us, and boats floated in the small harbour, sheltered by forests cradling the end of the loch.
At the turn of the 18th century, famous writers began exploring the Scottish Highlands, feeling inspired by its beauty. Sir Walter Scott penned The Lady of the Lake, which was set at Loch Katrine. Word soon spread, and Scotland became a popular destination for holidaying tourists.
As a result, this area is known as the Birthplace of Tourism in Scotland.
At the Trossachs pier, there is a gift shop, bike hire, and a restaurant called the Steamship Cafe that makes wonderful toasted sandwiches.
At Loch Katrine, you have two options:
🚴♀️ Hire a bike from Katrine Bikez and cycle around the loch (14 miles)
⛴️ Go on a boat trip on the Sir Walter Scott Steamship
You can also choose to go for a stroll around the loch- it’s completely up to you.
I decided to go on the boat trip; it was a beautiful day, and the water was as still as glass, the mountains reflecting on the loch. I purchased my ticket from the pier, had something to eat at the cafe, and then boarded the Sir Walter Scott.
A journey on the Sir Walter Scott Steamship is a special one; the vintage ship recently celebrated 125 years of ferrying passengers on Loch Katrine. It was also awarded Flagship of the Year this year by the National Historic Ships UK.
The steamship has had several upgrades over the years; it has indoor and outdoor seating, and a kiosk with a licensed bar serving beer on tap, wines and spirits. Another great reason for booking a group tour with Rabbie’s is that you have a designated driver!
I enjoyed a glass of bubbles on board, taking in the views that unfolded before me: the mountain peaks of Ben A’an, Ben Venue and Brenachoile rising up into the sky, the soft ripples in the water, and the reflections of the stark white cottages gleaming in the loch.
I searched for the Ospreys that are known to nest in the area- and while I didn’t see any, maybe you will have better luck!
We also sailed past Brenachoile Point, which featured in an episode of the TV programme Outlander.
The cruise lasted one hour, a good amount of time to soak up the views.
Did you know
Queen Victoria visited Loch Katrine three times after reading Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake. She described Loch Katrine in her diary that she was captivated by the scenes depicted in the poem.
As we rejoined Nathan in the minibus, we drove through Rob Roy country and listened to tales about the famous Scottish outlaw. Rob Roy was first made famous in the fictionalised book The Highland Rogue by Daniel Defoe. His rising popularity after this book was published may have been the reason he was pardoned for his crimes by George I.
Sir Walter Scott also wrote a novel about him in 1817, titled Rob Roy, cementing his fame for future generations.
Stop #3: Glenturret Distillery
Our final stop of the day was at Scotland’s oldest working distillery, Glenturret Distillery.
Dating back to 1763, Glenturret Distillery is rustic and intimate; a traditional distillery nestled within nature with the Barvick Burn running alongside it. It’s a real hidden gem, a stone’s throw from the market town of Crieff.
We were taken on a tour around the distillery, learning about the distilling process from barley to bottle. After our tour, we were taken to the tasting room, where we got to taste two whiskies: the Triple Wood and the 10-year-old. Both were divine- this distillery goes down a treat with whisky lovers!
Inside Glenturret Distillery
It was the perfect end to a perfect day in the Highlands. I jumped back in the minibus feeling that familiar whisky glow, but even though we were on our way back to Edinburgh, the experience didn’t stop there.
We made our way back to Edinburgh through quiet country roads, driving past the famous Gleneagles Hotel, and then past Kinross, where Mary Queen of Scots was kept prisoner in Lochleven Castle.
We then drove across the Forth Road Bridge– one of the bridges we marvelled at during the first stop of the tour.
I’ll be completely honest- I’m not much of a group tour person, I prefer to do things self-guided- but this is my third tour with Rabbies and each one has been fantastic.
Even if you’re hiring a car, I recommend taking a break from driving and doing a tour with Rabbies. You’ll learn something new, you can sit back and relax, and you can have a whisky or two without worrying about driving afterwards!
Frequently Asked Questions about travelling with Rabbies
Should I book my own accommodation or book through Rabbies?
Unless there is somewhere specific you’d like to stay, I recommend booking your accommodation through Rabbies. They have great connections with local accommodation owners of hotels and B&Bs- simply tell them your room preferences, and they will find suitable accommodation for you. This service is free, and in most cases, you’ll pay your hosts directly when you arrive.
If booking your own accommodation, you need to ensure you are staying within 1.2 miles of the city, town, or village where the overnight stop is, otherwise you’ll need to organise your own way to the group meeting point.
For more information on booking your tour accommodation through Rabbies, visit their website.
How much luggage can I take on a Rabbies tour?
You can take 14 kg (30lb) luggage allowance on this tour.
Are there regular toilet breaks?
There have been regular toilet stops on every Rabbies tour I’ve been on- I was even 6 months pregnant when I did my first Rabbies tour, and the driver was very understanding! The guides will usually point out toilet stops, but don’t be afraid to ask when and where the toilet stops will be. I recommend using the toilet at Edinburgh bus station just before you start your tour.
Will I have any free time?
On this tour specifically, we had free time at Loch Katrine to grab some lunch before the boat tour, and we also had some free time to explore the shop at Glenturret Distillery. The day didn’t feel rushed, and it was a good pace.
How much do I tip my Rabbies guide?
Tipping in Scotland is very much at your own discretion. I usually tip tour guides around 10% as a thank you.
What do I need to bring for my Rabbie’s tour?
Here are some items I suggest you take with you on your Rabbie’s tour:
- Sun block
- Water bottle
- Phone charger (there are USB charging points inside the minibus)
- Cash (some small villages may only accept cash)
- Passport
- Travel insurance documents
- Phone number of your 24-hour emergency contact
- Any prescription medicine you may need
- Rabbie’s Tours confirmation email
- Copies of important documents you may need – one copy printed and another emailed to yourself is a good idea
- Driving licence (useful if you wish to purchase gin or whisky)
- Student/senior card for travel discounts
- Insect repellent (I recommend the brand Smidge)
- Waterproof jacket
- An umbrella
- Sunglasses
Do you stop for lunch?
Yes- this tour, and all other tours with Rabbies include a lunch stop, so you don’t need to pack your lunch (unless you want to!).
Are kids allowed on Rabbie’s tours?
Unfortunately, children under the age of five are not allowed on Rabbie’s tours. Children aged 5-17 need to be accompanied by an adult.
When should I arrive at the pick-up point?
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour is due to depart.
This email was sponsored by Rabbies. All words, opinions and photographs are entirely my own.
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