Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Backpacker Tour Company is a London-based tour operator which has been in business since 1995. A sampling of tours includes its 3-Day Tour From London to Royal Edinburgh, Loch Ness and Highlands by Rail--visit Edinburgh Castle, see Urquhart Castle and take a panoramic tour of Inverness. Five-Day Highland Fling Tour--see Scotland's ancient capital Dunkeld, visit Edradour Whiskey Distillery, and take a walk through Culloden, an ancient battlefield. The Six-Day Castles, Ghosts and Monsters Tour--hear legends and stories about ancient freedom fighters and see the pillar Old Man of Storr.
Prices as of September 2010 range between 125 pounds (US $193) and 365 pounds (US $564), plus additional for kitty, normally around 125 pounds (US $193), depending on the tour.
All Star Leisure (UK) Ltd
Part of 'The Backpacker Tour' Company
27 Old Gloucester Road
London
WC1N 3XX
backpackertours.eu
MacBackpackers of Scotland is the largest independently-owned tours/hostel company. The company has been in the business of selling tours since 1998. A sampling of tours includes the Two-Day Loch Ness Weekender (swim in Loch Ness alongside the legendary monster Nessie and stay in an Inverness hostel); Four-Day Western Isles Wonder (visit ancient castles, Trossachs National Park and Old Man of Storr); and Three-Day Monster and Myths (revisit the period of ancient warriors in battle and ruling kings, and visit haunted castles).
Prices as of September 2010 range from 49 pounds (US $75) to 204 pounds (US $315). The prices of food and hostels are not included in the tour price, though accommodations are guaranteed if you book a tour. Dorm rooms are shared between 6 and 12 people.
MacBackpackers Ltd
105 High Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1SG
Scotland
44-0-131-558-9900
macbackpackerstours.com
Experience Scotland with interpretations from Edinburgh Hostels Tours of Scotland's kilted guides. Travel to Scottish castles and visit the "Hamish," the Hairy Highland Hoo. The tour company takes backpackers on a bus, but most of the sightseeing is done off the bus. Sample tours include the Four-Day Skye Escape Tour (visit Island of Skye and Loch Ness); a Six-Day Hebridean Explorer Tour (spend your tour hiking, fishing and exploring remote islands, like Harris and Lewis) and a Nine-Day Island Hopper Tour (explore Harris and Lewis islands that have a distinct Gaelic heritage and delve into the Viking history).
Certain tours run year round, while others are available during particular months only. Tour prices as of September 2010 range from 69 pounds (US $106) to 275 pounds (US $425), and kitty ranges from 45 pounds (US $69) to 150 pounds (US $232).
Edinburgh Hostels Tours of Scotland
44-0-131-202-6107
edinburghhostels.com
Haggis Tours is the one tour in the United Kingdom with the most longevity. The tour takes backpackers through Scotland's Highlands and Islands, Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. 18 tours ranging from three to seven days are available.
A sampling of these tours include the Up Helly Haa (a Shetland Viking Fire Festival), Haggis Hogmanay (the Scottish equivalent of a New Year's Eve party) or Orkney Raider (travel to the remote, northern tip of Scotland where the North Sea meets the Atlantic).
As of September 2010, prices depend on the choice of trip but ranges anywhere from $300 for five-day trips to $659 for seven-day trips; students receive a modest discount of $20-$30. Haggis Adventures has won awards since 2005, including Best European Tour Operator in 2007 and Tourism Business of the Year Award in 2006.
Haggis Adventures
60 High Street (The Royal Mile)
Edinburgh EH1 1TB
Scotland
44-0-131-557-9393
haggisadventures.com