GoScottish 'self-drive' Tours?

Not sure I see the value of paying people to do the things you could do yourself.

I can't find GoScottish Tours when I do a google search. Do you mean Go Scotland Tours? Reviews for Go Scotland Tours are on Trust Pilot and Trip Advisor.

I know we're all different, but as a retiree, I'd guess I spend a couple hours every day refining our future trips. Reading these forums provides a continuous stream of nuggets to insert or delete from plans. By the time I plot routes, times needed to see places, and selecting lodging within walking distance of the perfect pub, the trip itself is almost anticlimactic. I'm not ready to give up that planning joy.

Here is the link to GoScottish tours - https://goscottishtours.com/

I agree with comments on the value of doing this myself and do enjoy the planning too. I've always done it myself. However, this trip we are traveling with friends who aren't as comfortable with the planning portion so I offered to research other options to see the cost and value for their comfort level versus me doing the planning.

if they are very good and meet all your friends' hopes you may have happy friends and it may not cost you a lot more than if you took a few minutes and did it yourselves.

So they make hotel reservations, arrange a rental car and they suggest a route? Do they do anything else to earn your money?

We can work with you on a route. Maybe even suggest hotels en route and Mardee (and others) will tell you all about a Scottish car rental outfit (hint - initials are AC).

I'm very suspicious of a website that insists you start making selections without being able to look around. They insisted (with Chrome, at least) that I tell them IE/Scot, how many people, and coach/drive/guide, before I can get past the homepage. I'll assume they want my email or mobile as the next question.

Trip Advisor also offers personalized travel planners who do all the same things for you (for a fee).

There is no harm getting a quote.
For me I dislike intensely a website with the amount of pop ups they have. At least at the moment the book now before the price goes up sits really uncomfortably with me.
Answer a quiz and you get the best deals. Hmm.
I feel uncomfortable that they have what seem to be very standard tours, but they don't tell you (that I can see) what car rental company they use or what hotels they use.
I don't like the idea of pick up the car as soon as you land then spend the first day or days in Edinburgh where a car is as much use as a chocolate teapot.
Having said that, if their sample prices are real, they are not too bad.

If it suits you, and the price is right why not. For me as I say, their business practices don't float my boat.

Does the price include car insurance?, at what level. I can't tell.

As an allegedly UK based company, selling what are legally package holidays, I see no clear evidence of ABTA/IATA bonding, or indeed any other such bonding. That to me is a significant red flag in terms of integrity and financial security. It should be there staring me in the face.
On that point alone I'm walking away from the deal.

McKinley Kidd provides a similar service. They also arrange day tours and half day tours. I think there is a lot of value added in selecting the guides, which we have found to be excellent. The big benefit with them planning transportation is if something goes wrong, such as canceled train or ferry, they will reschedule for you. With all the weather and strike issues in the UK, I think it’s worth some extra expense. I have taken three of their self guided tours and loved them. They also have guided tours. It can’t hurt to take a look at their website.

Sorry, their website put me off....

no address, nothing to indicate where they are based (could be Ireland as there are links to Irish tours)

it's just a website on the internet, who knows who they are

Doesn't Rick Steve's have a recommended 2 week driving route?

Yes, the 2024 RS Scotland guidebook has a 2 week driving tour, including 3 nights Edinburgh and 2 nights in Glasgow.

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate your taking the time to reply. I've decided to skip the company I asked about and am planning our driving trip myself (for a week in Scotland and a week in Ireland). Thanks again!

I think that is wise

Our first trip to the Isles was three weeks, and we did England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. We were exhausted by the end and saw lots, but we found we had to go back multiple times to really see the places. Having only two weeks, I'd recommend selecting just Scotland or just Ireland. Even with two weeks, you'll probably have to select just a few regions to visit.

That is vey sensible advice from jjgurley - Less is often more. Trying to cram to much in can mean everything becomes a rushed blur by the end of the holiday.