There’s a few obvious differences between group tours and private tours, and a few you might not have considered before now. I’ll do my best to go over all the pros and cons of each, impartially of course, try to help you decide which is best for you, and get you on route to your ideal tour of Scotland.
tldr; well it depends, duh.
The Best Bits: Group Tours
Price and Value
Running a reliable, regularly scheduled service for a large number of people means group tour companies can keep their prices extremely low. Not only are they cheap compared to private tours, but you’d spend more money travelling solo or even on petrol alone!
When it comes to overall cost, group tours are far and away the cheapest option available and there’s no other way to see as much in a day.
(disclaimer: this article was written before teleportation and does not yet recognize it as a viable option)
tldr; cheap and cheerful
Not only are they cheap compared to private tours, but you’d spend more money travelling solo or even on petrol alone!
People and Friends
It can be a bit of a lottery, but chances are you’ll meet some like-minded people on your tour, they want to see the same things you do after all.
Travelling around a new place can be a lonely task for some, and where better to get chatting to fellow travellers and sightseers than on a big bus for a few hours between stops. The extroverts among you may even find some new friends, or at least a drinking buddy for the night ahead.
tldr; friendly groups and potential new friends
Efficiency and Consistency
The well oiled machine of the group tour. They know when you’ll arrive, how long you’re likely to stay, and when you’ll need to leave to get the most from your trip. Being able to plan around these times means there’s no surprises, you know when you’re leaving and when you’ll be back, what you’ll see and how long you’ll see it for.
Travellers on a tight schedule or those just really wanting to check some boxes off their list will get the most out of the tours running like clockwork. If only they could predict the weather, they’d be perfect!
tldr; they run a tight ship
Experience and Banter
Running the same routes multiple times a day with a large variety of different people, you get good at it pretty fast. Tour guides and drivers are no different, and there’s a 100% chance you Scottish tour guide will be charming, witty and full of local knowledge and stories to keep you and the rest of the tour well entertained.
Sneak in a bit of local dialect to keep their energy levels through the roof (failing that a full-fat Irn Bru has the same effect).
tldr; fun and informative
Being able to plan around these times means there’s no surprises, you know when you’re leaving and when you’ll be back, what you’ll see and how long you’ll see it for.
Regular and Dependable Quality
With a fleet of busses, drivers and guides, group tour companies run a tight ship of regular departures and consistent quality. Should your plans change or be delayed, simply switch to a different time or day and you’ll be in for the same great experience as the one you missed.
tldr; flexible and consistent
The Best Bits: Private Tours
Customisation
The main benefit of a private tour is that it’s all about you, whether you want to see more castles, spend more time in the mountains or make a detour to that Outlander location you’ve seen on the TV, your tour guide will create a completely custom day out around your exact needs.
With specialised tours, such a photography workshops, having the freedom to stay longer at a location to learn more about a particular style, or move on quickly from a place that’s not working (rain, anyone?), means you are always squeezing the most out of your day.
Scotland in particular is a place stacked full of worlds famous locations, but when you’re able to dig a little deeper, outside of the usual spots, you’ll find a wealth of places, more than worth your time and effort.
tldr; it’s all about you! Like paying someone to throw you a birthday party.
Peace and Comfort
As much as i’m sure we all love meeting new people, making new friends and enjoying experiences with others… it’s not always the right time. The private tours allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view from the comfort of the passenger seat.
Speaking of which, your entire journey is made in the comfort of a newly detailed car, perfectly suited for your trip. No more of those busses clogging up the wee villages up north or taking up 3 parking spaces at the hidden valley of Glencoe!
tldr; for the introvert in all of us.
Flexibility
Private tours are usually booked well in advance, meaning that every aspect can be moulded around you and your other plans. Want to catch that early morning sunrise? Need to be home by 8?
Your day will fit perfectly around your schedule and flexible to changes in an instant without any worries about missing the bus or not being back in time.
tldr; built around you and easily changed.
You come away with more than just facts and information, you get to share in those experiences
Unique, Personal Experience.
Having your own private guide with, not only knowledge of the area or region, but a lifetime of experiences growing up surrounded by everything it has to offer. You come away with more than just facts and information, you get to share in those experiences, learn things no one knows (or even needs to know!) and build in your mind a perspective of a place that use to seem foreign, but now feels a little more like home.
tldr; it’s more than just seeing things and places.
The Worst Bits: Group Tours
Set Piece Play
The nature of the group tour means its a rigid routine that’s played out the same way each time. Although this has obvious benefits (see above), it also means there’s no room for any customisation. Whether you want to see that castle just up the hill, or stop at the green welly for an energy drink, the set day out is set, and the wants of the group outweigh the wants of any individual.
tldr; the tour plays out like a movie, all you can do is watch.
Hotspots Only
As mentioned before, the well oiled machine of the group tour knows what the majority of people want, so that’s where they go. The main problem with that, is that’s where they all go!
Each location is flooded with busses and tourists and you have a limited time to enjoy it before you’re put back on the bus and moved to the next one.
tldr; a cattle like experience that can be hugely impacted at busier times
You can’t pick and choose
You don’t get to pick whos on your tour. It could be great! or it could be terrible. Think of the worst person you’ve ended up sitting next to on a journey or a plane. Now try spending the day with them.
tldr; the people lottery may not always end up in your favour.
The Worst Bits: Private Tours
The Expense
Private tours can be very, very expensive, with custom tours ranging from £400 to £3000++, sometimes no amount of luxury can make up the difference! From the car hire to daily rate of the guide, private hotel for overnight stays as well as fuel and insurance, it all adds up to a rather large bill at the end of the day.
When you’re paying for a full experience its difficult to find the best value, and if the cost of a private tour isn’t comfortable for you, the group tours are a fantastic option.
tldr; a big investment with many variables
One to One
One of the most important decisions when booking a private tour is picking the right guide. Not only someone trustworthy, knowledgeable and honest, but someone interesting enough to spend an entire day (or two, or three!) with. Being able to get on with someone, a complete stranger at that, can make or break your entire day, and with the kind of costs on the line, it’s always a risk.
tldr; a grumpy guide could have you regretting the money spent
Scotland may not play along
Another big factor in the ideal day out is the weather. Scotland is well known for its ever changing weather. Record breaking summers can turn to weeks of rain, hail and snow in an instant. Equally, a picturesque overcast day could turn in to an unbearable sweat-fest, although definitely the rarer of the two.
Booking an expensive private tour for a day the weather turns could be a huge disappointment, although this is true for both group and private tours, its much easier to write off a cheap ticket than an expensive investment.
tldr; the weather gods could ruin your day and waste your money.
In Conclusion
As with most comparisons, the answer is… it depends!
If you’d prefer a shared experience with fellow travellers, seeing the predetermined highlights of a particular area with an experienced guide while saving money, the Group Tour will fit you perfectly.
If you’d prefer to customise your tour with all your favourite things, have the freedom to take your time and be flexible with your day and money is no object, the Private Tours may be just what you need.
Congratulations on reaching the end of the article! Here’s your reward sheep. Enjoy.
