Why a Scotland Bus Tour is the best way to explore our home

We absolutely love Scotland and we get asked this question a lot: Why choose a Scotland bus tour over a self drive or hitchhiking option? Well, we’ve decided to do a wee write up on 5 reason why you should consider jumping on a bus tour rather than trying to figure it out yourself.

1) Tours Add Depth to Your Trip

In a country so full of folklore and with a people so gifted at spinning a tale, it would be a shame to experience Scotland without hearing about it from a passionate Scot. Every inch of this beautiful land has some story linked to it and we’re here to embellish your journey with stories of faeries, rebellions, giants, heriones , betrayals and great battles. While a trip through the landscapes of Scotland may be awe-inspiring on its own, it’s really the added layers of tales from the past that bring our country to life. Our guides are all extremely passionate about showing Scotland to the world and this comes across in their tours. You’ll be laughing along as they sing their hearts out, captivated when the stories get serious and in awe when you hear about what some Scots have done in history. We can’t think of a better way to enjoy our home!

2) Our Tours Create Friendships

Our tours are aimed at 18-39 year olds who are looking to explore the world. This means our tours won’t be full of people you can’t connect with or don’t have anything in common with. It’s this rule that has helped us create some incredible memories and long lasting friendships over the years.

Historically we tend to attract solo travellers and people wanting to get out and make connections. We try to keep things easygoing, with loads of chances to get off the bus and really connect with each other. Plus, our guides are extremely friendly and approachable; so they will be more than happy to have a chat or help you film that TikTok.

We believe a Scotland tour is about more than seeing the land, it’s about who you share it with and the memories you can make together. It’s all part of why we’re so revered in our reviews and why so many people swear by a MacBackpackers trip!

3) Tours Allow You To Explore Scotland In All Seasons

Not many people realize this, but Scotland has some pretty erratic weather. We’re as high up as Sweden and even bits of Norway, so our seasonal shift is quite drastic and this means sometimes we’re at the mercy of the weather. While some people might be adept at driving in all conditions (looking at you Canadians), the prospect of driving across black ice covered roads flanked by snow drifts is quite daunting for most people.

So why not let our tour guides remove that stress from your life on roads they know better than the back of their hands. While most people would be scared of driving down a single track road through a storm, our experienced guides will happily navigate the roads of Skye and the Highlands for you. Our 3 Day Isle of Skye tour is currently on sale for 15% during winter if you’d like to experience Scotland this winter and see their winter driving skills for yourself!

4) Tours Are Cost Effective

A Scotland tour doesn’t have to be expensive. While there’s lots of higher priced tours out there, we believe in really stretching your budget to give you the best experience at the best price. That’s why we use hostel accommodation to keep your price per night right down (from as little as £34 per night including breakfast) rather than asking you to book your own accommodation in the Highlands (which can go for hundreds during the summer). Our hostel accommodation has a fully fitted kitchen so you can cook for yourself rather than eating out. We also don’t believe in forcing anyone to pay for any experiences throughout the tour and always offer an alternative to those wanting to save a few quid, so you always have a choice on where your money is spent.

5) You Get More On Tour

The final reason a Scotland bus tour may be the best choice for you is that tour companies have deals with companies across Scotland to give their punters exclusive discounts. You can save on a visit to Culloden with our tour wristbands and pick up a great 10% discount for 3 of Edinburgh’s top hostels (High Street Hostel, Royal Mile Backpackers and Castle Rock Hostel) simply by booking a tour. It’s small things like this that help our guests enjoy Scotland even more on tour than if they’d explored on their own.