Please see below some of the most common questions we are asked. If we don’t answer your query below, please contact us.
There are many reasons that you should choose a private tour. Here are our top 5:
- You can customise the itinerary to your specific interests
- Our friendly, fun and professional personalities ensure that you have the best experience
- You have your own private vehicle and guide, dedicated to you and you alone
- You see more as you are able to cover more ground, without waiting for a big group
- Our minivans are top of the range, are very comfortable and can access locations that tour coaches can’t fit
Yes, we will guide you through attractions and monuments as part of our service. This is not possible at The Royal Yacht Britannia or Palace of Holyroodhouse.
No, all of our tours are private so your party will be the only people on the tour.
A few days before the trip we’ll provide the guides contact details encase you need to contact them on the day of your tour
Yes, a 20% non refundable deposit is required to secure the booking.
Yes, there are a range of different options on each trip, from a historic tavern to a quaint cafe or bakery. We’ll make reservations to ensure that our lunch stop is quick and tasty!
A typical day tour starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm. A half day tour runs either between 9am and 1pm or 1pm and 5pm. An evening tour runs between 6pm and 9pm. Every tour is different and if your schedule requires it we are able to be as flexible as we can be.
The total price of your tour includes your tour guide, use of our luxury minivans, the fuel, tolls and parking charges and insurances. Entrance to attractions etc is on top but we can manage that for you and add it to the invoice.
No! Our emphasis is on the touring and service element and whilst we use premium vehicles we aren’t just drivers.
Support animals are welcome onboard however we typically ask for them to stay on the floor of the vehicle.
Yes, our vehicle can accommodate most mobility scoters and wheelchairs. They normally require two people to lift in and out of the vehicle so one of your party will be needed to help. Note that if there is a scooter then the baggage space is limited.
Yes of course! We can also provide car seats for children or you are welcome to bring your own. Our vehicles offer ISO Fix connectors for compatible child seats. Please note that children under 135cm or 12 years old (whichever is first) must be in a car seat according to UK law.
Yes, we can pick you up from your hotel or accommodation. In some instances parking in the city centre is restricted so there might be a short walk to your vehicle, but the guide will ensure you are aware of this.
Yes, most of our tours are suitable for cruise ship shore excursions and we’ll meet you at the quayside.
Yes, we can meet you at the airport and have plenty of space for baggage.
Our Mercedes V Class minivans come in two configurations, a 6 passenger version and a 7 passenger version.
We use Mercedes-Benz V Class minivans. They are modern, luxurious and safe vehicles with a Euro N-Cap rating of 5 stars. They come with privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof, reclining leather seats, dual-zone air conditioning and unlimited high-speed WiFi. Learn more about our vehicles.
We offer comprehensive Public Liability insurance and commercial vehicle insurance on every tour by default. We strongly recommend that you take out your own travel insurance to cover you for your own liability / cancelation.
Yes, we can end the tour in a different location from the start point. Please let us know if this is what you need. For locations further than 50 miles from the start point there maybe a charge.
Absolutely! Please contact us if you’d like to make an amendment to one of our suggested itineraries or would like a customised tour.
We recommend that you bring a waterproof jacket and shoes suitable for walking over rough ground / cobbles, especially if visiting rural locations! Other than that, just bring yourself!
Our climate is famous for being unpredictable. We provide umbrellas in our vans but if the weather isn’t working in our favour, just wait 5 minutes and it will change! Please don’t rely on the forecast either, it is invariably wrong!
For day tours the final balance (plus any extras like admission tickets) is due 24 hours before the tour.
For multi-day tours the final balance is due 30 days before the tour.
Sorry, we don’t accept cash payment but we accept all major credit and debit cards.
Absolutely! Almost all of the places we visit have toilets / restrooms. Because this is a private tour, we can stop when you need us to.
Cruise ships anchor in the Firth of Forth, and passengers are tendered ashore to Hawes Pier in South Queensferry.
Your guide from Experienced Tours will meet you right at the tender pier exit, holding a sign with your name for easy identification.
Private tours are flexible we monitor your ships’ schedule and adjusts pickup times accordingly.
Yes, it’s only about a 30-minute drive, making it perfect for a relaxed and in-depth visit.
It’s known for the iconic Forth Bridges, including the UNESCO-listed Forth Rail Bridge, Queensferry Crossing and Forth Bridge
Yes absolutely, we frequently offer roll-call shore excursions. Once you have your group together please let us know and we will organise your reservation.
Yes! Experienced Tours ensures timely return and plans routes carefully around your ship’s departure.
If your ship is weather cancelled, we will refund the balance payment for your tour. Please note that your deposit is non-refundable.
Most cruise stops range from 8 to 10 hours, which is ideal for a full-day private tour of Edinburgh or beyond. In August many ships stay into the evening for the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo / Edinburgh Festivals.
Yes, South Queensferry is a tender port.
Most of our 8-hour day tours from Edinburgh are possible from a cruise ship visit in South Queensferry. See our suggested tours above.
Yes! St Andrews is around 90 minutes drive from South Queensferry, making it a great destination for a shore excursion!
Yes absolutely, we frequently deliver roll-call shore excursions. Once you have your group together please let us know and we will organise your reservation.
It is possible, but it’s around 3 hours round trip from Greenock to Edinburgh so please consider this in terms of the overall day.
Cruise ships moor along the pier and there is a cruise reception building at Greenock.
Your guide from Experienced Tours will meet you right at the cruise reception building, holding a sign with your name for easy identification.
Private tours are flexible we monitor your ships’ schedule and adjusts pickup times accordingly.
Yes! Experienced Tours ensures timely return and plans routes carefully around your ship’s departure.
If your ship is weather cancelled, we will refund the balance payment for your tour. Please note that your deposit is non-refundable.
Most cruise stops range from 8 to 10 hours, which is ideal for a full-day private tour to Glasgow and west central Scotland. In August many ships stay into the evening for travel to Edinburgh for the Royal Military Tattoo / Edinburgh Festivals.
No, Greenock is a pier and up to two cruise ships can berth here at once.
Most of our 8-hour day tours from Glasgow are possible from a cruise ship visit in Greenock. See our suggested tours above.
