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Report: Day tour from Edinburgh with Hopscotch Tours

After doing two small group tours with Rabbies, we asked about a private additional touring day, with a focus on manor houses and architecture. Rabbies matched us with Hopscotch Tours - and Michael from Hopscotch picked us up and drove us around to see the following: Rosslyn Chapel, Abbotsford House, Thirlestane Castle, and Gosford House (exterior only).

This was one of the best touring days I’ve ever had. Michael is just a joy to tour with. He drives well, he gives info (but not too much info!), he’s got a great sense of humor, and he’s easy to talk with. Our itinerary was mostly new stuff for him - because we made specific requests for what we wanted to see - and he was having just as much fun as we were.

Private touring in Scotland is expensive - but having done both Rabbies small group tours and a Hopscotch private tour on the same trip - well the Hopscotch tour really just shines.

https://hopscotchtravel.co.uk/

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186525-d24053641-Reviews-Hopscotch_Travel-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

Posted by
11062 posts

Thanks for this great recommendation Valerie, will bookmark and save

Posted by
2859 posts

I know people here often want pricing but I think the price really varies by what you want to see. Our basic price for a full-size van, pick up at 8:45 and drop off at 6:00 was 650 pounds.

Then our site entries added another 200 pounds- 4 entries to three fairly expensive sites.

So 850 pounds...about $280 a person for a fabulous day.

Posted by
16186 posts

Thanks Valerie! I'm so glad you had a wonderful day with Hopscotch!

I also appreciate your sharing the pricing. To me that does not seem like a bad price at all for a private tour. It is similar to charges for a full day private wildlife tour guide in Yellowstone, lol.

Posted by
2859 posts

@Pam...thanks! I felt it was fairly priced. We did two of the small group Rabbies tours as well and it was nice to have one day where we weren't squeezed onto the bus!

Posted by
9 posts

My family group of 6 people had the most amazing tour of Scotland with Stuart leading the way.
Hamish created an itinerary that included what we wanted to do and see and then we had the added bonus of having Stewart be very willing to change things up as we went along. We thoroughly enjoyed Scotland and feel like we got to see it through Stewart's eyes as a person that truly loves his country. Every day he exclaimed how much Scotland meant to him and it made us love it even more.

If you want a tour that is more like a real family vacation without stress, I highly recommend Hopscotch Travel.
Date of experience: October 2025

Posted by
10510 posts

Valerie, thanks for the report! It sounds like a wonderful tour, and like Pam, I'm glad you included the price (which sounds very realistic).

Posted by
1371 posts

Valerie, thanks so much for the recommendation. I had heard of Hopscotch, but it's great to get a first hand account.