Rabbie’s Tours review: Small group tours guided by storytellers

Local experts guide these mini-coach tours through the UK, Ireland, and beyond. 

Looking out the window at the Isle of Skye in Scotland on a Rabbie's Tour
(Photo: Kate Loweth)

Rabbie’s Tours started in 1993 when Robin Worsnop took an old Sherpa van out on the road to show people his beloved Scotland. When interest in his small-group tours blossomed, additional vans and driver-guides were added. The certified B Corporation (B Corp) has deep ties in Scotland, Ireland, and England, with recent expansion into Italy and other European countries. 

Rabbie’s tours are limited to 16 travelers, and this small size allows groups to visit local communities and hidden-away spots that massive tour buses cannot access, keeping its environmental impact low. Local driver-guides share local lore and fairy tales along the way, truly immersing travelers into the places they are visiting. 

TourScoop takeways

Tour vans and driver-guides on a Rabbie's Tour in Scotland
Rabbie’s Tours has local driver-guides (Photo: Kate Loweth)
  • Destinations: UK and Europe
  • Tour size average: Up to 16 travelers
  • Tour types: Guided group tours and private tours

How to book with Rabbie’s Tours

Travelers can book tours directly through the Rabbie’s website or by calling +44 (0) 131 226 3133. Customer support is available via phone and email for assistance. You can also speak with the Rabbie’s team in person at their Edinburgh office. No minimum numbers means once you book your tour, you are going. 

Credibility check

Rabbie’s has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. Rabbie’s receives 4.9 stars on Trustpilot

Tour destinations

Isle of Skye on a Rabbie's Tour: views of the mountains
Rabbie’s destinations include Scotland, the UK, and mainland Europe (Photo: Rabbie’s Tours)

Rabbie’s is best known as a UK and Ireland specialist. Newer tour locations include Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland. 

New tours for 2025 and 2026

Rabbie’s has focused on UK and Ireland tours for three decades, only adding on mainland Europe tours in the last few years. New for 2025 is Exploring the Landscapes of Switzerland, where you’ll visit stunning mountain towns like Interlaken and Grindelwald by mini coach and mountain train. Coming for 2026 are two 6-day tours of Italy: Italy’s Northern Jewels: Venice & the Dolomites and Florence, Pisa & the Coastal Charms of Italy. Those wanting to spend more time exploring Italy can book the 13-day Timeless Italy: From Rome to Florence, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast tour.

Scotland is where Rabbie’s offers the most tours, with new options including the Taste of Skye, a 3-day tour that includes plenty of delicious Highland cuisine with stops at Eilean Donan Castle and the Talisker Distillery to learn how single-malt whisky is produced. This tour also includes overnight lodging at the Hame Hotel, a quiet spot to relax and take in the stunning Isle of Skye landscape. 

If you want to explore more of the UK, the My Heart is in the Highlands: A Journey to Scotland tour is an excellent option, with stops at Loch Ness and Stirling Castle. Choose whether you want to end your journey in Edinburgh to spend some time visiting the castle and Royal Mile or head back to Glasgow, where your tour began.

With an increased interest in their Ireland tours, Rabbie’s added the Wild Wonders & Ancient Echoes: Uncover Southern Ireland 9-day tour and the Centuries of Stories: Ireland’s South East 5-day tour from Dublin to their 2025 offerings. 

Tour types

Rabbie’s Tours leads small-group tours of up to 16 people. Travel is done by mini-bus, with large windows that let you enjoy the stunning views along the way. Tours run from a single day up to 17 days, during which you’ll travel around and see different regions of a country (or multiple countries). Travelers often stack tours, combining a visit to the Isle of Skye with a day-trip to Loch Ness or Scotland’s northeast coast. 

You’ll find a wide variety of tour themes, from culinary to visiting sites made famous by shows such as Outlander. Whisky-focused tours are popular in Scotland, as you can best enjoy a wee dram (and avoid driving the windy roads) with a driver-guide carting you around and showing you the best spots. 

Private, customizable tours are also available. This option is a great way to learn about your family’s heritage or spend more time exploring an area in depth. 

Tour guides

Rabbie’s driver-guides are where the company really shines. Instead of guides flown in to lead a tour, you’ll have locals leading you through their country and sharing personal stories and history along the way. Driver-guides form relationships with small business owners in the towns they visit, so that they can provide you with insider recommendations on where to eat and what to do while you’re there. They can tailor the experience to the group, swinging by to snap photos with a Highland cow or spending a few extra minutes enjoying a roadside viewpoint at the group’s request. 

Inclusions, extras and discounts

Travelers should consult a tour’s details for information on what is included. Meals, entry tickets, and activity fees may be an additional cost. Airfare to and from the destination is not included. 

Most multi-day UK and Ireland tours do not include overnight accommodations in the tour price. You can choose to book your own accommodations, or Rabbie’s can do it for you. Mainland Europe tours include accommodations. Accommodations range from three- and four-star hotels to smaller bed-and-breakfasts. 

Students, children ages five to 15, and adults 60 and older receive a discounted price on UK and Ireland tours. You can also find seasonal discounts for winter tours as well as early-bird discounts. 

Typical travelers

Kate Loweth and daughter on a Rabbie's Tour in Scotland
Our stop at Eilean Donan castle (Photo: Kate Loweth)

Rabbie’s Tours are popular with multigenerational groups. The structure of the tours allows travelers—whether they’re solos, couples, or family groups—to branch off on their own at lunch or when visiting historical sites to explore independently before returning to the group. 

For the UK and Ireland tours, children must be at least five years old. Children must be at least 18 years old when traveling on a tour in Italy, Spain, Portugal, or Switzerland. Families booking a private tour have more flexibility on these age limitations. 

Communication

Rabbie’s communications come via phone and email. Once your tour is booked and paid for, you will receive your confirmation paperwork. There are no minimum numbers required for a tour; once you book, you are going. Experiences also have a money-back guarantee—if your tour experience is not what you hoped for, Rabbie’s will refund your cost. 

Private tours

Rabbie’s Tours also offers private guided tours for groups, with a minimum of two people and a maximum of 16. These tours are popular with multigenerational and extended families, as well as groups of close friends. 

Sustainability efforts

In addition to supporting the local communities, Rabbie’s donates £10 to environmental and community projects for every ton of carbon it uses. It also provides employees with paid volunteer days through their “We Care About There” program to help with litter-pickup, trail restoration, and other projects. 

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Kate Loweth is a travel journalist with special expertise in family travel, solo female travel, and travel for age 50+. She's the former Senior Travel Editor for Tinybeans, and loves seeing new places through the eyes of her children.