Small-Group Scotland Tours Led by Musicians & Locals

Authentic guided tours of Scotland combining music, culture, landscapes and storytelling.

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.

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.

Beyond The Tartan

Come experience the best of both worlds in the land of Scots! From Scotland’s innovative capital city of Edinburgh to the ancient and legendary villages and isles of the Highlands, you’ll hear music most nights, maybe a storyteller, maybe a ceilidh dance. We’ll introduce you to the history, the culture, the people of Scotland.

Beyond The Standing Stones

If ancient folklore, traditional Scottish music, and prehistoric heritage sites sound like your scene, then this tour is for you! You’ll be taken to the far north of mainland Scotland, across to the Hebrides, and further north still up to Orkney to experience our beautiful country as the locals do.

Beyond The Borders

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!

Scottish Heritage Tours

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.

Cultural Tours

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.

Educational Travel

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
Dance at a traditional ceilidh night
Walk the grounds of standing stones and Celtic ruins
Taste whisky and regional dishes
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)
Live folk music every night – ceilidhs, ballads, and more
Guided by North American musicians and Scottish locals
Story-rich routes through the Highlands, Borders, and Isles
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?

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 20 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Weldon Rost 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was a great trip! Out guides, Fiona and Ben, were so knowledgeable and obviously love their home country. We saw so much, learned so much, and then there was the music. I have known our host, Patrice Pike, for some time and she is a musical treasure. She’s also a a wonderful human being. It was great listening to her do her own thing and then join in with the locals who provided a nice sampling of the local folk music. Don’t miss this opportunity to take a deep dive into this beautiful land and all its charm!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Sprecher 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We can’t say enough good things about Scotland FolkTours and the people there who provided us an amazing view and experience in their homeland. We saw both the urban and rural scenes of Scotland, that were excellently presented by our amazing guides, Naomi and Gayle. Their knowledge of and pride in their country provided our tour a complete and informative experience to know the history and magic of the Scottish culture. All details were taken care of meticulously and the accommodations/entertainment were carefully chosen. The only thing my husband and I would recommend (to our liking) is to spend a little more time exploring the major cities and a bit less time in the highlands.
I would recommend this tour company without reservation; I anticipate we may book with them again. They are masters of their craft!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Cindy Talmadge 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is an amazing way to explore the country while getting immersed in its history and music both past and present.  The guides and musicians are amazing and the accommodations comfortable and welcoming.  In addition if you are someone who is used to independent travel there is plenty of time to go off on your own to experience the various locations.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lisa Pryor 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We couldn't have asked for a better experience --- well beyond our expectations as people who don't like tours -- beyond the borders was a magical, musical tour with expert guides and musicians. We left our hearts there and will return! Thanks Tim, Fiona, Gail, Alexis!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Douglas McVarish 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A well-run company with great guides. Fiona gave a continually interesting and well-researched guide to Glasgow, while Murray is a tour guide and driver with knowledge, a sense of humor, and a sweet disposition, If you love Celtic music and want to see many Scottish historic sites (incliding some not seen on large bus tours) with a congenial group of travelers, you will get your wishes fulfilled and more at Scottish Folk Tours.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kim Munson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a FABULOUS time on our Beyond the Tartan tour! The accommodations, tour guides and itinerary were wonderful! We really enjoyed sightseeing during the day and hearing great music at night! We can’t wait for our next trip!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Patti Morrow 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an incredible way to explore Scotland! Not only did the Beyond the Tartan tour provide excellent historical background, funny stories, and take you to the BEST places in Scotland, but they provide live music almost every night, delivered either by the talent group leader or terrific local musicians. The music added so much by way of introducing us to great traditional music as well as added an extra social element to the trip. Kudos!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Marley Fischer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An amazing 11 days! Our trip was full of amazing music, food, scenery and history. Fiona and Nory were absolutely fantastic guides. 10/10 would recommend!
  
 
  
  
 
     Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

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.