Kimkim Trip Reviews for Scotland

4.7
Based on 113 ratings
Read 113 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Scotland on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Absolutely fantastic trip to Scotland planned perfectly
Scotland | Sep 2 - Sep 17, 2024

B
Brian S.
Apex, NC | Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024
Jane and her team did a fantastic job organizing our 17-day honeymoon to Scotland. They handled countless details, and they were readily accessible 24/7 for any hiccups. They very clearly outline every detail for every day with times, directions, ticket confirmation #s, and the tickets to anything pre-booked. They picked almost all B & Bs which is the best way to experience the culture of the country you're in. Everything was paid for prior to arrival which made it so much easier. We did... Read more

Jane and her team did a fantastic job organizing our 17-day honeymoon to Scotland. They handled countless details, and they were readily accessible 24/7 for any hiccups. They very clearly outline every detail for every day with times, directions, ticket confirmation #s, and the tickets to anything pre-booked.

They picked almost all B & Bs which is the best way to experience the culture of the country you're in. Everything was paid for prior to arrival which made it so much easier. We did have one hotel claim it wasn't paid so they made us pay again, but Jane/team quickly handled it and we got a refund ASAP.

Our trip had several tours booked but plenty of free time to explore, which was a perfect balance. We love exploring nature and they had a lot of suggestions for things to do. It can be overwhelming going to a place you've never been to, not knowing where to start. They give a lot of great recommendations of things to check out which was really helpful.

Jane/team were very responsive and flexible when changes needed to happen. There were a couple of hiccups with tickets for distillery tours, but we got them figured out.

It's important for all travelers to set proper expectations when hiring a travel agent. No one knows exactly what things you like to do, what accommodations you consider to be perfect, what cuisine you like, etc. Some of these reviews from people are complaining that a travel agent can't read their mind, which is unreasonable. Everyone needs to be flexible and go with the flow. You will enjoy your trip by setting proper expectations that international travel (or travel anywhere) is never perfect. Delays happen, weather happens, people are people - go with the flow and you will enjoy your trip so much more that way.

I would hire Jane/team again in a heartbeat and will be reaching out again for our next trip.

Hotel Reviews
Motel One Glasgow
Glasgow

Smallest room we had but functional. Great continental breakfast included. Great location.

Authenticity & Character
Locals employed
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
B+B Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Best traditional breakfast we had on the entire trip. Super kind staff, had a quaint little hotel bar we could visit at night. We had an issue with their shower that didn't really get handled which was unfortunate, but no big deal. Location is a 15 min walk to downtown but manageable and in a quiet part of town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Not optimal for doing anything in the city as it is a 15 min. walk to the nearest car park. However, once you realize you will do a LOT of walking on your trip, it's less of an issue. We just parked our car and left it there for 2 days and walked everywhere.
Staff
Absolutely wonderful staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shower didn't drain and they couldn't fix it so water would just overflow onto the floor after 30 seconds. We went 2 days without a shower which was disappointing. On the last day they finally allowed us to shower in another room.
The Kings Arms Hotel
Melrose

Room was extremely tight but functional. Restaurant attached was great and so was the bar/beer garden. Free parking on the street and easy to find a spot.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fonab Castle
Pitlochry

Very high end hotel. You will absolutely feel like royalty here. Parking lot full of Bentleys and Porches. Bring cash because you will need to tip people (doorman, concierge). Unbelievable views from the deck at the bar. Breakfast was good, service not so much. Restaurant is good but expect everything to be very expensive. The room was about 90 degrees F when we entered and there is no AC. We sweated that night but the bed was comfortable. The bathroom is incredible with the best towels and robes you'll ever use. They made us pay for the room on departure even though Jane/team had already paid, so we ended up having to get a refund.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Restaurant staff gave poor service especially given the prices you are paying. Bar staff was nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Glen Mhor Hotel
Inverness

Great location, attached to a bar/distillery. Room was very comfortable and quite spacious. Bathroom was excellent. Included breakfast is a buffet which was mediocre but good enough to tide you over until lunch.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Greshornish House Hotel
Edinbane

One of our favorite hotels. Unbelievable setting, very quaint older house with a fantastic restaurant. Very comfortable bar lounge with a real fireplace, books, chess, and snooker table.

Authenticity & Character
Location
There's a 10 min drive on a single track road in order to get to the B & B so make sure you know the rules of the road on single track. Many sheep roaming which may slow you down :)
Staff
Staff was very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room is tiny but who cares? It's an absolutely fantastic place to stay!
The Whispering Pine Lodge
Spean Bridge

Incredible views right off the deck of the loch and mountains. The staff is extremely service-oriented. Not owned by native Scots (the entire staff is Indian), so there are lots of Indian food offerings on the menu (which were absolutely fantastic). Just a few Scottish food items on the menu. Not much to do in town but a great location for hiking and sight-seeing.

Authenticity & Character
Not authentically Scottish
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was quite comfortable
Bridge of Orchy Hotel
Bridge of Orchy

Very busy hotel because it's on the West Highland Way, so lots of backpackers passing through. Great way to meet a lot of non-native travelers from other countries. Beautiful setting with a really nice restaurant/bar. Super friendly staff. This is essentially the only hotel for 20+ miles and you are in the middle of paradise. 15 min drive to Glencoe where you will see the most incredible scenery on planet earth.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Eat Walk Glasgow
Eat Walk Glasgow
Glasgow

Tour guide was lovely and we met some really great people from South Africa. Great way to tour the city and try local foods/beers. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
N/A - it's a walking tour
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Glasgow

Highly recommended as a great way to get around the city for very little money. Two tiered bus with upper tier having some covered and some uncovered seats. Bus comes every 15 mins to every stop until about 6p.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
Edinburgh

Extremely educated and knowledgeable tour guide! Tons of history given and his enthusiasm was second-to-none. 10/10 recommended and a fantastic way to see a large city in a short amount of time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Best tour guide we had the entire trip
Transport
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh

A must-see castle. I would highly recommend paying for a tour guide because otherwise you're just wandering around and looking at things you really don't know anything about.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wish we would've hired a tour guide
Transport
N/A
Visit the Kelpies
Visit the Kelpies
Scotland

We ended up driving past them but didn't have enough time to tour them. It's quite a walk from the car park (15 mins).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lochleven Castle
Lochleven Castle
Scotland

Great experience with the small boat that gets you to the island. Wish we had more time to explore but it was the end of the day so we had to turn around quickly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
10 min small boat ride
Uilebheist Distillery
Uilebheist Distillery
Inverness

Interesting distillery that is only a year old, so they don't actually have any of their own whiskys yet (other than blended whiskys from other distilleries).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was OK but we had better experiences at other distilleries
 Strathisla Distillery Tour (Home of Chivas)
Strathisla Distillery Tour (Home of Chivas)
Scotland

Fantastic tour through a very old distillery with lots of history

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Isle of Skye Raasay Whisky, Gin and chocolate tour
Isle of Skye Raasay Whisky, Gin and chocolate tour
Scotland

Really great experience. You need to take a ferry to the island, and it's a 10 min walk from the ferry to the distillery.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Glass-bottom Boat Trip by Isle of Skye
Glass-bottom Boat Trip by Isle of Skye
Scotland

Guide was very knowledgeable on marine life. We saw a few seals but really nothing else. Luck of the draw, I suppose. Not really sure we'd do this again.

Quality of Experience
It's got to be hard to plan for people to see things that are inconsistently present. However, we saw almost nothing on the tour which was disappointing. They might need to rethink their tour strategy.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was incredibly knowledgeable and tried to make the best of a situation where there was nothing to really look at.
Transport
Evening cruise on Loch Linnhe
Evening cruise on Loch Linnhe
Fort William

We ended up not making this tour so I can't really comment.

Local specialist: Jane Davey
Jane
Jane Davey
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Sep 19, 2024

Hi Both

What an absolute pleasure it was to work with you both from start to finish on your awesome trip.

Thank you for taking the time to review in detail. This has been a great read and certainly valuable to myself and the team to strive for excellent service. You both had an amazing attitude towards your memory-making honeymoon experience and even with those little hiccups along the way you reached out to us.

The team and I would be delighted to work with you again in the future.

Wishing you many happy years together.

All the best, Jane & The Team

Magical trip to Scotland
Scotland | Sep 3 - Sep 16, 2024

Robert
Robert W.
Athens, GA | Reviewed on Sep 17, 2024
Our trip to Scotland was a great experience. With the assistance of Stephen, we were able to see all parts of the Scottish highlands , hiking many beautiful trails hiking over 113 miles, having wonderful meals, and first class accommodations each night. In particular I want to mention the Geographer restaurant in Ft William which was the best meal of the week, and Mahmoud in Liverpool at The Hard Day's Night Hotel for his exceptional service. The airport shuttles were excellent, the car... Read more

Our trip to Scotland was a great experience. With the assistance of Stephen, we were able to see all parts of the Scottish highlands , hiking many beautiful trails hiking over 113 miles, having wonderful meals, and first class accommodations each night. In particular I want to mention the Geographer restaurant in Ft William which was the best meal of the week, and Mahmoud in Liverpool at The Hard Day's Night Hotel for his exceptional service. The airport shuttles were excellent, the car rental was excellent, really everything went as planned and we had a wonderful trip. I will certainly be looking to use KimKim again if/when I plan my next trip to Scotland or other locations they service. Thanks Stephen for all you assistance in making this a trip to remember for a lifetime.

Hotel Reviews
No.32 Hotel
Edinburgh

Wonderful staff, but no lift so luggage could be difficult to carry to your room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Malmaison Aberdeen
Aberdeen

Nice hotel, but nothing special and didn't have a lift, so luggage was an issue and finding their parking lot was a little tricky. Television remote didn't work and staff was of no assistance.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Just not very attentive to our needs
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cairngorm Hotel
Aviemore

Very attentive staff and very old Scottish feel to the hotel, but again didn't have a lift for luggage. Hotel restaurant was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
Inverness

Great hotel, helpful staff, perfect location. Parking was very limited, but we were lucky to get street parking each day. Overall one of the best hotels we stayed at.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Skeabost House Hotel
Portree

A little off the beaten path, but and excellent property and the hotel staff were excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Garrison
Fort William

Good hotel with great location. Lacked a little of the authenticity of some of the other hotels, but overall a great experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Colessio
Stirling

Great hotel, great location, authenticity was very good, staff were very friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hard Days Night Hotel
Liverpool

Very nice property in the heart of the city, with exceptional staff and perfect location to walk to dinner and shops.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh

Great experience, beautiful place, pretty crowded. More beautiful from the outside.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
1 Hour Cruise on the Loch Ness from Fort Augustus
1 Hour Cruise on the Loch Ness from Fort Augustus
Scotland

Fun short cruise. The crew and narrator was wonderful, but the cruise was so short it really didn't get great views of the Loch. It was fun, but nothing special.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The cruise narrator was wonderful
Transport
Nice boat
Stirling Castle Tickets
Stirling Castle Tickets
Scotland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
There was not transportation
The Beatles Story
The Beatles Story
Liverpool

Fun and informative and brought back many great memories

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
No real guides or staff to deal with other than entering the building
Transport
No transportation
Local specialist: Stephen Molloy
Stephen
Stephen Molloy
Local specialist in Dorset and Lyon | Replied on Sep 17, 2024

Dear Robert

Thank you for this glowing 5-star review. We are a team who really love detailed feedback (I love when you name drop first names of guides!) so we can hear that we are on the right course. We will be happy to help out again in Scotland, should your next trip come back on the radar!

Thank you for choosing us as your trusted tour operator in the UK and Europe. It's a pleasure to do this job :)

Sincerely,
Stephen Molloy

I needed a few adjustments because I am trave...
Scotland | Aug 17 - Aug 24, 2024

A
Adelaide R.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2024

I needed a few adjustments because I am traveling with a dog. Aleksandra was so helpful with finding excellent accommodations where my dog was treated well. Thank you!

Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

A wonderful trip to Scotland planned by the amazing kimkim agent
Scotland | Sep 5 - Sep 14, 2024

A
Amy W.
Brookhaven, GA | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2024
Hey Katya, I thought you did a great job planning our trip. It can be very difficult to know what a client wants, but I thought you hit everything to a T. The weather was fortunately great and we did not need a guide for our Bin Nevis hike. The local tour guides that you used (Molly In Glasgow and Emma In Edinburgh) were fantastic. Both fun and very knowledgeable. Your choice of hotels at the Black Sheep hotel in Ft William, Ullinish House on Skye and Balloan Cottage in Inverness were... Read more

Hey Katya, I thought you did a great job planning our trip. It can be very difficult to know what a client wants, but I thought you hit everything to a T. The weather was fortunately great and we did not need a guide for our Bin Nevis hike. The local tour guides that you used (Molly In Glasgow and Emma In Edinburgh) were fantastic. Both fun and very knowledgeable. Your choice of hotels at the Black Sheep hotel in Ft William, Ullinish House on Skye and Balloan Cottage in Inverness were perfect. Restaurant choices of West Pier on Skye, Hootenanny in Inverness, and Witchery in Edinburgh were spot on. Thoroughly enjoyed the tours at Edinburgh castle and Holyroodhouse Palace. We greatly appreciated how quickly you responded to all our communications! Thank you again for creating this amazing trip for us!

Hotel Reviews
Black Sheep Hotels Cabins
Spean Bridge

Beautiful location, amazing staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ullinish House
Isle of Skye

Wonderful couple ran this beautiful home. Breakfast was delicious, location was delightful!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Edinburgh Old Town Tour
Edinburgh Old Town Tour
Edinburgh

Emma was the most fun, informative guide we have ever had-wonderful experience!

Quality of Experience
Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise
Seal Spotting Loch Linnhe Cruise
Scotland

Learned so much from the talented boat captain.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Sep 17, 2024
Hi Amy and Charles, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartwarming review! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to know that you had such a wonderful trip to Scotland. Planning this journey for you was an absolute pleasure, and reading about how much you enjoyed it truly brightened my day. I’m thrilled that the local guides, Molly in Glasgow and Emma in Edinburgh, made your experience even more memorable. And I’m so glad the accommodations—Black Sheep Hotel, Ullinish House, and... Read more

Hi Amy and Charles,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartwarming review! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to know that you had such a wonderful trip to Scotland. Planning this journey for you was an absolute pleasure, and reading about how much you enjoyed it truly brightened my day.

I’m thrilled that the local guides, Molly in Glasgow and Emma in Edinburgh, made your experience even more memorable. And I’m so glad the accommodations—Black Sheep Hotel, Ullinish House, and Balloan Cottage—added that special touch to your adventure. It sounds like everything fell into place, from your hike up Ben Nevis to the fantastic meals and tours!

Thank you for your kind words about my responsiveness—I always want to make sure you feel supported, especially when you're traveling.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help create such a meaningful trip for you both and your friends. I truly hope the memories will stay with you forever, and if Scotland ever calls you back, I’d be more than happy to assist again.

Wishing you both the very best!

Best,
Katya

Gaelic Greatness
Scotland | Sep 2 - Sep 12, 2024

Stanley
Stanley K.
Geneva, NY | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2024
Just completed a lovely tour of both Scotland and Ireland. Visited many castles and saw some beautiful scenery. The collaboration with, and flexibility of our guide Kateryna was splendid. She facilitated a mid-trip “audible” at our request with ease. The itinerary and guides were all great and the accommodations were top notch! Only regret, 12 days was not enough to see all these countries have to offer….,, the hospitality and friendliness of the Scottish and Irish is King! Read more

Just completed a lovely tour of both Scotland and Ireland. Visited many castles and saw some beautiful scenery. The collaboration with, and flexibility of our guide Kateryna was splendid. She facilitated a mid-trip “audible” at our request with ease. The itinerary and guides were all great and the accommodations were top notch! Only regret, 12 days was not enough to see all these countries have to offer….,, the hospitality and friendliness of the Scottish and Irish is King!

Activity Review
Outlander Castle Tour
Outlander Castle Tour
Edinburgh

A great tour with an awesome and hard working guide Rafal! The tour took us to the filming locations but was much more than “Hollywood” which we enjoyed hearing the real history behind these settings……cannot saw enough about our guide Rafal!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Sep 13, 2024
Dear Stan and Lisa, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I’m truly blessed to have clients like you, and it was such a pleasure to collaborate on your trip. I’m thrilled that you had a great experience in both Scotland and Ireland and that everything, from the flexibility of the itinerary to the amazing guide Rafal, made your journey special. I’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Rafal—he’ll be delighted to know how much you enjoyed the history behind the Outlander... Read more

Dear Stan and Lisa,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I’m truly blessed to have clients like you, and it was such a pleasure to collaborate on your trip.

I’m thrilled that you had a great experience in both Scotland and Ireland and that everything, from the flexibility of the itinerary to the amazing guide Rafal, made your journey special.

I’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Rafal—he’ll be delighted to know how much you enjoyed the history behind the Outlander settings!

Wishing you plenty of amazing trips ahead, and if you ever feel like exploring more of what these beautiful countries have to offer, kimkim is here to help you plan another fantastic adventure!

Cheers,
Kate

Overall the trip was amazing. I wish I had s...
Scotland | Sep 1 - Sep 8, 2024

Diane
Diane M.
Newark, DE | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2024
Overall the trip was amazing. I wish I had some better guidance on making flights arrangements. My connections in Heathrow were very tight. The executive car travel in Edinburgh was excellent. The Hotel du Vin was lovely. Food was very good. The rooms face the courtyard so it can be noisy. Timberbush is the best tour group. Mercat and Raabies were ok too but Timberbush guides were very polite and engaging. The hotel in Inverness was ok. Food and staff not so good. Location... Read more

Overall the trip was amazing. I wish I had some better guidance on making flights arrangements. My connections in Heathrow were very tight. The executive car travel in Edinburgh was excellent. The Hotel du Vin was lovely. Food was very good. The rooms face the courtyard so it can be noisy. Timberbush is the best tour group. Mercat and Raabies were ok too but Timberbush guides were very polite and engaging. The hotel in Inverness was ok. Food and staff not so good. Location excellent. Train ride to and from Inverness were great but KimKim needs to remember that not all tourists know the rail system and it can be tricky. Glen Afric, Cava Cairns, Culloden, Eilaen Donan Castle, St. Andrews are a must. The most incredible journey was the Isle of Skye. We had a beautiful day and the guides were amazing. Our return to Edinburgh on train was lovely but we were asked to get our own taxi. That was difficult since no taxis are allowed at Waverly and must be prebooked. We had to haul our luggage a couple blocks to where the taxis were. The Tiger Lily was an incredible hotel. Did not eat there. This part of the city looked amazing. We called KimKim on check-in to Tiger Lily that we missed our Whiskey tour since we could not get a taxi. We were told someone would reach out on Monday. We have not heard anything. Overall, I would recommend KimKim but the travel advisors need to remember that we are not all European travelers and need additional assistance.

Activity Reviews
Private transfer in town
Private transfer in town
Scotland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle
The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle
Inverness

Excellent!

Quality of Experience
Jack our guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jane Davey
Jane
Jane Davey
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Sep 13, 2024
Hi Diane, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review about your recent trip with us. It was truly a pleasure working with both of you, and we are thrilled to hear that your overall experience was amazing. That’s such wonderful news! I can see that you enjoyed some incredible moments during your travels. Your feedback is invaluable, as it helps us learn, grow, and continue offering a service that makes a positive impact on our guests. It's such a shame that you missed the... Read more

Hi Diane,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review about your recent trip with us. It was truly a pleasure working with both of you, and we are thrilled to hear that your overall experience was amazing. That’s such wonderful news!

I can see that you enjoyed some incredible moments during your travels. Your feedback is invaluable, as it helps us learn, grow, and continue offering a service that makes a positive impact on our guests.

It's such a shame that you missed the whisky tour we arranged for you, which was scheduled just an hour after your arrival at Edinburgh Waverley. We completely understand how navigating such a large station can feel overwhelming. I was hopeful our conversation before your trip had covered the steps for getting a taxi, and I thought the introduction of Edinburgh Waverley's dedicated taxi zone in 2023, the largest in the city, would make things easier. We had discussed that there were staff inside the station to help book taxis for you, meeting you at the main entrance, which we felt was a better option than locating a pre-booked transfer. Perhaps this wasn’t as clear as it should have been during our call.

We’re sorry to hear you had to walk, and we truly wish we could have provided immediate assistance through the on-call number we gave you. Unfortunately, by the time you contacted us after checking into your hotel, the tour had already started, and we weren’t able to rearrange it or secure a refund. This feedback is very valuable to us, and we'll ensure we add extra details to our roadbook to clarify these steps even more.

Thank you also for your comments on the hotels and tour operators. This information is incredibly helpful as we continue to improve our service.

I did reach out to you on Monday via the KimKim messaging system, as promised. I’m sorry you didn’t see the message, as we would have gladly arranged a call.

Once again, thank you for choosing to travel with us. We hope you’ve created some lasting memories and have plenty of photos to remember your journey by. We’d love the opportunity to work with you again in the future.

All the best,
Jane & The Team

We were delayed I getting our trip to Scotlan...
Scotland | Aug 6 - Aug 26, 2024

Marie
Marie D.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2024
We were delayed I getting our trip to Scotland lined up but we lucked out with Tetiana as our advisor. She prepared an amazing trip for us. We experienced a few challenges - one of them a passport left in a hotel safe! We solved most of it ourselves but she followed up with both hotels for us. She chose great hotels for us. We stayed at the Virgin Hotel in Edinburgh, Kingsmills in Inverness, Clan MacDuff in Fort William, the Perle in Oban, Cameron House in Loch Lomond and The Address in... Read more

We were delayed I getting our trip to Scotland lined up but we lucked out with Tetiana as our advisor. She prepared an amazing trip for us. We experienced a few challenges - one of them a passport left in a hotel safe! We solved most of it ourselves but she followed up with both hotels for us. She chose great hotels for us. We stayed at the Virgin Hotel in Edinburgh, Kingsmills in Inverness, Clan MacDuff in Fort William, the Perle in Oban, Cameron House in Loch Lomond and The Address in Glasgow. We had great activities and tours. We had drivers pick us up and drive us around. We had 1 bus tour to isle of skye which was maybe too long of a day, mini bus tours and private tours. We also had walking tours and a food tour She endeavoured to ensure we saw and learned a lot. It happened a few times that we canceled some activities due to jet lag or exhaustion! The weather was quite cold and rainy but that is uncontrollable 😏. I was surprised at how far from city centres the Kingsmills and Clan MacDuff were. This ensures that we had to eat our evening meals at the hotel as it was a 20 pound round trip to go eat in a downtown restaurant. One of our hotels Cameron House was over the top luxury . I really enjoyed dealing with Tetiana and i would book another trip with KimKim. Everything went off without a hitch and all the events and pick ups happened without issues

Hotel Reviews
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Edinburgh

The rooms were great. The location central. We had breakfast included and the lack of heat in the breakfast offerings would be my only criticism Cold eggs, sausages and pancakes are not fun to eat.

Authenticity & Character
Right around the corner from Harry Potter alley and the coffee shop where JK Rowling wrote her books
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kingsmills Hotel
Inverness

Loved this hotel. The staff was extremely helpful. Hannah in particular was very helpful when someone in our group left a passport in the safe. Hannah wrapped it and couriered the package to our next hotel. Rooms were beautiful. Breakfast was great. Food was hot. The only drawback was distance from city centre. Cost 6-8 pounds each way to get a cab there. Consequently we ate half our suppers in the hotel restaurant

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful grounds but farb
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clan Macduff Hotel
Fort William

Loved this hotel. Mrs MacDuff welcomed us to her hotel and she was very helpful in helping us contact the previous hotel to arrange the retrieval of a passport left in the safe 😉. This was very clean and you felt very welcome here. The only drawback was distance from city centre! To keep breakfast hot, you got your fruit and pastries from a buffet then they cooked your eggs

Authenticity & Character
Location
View of the Loch right across the road
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Address
Glasgow

We went to this hotel as part of an organized tour and arrived at 9 am. Giving my name, they had my reservation. So I left my luggage and went off to a walking tour that was planned. My first clue that there would be a problem was when I asked for direction to Prince Square. Although this is a renowned shopping and dining spot and located 4 blocks away, no one knew anything 🤔 when we came back at 3:30, our reservation was not available! It took an hour to find it and get us our keys. The girl who finally found our reservation was very nice and helpful. We were promised that our luggage would be brought right up. Went for dinner and a walk and at 8 pm still no luggage. The next day after we came back from a big sightseeing day, our card keys for both rooms were non working. Had to come back down to reception and get our room key cards re-activated! The rooms were fine but there are fire doors and steps that you have to lift your luggage up. Although included in our pricing, breakfast was very average with many empty baskets even though we were 15 minutes after opening. Never touched the hot breakfasts as they looked unappetizing. The bar area in the lobby was nice and we did have some libations there. The staff there were pleasant. The hotel does have a great location although I would not stay there again. When I tried to check out at 5 am for an airport run, there again, the staff were confused as their update happens at 5:30 am. I think they might need help with their processing of check ins and outs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Central
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Perle
Oban

I loved this hotel! Our room was quite large and we had a bay window which overlooked the harbour. The room was well appointed and the bed was super comfortable. Breakfast was included in our pricing and they had a lovely food selection. In addition to that, they cooked your hot dishes individually. In order to perform this wonderful feat of a hot breakfast, they asked you to make a reservation in a 15 minute slot so they could be timely in their service. We had a long day of going over to Mull and came back late so ate in the hotel dining room. Had the best salmon ever. My companions also enjoyed their meals Loved thus hotel

Authenticity & Character
It was a beautiful older building and the inside was decorated beautifully
Location
Right on the harbour
Staff
Everyone was welcoming. This is the hotel to which our lost passport was delivered to and they were so gracious
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds and bathrooms
Cameron house

This was over the top luxury. When we were dropped off here, I wondered if someone had made a mistake ??? Beautifully renovated , reminded me a bit of the Banff Springs hotel in Canada The rooms were gorgeous The only drawback to this hotel would be location and pricing. You are stuck in the middle of nowhere and therefore obliged to eat there. Two restaurants with food that is acceptable but not worth the exorbitant pricing. Paid an obscene amount of money for a small portion of lukewarm pasta with a few pieces of pancetta , cheese and blah seasoning. The following night we ate at the Grill and it was also exorbitantly expensive. Each entree was 40 some pounds ! My husband had the lamb and he had 3 small finger shaped pieces of lamb and a few veggies We had to order sides which 7 pounds each. The breakfast was exceptional. But if you do not have it included in your room rate, it costs 36 pounds Staying here was an experience! Everyone of the staff that we dealt with was exceptionally helpful and welcoming

Authenticity & Character
Looks like a castle
Location
Beautiful location but way too remote
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms and bathrooms were beautiful
Activity Reviews
Edinburgh Castle & Old Town Private Tour
Edinburgh Castle & Old Town Private Tour
Edinburgh

We had a great guide and he took us on a very informative walk through downtown Edinburgh He knew so much. My sons are big Harry Potter fans and Greyfriar cemetery was eye opening Our guide was very nice, and we liked him a lot. We could understand his Scottish accent. However he could benefit from an upgrade in his attire. He was very scruffy looking. I am not criticizing but I know some clients would be put off by his look

Quality of Experience
Knowledge shared by guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledge
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Rosslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Private Tour
Edinburgh

I reviewed the distillery tour on google already. Our guide Rafa was wonderful. He picked us up at our hotel and we drove out to Roslyn Chapel This is the chapel of Da Vinci Code. Very interesting and great to be there. We had time for a quick walk around the grounds Then our guide drove us to see another castle before our scotch tasting tour. We still had major jet lag but thoroughly enjoyed this great day. Bonus that I ran into an acquaintance from my home city in the parking lot of the chapel.

Quality of Experience
Just being in n these amazing locations
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very informative and keen on us having a great time
Transport
Car was comfortable and safe driving
Private Glasgow Essentials Tour
Private Glasgow Essentials Tour
Glasgow

We did the food tour and it finished quite late then had trouble checking in. We regretfully cancelled this tour It probably would have been great but better if it had been scheduled the next morning

Quality of Experience
Another day
Transport
This was not a poor tour but had no way of exiting Should have a non applicable choice
The Vaults Tour
The Vaults Tour
Edinburgh

The day we did this tour, it was pouring rain in Edinburgh and we had to walk a few blocks to reach the entrance to the vaults. Upon entry, it was dark, cold and damp. The stairs are very uneven. Few handrails and it is downright spooky to be down there. Very interesting but scary our guide was great and very knowledgeable. We were a group of 4 and although my sons and I loved it, my husband did not.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was great. Although as we walked to the entrance in the pouring rain, he was walking a bit fast and we almost lost half the group
Transport
Our own feet
Private Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh
Private Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh
Edinburgh

Our driver had to wait for us as two of us had luggage that took 40 minutes to arrive! Then we had to walk a fair distance to where his car was parked

Quality of Experience
Very friendly and helpful - we actually re-hired him a few days later to drive us back to airport to get rental car
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour from Inverness
The Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour from Inverness
Inverness

This was very interesting but too long of a day We drove over 300 miles in a day long activity in a bus. We stopped at Eileen Donnan Castle for bladder and picture stop. Then we drove all the way to Portree on the isle of Skye. Had 45 minutes there. Our driver had encouraged us to order our lunches so he would get them for us to eat on the bus after Portree. There was no cruise ship there that day so we could have skipped the lunches and had more time in Portree! Seems to me that cruise ship stops are easy to plan around Trying to eat a lunch on a bus could have been avoided We drove up to Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr Had the chance to get out and take pictures. Scenery was amazing. Then we set out to go to Fairy Pools. I think it is ridiculous to take a huge bus up that terrible road Single lane with passing places. No shoulders and huge ditches filled with mud on either side of the road. A few caravans went in the ditch leading to huge backlogs of cars. Then we get up to this desolate spot with cold gale force winds and we are told we have 90 minutes there. Adding this part of the trip to an already too long day is ridiculous. I enjoyed being at the Isle of skye but I think this tour should be re-designed I would not recommend it as it is overly long

Quality of Experience
Shorten day
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andrew was our guide. He was knowledgeable but he continually complained about tourists which is ridiculous when he earns his living from us! At the end of a 12 hour day listening to him it was a relief to get off the bus.
Transport
The bus was comfortable.
Private Transfer from Edinburgh Hotel to EDI Airport
Private Transfer from Edinburgh Hotel to EDI Airport
Scotland

Pick up at 5 am went well

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise
Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal Cruise
Inverness

This was a great excursion. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. We were dropped off at a ferry with tickets in hand The Loch Ness cruise was great but quite chilly and windy. We approached Urquart Castle from the water and that approach was impressive. We could have used extra time at the castle. Never saw the film that was recommended 😢. Felt rushed with the castle visit

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Glen Affric, Culloden, and Clava Cairns Tour
Explore Glen Affric, Culloden, and Clava Cairns Tour
Inverness

This was quite a long day. We started at Clava Cairns. Our guide did not really tell us anything - we just read the signs and took pictures. We then made our way to Culloden We had some time to go through the museum which was very well done. Our museum tickets were included in our excursion. My brother tour guide walked them through the Culloden fields with a history lesson on the battle. We were just left on our own. Then we drove to this spot to see highland cows - felt a bit like Mexico where tour guides take you to weird places and they get kickbacks for taking tourists there. We stopped in at a cute village called Buliey for lunch and visit. In the afternoon we drove up to Glen Affric which was a nature preserve. Beautiful scenery. There were two walks to choose We chose the River walk Cautionary tale. In order to avoid a big mud puddle on the path, I stepped off onto the grass which ended up being a bog. My leg sank into the bog to mid thigh. Luckily my travel companions were able to haul me out. But I was muddy wet and my rain boots were full of mud and moss. I come from the prairies of Canada and have no concept of bogs! I felt the guide should have warned us to keep on the trail since he continually bragged about going there often

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Small van. Better than a large bus
Local specialist: Tetiana Smal
Tetiana
Tetiana Smal
Local specialist in London | Replied on Sep 10, 2024
Dear Marie, Thank you so much for your kind and detailed feedback! I’m thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience, despite a few challenges along the way. It was a pleasure to arrange your trip and to know that you enjoyed the variety of activities. I’m incredibly grateful for your comments regarding the hotels. Your insights are very valuable and will certainly be helpful for other travelers. Thank you for your kind words about my service. It was truly a pleasure working... Read more

Dear Marie,

Thank you so much for your kind and detailed feedback! I’m thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience, despite a few challenges along the way. It was a pleasure to arrange your trip and to know that you enjoyed the variety of activities.

I’m incredibly grateful for your comments regarding the hotels. Your insights are very valuable and will certainly be helpful for other travelers.

Thank you for your kind words about my service. It was truly a pleasure working with you, and I would be delighted to help plan any future trips you might have. I look forward to the possibility of working together again.

Warmest regards,
Tetiana

KimKim saved us many hours in planning last m...
Scotland | Aug 8 - Aug 19, 2024

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Cynthia R.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024
KimKim saved us many hours in planning last minute trip to Scotland during the height of the season. Read more

KimKim saved us many hours in planning last minute trip to Scotland during the height of the season.

Hotel Reviews
One Devonshire Gardens - Hotel du Vin
Glasgow
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
No17 The Promenade Hotel
Oban
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cruachan Hotel
Fort William
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Breakfast was not good. Only instant coffee, no fresh fruit, I think there was not even yogurt.
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
Inverness
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Northern Sands Hotel
Thurso
Authenticity & Character
The outside curb appeal does not match the pleasant interior of the common areas or the room.
Location
Staff
Newton Lodge
Sutherland
Authenticity & Character
The hotel architecture does not match the surrounding charm of Inverness.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ac Marriott Inverness
Inverness
Authenticity & Character
The architecture of the building does not match and fit in with the charm of Inverness.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Glasgow
Cruise of Mull, Iona and Staffa Islands
Cruise of Mull, Iona and Staffa Islands
Scotland

It was cancelled by the operator due to weather but the ferries continued to run and we wish that we had been better informed of the option to take a ferry to one of the islands on our own. This was a big disappointment.

Evening cruise on Loch Linnhe
Evening cruise on Loch Linnhe
Fort William
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye from Fort William
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye from Fort William
Scotland
Private day with a driver/guide from Inverness
Private day with a driver/guide from Inverness
Scotland

Ian is a top notch, very informative guide and excellent driver who tailored our experience to our personal needs and interests. Anyone who gets him as a guide, is very lucky.

Boat Ride Around the Canal & Loch Ness including a Visit to Urquhart Castle
Boat Ride Around the Canal & Loch Ness including a Visit to Urquhart Castle
Scotland
Local specialist: Jane Davey
Jane
Jane Davey
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Aug 26, 2024
HI Cynthia Thank you for taking the time to review your 'last-minute', trip to Scotland. We were certainly firing from the hip to secure your trip in such a short space of time. Sounds like the weather threw a curved ball with the boat tour being cancelled, however, this was well recovered by our wonderful driver Ian. And how awesome to be able to tour the NC500 with such a knowledgeable, local guide too. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you both on such a wonderful trip. Thank you... Read more

HI Cynthia

Thank you for taking the time to review your 'last-minute', trip to Scotland. We were certainly firing from the hip to secure your trip in such a short space of time. Sounds like the weather threw a curved ball with the boat tour being cancelled, however, this was well recovered by our wonderful driver Ian. And how awesome to be able to tour the NC500 with such a knowledgeable, local guide too.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with you both on such a wonderful trip. Thank you for your detailed feedback and we thank you for choosing KimKim.

Look forward to working with you in the future.

All the best, Jane, Eva & The Team

PERFECT VACATION!
Scotland | Jul 12 - Jul 25, 2024

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Susan K.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 18, 2024
Jane and the staff at Kimkim were absolutely amazing. From beginning to end, they were there to help my husband, and I create the perfect 2-week trip to Scotland and Ireland. they listened to what we wanted and gave us suggestions and helpful tips to make our vacation truly a dream come true! We will definitely book through Kimkim again when we decide to take another trip of a lifetime. Read more

Jane and the staff at Kimkim were absolutely amazing. From beginning to end, they were there to help my husband, and I create the perfect 2-week trip to Scotland and Ireland. they listened to what we wanted and gave us suggestions and helpful tips to make our vacation truly a dream come true! We will definitely book through Kimkim again when we decide to take another trip of a lifetime.

Hotel Reviews
Eden Locke
Edinburgh

Right in the heart of New Town! Great accommodations, and great stuff! We would stay here again for sure!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super cute and comfortable accommodations and very clean!
Redcliff Hotel
Inverness

Super cute family run place. The staff was super friendly and helpful and welcoming! The food was delicious as well!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Argyll Guest House
Glasgow

It was a bit confusing checking in, but we figured it out really quickly. We had to check in across the street from where we actually stayed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maldron Hotel Shandon
Co. Cork

It was very comfortable and clean. The staff was very helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We walked everywhere! Great location.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gleann Fia Country House
Killarney

We fell in love with this place! The owners were so very friendly and helpful! Beautiful grounds and the rooms were so cute, and the bathrooms were updated, and everything was very clean.

Authenticity & Character
The whole place was so warm and inviting. It was so nice to come back and have a drink and relax. The breakfast was top notch. Just about everything was made from scratch and sources from local farmer and venders.
Location
Staff
The staff were such a joy!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Connacht Hotel
Galway

It was super clean and comfortable. The beds were comfortable, and our room was very nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Academy Plaza Hotel
Dublin

Great location in Dublin. We walked everywhere. The rooms were nice and the beds were super comfy. We would stay here again! The bar and restaurant were very good!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh with a Top Local Guide
Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh with a Top Local Guide
Edinburgh

Highly recommended! This was the best way to see Edinburgh! Our guide was amazing and super knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Jane Davey
Jane
Jane Davey
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Aug 26, 2024

HI Susan

Thank you for taking the time to review your recent trip. I have just returned from leave and it was awesome to read your feedback.

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you both and we are delighted to know that you had such a wonderful time traveling and making memories.

We would be delighted to assist you again with your future travel plans and look forward to seeing you soon.

All the best, Jane & Marine-Héloïse Lefebvre

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary trip to Scotland!
Scotland | Jul 3 - Jul 10, 2025

Hermine
Hermine G.
North Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2024

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary trip to London and Scotland exceeded our expectations. Luigi helped us greatly in mapping out our time in Scotland and creating an itinerary that included all the historical sites we wanted to see. Our guides John Sadler and Bev Palin were delightful and provided insightful and fascinating historical information on all the sites we visited, plus they were just lots of fun. We will be talking about this trip for years to come. Our thanks to all! We will be using Kim Kim for our future international trip planning!

Local specialist: Luigi Pasiani
Luigi
Luigi Pasiani
Local specialist in Edinburgh | Replied on Aug 05, 2024
Good morning, Hermine and Bill,
I was delighted to read your fantastic review of your recent trip and wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your kind words and positive feedback.
Your satisfaction and enjoyment are my top priorities, and it brings me great joy to know that I provided you with a memorable travel experience. Your appreciation for the itinerary, accommodations, and overall service means a lot to me. I work diligently to create exceptional journeys tailored to my client's... Read more

Good morning, Hermine and Bill,
I was delighted to read your fantastic review of your recent trip and wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your kind words and positive feedback.

Your satisfaction and enjoyment are my top priorities, and it brings me great joy to know that I provided you with a memorable travel experience.

Your appreciation for the itinerary, accommodations, and overall service means a lot to me. I work diligently to create exceptional journeys tailored to my client's desires, and it’s gratifying to know I met your expectations.

Your feedback motivates me to continue striving for excellence in crafting unforgettable travel experiences for my guests. It reinforces our dedication to providing the highest level of service and attention to detail.

Thank you again for choosing me as your travel agent and sharing your wonderful experience with others.

Warmest regards,
Luigi

Second time - also a Charm!
Scotland | Jul 19 - Jul 31, 2024

Michael
Michael W.
Raleigh, NC | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2024
This was our second time booking a trip through KimKim - our first time working with High Pointe Holidays and Pauline. The trip was expertly planned, perfectly paced and hit all the right notes for us. The team was incredibly proactive and responsive when we did have questions. In the one instance where an accommodation fell short of our expectations (not KimKim's fault!) they more than rectified the situation. We would absolutely book through KimKim/High Pointe Holidays again. Read more

This was our second time booking a trip through KimKim - our first time working with High Pointe Holidays and Pauline. The trip was expertly planned, perfectly paced and hit all the right notes for us. The team was incredibly proactive and responsive when we did have questions. In the one instance where an accommodation fell short of our expectations (not KimKim's fault!) they more than rectified the situation. We would absolutely book through KimKim/High Pointe Holidays again.

Hotel Reviews
Apex City of Glasgow Hotel
Glasgow

Might have been our favorite hotel of the trip. Perfectly located for our activities. Center center, but away from the more busier, touristy sections of the city. Comfortable rooms. Great breakfast. Very helpful, friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Apex always delivers, in my experience. Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
Location
Close to the action of the city, but not too close to the busier, more touristy sections of town. Quiet. Comfortable. On par with the other Apex hotels I've stayed at.
Staff
Staff was incredibly helpful with recommendations and very accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were very comfortable. Quiet. Generously proportioned.
3 Oban Self catering Apartment with seaview
Oban

Wish we had more time here! Perfect for us. 3 bedrooms. Full kitchen. Washer. Very walkable to all activities, shops in Oban.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful, charming building. Generous sized rooms. Nice kitchen. Good place to stay for a few days and use as a base of operations. With the Tesco Superstore nearby wish we had more time to have used the kitchen.
Location
Staff
Self-catering, no staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable apartment.
The Garrison
Fort William

Another stand out amongst many. New-ish hotel. Great location. Friendly and helpful staff. Well located in Fort William. Minor complaint - small rooms if you are traveling with a child and need a rollaway bad or sleeper sofa. Great breakfast and bar.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Perfectly located. Fort William is very walkable. Key for us - onsite and free parking.
Staff
Friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and very cozy rooms
Rosedale Hotel
Portree County

Do not stay here. Location is great. But, little to no parking. If you are on a long trip and traveling with family/kids + have bags - can be a bit of a challenge. Front desk staff were rude and unfriendly. Asked for passport number and future travel plans. Terrible experience would not recommend.

Authenticity & Character
This hotel/property has a lot of potential. It needs some work. Rooms are very generous, but feels/smells musty. As mentioned, very nice location, but just didn't hit the mark for us.
Location
As far as location gets in Portree - only thing I can give high marks on.
Staff
Outside of the restaurant staff at breakfast, which were nice/helpful (but very slow) - front desk staff were terrible. Wouldn't give me room keys without providing my passport number (very, very odd) as well as asking me where we were traveling to next, so they could document it electronically.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Smelled musty. Rooms felt dirty.
Malmaison Edinburgh City
Edinburgh

Very well located in new town. Very nice, generously sized rooms. Incredibly helpful staff!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
River Forth & Bridges Boat Tours
River Forth & Bridges Boat Tours
Scotland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loch Lomond Cruise
Loch Lomond Cruise
Scotland

We really enjoyed this activity. Small cruise, not a lot of people. Felt more intimate, which we liked and prefer.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great commentary - quite funny.
Transport
Visit the Glenfinnan Monument
Visit the Glenfinnan Monument
Scotland

Please guide appropriately on timing - how early to arrive. At least an hour early if your tour is scheduled close to a train crossing time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh

When possible, I'd recommend to folks try to get the first tour of the day, especially during summer (peak season). It was uncomfortably full of people at 3pm and was hard to enjoy the tour. If you can't get an earlier tour due to travel schedule, I'd probably skip if you don't like walking shoulder to shoulder and being cut off in line constantly by unaware tourists.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Boat tour from Oban - see the coast of Mull
Boat tour from Oban - see the coast of Mull
Oban

we unfortunately had to skip this activity as our son was sick. Imagine it would've been pretty awesome.

Local specialist: Pauline Mathieu

Great trip support
Scotland | Jul 19 - Jul 26, 2024

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Paraj K.
Singapore | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2024

Kateryna was very helpful in planning and organising the trip. I appreciate her assistance and quick responses. I would be happy to recommend her to folks looking to organize a Scotland visit.

Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko
Kateryna
Kateryna Garkavenko
Local specialist in London | Replied on Jul 29, 2024

Dear Paraj,

Thank you so much for your kind words. It was truly a pleasure to help plan and organize your trip. I'm delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience and that my assistance was helpful. Your recommendation is incredibly meaningful to me, and I deeply value your support.

Take care and cherish the memories of your Scottish adventure!

Best,
Kat

Fantastic guide. Great tour
Scotland | Jul 25 - Jul 27, 2024

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Steven B.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024
John Patience is a fantastic guide. He took us to some amazing places on the mainland and all over Iske of Skye. He brought us to spots we never could have found on our own and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the area. He was great company for three days. Bravo!! Read more

John Patience is a fantastic guide. He took us to some amazing places on the mainland and all over Iske of Skye. He brought us to spots we never could have found on our own and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the area. He was great company for three days. Bravo!!

Activity Reviews
Inverness to Isle of Skye Private Transfer
Scotland

John took us to castles, lochs, towns and overlooks. Really great

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore The Isle of Skye
Explore The Isle of Skye
Scotland

One could spend a whole week or more on Skye. We had 2 days, which seemed like just enough. The Fairy Glen, Fairy Pools and Talisker distillery were particular highlights

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Aleksandra
Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Local specialist in England | Replied on Jul 28, 2024

Hi Steven,

Thank you for your superb feedback!

It’s great to know that John Patience was such good company during your three-day tour and provided an exceptional experience on the mainland and around the Isle of Skye. I’m happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the journey. I'll be sure to pass on your kind words to John.
Wishing you more joyful explorations in the future!
Warmest regards,
Aleksandra

Great communication and easy to use!
Scotland | Jul 16 - Jul 26, 2024

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Bill M.
Twinsburg, OH | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2024
The KimKim team was great to work with! I gave them a loose idea of what I wanted to do during our trip to Scotland. They provided an itinerary complete with tours, hotels, and travel details. They also provided other suggestions for activities to do. During the time leading up to the trip, I was able to modify the itinerary to meet our needs. Finally, and most importantly, during the trip, everything was taken care of and I had a handy guide book to remind me of where I needed to be and... Read more

The KimKim team was great to work with! I gave them a loose idea of what I wanted to do during our trip to Scotland. They provided an itinerary complete with tours, hotels, and travel details. They also provided other suggestions for activities to do. During the time leading up to the trip, I was able to modify the itinerary to meet our needs. Finally, and most importantly, during the trip, everything was taken care of and I had a handy guide book to remind me of where I needed to be and when, complete with tickets, reservation numbers, and all relevant information. Definitely will use them again!

Local specialist: Jane Davey
Jane
Jane Davey
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Jul 29, 2024

Hi Bill

Thank you for taking the time to offer feedback on your recent trip. We trust you are home, settled, and content.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with you and your family. We love to hear back from our guests, and we are delighted you had a great trip, with wonderful memories.

We look forward to working with you all again in the future.

All the best, Jane, Cathy & The Team

Perfect getaway: beautiful nature, kind people, living history
Scotland | Jun 26 - Jul 11, 2024

Jenny
Jenny P.
Armenia | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024
It was a great trip that included a bit of the Isle of Skye but mostly focused the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides). These are beautiful locations but a bit tricky to navigate on your own. Without Kimkim, it would have taken me forever to figure out all the buses and ferries. Aleksandra designed a perfect trip for me, balancing travel, my favorite activities at the locations and time to just be there and explore on my own. She also picked great places for me to stay: it was a good mix of homely... Read more

It was a great trip that included a bit of the Isle of Skye but mostly focused the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides). These are beautiful locations but a bit tricky to navigate on your own. Without Kimkim, it would have taken me forever to figure out all the buses and ferries. Aleksandra designed a perfect trip for me, balancing travel, my favorite activities at the locations and time to just be there and explore on my own. She also picked great places for me to stay: it was a good mix of homely and comfortable. I liked every single one of them, though they were very different in their vibe. Staying in the Lewis Castle in Stornoway was probably the most memorable one; the Edinbane Lodge that dates back to 1543 (no kidding, for real, it's an old building re-furbished into a top-notch accommodation with superb dining experience) was also quite an experience. My B&B host Elizabeth from Barra was absolutely lovely (but she wants to retire, so I was lucky I guess).

Olha was a constant support over WhatsUp, which was great because changes of weather meant some of the activities had to be adjusted short-notice. Every single person I got to interact with was kind and open. I felt truly welcome in every location. All my drivers (Alan, Murdo, Roddy, Alasdair, Brian) told me stories about the place and its people, all of them were native Gaelic speakers so I got to pick and practice a few words: that was important for me. I learned so much about the history and the contemporary life on Skye and Western Islands. Murdo is a musician and a very authentic, fun person to be around. As a bonus, I got to hear a Gaelic song he wrote and performed! A surfing lesson with Eli (I probably misspell the name here) was amazing - the location and the weather made it a very special experience. Kayaking on Barra with Ben and Chris was also fun and relaxing. We got to see many seals who would just pop out of the water near the kayak and stare at us for a few seconds before diving back.

I would definitely go back to Eilean a' Cheò and na h-Eileanan Siar again and would definitely ask Kimkim team again to help plan it. These places are treasures for those who love nature and who appreciate simple, kind, honest and trusting communities with deep roots and oral history of resilience. The trip has left me with many cherished memories, stories to share, a sense of healing and a deep appreciation of true Island hospitality and kindness. Mòran taing.

Hotel Reviews
The Bracken Hide
Portree

It's a lovely location on a slope overlooking Portree, with a view to the harbor. I loved having my own pod that was warm and cozy. The days were rainy, but the pit-pat of the rain on the roof made it even more cozy to be inside.

Authenticity & Character
I loved staying in a pod. The inner decor was very cozy.
Location
The view
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
I loved the warm floor! :-) makes a huge difference when you come back cold and soaked with rain. The place was warm and dry and the wet clothes would dry quickly as well
Lews Castle
Stornoway

Where do I even start :-))) You get to stay in a real castle! My room was under the roof and looked out over the roof tiles to another tower. The refurbishment is very modern, of course. There is a shower, a bathtub, a fridge a coffee machine and a tea kettle. But somehow it still feels like a castle. That's how a modern castle room should look like :-) I particularly enjoyed opening the front door of the castle with my own key when I came back form my daily explorations. It felt like a lot of fun just doing that. And then you get inside, there is a hall, a staircase and the place is your temporary "home."

Authenticity & Character
It's a castle! Does not get any more authentic than that :-) During the day it's a museum. You can do a tour of the rooms with augmented reality app - I highly recommend doing that
Location
Stornoway center is a walking distance. But the castle itself is surrounded by a forest with many paths - great for walking, biking, exploring, relaxing...
Staff
There is always someone in the building but they give you your own space and are only there if you need help. Very friendly, gave me plenty of good advice on the first day and then just let me be - exactly what I wanted.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spotless clean, spacious, my room was full of light and sunshine, the bathroom was always warm, which was important because the weather was a bit chilly. Great comfortable bed, tea kettle, very relaxing atmosphere, could also hear the sound of rain on the roof (which I love)
Carnan B&B
Castlebay

The host greeted me with tea and chocolate cake! She is lovely, but she wants to retire, so I think we should leave her alone :-))) Her little pet dog is very friendly and fun - we became best buddies.

Authenticity & Character
It's a lovely house. A real house where a real family lives. Gives you a sense of home
Location
It has a great view to the castle in the bay.
Staff
Elizabeth is very welcoming, kind, attentive and good-natured. She gave me lots of good advice where to go and what to see.
Cleanliness & Comfort
A very comfortable home away from home
Edinbane Lodge
Edinbane

This place is very special. It dates back to 16th century and looks very picturesque. Once you step into your room, you are amazed at the level of luxury. You could watch TV while taking a bath, if you wished. My room also had a patio with a gas fireplace that I enjoyed for a few hours in the evening. It's very atmospheric: great combination of old and modern. Their dinners are famous. If you stay at this lodge, I highly recommend booking a dinner experience as well. Also, check the pottery workshop nearby: you won't be able to go away without a souvenir.

Authenticity & Character
A lodge that has been a lodge since 16th century. It has all the character that comes with the time it's been around
Location
It's a tiny place. Very quiet.
Staff
Friendly, helpful, graceful
Cleanliness & Comfort
I loved sitting by the fire in the patio. I also loved the tea set from the local pottery workshop. It's beautiful and great to see they support their neighbor's business.
Activity Reviews
Isle of Lewis Heritage: Private Day Tour from Stornoway
Isle of Lewis Heritage: Private Day Tour from Stornoway
Scotland

My driver and guide, Murdo, was just great. He is very authentic, a local through and through who told me so many interesting stories about the Isle of Lewis, it's history, it's people. And these stories did not feel like stories from the book. They were real stories, lived by the people or passed by the people from one generation to another. The Callanish stones are a very special cite to visit. The Black Houses were also very interesting to experience.

Quality of Experience
The bridge over the Atlantic! :-)
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gaelic heritage, knows every road and path and settlement, great sense of humor, honesty
Transport
Taxi to Surf Lesson
Taxi to Surf Lesson
Stornoway

Alan MacKenzie is a great travel companion, equally good at sharing and listening. I am very grateful he was the one to welcome me to the Western Isles. I think it sat the tone for the rest of my stay and travel.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Attentive, tactful
Transport
Lewis Surf Lessons
Lewis Surf Lessons
Scotland

This was my first ever surfing lesson and I am glad it took place on Lewis. We had the whole huge beach to ourselves, since you are going to get wet anyways, you don't need to worry about the rain and it being not exactly the warmest day :-) It was very atmospheric, you could feel the power of the sea (which you have to respect). I think if I did not have a one-on-one lesson and a lot of support from the instructor, I would never manage to get as far as I got. She was great - very encouraging and easy going. It was pure fun but also a good challenge (did I feel it the next day :-))) ). There are also caves on that beach that can only be visited at low tide - we took a short stroll after the class to check them out.

Quality of Experience
the location is amazing
Guides, Drivers and Staff
easy-going, attentive, fun
Sea Kayak Trip
Sea Kayak Trip
Barra

I had two sessions. One was a one-on-one trip with Ben. It's very relaxing to be on the water and take it at your own speed. We did a good round and saw lots of seals. We also did a round around the castle in the bay. The other one was with Chris and his daughter (sorry, can't remember the name). They are all a great family - all very friendly, experienced and attentive. The second was with a group on a sunny day - so that was also a lot of fun and very picture-pretty, but no wildlife.

Quality of Experience
We swapped a few stories while on the water. Ben is a great companion. He was guiding, spotting wildlife, telling about me about the local traditions, good advice on where to eat and what to try, some funny stories. Felt like a great day on the water with a good friend. The group trip was great too, people watched out for each other, everyone was a good sport.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Easy going but attentive to detail, good fun
Taxi
Taxi
Scotland

Brian told me a few stories while on the road. Also gave me the advice to use the opportunity and have dinner at the place where he dropped me off. Thank you. I would have missed an amazing dining experience, if not for this advice. That was a perfect ending to my perfect Islands getaway.

Quality of Experience
In general, all the taxi pickups and transfers were hassle-free, all of them were super friendly
Guides, Drivers and Staff
very genuine. I don't know how to explain it, but it's just that they were all very friendly and somehow very "authentic" welcoming locals.
Transport
always clean, always comfortable, always warm on cold days
Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Aleksandra
Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Local specialist in England | Replied on Jul 23, 2024

Dear Jenny,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable and enjoyable trip! It was my real pleasure to help design a journey for you.

I’m so delighted that you found what you were looking for during this trip, and I’m grateful we were involved in this rare opportunity to introduce you to the Hebrides.

We would be more than happy to assist you again if you decide to return to Eilean a' Cheò and na h-Eileanan Siar. Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your cherished memories with us.

Mòran taing,
Aleksandra

Nothing but a positive experience for us!
Scotland | Jun 29 - Jul 13, 2024

Vicki
Vicki W.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 15, 2024
Nothing but a positive experience for us working with Marion and the team at KimKim! Her knowledge of the area on the front end helped plan a most wonderful vacation for our family! While on our trip, the team was very quickly responsive if we had any questions or needs. I highly recommend their services if you're planning your next dream vacation :) Read more

Nothing but a positive experience for us working with Marion and the team at KimKim! Her knowledge of the area on the front end helped plan a most wonderful vacation for our family! While on our trip, the team was very quickly responsive if we had any questions or needs. I highly recommend their services if you're planning your next dream vacation :)

Hotel Reviews
Eden Locke
Edinburgh

Beautiful place and location is perfect for exploring Edinburgh on foot, or by other transportation means.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lodge on Loch Lomond
Luss, Argyll & Bute

BEAUTIFUL hotel and location! Staff was friendly and efficient. We would go back, given the chance, and stay a few nights longer to really savor the grandeur of this location!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Whispering Pine Lodge
Spean Bridge

Amazing hotel right on the water! Quiet location, great food in the restaurant with a good variety and the rooms were spotless. Would stay there again!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Royal Hotel Portree
Portree

This hotel was "tired" and not the cleanest, BUT the location is perfect for your Portree visit and met our basic needs for sleeping there as we explored the Isle of Skye.

Authenticity & Character
Old hotel, tired, and could use a bit of an update. Floors looked and felt dirty, could probably use replacement.
Location
Located right on the water, and in the heart of everything you could want to do and see in Portree.
Staff
The morning breakfast manager was amazing, but the rest of the staff was short and definitely overworked. Their tiredness made you feel as if you were troubling them to give your food order, or mention something that needed to be cleaned in your room that was missed by the cleaning crew.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable, bathroom was clean, just tired fixtures, etc. The flooring could use updating as well.
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
Inverness

Beautiful hotel in a central and historic area of town. Nice and quiet for resting, super clean as well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Plaza London Riverbank
London

Great location and service. Clean hotel with friendly and prompt staff. We enjoyed our stay here very much.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Visit the Kelpies
Visit the Kelpies
Scotland

GREAT site to see! Enjoyed it with our whole family :)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The Caledonian Sleeper (Scotland Version)
The Caledonian Sleeper (Scotland Version)
Scotland

LOVED, loved riding on and sleeping on the Caledonian Sleeper to London! The club car was fun and had massive windows for taking in the sites. Our room was comfortable and gets very dark when you're ready to sleep. Breakfast delivered to your room was tasty as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Two hour cruise on the Canal and Loch - Loch Ness
Two hour cruise on the Canal and Loch - Loch Ness
Inverness

This cruise was so nice! Very knowledgable speaker who gave the two hour tour. Loved seeing the Loch and learning all about it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hop-on, Hop-off Bus
Hop-on, Hop-off Bus
London

A really fun activity to do while you wait for your hotel room to be available, like we did. Saw a lot of great sites around London from the comfort of our double decker bus top row seats :)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Harry Potter Studio Tour from London (with transport)
Harry Potter Studio Tour from London (with transport)
London

AMAZING location and tour for Harry Potter fans! Exceeded our expectations by a mile! SO many props, costumes and sets... a great experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The bus transport was great - just a bit hard to find. Don't hesitate to ask other bus drivers where your specific bus is parked.
Changing of the Guard Guided Tour
Changing of the Guard Guided Tour
London

We absolutely loved this tour! Our guide, Simon, was fun and knowledgable and kept our small group together through the crowds. We learned a TON and will always remember this activity.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marion Passelegue
Marion
Marion Passelegue
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Jul 16, 2024

Hi Vicky,

Thank you so very much for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure getting to know you as we planned and enjoyed this trip together. You had such a great project of visiting Scotland with your family, and I'm thrilled that we were able to bring that trip to life and fulfill your expectations with an itinerary that we tailored together!

We wish you many more wonderful travels in the future! Out team would be glad to help you discover the rest of Europe next year !

All the best,
Marion & The High Point Holidays Team

Family trip to Scotland
Scotland | Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2024

D
Deborah C.
Kokomo, IN | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2024
Our family trip to Scotland was a complex undertaking, as we were a large group of 20 people of varying ages. I can well imagine that many hours were spent on our behalf to make the trip so wonderful. Everything went smoothly and I can not think of a single negative issue . Our driver, Ricky, and guide Keith took care of so many details behind the scenes, and delivered an exceptional experience.. The hotels and restaurants chosen were all beyond our expectations. We did so very many things... Read more

Our family trip to Scotland was a complex undertaking, as we were a large group of 20 people of varying ages. I can well imagine that many hours were spent on our behalf to make the trip so wonderful. Everything went smoothly and I can not think of a single negative issue . Our driver, Ricky, and guide Keith took care of so many details behind the scenes, and delivered an exceptional experience.. The hotels and restaurants chosen were all beyond our expectations. We did so very many things that were enjoyed by all. The Reindeer Herd excursion was one of my favorites. The scenery on the hill was spectacular. We also very much enjoyed the Family Highland Games at Rothiemurchus Estate, even in the pouring rain we managed to have great fun together. We had two very unique and special requests that went off without a hitch. The first was a professional photoshoot in front of Cawdor Castle. Karen Thorburn went above and beyond to provide us all with wonderful professional portraits. And also, we were grateful for the special effort made by our guide Keith, to visit the house in which my husband was born, and for us all to snap a photo at the door. Thank you for all you did to manage this trip for us. You will be highly recommended.

Local specialist: Marion Passelegue
Marion
Marion Passelegue
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Jul 16, 2024

Deborah,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Organizing your family trip to Scotland was a true pleasure, and I'm thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly and exceeded your expectations.

We had such a great time planning your Mini Highland Games, your photoshoot, your Welcome to Scotland dinner, your wildlife tour and the whole trip actually !!This trip was the best a travel agent could dream of !

Your kind words and high recommendation mean a lot to our team. We look forward to possibly helping you with future adventures!

Warm regards,

Marion
High Point Holidays

Excellent trip and KimKim recommendations, but the planning process could use some improvement
Scotland | Jun 29 - Jul 7, 2024

M
Marcelo M.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2024
The trip itself was excellent, the local guides were top-notch and the recommendations for sites to visit, activities, etc. were great. We really loved the trip, especially the local guides for Edinburgh, Inverness, the Aviemore nature trip and Culoden Battlefield. The planning for the trip could have been better. Some activities were originally scheduled too closely together to be logistically feasible, the arrival date was incorrect on the itinerary despite us clearly indicating the... Read more

The trip itself was excellent, the local guides were top-notch and the recommendations for sites to visit, activities, etc. were great. We really loved the trip, especially the local guides for Edinburgh, Inverness, the Aviemore nature trip and Culoden Battlefield.

The planning for the trip could have been better. Some activities were originally scheduled too closely together to be logistically feasible, the arrival date was incorrect on the itinerary despite us clearly indicating the correct date, and there seems to be some issues with reflecting hotel stay dates accurately in the itinerary. Re the trip itself, the only disappointment was the hotel in Aviemore, which was dilapidated, inconvenient (no elevator…) and uncomfortable (very tight room).

Local specialist: Pauline Mathieu

First Trip to Scotland
Scotland | Jun 17 - Jun 26, 2024

Calli
Calli T.
Newburyport, MA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2024
Emily and Romane planned a terrific trip for our family to beautiful Scotland. This was our first major family trip and we wanted it to be special. They delivered! The activities planned were exactly what we wanted. Highlights for us included making it for two nights on the incredible Isle of Skye at the Bracken Hide hotel. So magical! Cain was our local guide there and did a terrific job even in classic Scottish rain. Our days in Fort William were filled with outdoor adventures tailored to... Read more

Emily and Romane planned a terrific trip for our family to beautiful Scotland. This was our first major family trip and we wanted it to be special. They delivered! The activities planned were exactly what we wanted. Highlights for us included making it for two nights on the incredible Isle of Skye at the Bracken Hide hotel. So magical! Cain was our local guide there and did a terrific job even in classic Scottish rain. Our days in Fort William were filled with outdoor adventures tailored to each person.
We hope to go back very soon and can't thank Emily and Romane enough.

Hotel Reviews
The Bracken Hide
Portree

This place was stunning inside and out. Absolutely worth visiting. The staff was also incredibly warm and wonderful.

Authenticity & Character
You stay in your own little hut - like a Hobbit hole!
Location
Just outside of Portree, but about a 20 minute walk.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eden Locke
Edinburgh

Modern and well appointed rooms with small kitchens. The beds were very comfortable and the cafe was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Corriegarth Hotel
Inverness

Good location in INverness, but older building. Be prepared to bring your luggage up a few flights of stairs. The neds are older and not very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
If you like older buildings this might be for you.
Location
Staff
It was understaffed with just one over worked person to deal with everything.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The stove broke so no hot breakfast was offered. Beds are not comfortable.
Garrison Apartments
Fort William

Excellent space and amenities for a short or longer stay. Full kitchen and space for a family to spread out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Gorgeous view of the river from the balcony!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Colessio
Stirling

Incredibly beautiful building. It looks like a museum from the outside.

Authenticity & Character
It has excellent rooms and a very nice bar.
Location
Right near everything in Stirling. Walk to the Castle and to shops and restaurants.
Staff
Very thoughful, friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Apex City of Glasgow Hotel
Glasgow
Authenticity & Character
Location
Right on a central street making sight seeing easy.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Two hour cruise on the Canal and Loch - Loch Ness
Two hour cruise on the Canal and Loch - Loch Ness
Inverness

This was a relaxing fun way to see the Locke

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Funny and insiteful
Transport
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye
Scotland

Cain was a wonderful driver. He was helpful in planning our day and was very kind as the day turned quite rainy. He helped us make the best of it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided Hike of Ben Nevis
Private Guided Hike of Ben Nevis
Scotland

Peter was a super experienced climber and wonderful guide. He climbs this mountain 3-4 times a week so he knows it well. He helped me with aprehensions I had as this was the first major hike I'd done since major ACL surgery. I could not have done it without his encouragement!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Kelpies
Visit the Kelpies
Scotland

This was a bucket list item for me on this trip and my whole family enjoyed it. You can spend about 45 minutes and these sculptures are an engineering marvel! What a treasure!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Emily Reilly
Emily
Emily Reilly
Local specialist in Scotland / France | Replied on Jul 03, 2024

Hi Calli!

We are SO glad you enjoyed your time in Scotland. Thank you for this review and feedback - we agree the Bracken Hide cabins are so special and unique!

Thank you for the feedback on the Inverness hotel too, we have noted that.

So glad you made it to the top of Ben Nevis! It was a pleasure to work with you!

Best wishes,

Emily & Romane

Family trip to Scotland
Scotland | Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2024

James
James C.
Kokomo, IN | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2024
We began planning our trip about a year ago. It was a large group of 20 family members, with many logistical challenges. Marion and Celina did a wonderful job securing our guide, Keith, and driver Rickie. They certainly went above and beyond our expectations. Our photographers, Karen and Mark, also exceeded our expectations with a wonderful professional photo shoot at Castle Cawdor. The pictures were beautiful. I had a very specific itinerary in mind when I contacted KimKim and I know that... Read more

We began planning our trip about a year ago. It was a large group of 20 family members, with many logistical challenges. Marion and Celina did a wonderful job securing our guide, Keith, and driver Rickie. They certainly went above and beyond our expectations. Our photographers, Karen and Mark, also exceeded our expectations with a wonderful professional photo shoot at Castle Cawdor. The pictures were beautiful. I had a very specific itinerary in mind when I contacted KimKim and I know that they worked very hard on our behalf. The trip went along seamlessly, was all we had hoped for and more. It was a wonderful experience for us all! Well done!

Activity Reviews
Culloden Battlefield private tour
Culloden Battlefield private tour
Inverness
The Beastie Boats - Inverness
The Beastie Boats - Inverness
Inverness

This was great fun for a family outing. Our family enjoyed the guides comments as well as a fast ride on Loch Ness.

Quality of Experience
Our entire trip was delightful and I believe gave us all a taste of Scotland.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, Keith, was just a great person to travel with. He did well anticipating our needs, was informative, and flexible.
Transport
We loved our driver Rickie. He gave us a comfortable ride, and we felt safe on those narrow winding roads.
Private visit of Mary King's Close
Private visit of Mary King's Close
Edinburgh

A great tour to give you an understanding of historical Edinburgh.

Visit to Urquhart Castle
Visit to Urquhart Castle
Scotland

This is a beautiful place, but the castle staff are cautious regarding over crowding, so were not able to go into the castle as planned. We did go to a viewing area and were able to get some great photos of the exterior from across the water.

Exceptional Visit and Tasting at Blair Athol Distillery
Exceptional Visit and Tasting at Blair Athol Distillery
Pitlochry

This was an enjoyable experience for all and a great way to learn about Scottish Whisky.

"A la carte" activities at Rothiemurchus estate
"A la carte" activities at Rothiemurchus estate
Aviemore

Unfortunately, on this day it was pouring rain and cold. But we had an amazing time regardless. Our two guides made it a fun experience for the entire family

Dinner Reservation on Skye
Dinner Reservation on Skye
Scotland
Eat Walk Glasgow
Eat Walk Glasgow
Glasgow

This was a great way to see Glasgow, learn about the city, and taste amazing local foods.

One way to Mallaig on the Jacobite Train (of Harry Potter fame)
One way to Mallaig on the Jacobite Train (of Harry Potter fame)
Scotland

Our family enjoyed the train trip, a relaxing way to travel and see the Scottish countryside.

Hill Trips Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Hill Trips Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Scotland

This activity exceeded our expectation. There is a hilly walk to the reindeer which is very scenic in itself. The Reindeer were so beautiful to see up close. We learned about the herd from our guide and were allowed to feed them. The scenery on the hill was beautiful as well.

Isle of Skye Whisky immersion at Torabhaig
Isle of Skye Whisky immersion at Torabhaig
Scotland

A great way to learn about Scottish Whisky.

Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye
Scotland

Our guide gave us a wonderful day on the Isle of Skye considering, it was cold, windy, and rainy, and we were traveling on a tour bus that could not access all the areas.

Local specialist: Marion Passelegue
Marion
Marion Passelegue
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Jul 03, 2024
Dear Caddell Family,

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! It was truly a pleasure working with you to plan your tailor-made trip. I'm thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly and exceeded your expectations.

Organizing a trip for a group of 20 is no small feat, and I'm glad that Keith, Rickie, Karen, Mark, and everyone that you met in Scotland were able to contribute to making your experience special. From your welcome to Scotland diner to the photoshoot at Cawdor Castle, our...
Read more

Dear Caddell Family,

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! It was truly a pleasure working with you to plan your tailor-made trip. I'm thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly and exceeded your expectations.

Organizing a trip for a group of 20 is no small feat, and I'm glad that Keith, Rickie, Karen, Mark, and everyone that you met in Scotland were able to contribute to making your experience special. From your welcome to Scotland diner to the photoshoot at Cawdor Castle, our team was delighted to see every part of your trip unfold exactly as you envisioned!

Your kind words about our efforts mean a lot to me and the entire team. It was an honor to help bring your vision to life and ensure that your family had a wonderful experience.

Thank you again for entrusting us with your travel plans. I look forward to possibly helping you with future adventures in the UK, France or Italy!

Warm regards,
Marion, Celina, Sarah, and the team at High Point Holidays