Below is a list of commonly asked questions which may help provide a little more information on your tour and the service we provide. Please do get in touch if you have any further specific queries or would like additional information.
*What type of vehicle will I be travelling in*
Our fleet consists of carefully selected Land Rover and Mercedes Vehicles which offer the very best in luxury travel.
*What is the baggage/luggage allowance for multiday tours*
All our vehicles have storage space to accommodate one large suitcase and one item of hand luggage per person. Please contact us prior to booking if you have excess luggage or will be travelling with golf clubs, walking aids or a wheelchair.
*Can I reserve the vehicle of my choice*
Our booking system automatically allocates vehicles based on availability and passenger requirements/numbers. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate requests for specific vehicles.
*What does the price include when travelling on a day tour*
The price covers your vehicle and driver/guide along with all associated vehicle costs. The tour price does not include lunch, refreshments or any admission fees /excursion costs. As per legislation detailed under the Linked Package Travel Regulations Act 2018 we are not licensed to provide a package deal type tour which would include lunch and admission fees. Please contact us by email prior to booking if you require further clarification on this point,
*What does the price include when travelling on a multi-day tour*
The price covers your vehicle and driver/guide along with all associated vehicle and driver/guide costs. The total price will be shown as the daily vehicle/driver/guide rate as per the number of people who will be travelling plus £150 for each night our driver/guide requires accommodation away from Edinburgh . If your tour involves a ferry crossing then the appropriate fee will also be added /detailed.As per legislation detailed under the Linked package Travel Regulations Act 2018 we are not licensed to provide a package deal type tour which would include accommodation, meals and admission/extra excursion fees. Please contact us by email prior to booking if you require further clarification on this point.
*Can you arrange my accommodation during the tour*
Whilst we do not offer a service to make hotel reservations on behalf of our clients we will send recommendations for Edinburgh and the overnight stops. We are happy to offer information on local accommodation based on your requirements or budget. We ask that you please provide the relevant details of your accommodation for each stop within your tour at the earliest possible convenience in order that we may organise suitable accommodation for our driver/guide as close as possible to where you will be staying. Please be aware that some locations detailed our multi day tours particularly those not on the mainland are extremely popular during the peak season therefore we always advise to book early to avoid disappointment.
*Is it possible to start and/or end my day tour in any another location apart from Edinburgh*
All our day tours are designed to start from and end in Edinburgh, unfortunately we cannot offer other collection/drop off points for our day tours.
*Is it possible to start and/or end my multiday tour in any location apart from Edinburgh*
Our multi day tours are designed to commence from and end in Edinburgh however it may be possible to facilitate collection/drop off at another location . Please email us prior to booking if you wish to explore this option.
*Do you offer walking/hiking tours*
We understand that many people may wish to dedicate some time when on tour to enjoy a walk/hike in the beautiful areas we visit. We are more than happy to amend the itinerary in order to allow for some walking/hiking time although it is important to say that none of our driver/guides are qualified or insured to lead a formal walking/hiking tour. It would be vital to have correct clothing /footwear and equipment with you should you wish to spend some time on a structured walk/hike .
*If I want to travel on The Jacobite Train how is this arranged*
It may be possible to travel on The Jacobite Train when travelling on any tour which visits The Isle of Skye : Please contact us directly if you are interested in this option. Please note that 2023 is proving to be a busy year for The Jacobite Train and many dates are already fully booked.
As per our licence under The Linked Package Travel Regulations Act 2018 we are unable to make reservations for The Jacobite Train on behalf of our guests,
*Do you offer shore excursion tours*
Yes, we offer shore excursion tours from Ports of Call within the Edinburgh area : please contact us directly by email if you are interested in a shore excursion. Please note that we cannot accept bookings from small groups of cruise ship clients who have arranged to travel together in order to cut costs.
*Will my guide accompany us inside the tourist sites we visit*
Your driver/guide will explain the relevant history of the locations we visit and some general information about Scotland and her history however our driver/guides are not permitted to act as guides within any tourist site we visit : this is due to legislative/insurance issues.
*Do you accept children on tour*
Yes, we are very happy to have families with children travelling with us : Children aged 6 and under on the day of your tour travel for free on all tours. Children over this age are charged at the adult rate.
*Will you provide car seats for my children during the tour*
Yes we have a selection of children’s car seat dependant on the age of the children.
*Do you accept bookings from solo travellers*
Yes, we often have solo travellers on tour : the cost is as per the cost for two people travelling, which is our minimum base cost.
*Can we specify the driver guide we would prefer for our tour*
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate specific requests for guides. All our driver guides are extremely knowledgeable and offer the very best service to ensure you have the best experience possible during your tour.
*Can I request specific locations to visit during my tour*
We offer a set range of one day and multi day tours however we are happy to consider requests to visit other locations and/or make recommendations based on your areas of interest. Our experienced driver/guides will be happy to accommodate small changes if possible on the day of touring however any proposed major changes must be assessed and agreed by Discreet Scotland prior to travel. If our scheduled tours do not meet with your requirements we also offer a bespoke tour design service which involves a supplementary charge. Please find details of this on our Book Now Page and contact us for individual requests.
*Can I make changes to my tour on the day of travel*
Whilst our very experienced driver/guides are able to make minor amendments to the itinerary on a daily basis any proposed major changes must be assessed and agreed by Discreet Scotland prior to travel. All our itineraries are tried and tested and work well offering tours which are comfortable, informative and enjoyable.
*How long is each day of touring *
Each day of touring is typically 08:30 hours to around 17:00 hours with the collection and drop off point being your chosen hotel/guest house. Please contact us prior to booking if you require an alternative collection and/or drop off point. Please note that our driver/guides are nor permitted to offer driving/guide /transfer services outwith our usual working hours, thus complying with the working time regulations for professional drivers
*Is it ok for us to bring refreshments/snacks on tour*
We are happy for clients to bring water/soft drinks and snacks on tour. Please note that consumption of alcohol in our vehicles is not allowed and any alcohol you purchase whist on tour must be transported in the boot /trunk area of our vehicle.
*What should I wear during my tour*
Scotland is famous for having a rather unpredictable climate. Our advice would be to pack for a range of weather conditions which includes warm and waterproof outdoor clothing and appropriate footwear. This is particularly relevant if visiting some of our more rural locations.
*What is your gratuity policy*
Discreet Scotland does not have a gratuity policy and any gratuity you may wish to give to your driver/guide must be solely at your discretion.
“Should I purchase an Historic Scotland Explorer Pass “
You may wish to consider purchasing an Historic Scotland Explorer Pass for the duration of your visit to Scotland. This covers the cost of entry fees to all historic sites owned and managed by Historic Scotland but does NOT cover entry fees to other tourist attraction sites.
