Scotland · SCOTTISH ISLANDS TOURS

9 Scottish Islands Tours to Build a Trip Around

9 tours  ·  from $23

This is the shortlist you would hand a friend: 9 scottish islands tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Semi Private Tour - Orkney and Kirkwall - Guides make the difference
Orkney Tours, Private, Scottish Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Semi Private Tour – Orkney and Kirkwall

1.Semi Private Tour – Orkney and Kirkwall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $229Our pick

Spend about 6.5 hours touring Orkney from Kirkwall Pier with a professional English-speaking guide and no more than 15 people. Visit the Standing Stones of Stenness, Broch of Gurness, Italian Chapel, Ring of Brodgar, St. Magnus Cathedral, and Kirkwall. Guides such as Michael, Iain, Lorraine, Chris, and Ewan bring local history to life, though clear audio can vary by vehicle.

“We loved our itinerary and our Guide Michael was very informed and enjoyed . Kept us well entertained along with all the history”

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From Kirkwall - Orkney Mainland Private Tour - Unstan Chambered Cairn and the first look at Neolithic Orkney
Orkney Tours, Private, Scottish Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Kirkwall – Orkney Mainland Private Tour

2.Orkney Mainland Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $451Top rated

Spend about seven hours touring Orkney Mainland with a private driver-guide such as Chris, Leslie, Ewan, Marlene, or Davey. Visit Scapa Flow, Unstan Chambered Cairn, the Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, Skaill House, and the Italian Chapel. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the day can be adjusted around your interests.

“Take this tour! Chris was friendly, gracious, and quite knowledgeable. I was really looking forward to this, and Chris made it even better than I had expected.”

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Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland - Scalloway gives the day a historical start
Farms, Half-Day, Private, Scottish Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland

3.Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Travel south from Lerwick in a private vehicle with a local guide, meeting Shetland ponies, exploring Jarlshof, and watching seabirds at Sumburgh Head. Guides such as Shirley, Danny, Neville, and Mandy have added local stories, music, and flexible stops. Pickup is available in Lerwick, Sumburgh, or Tingwall.

“Well organized tour with interesting stops. Our guide was accommodating and friendly. Our driver was as much fun as the tour guide! We love our day. Loved seeing the Shetland ponies and cute puffins! Such a beautiful place to visit. If you want a good tour, good Guide an interesting places you must book this tour”

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City Tours, Full-Day, Private, Scottish Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick

4.Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $503

Explore Lerwick and southern Shetland with a private local guide such as Amanda, Tom, Jeff, or Jacqueline. Visit Clickimin Broch, Fort Charlotte, Hay’s Dock, The Lodberrie, Scalloway, and the Croft House Museum. Port pickup, transport, and museum admission are included, while lunch is your responsibility.

“We loved our experience. Birgit and Danny were informative and fun. We felt we saw things we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Loved it!”

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Shetland Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour from Lerwick - Clickimin Broch gives the route an ancient starting point
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Scottish Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shetland Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour from Lerwick

5.Shetland Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour from Lerwick

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 24 reviews · from $22Best value

Travel from Lerwick around key Shetland sights on a Sunday bus loop, with stops including Clickimin Broch, Sound Beach, Scalloway, Meal Beach, Tingwall Loch, and the Shetland Textile Museum. Drivers such as George add local facts and humor. Four departures run from April through September, but long gaps can limit short stops.

“Complete waste of money and time, we got on at pick up point and drove around, driver was mainly talking to three woman at front of bus, we hopped off at Scarroway only to find most of places closed so got next bus back where upon the driver drove back to lerwick so we missed a large part of tour, overall view would think twice before booking again.”

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Stornoway: Private Tour Isle of Lewis - Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and island life
Hebrides Island Tours, Private, Scottish Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Stornoway: Private Tour Isle of Lewis

6.Private Tour Isle of Lewis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.)

Join Luke of Tour Outer Hebrides for a private four to six hour tour from Stornoway. Travel by air-conditioned vehicle to Callanish, Carloway Broch, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Port Stoth, Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, Lews Castle, and Stornoway. Pickup is available from the port, airport, hotel, or accommodation.

“Luke provided great information on our tour. He made our day a lot of fun. He took us to all the sites we requested and even added a couple of places he thought would interest us…and it did! We would strongly recommend this tour and Luke I promise you won’t be sorry!”

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Isle of Skye Private Tour from Portree - The guides and the value of local knowledge
Isle of Skye Tours, Private, Scottish Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Isle of Skye Private Tour from Portree

7.Isle of Skye Private Tour from Portree

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $524

This 6.5-hour private tour from Portree combines the Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, Portree, and Dunvegan Castle. Your guide, often Willie, Fiona, or Rosie, handles the driving, local stories, pickup, and castle entry. Expect long walks, winding roads, flexible stops, and a strong focus on scenery and Skye culture.

“Willie was a kind man who has lived in Skye his entire life. We had terrible weather and so the drive around the island with 5 in the car had its moments when we got out. sadly, it was a rather dreary experience as it relies largely on the scenery”

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Shore Excursion Kirkwall Small Group Highlights of Orkney - The Italian Chapel and the human story behind it
Orkney Tours, Scottish Islands Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shore Excursion Kirkwall Small Group Highlights of Orkney

8.Shore Excursion Kirkwall Small Group Highlights of Orkney

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $321

Meet at Kirkwall Pier at 9:30 am for a six-hour tour limited to six people. With local guide Frank named in guest feedback, you’ll see the Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers, Ring of Brodgar, Stenness, Skara Brae, and Skaill House, with admission included and a return to the pier.

“Great tour, definitely a small group. We were four and two others from our cruise. The guide did a great job of avoiding the larger groups at our stops and explaining everything. He was even able to add a stop at magnus cathedral since we were ahead of schedule and still got us back to the ship in time.”

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Treasures of Orkney: Private Half-Day Tour from Kirkwall - Kirkwall pickup and the road west
Half-Day, Orkney Tours, Private, Scottish Islands Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Treasures of Orkney: Private Half-Day Tour from Kirkwall

9.Treasures of Orkney: Private Half-Day Tour from Kirkwall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $1,258

Spend four hours with a private English-speaking guide visiting Yesnaby Cliffs, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and the Standing Stones of Stenness. Pickup and drop-off in Kirkwall are included. Guide Abs is praised for friendly driving, clear information, and helping cruise passengers use limited time well. Skara Brae admission must be booked separately.

“Abs was a great guide and driver. He was friendly and informative. He took us to several major sites and gave suggestions to make the most of our time while our cruise ship was docked in Kirkwall.”

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Isle of Skye Tours64Orkney Tours18Hebrides Island Tours15Cruises & Boat Tours34Shore Excursions23
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