Kimkim Trip Reviews for Scotland

We thoroughly enjoyed all the excursions that were planned for us. Phil from Ollies tour was super funny and informative. The other guides were very informative and knowledgeable. Ireland was our favorite country and the scenery was amazing.
I would not recommend driving to the Isle of Skye if you are self driving. It is a very long ride there and back and in my opinion not worth the time.
Enjoyed Scotland scenery and excursion on the Outlander tour.

I told my guides what we were most interested in doing and seeing, so having them send an initial plan that I could customize was great. Our accommodations were fantastic and met all of our needs above and beyond. My husband has been a reluctant traveler and he is already discussing going back. I believe the well planned details helped to make it not stressful. Additionally, having a one on one video call with Jane prior to our departure allowed for questions and additional information.

Hotel Reviews

Courtyard By Marriott Edinburgh

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Great location to the tram and within walking distance to key points of interest. Quiet retreat at night. Very good breakfast. Staff was pleasant and helpful. Room was clean and offered everything we needed for our stay.

Cairngorm Hotel

Aviemore

We enjoyed the rustic character of this hotel. Located perfectly to the train station and walkable to restaurants/shopping. Breakfast was very good, staff was courteous. Buffet had a nice variety for starting our day.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palace Hotel & Spa - Best Western Inverness

Inverness

This hotel came along in our itinerary right when we needed the extra pampering Our room was spacious and comfortable. The welcome gifts were unexpected and extra special. The tea cakes at check in were a delicious treat and introduced us to this Scottish treat.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walkable to key points. Easy to navigate to Ness Island

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Bracken Hide

Portree

This was our favorite accommodation of the entire trip. The cabins were so cozy and the remote area added to the unique experience The sauna and plunge pool were a great way to end a long day of hikes.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Beautiful grounds and views. The restaurant on site and full bar lounge offered amazing food and drinks. Some of the best of our trip.

Staff

Our bartender was so helpful in choosing a local whisky to try. The gentleman who seated us for dinner and breakfast was wonderful. He offered tips of things to see during our visit.

LOCH LOMOND HOTEL

Balloch

Wonderful family room with plenty of room for us. The staff that checked us in were so welcoming and helpful. The breakfast each morning was delicious and our service was great.

Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Kirknewton

Such a fun experience to stay in a castle like accommodation. We enjoyed the golf, spa, onsite bars and restaurants. It was located so close to the airport yet you felt remote in a beautiful country setting.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Edinburgh Castle Tickets

Edinburgh

Hill Trips Cairngorm Reindeer Herd

Scotland

Very fun and unique experience. Beautiful area and lovely views. Walk to and from the reindeer was more uphill than I expected but the guides were great in not making you feel rushed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We would definitely recommend kimkim to anyone looking for a customized experience. We were able to provide input and feedback during the planning/booking process so that we were able to check a lot of our boxes in Scotland in less time than if we were on our own, or piecing together separate tours. Special thanks to our guides and drivers along the way...Natalie, John, and Marcin.

Hotel Reviews

Royston Guest House Inverness

Inverness

Authenticity & Character

Location

Not as close to Inverness city center as we would have liked

Staff

Ross was a wonderful host and makes a mean breakfast

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Ranald

OBAN

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise

Inverness

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Isle of Skye Tour including the Eilean Donan Castle, Portree and other attractions

Inverness

Great tour with a lot of ground and sites covered. It's a long day with a lot of riding but the sights and scenery make it all worthwhile.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Natalie was great!

Transport

Passenger van was comfortable

We started our trip in Edinburgh. We had an amazing guide Zander who guided us through the old town and Edinburgh Castle. All the history between Scotland and England was fascinating. We also did the Vaults Tour. This was great as well, learning about how people lived in the bridge and even as recently as 2014 the use by a Wiccan coven to practice their witchcraft.

The next day we headed off on our road trip.
Scotland Highlights:
1. Scone Palace which was the first castle we saw that wasn’t a ruin and is still occupied by the current Earl of Mansfield and his family.
2. Loch Ness cruise which was fun. We thought we caught something on video but now realise it was a seal 😬
3. TheHighland Coo Tour. Loved this. We had the best time visiting the coos and feeding the baby sheep they had.
4. Eilean Donan Castle was different being surrounded by water.
5. Isle of Skye. It’s all about the scenery. Absolutely beautiful countryside. The good thing about the Quiraing is you can see everything from the car park or a short walk. You don’t have to do the hikes to see the views
Ireland highlights:
1. Cobh. Beautiful seaside village
2. Ring of Kerry.
a. We absolutely loved exploring Muckross Abbey ruins. So many nooks and crannies.
b. Torc Falls. Something different and beautiful. 10min walk if fit but if you’re like me it’s a hard 20min walk back up but worth it.
c. Ladies View. We had lunch here and admired the view.
d. Derryanne Beach. Just to see a beach was worth it but it has nothing on Australian beaches.
e. Geokaun Mountain
3. Leap Castle - fascinating listening to the owner about how he rebuilt part of the castle to live in.
4. Guinness store - interesting but lots of walking!

Things to note:
1. You have to pay for parking everywhere and card isn’t always catered for so you need coins! So be prepared otherwise you waste a lot of time.
2. Portree was a pretty town but very busy being the main stop for hikers and travellers. So book dinner in advance or be prepared to eat at 5.30.
3. You need to book the ferry in advance to get off Isle of Skye if you want to go to Glenfinnan Viaduct. We missed out on this which was disappointing.
4. Ross Castle only does guided tours and you should book in advance. We got to look through their information room and it was very interesting so would have been good to have done the tour.

Our trip to Scotland was a great experience. Starting with the planning with Aleksandra all the way to Edinburgh. Aleksandra was wonderful to work. We really liked experiencing things that we would not have found on our own, such as the ferry from Ballycastle or the Corriegour hotel near Fort Williams. We also very much appreciated that anytime we were scheduled for a driver, the driver was there, on time, and knowledgable.

Dublin: Our flights were delayed into Dublin, so we missed the Dublin walking tour. The Dublin Castle was interesting, but not a highlight of the trip. Iveagh Garden Hotel is somewhere we'd be happy to return to.

Belfast: Driver on time and ready. Arrived in Belfast at the Rooms2 Belfast Hometel. The low point of the trip was the food tour in Belfast. First, there was only one dish served and then ice cream at a convenience store. The guide, Conar, was a bit self-absorbed (we heard several stories about his family thinking he was the black sheep). Would not recommend this one again.

Ballycastle to Port Ellen: Ferry was great (a 38 ft vessel) and we were the only passengers. Arrived in Port Ellen and driver was waiting. Another Place, The Machrie was as good as it gets. The experiences at Laphraoig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin was a great experience. And the part of our group that went on the wildlife tour said it exceeded there expectations. Islay overall was a highlight of the trip.

Fort Williams: Corriegour hotel was a pleasantly unique experience. Christian (mom), Ian (son), and grandaughter were great hosts - and the food was superb. In town, Grog & Gruel was a nice casual place. We enjoyed being in town. Ben Nevis was another opportunity for a good whiskey. Unfortunately we missed eating a Crannog Seafood - we were enjoying our time at Corriegour a bit too much.

Isle of Skye: What a dramatic landscape and interesting drive. The drive was a bit too long, but we felt like we saw a lot.

Inverness: The Hootenany music, food, and hotel was a unique (all positive) experience. Our one night in Inverness will be remembered fondly.

Edinburg: Train ride through the countryside. Arrive in Edinburgh. Virgin Hotel was perfect. Edinburgh Old Town Tour was perfect. Witchery was a fantastic experience. The castle is always interesting. And to finish it off, the Private Scotch Whisky & Artisan Food Tasting Tour was a highlight. We really enjoyed Edinburgh.

Simply put, we will never travel abroad again without using KimKim. Aleksandra was extremely helpful in the planning of the trip, coordination of everything and even during the trip when we had questions. Once you try KimKim you will never travel any other way.

Hotel Reviews

Corriegour Lodge Hotel

By Fort William, Letterfinlay

Absolutely love this place. Former hunting lodge turned boutique hotel run by a mother and son duo. If you stay here, do not dine anywhere else other than at the lodge. The food was not only the best meal we had in Scotland, but one of the best I have had in the last year, and we dine at many high-end restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hootananny

Inverness

Rooms were very nice and clean. Checking in was a bit strange, not real front desk, etc. Many other hotels in same area that I would probably opt for if I went back to Inverness.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Another Place, The Machrie

Port Ellen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Never stayed in a Virgin hotel in the past. Will seek them out going forward. Perfect room. Perfect service. Perfect location. Perfect bar.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Iveagh Gardens Hotel

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room2 Belfast Hometel

Belfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Belfast Food Tour

Belfast

Just not what it was described. Guide was interesting but showed up with very little planned. Led with well this restaurant is closed, and that one is closed. Kind of like he was winging it as we went along. Told us we were ending with ice cream which I envisioned would be in a nice shop/creamery. Literally went into a convenience store where we got scoops from the attendant. Ice cream was fine, just not what you would expect on a "Food Tour".

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Edinburgh Old Town Tour

Edinburgh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Scotch Whisky & Artisan Food Tasting Tour

Edinburgh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Review and comments on trip to Scotland May 2025
From Donald Hamburg and Jan Prokop
May 28, 2025
Dear Kim and Alex:
From our very first correspondence and in all our contacts with you, we advised you that the principal purpose of this trip was landscape photography, generally in the Highlands. That goal was often repeated. As it turned out, the very first landscape photo was taken on day 7 on the Isle of Skye. Poor planning on your part and our inadequate review of the itinerary you proposed created unnecessary problems with our trip. Comments below:
Day 1 and Day 2 in Edinburgh were sufficient. Day 3 not necessary at all. The Bonham was very good.
Day 4 Allen, our driver/guide was very good. The tour of St Andrews golf course was very intersting and the guide was excellent. Pine Trees hotel in Pitlochry was very good. The manager was very helpful and a delight. He offered to drive us to the restaurant, but said it would be a hike to walk back to the hotel. Had to cancel the dinner reservation as there was no transportation from the restaurant. We dined at the hotel. What was your reasoning for us to stay in Pitlochry? We could have taken the train from St. Andrews straight to Kyle.
Day 5 the train to Inverness was ok but the first-class tickets and reserved seats were not honored. The conductor told us our seats were taken and that there were no seats in Coach A. We managed to get seats in Coach C. We will send you the reserved seat tickets if you need them to get a refund for the first-class seats.
The two nights in Inverness were totally wasted. No need to go there at all. The Lock Ness cruise and visit to Urquhart Castle were an unnecessary diversion. We could have travelled from St Andrews straight through to Kyle. The Kitchen restaurant was very good in Inverness, tho service was very slow.
Day 7 the train to Skye was fine. The Marmalade Hotel was too far from town and there were NO taxis. We could not keep the dinner reservation because there was no transportation.
Days 8 and 9 were basically the whole trip. The guide, Neil MacLeod, was fabulous. The Talisker tour was a waste of time. It was all about getting us into the gift shop. The trip through Trossachs National Park became redundant. Neil tried to make it as interesting as he could, but mile after mile of barren hills with not much to photograph was a disappointment. Day 9 should not have ended in Loch Lomond. Another 32 miles and we would have been in Glasgow. Why did you make a dinner reservation the Cameron Grill 17 miles away from the hotel when there was no transportation and after we had spent 8 hours in a car with Neil? Neil could have taken us to Glasgow or he could have left us off in the village of Luss and a new driver could have taken us to Glasgow. No need to stay at the Loch Lomond Arms hotel. We dined at the hotel – again.
Day 10. The Kimpton hotel was fine. We spent the day on a sightseeing bus and got to see a lot of Glasgow.
Since we knew very little about the geography of the Scottish Highlands, we had no knowledge of the distance between towns or the distance between our hotels, the restaurants, and the towns. In all, much too much down time and the purpose of the trip (landscape photography of Scotland’s fabulous scenery) was not fulfilled.
Donald and Jan

Rachel was so helpful in curating our Scottish Highlands tour! She was very responsive and addressed all concerns we had. From transportation and hotel check-in as well as local guides, logistics went smoothly and we had some excellent guides explaining the history and landscapes. Will definitely use KimKim again in future trip planning and High Point Holidays for UK travel.

Hotel Reviews

House Of Juniper

Broadford

Cabins were perfect for an extended stay. Bed wasn't the most comfortable but cabin was clean and kitchen had all appliances that were needed.

Authenticity & Character

Location

More outside of center of Portree but worth the trek to be in a location that is more peaceful with better views.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Blackfriars Hotel

Inverness

In an older building but has lots of character and unique decor in each room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Market Street Hotel

Edinburgh

Very clean and spacious room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perle Oban Hotel & Spa

Oban

Great location right in the midst of all activity in Oban. Rooms are smaller but clean. Good view of the harbor.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Transfer

Scotland

Seamless airport pick-up and friendly driver.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Oban Distillery Tour

Oban

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye

Scotland

Keith was a very knowledgable driver and friendly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cruise of Mull, Iona and Staffa Islands

Scotland

We missed the ferry from Mull to Iona and Staffa as directions were not clear on what bus to get onto when we got off the ferry at Mull. We ended up on the opposite side of Mull in Tobermoray but it was a pleasant day regardless.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We just returned from our trip to the Isle of Skye arranged by Kateryna. I was having trouble finding transportation from Ft Williams (where we ended our West Highland Way walk) to the Isle of Skye. I also wanted a driver/guide for our 3 days there. I contacted KimKim and Kateryna responded promptly. She was able to arrange a driver to pick us up in Ft Williams and drive us to Isle of Skye. The drivers (Brian and his son Ian) were excellent. They were prompt, friendly and very knowledgeable about the area. We lucked out with perfect weather to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Highly recommend Kateryna to plan a trip to Scotland.

Pauline was a dream to work with. Helping us revise and squeeze in destinations we were interested in.
Holister who picked us up at the airport after a delay was informative and very professional
Our trip around Skye was amazing and Stewart was a fabulous driver— he managed our trip expertly and avoided crowds. Timberbush Tours

The sequencing of our self guided yours allowed us ample time to fit everything in

The hotels and our rooms were fabulous

None of the above would have happened without Paulines attention yo our needs and attention to detail

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Colessio

Stirling

Great location great amenities

Authenticity & Character

Location

O

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Great hotel. Cute and charming

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

P

Rusacks St Andrews

St Andrews

Perfect location — roof top nar exceptional— pub and dinning was awesome

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Oban Bay Hotel

Oban

Great location- cute bar overlooking the bay

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mercure Inverness hotel

Inverness

Centrally located

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre tickets

Inverness

Boat Ride Around the Canal & Loch Ness including a Visit to Urquhart Castle

Scotland

Isle of Skye Daytrip from Inverness

Inverness

So much easier to have a driver for the day so we both could enjoy the amazing island

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Stewart was amaxing

Transport

Stewart was a great driver

Blair Atholl Tour at Blair Atholl Distillery

Pitlochry

Edinburgh Castle Tickets

Edinburgh

Boat tour from Oban - see the coast of Mull

Oban

Oban Distillery Tour

Oban

Stirling Castle Tickets

Scotland

Tatiana was fantastic - very responsive and able to help with issues that came up during the trip. Would recommend her and KimKim to everyon

We just returned from an amazing trip to Scotland. Pauline, from KimKim travel was very helpful, patient, flexible, and she listened to our wants. She helped us immensely to craft a plan that hit all the key spots we wanted, and also included open blocks of time on most days for us to just wander and explore. The hotels were all in perfect locations and were wonderful. We liked the suggestions for restaurants in each area and we enjoyed those a lot. Also helpful were suggestions on sites, hikes, and other places of interest to consider in each area… that turned out to be a nice pick list.
Of course we had a hitch in our trip, as our flight to Scotland arrived over 4 hours late. Not a problem to coordinate with Pauline for a revised airport pickup time, and she also was able to reschedule a time sensitive tour. Very much appreciated.
We gladly recommend KimKim, and of course Pauline or one of her colleagues.

Initially, I was a bit hesitant to use an online travel planner, but after working with Tania, I’m completely converted—she’ll be my go-to for any future trips to Europe. From the very beginning, she made the process smooth and personal. We had several detailed conversations where she really listened to what I wanted, and then she presented thoughtful, well-researched options for each of the towns we wanted to visit.

Tetiana handled all the logistics, booking five great hotels, several activities, and providing us with a thorough outline of things to do and places to see. Every recommendation hit the mark. Some of our highlights included a fantastic guided tour of Edinburgh, visiting Holyrood Palace, and hiking up Arthur’s Seat. The Isle of Skye was another standout with its breathtaking scenery and incredible hikes.

What really set Tetiana apart was her support during the inevitable travel hiccups—lost luggage, a flat tire, and other minor issues. She was just a message away and always ready with helpful advice and calm reassurance. It made such a difference to know we had someone in our corner throughout the trip.

I can’t recommend Tetiana highly enough. She made our Scotland trip not just easier, but better in every way.

Hotel Review

Apex Waterloo Place

Edinburgh

Great location, nice hotel.

Activity Review

Edinburgh Castle & Old Town Private Tour

Edinburgh

Shanna was great. Perfect for the first day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our recent trip to Scotland was an absolute dream come true, and a huge part of that is owed to the exceptional service we received from KimKim, and especially our travel agent, Tetiana. From the very beginning of the planning process, Tetiana was incredibly responsive, always getting back to our questions and requests promptly and with detailed, helpful information. It was clear that she was dedicated to creating the perfect trip for us.

The itinerary Tetiana put together was truly outstanding. She listened carefully to what we wanted to experience in Scotland, and she crafted a journey that perfectly captured the essence of the country. We were able to see stunning landscapes, explore historic castles, and immerse ourselves in the vibrant Scottish culture, all thanks to her expertise. It was evident that she has in-depth knowledge of Scotland and a real passion for sharing its beauty with others.

The KimKim website itself was also a pleasure to use. The entire process, from the initial inquiry to booking our trip, was extremely easy and seamless. The platform is user-friendly, intuitive, and well-organized, which made planning our vacation stress-free and enjoyable. We felt supported and well-informed every step of the way.

We are beyond satisfied with our experience with KimKim, and we will definitely be using their services again for our next vacation. Tetiana's dedication, responsiveness, and expertly crafted itinerary, combined with KimKim's user-friendly website, made this trip to Scotland an unforgettable adventure. We highly recommend KimKim to anyone looking for a personalized and exceptional travel experience.

Pauline asked all the right questions to give us options for a perfect trip to Scotland. We loved all the tours and especially our Ecoventure boat tour in Cromarty.

We had a great time in both Ireland and Scotland. Aleksandra was extremely helpful both before, during, and after our trip. She was accessible to help us arrange additional transportation during our trip and to answer any questions we had. The hotels that she booked were excellent and the itinerary was great. I would highly recommend using KimKim for your travel needs.

Hotel Reviews

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Great hotel in a perfect location for walking. Staff was extremely helpful and friendly.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kingsmills Hotel

Inverness

This was a nice hotel and was within walking distance of downtown Inverness if you enjoyed walking. It was about a 20 minute walk to the downtown area. Hotel was nice and the staff was friendly and helpful.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Greshornish House Hotel

Edinbane

Hotel was in a beautiful location off the beaten path. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Room was very nice and spacious and the food served in the restaurant was very good.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Imperial Hotel

Cork

Awesome hotel in a perfect location. Great staff as well. Breakfast was very good and there was a really nice selection of pastries from the local English Market. Room was very spacious and comfortable.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Leinster

Dublin

Hotel was in a great location for walking and seeing the sites. Room was small, but very comfortable. The hotel was very nice and the staff were very helpful. Our flight was too early in the am to get to enjoy the breakfast.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

The Vaults Tour

Edinburgh

Fun tour with a really great guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise

Inverness

Very enjoyable way to spend the morning.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Working with Tetiana for my first KimKim organized trip was wonderful. Absolutely great! Tetiana was very attentive regarding any questions I had. Her reply was always very quick and professional. During the planning months, Tetiana found options to suit our requests and needs and offered a lot of expertise. She know the UK very well and I am so happy with the suggestions she made.
We spent our first 6 days in London. Tetiana arranged for a private driver to pick us up at Heathrow and booked us in to very comfortable accommodations in Kensington. The location was perfect! The next day we had an amazing private driver named Dean take us out to Highclere Castle for a tour. I am a huge Downton Abbey fan so thoroughly enjoyed that day trip. The second day, Tetiana organized us for a Rabbies tour to The Cotswolds & Oxford. I was travelling with my 26 year old son, and we both enjoyed seeing this part of England very much! For the next few days, we figured out transit and made our way to all of the amazing sights we wanted to see in London.
Our second week was spent in Scotland. Tetiana arranged train tickets for us to head to Edinburgh. Any time I had uncertainties or questions, I communicated with Tetiana via Whatsapp and she helped us immediately. She arranged a walking tour for us that afternoon which was incredible! I asked Tetiana to help me find a real castle for us to stay in, and Melville Castle was perfect. Our two-bedroom suite was gorgeous and spacious and everything we did and saw in Edinburgh was just amazing. Our next three days were spent in Inverness. The Highlands of Scotland are just beautiful. The people were so incredibly friendly and I can't wait to go back!
Our last day was spent in London again and we really liked The Sanctuary House that Tetiana found for us. It is a very excellent location if anyone wants to be near all the most popular landmark sights.

I can't thank Tetiana enough! She followed my request list perfectly and Jackson & I had an stress-free, wonderful vacation.

Hotel Reviews

Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel

Inverness

Dated. I understand that Inverness is very old, but the rooms definitely need an upgrade. As well, the restaurant options were not what we expected. Breakfast was excellent, but in the evening the restaurants were too upscale for what we were looking for after long days out on tours. As well, the stairs with luggage were not expected. There is no elevator.

Authenticity & Character

This hotel definitely needs to be updated.

Location

Staff

Very attentive, kind and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Twin beds are very small. Rooms are very small. Bathroom is a great size though.

Ember Locke

London

This location is perfect. It is in the Kensington area with wonderful pubs, restaurants, grocery stores and easy transit access within minutes. It is safe and very walkable. The restaurant in this hotel is very good. There is also a wonderful coffee bar in the lobby.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms could use some updating. The hotel was kept very clean; the rooms are just dark and a bit dated.

Melville Castle

Edinburgh

The hotel itself was gorgeous. Staying in a castle was more affordable than I thought it would be and our two-bedroom suite was stunning! We dined at the downstairs restaurant on our last night there and the food was excellent! The Library bar is attractive and the atmosphere was casual and relaxing! I also loved that dogs were allowed and we got to visit with a few owners and snuggle their pups. My only disappointment was the staff. Michelle was a very nice receptionist, but the other staff members did the bare minimum. Our very first impression was disappointing. No one greeted us at check in or offered to help us with our bags. Two young people stood there and watched us, without offering help or even a "welcome or hello". There was an elevator, but we still had to manage our bags with 4 stairs into our suite on our own. The staff were younger and more interested in visiting with each other; their attentiveness was lacking. As well, the outside areas of the hotel were also lacking pride. The outer small buildings looked dishevelled; pieces of the roof broken off, hoses and pails lying around etc. Unforunately this was the view from our bedroom windows and that didn't leave a great impression. However, the daily cleaning service was perfect.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

As noted above. Our first impression was a receptionist who sat behind her desk and didn't acknowledge us until we said hello. Two other young people were on their phones and talking with each other but also didn't say hello or offer to help us with our bags. This was a disappointing first impression for our first time staying in a castle! The breakfast staff however were lovely and a lady named Michelle who worked later in the day & evening was very kind.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our two bedroom suite, the Library Bar and the breakfast room.

The Sanctuary House Hotel

London

Excellent location! Wonderful "extras" in the rooms that we didn't see at our other hotels.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Receptionist was "flat". Just not a great first impression when checking-in. The pub attached to the hotel had amazing, friendly staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room was fabulous! Clean, great style, and really nicely stocked with extras!

Activity Reviews

Highclere Castle

London

I highly recommend this tour!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dean White was the driver our KimKim specialist hired for us and he was just so fun to be with.

Explore Glen Affric, Culloden, and Clava Cairns Tour

Inverness

Absolutely LOVED this full day trip. Our guide Ryan was funny, an excellent driver and wonderful at engaging with the tourists!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Edinburgh Castle & Old Town Private Tour

Edinburgh

Our private walking tour was great! Our guide was on time, very enjoyable and informative. The only thing I would have liked is if it was booked at least half an hour to an hour sooner. We only had about 45 minutes at the castle once we got up there before closing time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Stirling Private Tour

Edinburgh

Our private guide Michael was SO friendly and wonderful. He was personally from Stirling and loved living there. He picked us up at our hotel and was dressed so professional. After seeing Stirling Castle, he took us to a local bakery that was incredible and he was just so professional, experienced and funny! A Great Day!!! Loved the area and highly recommend seeing Wallace Monument and the castle!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Small Group Tour

London

We misunderstood/so did Tetiana where we were suppose to meet our guide and didn't realize there was a one-hour walking tour involved before we went in to the War Rooms. Thankfully we found him just in time and it was all absolutely wonderful!!! :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Vaults Tour

Edinburgh

This was so cool! Great guide on this tour and really fascinating to even think people lived and existed in these vaults in the 1700's!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Small-Group Day Tour

Inverness

We had Ryan from Rabbies again on this trip. He is an amazing persona and an excellent, safe driver. We found this day far too long. Skye is nice, but being from Canada we didn't find it as "breath taking" as I had hoped. I think we could have spent the 12 hours doing something different and enjoyed that more. However, we met some really great people on the van tour and again, Ryan is the best tour guide we have ever had.

Quality of Experience

Our driver, Ryan.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an outstanding Scottish trip over the December holidays! Stephen and Marine provided wonderful support in planning a 11 day trip that took us on a loop from Edinburgh to the Highlands (Glencoe and Skye).

In Edinburgh, our local guide, Gareth, was phenomenal. He maintained a captivating discussion of the city over over three hours! The Wee Touring Menu at Wedgewood was a huge success with the entire family. The Mary King's Close Tour was a wonderful addition to the trip and well worth the time.

Once we left Edinburgh, hiking in Glencoe, Pitlochery, and Skye was pretty outstanding as well. While it was always a little but rainy (as expected), we really enjoyed the views, the streams, and waterfalls.

Hotel Reviews

York Place Apartments by Destination Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Very comfortable, quiet accommodations in the heart of Edinburgh. Very spacious, strong WiFi, and is a place that a large group could stay for several days. The single blip with York Place Apartments was the check-in process. This was nobody waiting for us and there is no desk--so we were somewhat stuck outside this apartment without a way to get inside the apartment.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very walkable to downtown, restaurants, etc. The biggest challenge is there is no way to park in front so you will need to park a car and walk to the apartment.

Staff

Have staff there to meet people or provide a clear point of contact to enter into the apartment.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Glencoe Inn

Ballachulish

The Glencoe Inn is very comfortable and tucked away in the mountains. From a location perspective, Bellachulish was just beautiful and had great places to hike. The Inn's accommodations were limited during our stay. Upon arriving, we were told that the main restaurant and bar were closed for renovations and there was limited staff available. The Inn provided a limited menu and limited bar during our stay.

Authenticity & Character

The character was not clear since many portions of the Inn were closed or under renovation.

Location

Beautiful location and great place to explore

Staff

Very helpful and kind!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were clean and quiet and we really enjoyed the shared community spaces.

Broadford Hotel

Broadford

Authenticity & Character

Location

Beautiful location with good access to local restaurants.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Atholl Villa Guest House

Pitlochry

A solid place--the staff was very friendly, the rooms were clean, and comfortable, and the hotel is in a great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right on the main strip, the rooms were quiet and comfortable.

Staff

The staff were present, they communicated well, and they were there to help if you needed guidance.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Broomhall Castle

Stirling

The location was wonderful and provided a unique experience for the family. The rooms were clean and comfortable. The biggest questions were based on the New Years' celebration events. While we initially believed there would be options to eat locally or eat within the hotel at the bar, the only option was to buy tickets for a New Years Dinner.

Authenticity & Character

How often can you sleep in a castle?

Location

Great location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Small group visit of Mary King's Close

Edinburgh

Just a fantastic way to understand the city's history and how lower class people lived.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Creative and interesting tour guides. Informed and interested in telling their stories.

Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh with a Top Local Guide

Edinburgh

Possibly the highlight of the trip, Gareth was interesting and informed. This felt more like a 3 hour discussion between Gareth and our family of 4 than a simple tour were you are blasted with facts and figures.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Stirling Castle Tickets

Scotland

Again, a strong contender for being the main highlight, Stirling castle was a great experience. The parking was easy, Stirling is a central city to Scottish history, the castle is well-maintained, and the tour guides were great. I was surprised when my teenage daughters wanted to keep exploring after 2 hours!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Wee Tour of Scotland tasting menu

Edinburgh

The Wee Tour of Scotland tasting menu was a good culinary experience. We enjoyed a set course meal of five or six dishes, offering a nice variety of Scottish cuisine. It was a solid four out of five experience.

Jane and Celina were outstanding.

They helped us with substantial last minute changes including adding an extra person and making sure all our lodging and activity reservations were modified to accommodate our request. We got great recommendations about things to do in Edinburgh. It is a fascinating city and we look forward to returning.

Hotel Review

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great neighborhood near the university and across the street from the National Museum. Walk everywhere!

Staff

Helpful and courteous in every way.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Small group visit of Mary King's Close

Edinburgh

Fantastic experience. The perfect way to start your visit to Edinburgh. Learn history, geography, get oriented to the city.

Walk up Calton Hill

Edinburgh

We should have done this earlier in our visit. A great way to see the city from a vantage point. And don't overlook the Old Calton Cemetery directly across as you approach on Princes Street.

A Show at the Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh

This was a rousing show. Great performances in a wonderful venue.

Kateryna provided me with stress-saving advice and assistance from the very outset. I had a very short time to organise a wonderful family trip for a large family with diverse ages. Kate absolutely nailed it!! From the luxury accommodation to the memory-creating activities like horse-riding in the highlands, our trip contained something for all of us and it was truly incredible.

Hotel Review

Cromlix

Dunblane

This was my pick from the trip. From the moment we walked through their doors, their hospitality was unmatched. They looked after us like we were part of their family. It was the best meal we ate for our entire trip too! We simply could not fault this place.

Authenticity & Character

Just the most beautiful renovated mansion you have ever seen. No detail has been ignored. The artwork was stunning.

Location

The location was a little out of town but still close to a village and not far from some wonderful attractions.

Staff

The best we encountered and everyone we encountered was super friendly. The staff at Cromlix were next level - just so well trained and professional.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Every room was immaculate and the entire place was beautifully maintained.

Activity Reviews

Edinburgh Secret Walking Food Tour

Edinburgh

We had a wonderful guide - Nichola who was such a passionate Scot with so much knowledge about the food and Edinburgh in general.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Highland Trekking and Trail Riding

Scotland

This was an epic adventure. Getting to the location was not super easy but it was worth the snowy drive in on narrow country roads! The ride through the highlands was something we will never forget.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was incredibly knowledgeable about the land and environment upon which we were riding.