We were delayed I getting our trip to Scotlan...
Scotland | Aug 6 - Aug 26, 2024

Marie
Marie D.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2024

We were delayed I getting our trip to Scotland lined up but we lucked out with Tetiana as our advisor. She prepared an amazing trip for us. We experienced a few challenges - one of them a passport left in a hotel safe! We solved most of it ourselves but she followed up with both hotels for us. She chose great hotels for us. We stayed at the Virgin Hotel in Edinburgh, Kingsmills in Inverness, Clan MacDuff in Fort William, the Perle in Oban, Cameron House in Loch Lomond and The Address in Glasgow. We had great activities and tours. We had drivers pick us up and drive us around. We had 1 bus tour to isle of skye which was maybe too long of a day, mini bus tours and private tours. We also had walking tours and a food tour She endeavoured to ensure we saw and learned a lot. It happened a few times that we canceled some activities due to jet lag or exhaustion! The weather was quite cold and rainy but that is uncontrollable šŸ˜. I was surprised at how far from city centres the Kingsmills and Clan MacDuff were. This ensures that we had to eat our evening meals at the hotel as it was a 20 pound round trip to go eat in a downtown restaurant. One of our hotels Cameron House was over the top luxury . I really enjoyed dealing with Tetiana and i would book another trip with KimKim. Everything went off without a hitch and all the events and pick ups happened without issues

Hotel Reviews
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Edinburgh

The rooms were great. The location central. We had breakfast included and the lack of heat in the breakfast offerings would be my only criticism Cold eggs, sausages and pancakes are not fun to eat.

Authenticity & Character
Right around the corner from Harry Potter alley and the coffee shop where JK Rowling wrote her books
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kingsmills Hotel
Inverness

Loved this hotel. The staff was extremely helpful. Hannah in particular was very helpful when someone in our group left a passport in the safe. Hannah wrapped it and couriered the package to our next hotel. Rooms were beautiful. Breakfast was great. Food was hot. The only drawback was distance from city centre. Cost 6-8 pounds each way to get a cab there. Consequently we ate half our suppers in the hotel restaurant

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful grounds but farb
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clan Macduff Hotel
Fort William

Loved this hotel. Mrs MacDuff welcomed us to her hotel and she was very helpful in helping us contact the previous hotel to arrange the retrieval of a passport left in the safe šŸ˜‰. This was very clean and you felt very welcome here. The only drawback was distance from city centre! To keep breakfast hot, you got your fruit and pastries from a buffet then they cooked your eggs

Authenticity & Character
Location
View of the Loch right across the road
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Address
Glasgow

We went to this hotel as part of an organized tour and arrived at 9 am. Giving my name, they had my reservation. So I left my luggage and went off to a walking tour that was planned. My first clue that there would be a problem was when I asked for direction to Prince Square. Although this is a renowned shopping and dining spot and located 4 blocks away, no one knew anything šŸ¤” when we came back at 3:30, our reservation was not available! It took an hour to find it and get us our keys. The girl who finally found our reservation was very nice and helpful. We were promised that our luggage would be brought right up. Went for dinner and a walk and at 8 pm still no luggage. The next day after we came back from a big sightseeing day, our card keys for both rooms were non working. Had to come back down to reception and get our room key cards re-activated! The rooms were fine but there are fire doors and steps that you have to lift your luggage up. Although included in our pricing, breakfast was very average with many empty baskets even though we were 15 minutes after opening. Never touched the hot breakfasts as they looked unappetizing. The bar area in the lobby was nice and we did have some libations there. The staff there were pleasant. The hotel does have a great location although I would not stay there again. When I tried to check out at 5 am for an airport run, there again, the staff were confused as their update happens at 5:30 am. I think they might need help with their processing of check ins and outs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Central
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Perle
Oban

I loved this hotel! Our room was quite large and we had a bay window which overlooked the harbour. The room was well appointed and the bed was super comfortable. Breakfast was included in our pricing and they had a lovely food selection. In addition to that, they cooked your hot dishes individually. In order to perform this wonderful feat of a hot breakfast, they asked you to make a reservation in a 15 minute slot so they could be timely in their service. We had a long day of going over to Mull and came back late so ate in the hotel dining room. Had the best salmon ever. My companions also enjoyed their meals Loved thus hotel

Authenticity & Character
It was a beautiful older building and the inside was decorated beautifully
Location
Right on the harbour
Staff
Everyone was welcoming. This is the hotel to which our lost passport was delivered to and they were so gracious
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds and bathrooms
Cameron house

This was over the top luxury. When we were dropped off here, I wondered if someone had made a mistake ??? Beautifully renovated , reminded me a bit of the Banff Springs hotel in Canada The rooms were gorgeous The only drawback to this hotel would be location and pricing. You are stuck in the middle of nowhere and therefore obliged to eat there. Two restaurants with food that is acceptable but not worth the exorbitant pricing. Paid an obscene amount of money for a small portion of lukewarm pasta with a few pieces of pancetta , cheese and blah seasoning. The following night we ate at the Grill and it was also exorbitantly expensive. Each entree was 40 some pounds ! My husband had the lamb and he had 3 small finger shaped pieces of lamb and a few veggies We had to order sides which 7 pounds each. The breakfast was exceptional. But if you do not have it included in your room rate, it costs 36 pounds Staying here was an experience! Everyone of the staff that we dealt with was exceptionally helpful and welcoming

Authenticity & Character
Looks like a castle
Location
Beautiful location but way too remote
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms and bathrooms were beautiful
Activity Reviews
Edinburgh Castle & Old Town Private Tour
Edinburgh Castle & Old Town Private Tour
Edinburgh

We had a great guide and he took us on a very informative walk through downtown Edinburgh He knew so much. My sons are big Harry Potter fans and Greyfriar cemetery was eye opening Our guide was very nice, and we liked him a lot. We could understand his Scottish accent. However he could benefit from an upgrade in his attire. He was very scruffy looking. I am not criticizing but I know some clients would be put off by his look

Quality of Experience
Knowledge shared by guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledge
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Edinburgh

I reviewed the distillery tour on google already. Our guide Rafa was wonderful. He picked us up at our hotel and we drove out to Roslyn Chapel This is the chapel of Da Vinci Code. Very interesting and great to be there. We had time for a quick walk around the grounds Then our guide drove us to see another castle before our scotch tasting tour. We still had major jet lag but thoroughly enjoyed this great day. Bonus that I ran into an acquaintance from my home city in the parking lot of the chapel.

Quality of Experience
Just being in n these amazing locations
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very informative and keen on us having a great time
Transport
Car was comfortable and safe driving
Private Glasgow Essentials Tour
Private Glasgow Essentials Tour
Glasgow

We did the food tour and it finished quite late then had trouble checking in. We regretfully cancelled this tour It probably would have been great but better if it had been scheduled the next morning

Quality of Experience
Another day
Transport
This was not a poor tour but had no way of exiting Should have a non applicable choice
The Vaults Tour
The Vaults Tour
Edinburgh

The day we did this tour, it was pouring rain in Edinburgh and we had to walk a few blocks to reach the entrance to the vaults. Upon entry, it was dark, cold and damp. The stairs are very uneven. Few handrails and it is downright spooky to be down there. Very interesting but scary our guide was great and very knowledgeable. We were a group of 4 and although my sons and I loved it, my husband did not.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was great. Although as we walked to the entrance in the pouring rain, he was walking a bit fast and we almost lost half the group
Transport
Our own feet
Private Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh
Private Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Our driver had to wait for us as two of us had luggage that took 40 minutes to arrive! Then we had to walk a fair distance to where his car was parked

Quality of Experience
Very friendly and helpful - we actually re-hired him a few days later to drive us back to airport to get rental car
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour from Inverness
The Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour from Inverness
Inverness

This was very interesting but too long of a day We drove over 300 miles in a day long activity in a bus. We stopped at Eileen Donnan Castle for bladder and picture stop. Then we drove all the way to Portree on the isle of Skye. Had 45 minutes there. Our driver had encouraged us to order our lunches so he would get them for us to eat on the bus after Portree. There was no cruise ship there that day so we could have skipped the lunches and had more time in Portree! Seems to me that cruise ship stops are easy to plan around Trying to eat a lunch on a bus could have been avoided We drove up to Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr Had the chance to get out and take pictures. Scenery was amazing. Then we set out to go to Fairy Pools. I think it is ridiculous to take a huge bus up that terrible road Single lane with passing places. No shoulders and huge ditches filled with mud on either side of the road. A few caravans went in the ditch leading to huge backlogs of cars. Then we get up to this desolate spot with cold gale force winds and we are told we have 90 minutes there. Adding this part of the trip to an already too long day is ridiculous. I enjoyed being at the Isle of skye but I think this tour should be re-designed I would not recommend it as it is overly long

Quality of Experience
Shorten day
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andrew was our guide. He was knowledgeable but he continually complained about tourists which is ridiculous when he earns his living from us! At the end of a 12 hour day listening to him it was a relief to get off the bus.
Transport
The bus was comfortable.
Private Transfer from Edinburgh Hotel to EDI Airport
Private Transfer from Edinburgh Hotel to EDI Airport
Scotland

Pick up at 5 am went well

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise
Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise
Inverness

This was a great excursion. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. We were dropped off at a ferry with tickets in hand The Loch Ness cruise was great but quite chilly and windy. We approached Urquart Castle from the water and that approach was impressive. We could have used extra time at the castle. Never saw the film that was recommended šŸ˜¢. Felt rushed with the castle visit

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Glen Affric, Culloden, and Clava Cairns Tour
Explore Glen Affric, Culloden, and Clava Cairns Tour
Inverness

This was quite a long day. We started at Clava Cairns. Our guide did not really tell us anything - we just read the signs and took pictures. We then made our way to Culloden We had some time to go through the museum which was very well done. Our museum tickets were included in our excursion. My brother tour guide walked them through the Culloden fields with a history lesson on the battle. We were just left on our own. Then we drove to this spot to see highland cows - felt a bit like Mexico where tour guides take you to weird places and they get kickbacks for taking tourists there. We stopped in at a cute village called Buliey for lunch and visit. In the afternoon we drove up to Glen Affric which was a nature preserve. Beautiful scenery. There were two walks to choose We chose the River walk Cautionary tale. In order to avoid a big mud puddle on the path, I stepped off onto the grass which ended up being a bog. My leg sank into the bog to mid thigh. Luckily my travel companions were able to haul me out. But I was muddy wet and my rain boots were full of mud and moss. I come from the prairies of Canada and have no concept of bogs! I felt the guide should have warned us to keep on the trail since he continually bragged about going there often

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Small van. Better than a large bus
Local specialist: Tetiana Smal
Tetiana
Tetiana Smal
Local specialist in London | Replied on Sep 10, 2024
Dear Marie, Thank you so much for your kind and detailed feedback! Iā€™m thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience, despite a few challenges along the way. It was a pleasure to arrange your trip and to know that you enjoyed the variety of activities. Iā€™m incredibly grateful for your comments regarding the hotels. Your insights are very valuable and will certainly be helpful for other travelers. Thank you for your kind words about my service. It was truly a pleasure working... Read more

Dear Marie,

Thank you so much for your kind and detailed feedback! Iā€™m thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience, despite a few challenges along the way. It was a pleasure to arrange your trip and to know that you enjoyed the variety of activities.

Iā€™m incredibly grateful for your comments regarding the hotels. Your insights are very valuable and will certainly be helpful for other travelers.

Thank you for your kind words about my service. It was truly a pleasure working with you, and I would be delighted to help plan any future trips you might have. I look forward to the possibility of working together again.

Warmest regards,
Tetiana