Small-Group Scotland Tours Led by Musicians & Locals
Guided Scotland Tours with Local Knowledge
Scotland Folk Tours offers small-group guided tours of Scotland designed for travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences. From Edinburgh and the Highlands to historic castles, villages and landscapes, our Scotland tours combine storytelling, live music, and local expertise.
Our tours of Scotland are ideal for visitors who want more than sightseeing — they want connection, culture, and unforgettable moments.
Welcome to Scotland Folk Tours - Scotland Tours Designed for Authentic Travel
Your dream Scotland tour is about to unfold. Traveling with a small group of like-minded people and with notable North American songwriter/musician leaders, we are delighted to take you to some of our best kept hidden gems from the capital city of Edinburgh to the extreme northerly outposts of the country and up to Orkney!
Our small Scotland tours are for people who love music, travel and to meet the local folk.
Listen to local voices on our tours of Scotland, providing you with some ‘up close and personal’ experiences of great music on our tours. Taking you to some of the most unforgettable and sensational parts of the country, our tour guides and drivers are some of the best in the land who have a rich and deep fondness of our most incredible country.Â
Equipped with stories of our past and our folklore, they will reveal to you some of the most incredible parts of Scotland, making sure that you can appreciate a real lifetime experience in our beloved land
Scotland Folk Tours
The sights and sounds of Scotland
Group Size 16 or 25
Breakfast Included
Luxury Mini Coach
Accommodation Included
Our Tours
Explore our small-group Scotland tours designed for travellers who want to experience the country’s landscapes, music, and folklore in a deeper way.
Explore the unrivalled, relaxed beauty of the Borders. Traveling coast to coast through this lesser explored region of Scotland you’ll experience everything you’d expect from an adventure across this bountiful country. This whole tour will be peppered with the sounds and stories of Scotland and English Lake District!
Trace your Scottish roots on our heritage tours of Scotland. Built around your family history, clan connections and the regions your ancestors came from, each journey pairs the castles, battlefields and Highland landscapes that shaped the country with the music and stories that carried it around the world.
Experience Scotland from the inside on our cultural tours of Scotland. Led by musicians and storytellers, these journeys put you in the middle of the living tradition, live folk music, ceilidhs and fireside tales, alongside the castles, whisky and Highland landscapes that shaped it all.
Bring your students to Scotland. Our faculty-led educational tours combine Scottish history, music and culture with curriculum-focused experiences, custom-built around your academic goals. From logistics to guiding, we handle the detail so your group gets a meaningful, well-run trip.
Small-Group Scotland Folk Tours Led by Musicians & Locals
Travel across Scotland in small groups, from Edinburgh to Orkney, guided by musicians and storytellers. Experience live folk music, legends, and unforgettable landscapes.
- Hear traditional Scottish instruments — fiddle, accordion, bodhrán Â
- Dance at a traditional ceilidh night Â
- Walk the grounds of standing stones and Celtic ruins Â
- Taste whisky and regional dishes Â
- Learn a few Gaelic phrases from friendly locals
Book your tour with us today and experience the sights and sounds of Scotland like never before!
Experience the Heart of Scotland
- Intimate group sizes (16–25 max) Â
- Live folk music every night – ceilidhs, ballads, and more Â
- Guided by North American musicians and Scottish locals Â
- Story-rich routes through the Highlands, Borders, and Isles Â
- All-inclusive: breakfast, accommodation, and luxury mini-coach travel
OUTLANDER TOUR OF SCOTLAND
Step Into the World of Jamie & Claire with our Outlander Tour of Scotland
Follow in the footsteps of Claire and Jamie on our Real Outlander Tour — a small-group journey through the dramatic landscapes and castles. Our Outlander tour of Scotland visits filming locations across the Highlands and historic towns featured in the series.
This tour is led by local guides and musicians who bring the Jacobite era to life through stories and songs, you’ll experience everything from Culloden to Craigh na Dun.
FACULTY LED TOURS OF SCOTLAND
Faculty-Led Programs In Scotland for Universities
We work with faculty members and academic coordinators to design faculty-led programs in Scotland that support specific learning objectives. Whether the focus is music, folklore, history, literature, or cultural studies, itineraries can be adapted to complement coursework and academic themes. Our faculty-led tours typically include:
- Pre-trip planning collaboration
- Custom itineraries aligned with academic goals
- Small-group travel (typically 16–25 students)
- Guided cultural experiences
- Accommodation and transport coordination
- Flexible scheduling options
Our experience working with North American groups ensures smooth logistics and a supportive learning environment throughout the program.
Why book your tour of Scotland with us?
- Our guides are North American musicians who know Scotland intimately Â
- You’ll hear real stories and music, not just rehearsed facts Â
- Stay in charming inns, visit off-the-map gems Â
- Travel like a local — not a tourist
Travel Guides & Tour Inspiration for Scotland
Planning a trip to Scotland? Explore our expert travel guides covering Outlander filming locations, private Scotland tours, educational travel programmes and more, designed to help you choose the right experience for your visit.
FAQ
What is included in your Scotland tours?
Our Scotland tours include accommodation, transport in a luxury mini coach, daily breakfast, guided experiences, and evening folk music sessions. Many itineraries also include castle visits, cultural experiences, and local storytelling.
Are your Scotland tours small group tours?
Yes — our Scotland tours are intentionally small-group experiences, typically between 16–25 guests. This allows for a more personal, relaxed, and authentic way to explore Scotland compared to large coach tours.
Do you offer private tours of Scotland?
Yes. We offer private tours of Scotland that can be customised around your interests, travel dates, and group size. Private tours are ideal for families, couples, educational groups, and travellers wanting a more flexible itinerary.
Where do your tours of Scotland start and finish?
Most tours begin and end in Edinburgh, making it easy for international travellers arriving in Scotland. Full joining instructions are provided after booking.
What makes Scotland Folk Tours different from other Scotland tours?
Our tours are led by musicians and local storytellers, combining travel with Scotland’s living folk culture. Evenings often include live music sessions, storytelling, and cultural experiences you won’t find on traditional sightseeing tours.
Are your tours suitable for international travellers?
Yes — in fact, many of our guests travel from the United States and beyond Our tours are designed to make travelling through Scotland easy, comfortable, and culturally meaningful.
How far in advance should I book a Scotland tour?
We recommend booking several months in advance, especially for summer departures and specialist tours like the Outlander tour of Scotland, as spaces are limited.
Do I need to be an Outlander fan to enjoy the Outlander tour?
Not at all. The Outlander tour explores castles, villages, and Highland landscapes that are fascinating for anyone interested in Scottish history and scenery — whether you’ve seen the series or not.
Do you offer faculty-led tours or educational travel in Scotland?
Yes — Scotland Folk Tours offers faculty-led tours, customized student tours, and educational travel programs in Scotland for universities, colleges, and academic groups. These tours combine Scottish history, culture, and music with curriculum-focused experiences.
Learn more about our educational travel programs here.