Don't just take our word for it, read for yourself how fantastic our trips around Scotland are and if you are bursting to tell everyone what an amazing time you have had then click here to make your own recommendations.
Recommended by John Nugus
I went on a Haggis Tour in 2002 and loved it. I prefer to travel independently, but it was a good way to pack plenty into 7 days exploring Scotland with a ready-made bunch of like-minded travellers. I saw places I've been back to plenty of times since and others I ticked the box as a one-off. It was inexpensive, the guide was great, and I'd recommend it to those who are happy to pitch in to help a bit during the trip and don't mind doing the group thing for a week.
Recommended by Metanah
The 7 day explorer was definately the way to go, you got really close to everyone on your trip and with your guide aswell. i'd hate to have to rush the scenery and miss out on the deep scottish love that was overflowing by the end! The hightlights were definately the stories and the horrible jokes that our guide Christoph told us. And all of us returning it with an 'Aye...' Not really knowing what else to say haha.
I did this tour by myself and icould not have been more nervous! in saying that, you quickly forget your nerves when you step on the bus and everyone is so friendly and ... awesome!! i can't reccomend this trip enough and if your lucky you might get Chris, because he probably made the trip what it was!! Very passionate about scotland.. and Whiskey. Does a mean australian accent too!!
1000000000 thumbs up!!
Recommended by Vicky Dextraze
Awesome tour, very nice scottish guide (but a little bit hard to understand for two poor french canadians)! We loved it!
Great Britain is beautiful, we stopped in very nice places and hostels.
I recommend this tour to every 20-35 years old travelers who enjoy *backpacker style tours* and want to have nice parties and take some fresh air! :-p
Recommended by Cath Fitzgerald
Hi there,
Ive just arrived back in reality and wanted to provide some more extensive feedback, as those little bitty yellow forms didn't do the tour justice!
I was on the 7 day island explorer tour that departed on the 12th Sept with Russell as our guide. Ive done quite a few group tours, and I have to say that this one was the best by far! Russell was an awesome guide, not only does he know so much about the amazingly complicated history of the country, but he also acted as a pretty good DJ, comedian and story teller. Ive developed such an interest in the history and the culture of the highlands as a result, and Ive already downloaded a heap of the albums he played on the bus. He was chilled out and relaxed, but also made sure that we were safe, comfortable and having a great time.
The tour itself was fab, I loved most the hostels that we stayed in, although those pesky curfews limited our opportunities to get out on the town sometimes. Some extra powerpoints in the rooms would also have helped with charging all of our phones, ipods and camera batteries, but all in all, the accommodation and overnight stops were great and I wanted to stay longer in all of them. I actually celebrated my 30th birthday on the tour, and beforehand was jokingly contemplating throwing myself into Loch Ness, but I was having so much fun on the night that I didn't want it to end!
I will certainly be recommending Haggis to all of my friends, it was economical and great value for money, and was the best way that I could have spent my scary 30th birthday!
Recommended by Katie
Hello Haggis Hotties
I was recently on your Island Explorer tour of the Highlands of Scotland with the fantastic Greg and just wanted to write a quick email to say how much I enjoyed the trip. Greg was friendly, funny and informative and I still crack up thinking about his lame jokes!! The tour was one of the highlight's of my Europe trip and I particulary enjoyed staying at the castle and the Orkneys. Just wanted to pass on my thanks to everyone but especially Greg.
Lots of Love
Katie
Recommended by Anna
I've to say that this was my third Haggis trip so far and again it's just been hillarious! Great young (at heart) people from all over the world, great local tour guide (with a broad knowlegde of his country and an as broad sense of humour...), great landscape - my recommendation: Do it! Pack your backpack (remember - weather in Scotland is unpredictable, so take rain as well as sun protection ;-))It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you'll never forget!
Recommended by Delphine ROCHERIE
Great times to come if you choose to discover Scotland through the ISLAND EXPLORER 7-DAY TOUR offered by Haggis Adventures. Not only will you go to famous places, but you'll above all discover unknown places (pubs, beaches, moutains) that are really worth it !
Best times? Either on the Western coast or the isle of Skye ... Just magic places and sceneries !!! And if you happen to go on the trip by mid-july, don't forget to book tickets for the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway.
The group was quite small (13 of us), but very friendly and from all origins (either geographical or social). So it's also a great human experience to meet different people and simply share good moments with them.
Last, but not least, you'll be guided throughout your trip by a great guide. Ours, Russell, didn't only give us tips to make the most of the trip (either for finances or visits or nights out), but he also knows so much about his country ... and definitely loves it ! I was thrilled by the music played on the bus (almost ONLY Scottish bands, more or less famous I must admit), and he can tell so many anecdtotes about the history of every single place he drives us to.
And the rest of the team is also excellent. Any question you hav, they can answer, and help you find a way out.
Trust me, you won't regret taht experience !!!
Recommended by Natasha Wynne
So I did the 7 Day Island Adventure tour with Russell just last week and I have to say of the 4 tours I have done around other parts of the world this one is by far the best. Russell's knowledge of the history of Scotland was quite simply bloody amazing! Not to mention his fine driving abilities. Russell did a great job of not only enlightening us all of the awesome history and people of Scotland, but also showed us the best pubs to drink/eat at and went out of his way to make it the best tour for us all.
I would and already have recommended Haggis tours to my mates.
Cheers
Recommended by Alaistra Harper
I would recommend Haggis Tours to anyone who wished to get even the briefest taste of Scotland. They have a great variety of tours to choose from ranging from day trips to the tour I picked, seven glorious days exploring everything the beautiful Scottish Isles have to offer and then some!
I would recommend these tours in particular not only for their great value but for their excellent guides. Our guide, Russell, was incredible knowledgeable, had a knack for keeping the group energized, and made this trip one of the best I've been on. As beautiful as Scotland is on it's own, a good tour leader makes it better and Haggis definitely employs on of the best!
You can bet I'd pick Haggis again, just for the excellent quality they demand of their guides, such as Russell!
Recommended by Sally
As an Aussie returning to Bonnie Scotland after a three year hiatus, I was keen to journey further to what I'd consider the relatively untouched, isolated regions of this beautiful country the Orkney and Hebridean Islands among them. Haggis came through with the goods with the 7 Day Island Explorer.
Though there's too many to mention, some highlights include the spectacular sandy white Harris coastline; amazing ancient sites such as Skara Brae and the Callanish Standing Stones; haunting and intimidating mountain scenery; the stunning Skye and Eilean Donan Castle (my favourites) and of course the main places of interest that cannot be missed Loch Ness, Wallace Monument, Culloden Battlefield, Glencoe to name a few.
One needn't fret about the nightlife either, despite the early starts you will still find yourself all too willingly bailed up in a cosy local pub enjoying a wee dram or ten with your tour mates and all-important banter with the locals after all a nation's character is defined by it's people! It's fuel to the fire when you are accompanied by an amazing group of fellow travellers' Clan MacHatters! - and an intrepid leader. Our guide Russell complete with a musical expertise and library that provided an apt soundtrack to our experience was informative, enthusiastic and energetic, even though it must have been super exhausting to put up with us lot for a whole week.
As all explorers know, a guide's attitude and proficiency has a direct impact on what is taken away from tour and ours was equally as passionate and colourful as Scottish history itself. In all, an ideal and memorable way to spend your time and hard-earned coin during your stay in the UK. Stick with the 5 day tour if you are keen to concentrate on the beaten track, but if you are looking for a more comprehensive Scottish experience hit Haggis up for the Island Explorer and prepare to get wild and sexy!
Recommended by Laura Mickelson
Windswept moores, dramatic coastlines, jagged mountain peaks, white sandy beaches, colorful culture, fascinating history, and delicious whisky--Welcome to Wild and Sexy Scotland. This was my second time in Scotland, and I would recommend the Haggis Island Explorer tour for anyone who wants to escape the hordes of tourists and get a taste of real Scotland. For 8 amazing days, Clan McGrrrrr (as we affectionately called ourselves) tramped around the highlands and islands of Scotland visiting the sites and taking in scenery that a person on a shoestring budget such as myself never would have accomplished alone (nor would I have wanted to.) We visited ancient and historical sites by day and "toured" the local pubs by night.
It is impossible to choose a favorite memory:
-spending the night in haunted Carbisdale Castle
-dressing in head-to-toe rain gear to visit the Tomb of the Eagles
-playing soccer on the white sand beaches of Lewis
-going back in time visiting the ancient standing stones of Orkney
-singing along to the USA's national anthem being played on the bagpipes by one of the guys on our tour in a small crowded pub in Ullapool on the 4th of July
-taking a raft into the depths of Smoo cave
-doing the Haka (traditional Maori dance performed by New Zealand's All Black's before each international soccer match) atop the green cliffs on the Isle of Skye
-attempting a highland charge on a party of unexpecting tourists
-dipping our faces in a cold highland stream because legend says it will make us irresistibly sexy
-or just listening to our incredibly knowledgeable and crazy tour guide/clan leader, Disco Dave (a music guru who had a song that perfectly matched every moment of our 8 day tour).
Scotland is a magical place seeped and stewed in legend and history, a country people of all ages can enjoy. This Haggis tour, however, is best suited for the young (or young at heart).
My group was mainly in their 20's or early 30's. It is a pretty active tour. It wasn't necessarily very physical, but we were constantly on the go with our days filled with lots things to do with not much down time except for evenings.
We did get one free day in Ullapool to do as we pleased. If you are looking for a different type of tour-- full of facts, friends, and crazy adventures then Haggis is the company for you.
Recommended by Davina
Did this tour when I first came to live in the UK. It was a great way to see Scotland. I had heard so much what a beautiful country it was, and well thanks to the tour I completely agree!
A highlight was Will, our busbriver/tour manager. He was so friendly and helpful.
Other highlights were looking for nessy, and living the history of the castles and the kilt! Oh and tasting haggis for the first time.
Recommended by Emma
For those who want to see a bit more of Scotland I'd recommend this tour. You get to see so many different types of spectacular scenery (from the highlands to the rocky cliffs of Harris) and the guides are a wealth of knowledge who provide much of the history to the surrounds. Due to the remoteness of some of the areas it's worthwhile pointing out that some of the hostels are not top of the range - all are comfortable however. I would suggest if you are self catering to bring a couple of the non-perishable items with you before you leave for the tour (some of the supermarket stops are limited in what they offer). I would recommend for those who want to see a bit more of Scotland than just Edinburgh Castle!