The 15 Best City Tours in Scotland

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

Use a 24-hour City Sightseeing pass to circle Edinburgh on an open-top double-decker bus, with 15 stops, commentary in nine languages, and a children’s track. Ride the full 70-minute route first, then hop off near Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Holyrood, Dynamic Earth, and the Royal Mile. Up to three children travel free with each paying adult until March 31, 2026.

“A fab thing to do especially with our children, helped explore the city and rest their legs in hilly edinburgh, the commentary was informative and everyone learnt something new! Fab offer of kids go free made it excellent value for money.”

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

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

Ride Glasgow’s Red Route year-round, with a 90-minute loop, recorded commentary, or a live guide from April to September. In high season, add the electric-bus Yellow Route. Hop off for Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Museum, the Riverside Museum, the West End, George Square, and more. Tickets last one or two calendar days.

“The bus was an excellent way to get to know where things in the city were and to decide where to get off.”

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3.Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour with Local Guide

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

Walk from George Square through Glasgow’s civic center, Strathclyde, the Cathedral, Necropolis, street art, and the Gallery of Modern Art. Local guides such as Stephen, Louise, Liz, Susie, and Gabe add humor, personal stories, and useful tips. Expect 1.5 to 2 miles outdoors, with no interior visits.

“Gabe was absolutely fantastic! He was an amazing guide. Very well versed on all things Glasgow! With a good sense on humor and just very friendly. The tour was exceptional!!”

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4.City of the Dead: The Double Dead Tour

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

Join City of the Dead Tours for 1 hour 45 minutes of Edinburgh history, underground vaults, graveyard stories, humor, and well-timed scares. Meet at St Giles’ Cathedral and finish at Greyfriars Kirkyard. Guides such as Ben, Nat, Ian, Grant, and Charlie lead the English-language tour for groups of up to five.

“Grant was an awesome tour guide. Good stories at the Underground with just the right mix of history, humor and jumps. Fast paced walking between sites, but was able to keep up.”

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

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

Join a local English-speaking guide for a gentle 90-minute walk through central Inverness. Guides such as Christine, Karen, Elaine, Steve, and Steven share local history, Jacobite stories, humor, and practical suggestions as you visit the castle, cathedral, River Ness, Town House, Eden Court, and Old High Church.

“We took this tour with our guide Elaine who was an exceptional teacher of the history of Inverness in particular and Scotland overall. She delighted in sharing stories and accounts as she stopped at a particular point of interest. Thank you Elaine! We recommend this tour completely!”

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6.Underground City of the Dead Tour

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

Head below Edinburgh’s streets into the South Bridge Vaults and Damnation Alley, where your English-speaking guide explains the grim lives once lived here and the legend of the South Bridge Entity. Guides have included Ben, Beth, Rebecca, Lloyd, and Heather. Tours run by day or night, with groups capped at five.

“Heather , very good , great information about the vaults , some very good facts about the city that would never have known”

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

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

Join Ricky, Stuart, or Ricardo for a 3.5-hour ride from central Edinburgh through the Union Canal, Meadows, Holyrood Park, Portobello Beach, Leith, and the New Town. Choose a manual bicycle or e-bike, with helmets, gloves, rain jackets, and panniers available. Lucy the guide’s dog may join the outing.

“Great guide and a terrific tour. The electric assist bikes made the tour super easy. The tour provided a great overview of Edinburgh.”

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8.City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at the Tree of the Dead by St Giles’ Cathedral, then walk from the Royal Mile into Greyfriars Kirkyard. Guides such as Ross, Gerry, Grant, and Graham mix dark history, humor, and ghost stories before taking you into the locked Covenanters’ Prison, home of the Mackenzie Poltergeist legend.

“Our guide, Ross, was spectacular, engaging, and full of dark humor. It was a very fun tour where we learned many anecdotes we didn’t know about Edinburgh, as well as terrifying stories from different spots around the city, with the cemetery as the main highlight. We had a great time, and it’s an experience we highly recommend if you want to enjoy yourself while discovering the darker side of the city.”

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9.Aberdeen City Centre Walking Tour (2pm)

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

Start at the Robert the Bruce Statue with a local guide such as Kirsty, Bronwyn, John, or Conor. In about 90 minutes, you’ll connect Marischal College, street art, old lanes, witch-trial stories, The Green, Shiprow, and the Maritime Museum. Expect a friendly group of up to 20, with plenty of outdoor walking.

“We had a fabulous walk through Aberdeen with our guide Kristy. Very small group. She was very knowledgeable and gave us great insight into the history and present day culture of the city. Would highly recommend this tour and guide.”

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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 ticket on two Edinburgh routes for 48 hours. The City Tour links Waterloo Place with the Old Town, Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth, and the National Museum. The Britannia route runs to the Shore, Victoria Quay, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Fishmarket Square, and the Botanic Garden. Audio commentary comes in nine languages, with headphones provided.

“It was very easy to find the bus and both the drivers and street staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend.”

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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 55-minute loop linking the castle area, River Ness, parks, Dochgarroch Loch, and the Caledonian Canal. Your 24-hour ticket lets you ride, hop off, and rejoin the route, though buses run only hourly and the route is short.

“A nice little loop around Inverness highlighting all of the places of interest, and even going out of the city to help facilitate anyone who fancies a river cruise on the River Ness! Friendly driver and very reasonably priced.”

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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, Glen Ord Distillery, the River Ness, and Inverness Cathedral. Guides including Mike, Jim, William, Lewis, Stuart, and Susan tailor the day to your interests.

“Jim’s everything you want in a tour guide. He was easy going, flexible, a good story teller, knowledgeable, and fun! We really enjoyed our day with him and felt we had a better understanding of the area and culture by the end of the day! Thank you! We will recommend Historic and Scenic Tours!”

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13.Walking Tours in Inverness City Centre

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

Join local guide Cath Findlay for a 90-minute small-group walk through central Inverness. Hear Jacobite tales, see the castle from outside, visit the Victorian Market and Abertarff House, and look for wildlife beside the River Ness. The group is limited to 15, and the tour starts and ends at 36 High Street.

“This tour with Kath was a highlight. Besides informative details on Inverness she also pointed out great places to eat.”

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14.City of the Dead Underground Vaults (Day)

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at St Giles’ Cathedral for an 80-minute walk into Edinburgh’s South Bridge vaults. Hear grim tales of families who once lived underground, learn why Damnation Alley earned its name, and listen for stories of the South Bridge Entity. Guides Joshua and Giuseppe have both led memorable tours.

“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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15.Merchant City Music Walking Tour of Glasgow

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

Follow Glasgow’s music story on a two-hour walk from The Clutha Bar to King Street. Guides such as Fiona, an arts journalist, and Phil share stories about the city’s venues, musicians, punk past, and independent scene. The small group is capped at 26, and your ticket includes 20% off food at Mono Cafe Bar.

“Loved it! Amazing information and very entertaining. Easy walking and stacks of great photo points. Highly recommended.”

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