Scotland · CITY TOURS

City Tours in Scotland: The 15 Best

49 tours  ·  from $9

Open-top buses, small-group walks and private cars all cover the same ground at different speeds. These 15 compare them on route, how long the ticket lasts and whether the commentary is live.

City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free - Nicolson Square to George IV Bridge: Old Town access
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City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

1.City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,683 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24Our pick

Ride Edinburgh’s open-top double-decker bus past the castle, Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Parliament, and Arthur’s Seat views. Use recorded commentary in nine languages, hop off at 15 stops, and rejoin buses about every 20 minutes. Up to three children travel free with each full-paying adult until March 31, 2026.

“Very slow and lack any real information. Lots of accordion music Lots of sitting at bus stops and would not have purchased. I have done many of these and this tour is one of the worst”

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City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour - The Yellow Route adds reach, but not always fresh commentary
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City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

2.City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,873 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

See Glasgow from an open-top double-decker bus on a one or two-day pass. Ride the Red Route year-round, add the seasonal Yellow Route, and hop off near the cathedral, Kelvingrove, Riverside Museum, SEC, Celtic Park, and more. Expect recorded audio, free headphones, and live guides on some Red Route buses.

“Glasgow is an amazing city of breathtaking architecture and it supports multiple institutions of art, culture and medicine.”

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Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour with Local Guide - George Square and the City Chambers
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Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour with Local Guide

3.Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,326 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $16Best value

Walk central Glasgow with a local English-speaking guide such as Stephen, Louise, Liz, or Gabe. Over about 90 minutes and 1.5 to 2 miles, you’ll see George Square, the City Chambers, Strathclyde, Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis, street art, and the Gallery of Modern Art. Expect history, humor, local tips, and an outdoor route in all weather.

“Gabe was terrific and super informative! Extremely knowledgeable and friendly, would definitely recommend”

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City of the Dead: The Double Dead Tour - Walking toward Greyfriars Kirkyard
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City of the Dead: The Double Dead Tour

4.City of the Dead: The Double Dead Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 900 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $31

Walk from St Giles’ Cathedral to Edinburgh’s South Bridge Vaults and Greyfriars Kirkyard, hearing dark history, paranormal tales, and jokes from guides such as Ben, Nat, Ian, and Grant. The English-language tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes, includes restricted graveyard access, and suits ages 12 and up.

“Fun walking tour with lots if good stories and interesting hostiry. Not cheesy. Loved the vaults and exclusive access to the Covenanters Prison.”

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Inverness City Daily Walking Tour (11:30am, 2pm & 5pm) - Inverness Castle and the city’s upper streets
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Inverness City Daily Walking Tour (11:30am, 2pm & 5pm)

5.Inverness City Daily Walking Tour (11:30am, 2pm & 5pm)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 664 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Walk central Inverness with a local English-speaking guide in a group of up to 14. You’ll see the castle, cathedral, River Ness, Town House, Eden Court Theatre, and Old High Church, with stories about Jacobites, local lore, architecture, and city life. Guides such as Christine, Karen, Steve, Elaine, and Eileen have led this gentle 90-minute introduction.

“A lovely, historic walk. An hour and a half, 1 1/2 miles of beautiful downtown Inverness. Our guide, Eilen was very knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommend”

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Underground City of the Dead Tour - What happens during the 80-minute visit
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Underground City of the Dead Tour

6.Underground City of the Dead Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 272 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Go beneath Edinburgh with an English-speaking guide for 80 minutes in the South Bridge Vaults and Damnation Alley. You’ll hear how people once lived in misery below the city and learn about the feared South Bridge Entity. Guides including Ben, Beth, Rebecca, Lloyd, and Heather lead daytime and nighttime departures for groups of up to five.

“Lloyd effectively brought to light the truly macabre nature of life in the underground vaults of Edinburgh”

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Edinburgh City Bike Tour - Choice of E-Bike or Manual - Bruntsfield Links and the Meadows
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Edinburgh City Bike Tour – Choice of E-Bike or Manual

7.Edinburgh City Bike Tour – Choice of E-Bike or Manual

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 241 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $87

Ride beyond central Edinburgh with guides Ricky, Stuart, or Ricardo on a small-group route linking the Union Canal, Meadows, Arthur’s Seat, Portobello Beach, Leith, and the Water of Leith. Choose a manual bike or e-bike, with helmets, gloves, rain jackets, and panniers available. Expect hills, traffic, parks, coastline, and about 13 to 14.5 miles of riding.

“Our guides Ricky and Robbie were great despite the miserable rainy weather. It was a group of 12 so it was hard to hear him. We also had to take an alternate route due to the weather. We enjoyed it!”

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City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour - Walking through Edinburgh’s closes and alleyways
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City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour

8.City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 225 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Meet at St Giles’ Cathedral for an English-language walking tour through Edinburgh’s closes and alleyways to Greyfriars Kirkyard. Your guide may be Ross, Gerry, or Grant, each with a different storytelling style. The tour ends inside the locked Covenantor’s Prison, linked to the Mackenzie Poltergeist.

“Highly enjoyed ourselves. It was really interesting to hear the history of the graveyard. Our tour guide grant was extremely entertaining. Would definitely recommend!”

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Aberdeen City Centre Walking Tour (2pm) - Netherkirkgate and Aberdeen’s older street plan
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Aberdeen City Centre Walking Tour (2pm)

9.Aberdeen City Centre Walking Tour (2pm)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $19

Spend about 90 minutes with a local guide exploring central Aberdeen, from Marischal College and St Nicholas’ Kirk to old lanes, tunnels, street art, and the Maritime Museum. Guides such as Kirsty, John, Bronwyn, and Conor have led engaging tours, with groups capped at 20. Wear layers for changeable weather.

“We had a wonderful time during our walking tour. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. We were able to see many different sites that we wouldn’t have visited on our own. Thank you for a lovely time!”

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Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Bus Tour - The Britannia route through Leith
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Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Bus Tour

10.Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 172 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Use one mobile ticket for 48 hours of unlimited hop-on hop-off travel around Edinburgh. The city route links the Old Town, Holyrood, museums, and major viewpoints, while the Britannia route reaches Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Audio comes in nine languages, and staff such as Paul have been praised for friendly help. Attraction admission is separate.

“The actual tour was fine. However, there was confusion on where to pick up the tour...much more walking to get there than expected.”

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City Sightseeing Inverness Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour - Stop 1: Inverness Bus Station
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City Sightseeing Inverness Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

11.City Sightseeing Inverness Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 171 reviews · 55 minutes (approx.) · from $20

See Inverness from an open-top double-decker bus on a narrated 55-minute loop. Your 24-hour ticket covers stops near the castle, River Ness, parks, Eden Court Theatre, Tomnahurich Hill, Dochgarroch Loch, and the Caledonian Canal. Buses run hourly, so plan stops carefully.

“We were at a stop outside of the city and the bus was late over 50 minutes. We called a taxi to get back to the city. There was no one to reach to find out where the bus was. We were late for our next engagement. They also changed a stop ( had a sign) so we had to run to the next stop. We saw the bus stop at the one that they supposedly changed. Needless it was a very frustrating experience. Considering Viator does not give money back if you have e to cancel sue to illness for tours and then this happens!! Will not use this…”

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Loch Ness,Culloden Battlefield,Cawdor Castle & Much More From Inverness City - Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
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Loch Ness,Culloden Battlefield,Cawdor Castle & Much More From Inverness City

12.Loch Ness,Culloden Battlefield,Cawdor Castle & Much More From Inverness City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 153 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Spend 7 to 8 hours with a private guide from Historic and Scenic Tours Inverness, visiting Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle, Beauly Priory and Glen Ord Distillery. Guides such as Mike, Jim, Lewis and Stuart tailor the day, add local stops and provide hotel or airport pickup.

“Iqbal was an amazing tour guide. He was super personable and knowledgeable! We traveled with my in laws and my 12 month old baby. He was very accommodating and provided drinks and snacks! Would very much recommend him as a tour guide!”

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Walking Tours in Inverness City Centre - Starting at 36 High Street at 11 a.m.
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Walking Tours in Inverness City Centre

13.Walking Tours in Inverness City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 128 reviews · from $21

Join Cath Findlay for a 90-minute small-group walk through central Inverness. Hear Jacobite tales, see Inverness Castle, the Town House, Old High St Stephen’s Church, the River Ness, Victorian Market, and Abertarff House. The easy-paced tour also leaves room for local food tips, questions, and possible wildlife sightings.

“Really Great Walking Tour With Cath Findlay, Great Introduction To Inverness and a Wonderful Tour Guide, Highly Recommend for those looking for a History of Inverness with a Background into its Scottish History, Culture and Heart.”

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City of the Dead Underground Vaults (Day) - What the 80-minute itinerary feels like
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City of the Dead Underground Vaults (Day)

14.City of the Dead Underground Vaults (Day)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 113 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Meet at St Giles’ Cathedral at 3:30 pm for an 80-minute walk into Edinburgh’s South Bridge Vaults. Your guide leads you through Damnation Alley, sharing grim stories of former residents and the feared South Bridge Entity. English only, minimum age 12, with a maximum of two people for an unusually personal visit.

“On March 19th, 2025, our small lovely group led by charismatic guide Joshua descended into the dark and mysterious vaults of old Edinburgh. I was rather sceptical - until Joshua started telling us his bone-chilling stories, in the complete darkness, illuminated only by the faint light of a lantern. I still get goosebumps when I remember that strange sensation of being in the presence of something dead and ghostly! The frightening reality of the past intertwined with horror. A brilliant and fascinating tour, played out like a small performance. Bravo, Joshua! For the first time in many years, I went to bed that night with the lights on!”

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Merchant City Music Walking Tour of Glasgow - The Tron Theatre and a darker old story
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Merchant City Music Walking Tour of Glasgow

15.Merchant City Music Walking Tour of Glasgow

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $27

Walk Glasgow’s music trail with guides such as Fiona and Phil, visiting The Clutha, Panopticon, Barrowland Ballroom, City Halls, and The 13th Note. Expect stories about punk, folk, rock, local venues, and Glasgow musicians. The small group is capped at 26, and a 20% Mono Cafe Bar food discount is included.

“The history of music in Glasgow is rich and fascinating. You'll walk about two hours with one comfort break. Our guide, Fiona, was impressive in her breasts and depth of knowledge. She's an arts journalist and clearly has a love for Glasgow and it's musiciand. I take walking tours all over the world, and this was one of the best!”

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New in City Tours

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