John Alasdair Macdonald, PhD – founder of The Hebridean Explorer – guides all tours. John is a native Highlander and a Scottish Highlands historian with 18 years of experience leading private guided tours.
No. I do not sell individual or separate group tickets for people to join tours. The prices quoted are for your private and exclusive group only (of up to 3 people) where your private group collectively hires the vehicle as a whole for a tour. Advertised tour prices still apply if your group is less than 3.
Absolutely. Solo travellers are very welcome. Please note that as I focus exclusively on private tours, the booking is for the private hire of the vehicle and guide. The advertised tour prices still apply, and you will have the entire tour, vehicle and guide to yourself, with no other guests joining you.
The current tour vehicle is a Honda CR-V accommodating up to 3 passengers with window seats to ensure a high-quality, private experience. While there is a 4th passenger seat in the vehicle, it is a smaller middle seat with limited width and without a window view and as such I do not take three adults in the back.
Yes, flexibility is a key feature. I will do my best to adapt the itinerary to your interests, such as visiting ancestral sites.
All private tours need to be booked in advance with a 50% non-refundable deposit is required. Full payment for a tour booking is required 45 days before the tour start date.
I take advance bookings up to 18 months before a tour date.
I have an online Secure Payment System for deposit and balance payments which accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards. After confirmation of availability and tour details you will be sent a link to our Secure Payment page.
Enjoy the ease of a private pickup — I will meet you directly at your Inverness accommodation (within 5 miles of Inverness City Centre) on the morning of Day 1 to begin the tour. At the end of the tour I will drop you off at your preferred Inverness location.
Tours have plenty of viewpoint, photo, and refreshment stops along with regular restroom stops. As it is a private tour, we can pretty much stop whenever you want!
I try and get off the beaten track on our tours so some stops give you the opportunity to walk over peat land or along the side of a loch. A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers with good grip is recommended, and a light waterproof jacket is always useful as Highland weather can be very changeable. Please note that all walks are entirely optional and can be tailored to your comfort and mobility level.
The current tour vehicle comfortably accommodates up to three passengers with the rear boot (trunk) for luggage allowing for one medium bag/suitcase per person and one small day bag/backpack per person. For private groups of three, if you are unsure about luggage capacity, please let me know the size of your suitcases and I can check against available space.
Yes. I am happy to help with your suitcases at each overnight location – some of the smaller hotels around the Highlands and Islands do not have lifts but I will gladly assist in getting your bags to your room.
No. To ensure a personalised experience and direct communication, I work exclusively with private clients. I do not accept bookings through travel agents or re-sellers. All tours must be booked directly by clients.
