Private Shore Excursions in Scotland

Arriving by cruise ship? Make your time in port count.

Tour Guide Scotland is a family-run business offering private, driver-guided shore excursions from Scotland's cruise ports, built around your ship's schedule rather than a crowded coach timetable. Every excursion is exclusively private, with a maximum of 8 guests, so the day moves at your pace and follows your interests rather than a fixed script.

We cover the main cruise ports on both the Glasgow and Edinburgh sides of the country, including Greenock, Newhaven, South Queensferry, Rosyth, and Leith. Wherever your ship docks, we'll plan a route around castles, lochs, Highland scenery, whisky distilleries, historic towns, or a mix of all four if you're feeling ambitious.

We plan every route around your ship's arrival and departure times, so a timely return is built into the day. No watching the clock, no sprinting down the pier as the gangplank's being pulled up.

Whether you're after iconic highlights or quieter "how did we end up here?" hidden gems, we'll tailor the pace and route to suit you and however many hours you've got ashore. You step back onboard with great photos, better stories, and time to spare. It's why guests keep telling us they came aboard as a guest and left as a friend.

Ready to make the most of your day ashore? Check availability for your private shore excursion.

Choose your port of call below to see routes, timings, and highlights for your day ashore.

However you arrive in Scotland, we'd love to show you around. James and Lesley have spent years getting to know the roads less travelled, the best photo stops, and the stories behind the places you'll pass, so your day ashore feels like being shown around by old friends rather than herded through a checklist. Get in touch to talk through your ship's schedule and we'll build a day that fits it perfectly.

Get in touch to book your private shore excursion, or browse our full range of Scotland tours for your next visit.