The 5 Best Tour Operators in Glasgow for Fun and Easy-to-Book Experiences
Before I booked a tour, I thought I’d seen it all in Glasgow. Turns out, I was so wrong!
Between landmarks I’d walked past a hundred times and hidden spots I’d never noticed, these operators completely changed how I see the city.
So, if you’re tired of wandering aimlessly or relying on Google Maps, this list is for you. From cultural deep dives to pub crawls, here’s the cheat sheet for the best Glasgow tours around.
How much do tours in Glasgow cost?
Tours in Glasgow range from £8 for concessions to £195 or more for multi-day experiences. Private walking tours often start at £85, with themed day trips beginning at around £54.
Prices vary depending on the type of tour, duration, and provider.
1. Rabbie’s Tours
Address: Buchanan Street Bus Station, Killermont St
Phone: +44 131 226 3133
Business hours: Open daily – 10 AM to 5 PM
I recently joined Rabbie’s Tours for a day trip to the Isle of Skye, and I was impressed by the small group size of 16 people. This made the experience feel more personal, and it was easy to interact with the guide and fellow travellers.
We visited a mix of iconic and lesser-known spots, like the Old Man of Storr and Fairy Pools. I liked how there was plenty of time to explore each stop at my own pace without feeling rushed.
The minibus was comfortable, and our guide was knowledgeable, sharing interesting tidbits about the history and legends of Skye. I appreciated the smaller group, as it allowed for more one-on-one interaction with the guide.
The cost of £70 for the tour was fair, but bear in mind that entry fees to some attractions are extra. You can pre-book some of these attractions before departure, but others need to be paid for on the day.
A couple of things to consider: you can’t book a specific seat, and there is no Wi-Fi on the bus. Plus, if you’re travelling with children under five, you won’t be able to bring them along.
Personal and knowledgeable tour guide
“Excellent tour of Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Oban and a few more treasures along the way! Cameron of the Glasgow branch was an absolutely excellent tour guide, certainly second to none! His immense knowledge of the Scottish terrain and conservation of the surrounding forests, combined with the knowledge he had about each tour stop and his immensely personable nature made for a tour that could not have been run better! He made a point of remembering every guest’s name and included everyone into conversations, something which was really picked up on by the group. Excited to book our next tour already!”
– Dervla Donegan, Google Review
Fun and engaging Scottish history tour
“We did the Loch Ness, Glencoe, & Highlands tour with John. He knows his Scottish history & is a great story teller. He was fun & personable! He also knew what we’d want to see. We had plenty of stops and chances to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. We loved the Loch Ness boat ride & definitely recommend. The highlands are a must see. They were mesmerizing. The hairy coo’s & tons of sheep were great to see. The van was comfortable & loved having the AC vent to use at my discretion. We’d absolutely do another Rabbie’s tour.”
– Lisa Foy, Google Review
2. ToursByLocals
Address: Caithness House, 125-127 St Vincent St
Phone: +44 800 012 4824
Business hours: Open 24/7
ToursByLocals offers a broad range of private, customisable tours led by local guides around the world. You can choose from various experiences, whether it’s a city tour, a distillery visit, or a more personal exploration of a specific interest.
I booked a day tour in Glasgow with a private driver in a Mercedes-Benz V-Class, which was comfortable for our group of six. The 9-hour tour covered up to 200 miles, and we had Wi-Fi and snacks along the way, which made the day even better.
What stood out to me was how easy it was to communicate directly with the guide to tailor the tour. I mentioned a few places I wanted to visit, and they quickly adjusted the itinerary to fit, offering great local insights along the way.
Prices for tours vary based on the guide and group size, with mine costing about £933 for the day. Full payment was required upfront, and I made sure to check the ‘what’s extra’ section to avoid unexpected costs like entry fees or meals.
One downside I found was that I couldn’t split the payment with others in my group, and cash payments to the guide weren’t an option. It’s also worth noting that some additional expenses, like entry fees, weren’t included in the price.
Flexible and personable guide
“Planned a trip for my sister and daughter in Isles of Skye with Csaba. He was personable, attentive and easy going. To say he was flexible is an understatement and made sure we were able to see and do everything we wanted. We felt at ease and like he was a part of our group instantly. He’s professional, funny and knows a great deal about anything we asked. A million times over will book with him again on our next travels to Scotland.”
– Maggie Garcia, Google Review
Knowledgeable and accommodating tour guide
“Irene was an exceptional guide. The 3 hour historical overview of Edinburgh was fantastic. She educated my wife and I on the highlights of the town and catered the walking tour to accommodate our desires. We had lots of questions and she seemed to have all the answers. I would highly recommend this tour for visitors trying to learn as much as possible in a short duration. It was a perfect tour to kick off our visit to a new city. Thank you again Irene!!”
– Bret Marchand, Google Review
3. Timberbush Tours Glasgow
Address: 19 Killermont St
Phone: +44 131 226 6066
Business hours: Open daily – 7:30 AM to 6 PM
Timberbush Tours offers a range of 1, 2, and 3-day tours departing from Glasgow. The tours are available year-round, with eight options to choose from, making it easy to find something that fits your preferences and budget.
I’ve joined their tours to Glencoe, Fort William, and Glenfinnan, and the landscapes are always stunning. The fleet includes modern, air-conditioned coaches that range in size from 10 to 53 seats, providing comfort for groups of all sizes.
Booking is easy, with options to reserve online, visit their office, or call the reservations team. For multi-day tours, you can choose from accommodation options like youth hostels starting at £25 per night, B&Bs from £55 per night, or hotels from £75 per night.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks to consider. The coaches don’t have toilet facilities, which can be inconvenient on longer trips. Additionally, there are no wheelchair-accessible coaches, which may limit options for some travellers.
Despite these issues, the tours are well-organised, and I’ve found the staff to be friendly and helpful. The mix of travel time and breaks ensures the trips are enjoyable and comfortable.
Flexible guide and extensive tour experience
“We had a great 1-day tour to see more of Scotland! Our guide Simba was personable and did a wonderful job adjusting our itinerary when we encountered road issues heading to Oban. I really appreciated covering a lot of ground to see so much of the West Highlands and more of Scotland outside of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, and their immediate areas. The bus stopped regularly for photo opportunities, the advertised points of interest, and other tourist needs. We would definitely recommend this tour to others considering 1-, 2-, or 3-day tours out of the city into more of Scotland. It was exactly what we wanted to see more of the beautiful country!”
– Kim B., Google Review
Entertaining guide and return customer discounts
“We had a fantastic time on our Highland tour on 9th August 2024 to Lochness and Glencoe. Thanks to Charlie (our tour guide), Timberbush Tours, and the comfortable coach. The ride was very comfortable, and Charlie’s entertaining music and funny stories added a lot of fun to the trip.
As returning customers, we also appreciated the discount we received by calling the friendly tour operator directly. If you’re planning a Highland tour, I highly recommend going with this company.”
– Narisa rojanamonthien, Google Review
4. Walking Tours in Glasgow
Address: 20 Trongate
Phone: +44 141 474 0746
Business hours: Open daily – 10:30 AM to 5 PM
I took part in a walking tour in Glasgow and found it a great way to explore the city. The team, founded in 2017, offers daily tours, including City Centre, Street Art, and Whisky Walks.
The Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour costs £12 and covers landmarks like George Square and Glasgow Cathedral. It’s a good introduction to the city’s history and culture, lasting about 90 minutes.
Private tours start from £85, offering a more personalised experience. These tours can be a good choice if you want to focus on specific interests or prefer a quieter, one-on-one guide.
The tours are mostly on foot, which is environmentally friendly but may not suit everyone. Those with mobility issues can arrange alternative routes, though some cities like Edinburgh and Stirling may require adjustments.
There are also rules around photography and recordings during the tour. While photos for personal use are fine, any public sharing or commercial use requires permission, and the guides will let you know if they take photos for marketing.
Engaging and informative
“My wife and I had booked a three hour private walking tour through Glasgow. Everything from the moment of enquiry until the end of the tour went perfectly. The information about the tour was clear, timely and very friendly. Thank you very much Dave, our tour guide, you were as knowledgeable as funny and nice. We‘ve learned a lot about Glasgow and we definitely come back! We can highly recommend Walking Tours in the UK! Just one tip: Wear comfy shoes. You will walk A LOT!”
– Paul Seger, Google Review
Educational and well-paced city tour
“We had a wonderful guide, David, who lead us on a very engaging and educational tour of the city center areas. David’s voice was clear and loud, and his pacing was spot on. We leaned loads and his insights made our visit to Glasgow all the more wonderful. The pricing was an incredible value for the time spent with David. We highly recommend this company!”
– Brandi Johansen, Google Review
5. Discover Scotland Tours Ltd
Address: Kintyre House, St Andrews Cres, Glasgow Airport, Paisley
Phone: +44 141 887 6777
Business hours: Open daily – 7 AM to 9 PM
I took a day tour with Discover Scotland Tours, and it was a great way to see the Highlands. We travelled in a small 16-seat mini coach, which made it easy to visit places larger buses can’t get to, like around Loch Ness.
The tour was well-paced, with plenty of stops for photos and to stretch our legs. During the tour, we had time to grab lunch at a local café, though meals aren’t included in the price of our package.
The mini coach had air purifiers, which made the ride feel fresh and comfortable, especially as we spent a few hours on the road. I appreciated the eco-friendly touches, and the seating was really comfortable for a long day of sightseeing.
One downside was the luggage limit—only one small bag weighing up to 15 kg per person. It wasn’t an issue for me, but it’s something to consider if you’re travelling with more luggage.
Overall, the tour was a relaxed and informative way to see Scotland, especially if you want to avoid the big coach tours. With a small group, you get a more personal experience, and the beautiful views along the way make it worth every penny.
Authentic Scottish adventure
“I had been looking forward to going to Scotland for years. Our semi-private day trip did not disappoint! We visited on our Carnival Cruise in July 2024. Billy picked us up right at the cruise terminal and dropped us off there as well — in plenty of time to get back on the ship. Billy was incredibly knowledgeable about every stop on our tour, and I LOVED listening to his Scottish accent. His van was large enough to accommodate the small group of us, but wasn’t such a large group that we felt crammed. I think there was a total of 10 or 12 of us. We visited several castles, saw so many sheep, and got to eat lunch at an authentic Scottish pub in Inveraray. I would choose this tour company every time!”
– Stephanie Smith, Google Review
Memorable Highland experience
“My boyfriend and I did the Highland Lochs, Glens & Castles Tour with Discover Scotland Tours and it was an unforgettable experience! One of the best days of our UK trip. Fionn was our tour guide and he was amazing. He was so knowledgable and did an excellent job explaining the history, culture, geography and music of Scotland. He was also very friendly, answered all of our questions, and made the whole group laugh. The tour itself was perfect. We had ample time in each stop to admire the many castles and lochs. We also were able to explore some towns along the way. Overall 10 out of 10 experience, I would 100% book with this company again.”
– Meaghan Seilkop, Google Review