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I recently had the absolute pleasure of joining the MacBackpackers 3-day tour to the Isle of Skye, guided by the amazing Mark. From start to finish, this trip was packed with adventure, history, and u…I recently had the absolute pleasure of joining the MacBackpackers 3-day tour to the Isle of Skye, guided by the amazing Mark. From start to finish, this trip was packed with adventure, history, and unforgettable moments. While days 1 and 3 involved quite a bit of driving, the time flew by thanks to Mark’s incredible storytelling. His knack for weaving history into relatable, modern-day parallels was nothing short of impressive.
What I loved most was that while Mark had a clear agenda, he wasn’t afraid to switch things up based on the weather and the group’s interests, making every stop feel perfectly tailored. It’s hard to pick a single highlight because every moment created a lasting memory for me.
If you’re looking for fun, history, and a bit of adventure, this tour is an absolute must! Huge thanks to Mark for making this trip so special—I can’t wait to share these memories with my family back home. The Highlands have truly stolen my heart!
My sister and I had an amazing experience on the 3-day Isle of Skye trip. Highly recommend going in the month of June we got super lucky and enjoyed three days worth of sun with temperatures mostly in…My sister and I had an amazing experience on the 3-day Isle of Skye trip. Highly recommend going in the month of June we got super lucky and enjoyed three days worth of sun with temperatures mostly in the 70s (the visibility and views were incredible) 3 days was plenty of time to pack in what we did starting off in Edinburgh, Mark drove us through the city and off to the highlands we went. You’ll see a lot of views from the tour bus alone but we always had stops along the way. (Big ups to Mark for always knowing where to find a public restroom!) This was our first time on a guided trip and we really appreciated Mark’s ability to speak about Scotland’s History, answer questions and also get our group to places on our list (Faerie pools, Loch Ness, and Hairy Coos were the best!). If you are a solo traveler, we’d highly recommend. It’s a great opportunity to meet people from around the world (also if you’re a female our group was mostly women all around our age range 20-30s) We felt super comfortable throughout the tour including the hostel stay (felt like a big sleepover). Super appreciative of the fact that we were left to roam, explore, and hike at the places we stopped. Mark gave us a time of when to be back on the bus and we were off to explore. If you can catch nice weather, highly recommend packing a swimsuit there’s a lot of chances to take a quick dip! Exploring Scotland has been on our bucket list for sometime and we are so so glad to have experienced just a small sliver of what Scotland has to offer with MacBackpackers! Highly recommend this tour and are looking forward to the next trip we plan with MacBackpackers! Keep up the good work!!
This tour is the tour
Solo
Group
If you’re trying to see the highlands
Do this tour
Scotland’s finest.
Saw many coo’s.
Saw fairy pools.
Ate haggis.
Tight group like lattice.
Live music in the …This tour is the tour
Solo
Group
If you’re trying to see the highlands
Do this tour
Scotland’s finest.
Saw many coo’s.
Saw fairy pools.
Ate haggis.
Tight group like lattice.
Live music in the night
Gorgeous landscape in sight.
Castles
Great toilet breaks
Nessie in the lake
The Loch
The talk
Around the fire
Cozy rest
Rest the tires
Hike to the top
Old man of storr
Green nature carpet
That’s our floor
Little rain
Group freedom to choose what the vibe is at the time (whatever activities or sights you want to see, they will make sure to make an effort to do them or get there! they acknowledge, this is YOUR trip!)
You won’t get sent to sleep due to boredom and lack of engagement by tour guide
When on regular boring mumbo jumbo tours, the guides seem detached, and almost like an audio recording.
With MacBackpackers, your guide will be one with the group.
Instead of information being spewed at you, it’s delivered in wonderful and exciting stories.
Mark was our tour guide for this trip and goodness me we couldn’t have gotten luckier. Incredible guide, even more incredible man.
You’ll laugh
You’ll learn
You’ll live
Live. Laugh. Love.
Accommodation was fantastic.
Staying on the Isle of Skye was fantastic.
Absolutely brilliant vibe.
Truly felt like a community by the mid/end of this trip.
Thank you MacBackpackers
Thank you Mark.
Thank you Scotland.
L
This tour was absolutely amazing, with Mark taking us to the most beautiful places and telling so many stories about Scottish history and mythical creatures... can definitely recommend!
Don't let the (slightly) outdated marketing mislead you, this 3 day tour through the highlands and to Skye could not have been any better! If you have the fortune of having Mark as your tour guide you…Don't let the (slightly) outdated marketing mislead you, this 3 day tour through the highlands and to Skye could not have been any better! If you have the fortune of having Mark as your tour guide you will be amazed by his storytelling. He entertained us with endless tales of history, politics, nature, folklore, films and music. If you want to meet a true Scottish storyteller, you will be in luck when meeting Mark. He took us with him, and left so many options open. We could make requests of places to go to, things to see or do and had plenty of opportunity to ask questions. Sad to end the tour, but I already feel the pull of Skye, so I will definitely be back!
An exceptional trip with an amazing guide. Even though it was winter when I went and the days were short, our guide Mark made sure to make the most of it. We were a small group and they were all frien…An exceptional trip with an amazing guide. Even though it was winter when I went and the days were short, our guide Mark made sure to make the most of it. We were a small group and they were all friendly and kind. We cooked together at the hostel, laughed during the van drives with Mark's commentary and overall had a blast. Since we were a small group, Mark was very open to letting us choose some locations that we wanted to see. I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see the highlands :) Sorry for such a late review, but me coming back to write it after so many months shows just how much I still think of this trip!! Hope I can come back and take it again during summer!
K
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! This tour is a must. I was a little hesitant when booking as a solo traveller but it exceeded my expectations. As a group- we was blown away. All thanks to our fabulous tour guide …ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! This tour is a must. I was a little hesitant when booking as a solo traveller but it exceeded my expectations. As a group- we was blown away. All thanks to our fabulous tour guide Mark. Mark humour, knowledge & expertise made this tour! I am an extensive traveller & this has definitely been the best group tour I have ever done (hands down). Thank you Mark & our group for the most amazing 3 days. Bring on the 7 day tour!!
This was my first solo trip/hostel stay ever and I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it, but on the contrary I had the best experience!
The tour was well organised and Mark, the tour guide, was amazing in…This was my first solo trip/hostel stay ever and I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it, but on the contrary I had the best experience!
The tour was well organised and Mark, the tour guide, was amazing in both ensuring that the group was having an amazing time and bonding and giving us all the history/fun facts of the places we were visiting.
The hostel was clean and cozy, with an amazing location in the Isle of Skye.
The tour itinerary was full on but perfect for those who wants to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. Mark was flexible in adapting the tour based on the group’s requests and ensured everyone had an amazing time.
I would definitely do this again.
?
I had an absolutely amazing time on this tour! This was my second 3-day Skye tour and although things were similar, there were so many different experiences. I would go back in a heartbeat just to hea…I had an absolutely amazing time on this tour! This was my second 3-day Skye tour and although things were similar, there were so many different experiences. I would go back in a heartbeat just to hear Mark's stories on the bus and enjoy a night by the fire and a misty isle gin and tonic. Skye is stunning and this tour is excellent. We were given plenty of time to hike and walk around and enjoy the scenery while also getting to know the history of the Highlands. I've been on two tours with Mark now and I couldn't imagine a better tour guide. 10/10 would recommend.
B
Awesome experience! Absolutely beautiful scenery and tour guide Mark was extremely experienced and knowledgeable. We had suboptimal weather but still were able to make the most of the days. Definitely…Awesome experience! Absolutely beautiful scenery and tour guide Mark was extremely experienced and knowledgeable. We had suboptimal weather but still were able to make the most of the days. Definitely recommend!
Mark was an excellent tour guide and the tour itself was amazing. Highly recommend the 5 day tour to get a great overview of the Highlands and Scottish history.
The best decision that we made was to travel with you guys. It was an amazing experience. I feel I missed booking with you for 5 days never the less will be back soon :
)
S
This tour takes you to the most scenic places in the isle of skye. Recommended if you want to spend more time off the bus exploring rather than on it. Loved the stories and facts, shared by our friend…This tour takes you to the most scenic places in the isle of skye. Recommended if you want to spend more time off the bus exploring rather than on it. Loved the stories and facts, shared by our friendly guide Mark, throughout the trip
Just finished the 5 day Highland Fling Tour! Mark was such an amazing tour guide and made the tour so fun and intriguing. I really hope to travel again with MacBackpackers sometime soon!
S
My sister and I had the most amazing time on this tour! Our tour guide Mark was so incredible and knowledgeable of all the locations we travelled to. His enthusiasm is unmatched and we will never forg…My sister and I had the most amazing time on this tour! Our tour guide Mark was so incredible and knowledgeable of all the locations we travelled to. His enthusiasm is unmatched and we will never forget his captivating Highland stories. We visited so many incredible places with wonderful people, it truly was an unforgettable week. We cannot wait to return to the Scottish Highlands!
Sophie and Charlotte
K
Cannot say enough good things about this trip!! All the sights were amazing with a lot of hiking opportunities. Even if you don't want to hike, you can just enjoy the beautiful scenery! The tour guide…Cannot say enough good things about this trip!! All the sights were amazing with a lot of hiking opportunities. Even if you don't want to hike, you can just enjoy the beautiful scenery! The tour guide Mark was AMAZING and just had endless stories and facts about the areas. The trip really had something for everyone!!
Excellent tour. Our guide Mark was incredibly knowledgable and gave us a fantastic day in Isle of Skye. We learnt about history, art, culture and much more. Time and money well invested.
Marc is the best guide in the world! Interesting stories, beautiful places, a good place to sleep.
Edith from Poland
Mark, our tour guide, was awesome and engaging!!!!!
Nice small group.
Would recommend over and over and over.
The Macbackpacker hostels are also clean and safe
It was a pleasure to go again with Macbackpackers! 3 days Skye Tour with Marc was great adventure! Highly recommend this tour and this guide! You will love Scotland and definitely you will come back!!…It was a pleasure to go again with Macbackpackers! 3 days Skye Tour with Marc was great adventure! Highly recommend this tour and this guide! You will love Scotland and definitely you will come back!!!
I was weirdly nervous about booking the tour as I'm from Scotland but having backpacked around other countries I had a feeling Macbackpackers 3 Day Isle of Skye tour would suit my travel style over ot…I was weirdly nervous about booking the tour as I'm from Scotland but having backpacked around other countries I had a feeling Macbackpackers 3 Day Isle of Skye tour would suit my travel style over other tour companies and it's safe to say the only regret I have is not travelling around in my own country sooner!!
The weather was beautiful during the 3 day trip (I swear it's not always raining in Scotland) and I really liked that our tour guide Mark asked everyone (small group) what we wanted to see and do while in Skye so he could accommodate our interests into his itinerary. I was lucky that everyone else had hiking on their mind too and we managed to fit in The Storr and The Quiraing in our Saturday Skye adventure.
We spent a good amount of time off the bus and even when we were travelling to our next stop, Mark would chat away, tell us Scottish myths & history and of course play some Scottish tunes...Mon the Biff!
The tour is great value for money and Mark was a brilliant tour guide.
I left feeling inspired to travel more of my own country and I'm already planning my next solo Scottish adventure.
Amazing tour. Mark is a great tour guide.
J
Awesome tour jam-packed with beautiful scenery, interesting historical facts and funny mythical stories. There was a lot of ground to cover in 5 days, but Mark was open to suggestions from the group a…Awesome tour jam-packed with beautiful scenery, interesting historical facts and funny mythical stories. There was a lot of ground to cover in 5 days, but Mark was open to suggestions from the group and let us decide what we wanted to do and/or had alternatives depending on the weather. Mark is also a great storyteller (loved all the voices lol) and made sure everyone on the tour was enjoying themselves. I had originally booked this tour for 2020 and I'm so happy that I finally was able to come - definitely recommend and would love to come back!
Mark was amazing. He told us all amazing overall histories and stories of different places visited
A
What a brilliant tour! As a Scot myself, I went on this tour with friends visiting from Germany and Austria, and learned so much more about my home country. We were within a small tour group of around…What a brilliant tour! As a Scot myself, I went on this tour with friends visiting from Germany and Austria, and learned so much more about my home country. We were within a small tour group of around 10, with Mark as our tour guide. We loved all of Mark's stories about Scotland, as well as his music playlist! It was such an enjoyable five days in the highlands that exceeded our expectations. Highlights included the scenery of the Isle of Skye, getting up close with Highland Cows and seeing the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle. I would definitely recommend this tour!
The macbackpackers tour was such an incredible experience and the tour guide, Mark Doggett, was absolutely brilliant. A wonderful balance between beautiful natural scenery, fascinating history and ent…The macbackpackers tour was such an incredible experience and the tour guide, Mark Doggett, was absolutely brilliant. A wonderful balance between beautiful natural scenery, fascinating history and entertaining humour. Brilliant to do a smaller, less commercial tour with guides who are truly passionate about Scottish history and culture.
Also, after asking Mark about our Scottish ancestry, he went above and beyond to help us find information. He went to a local guide centre to find information, found a book about a family clan and took us to a graveyard that had a family grave.
Brilliant experience that we’ll remember forever!
Flick and Sam
M
Had a fantastic 5 day tour of Scotland. Our guide, Mark, was super funny and extremely knowledgeable about Scotland and its history which made it very engaging and interesting. The itinerary was not p…Had a fantastic 5 day tour of Scotland. Our guide, Mark, was super funny and extremely knowledgeable about Scotland and its history which made it very engaging and interesting. The itinerary was not packed which gave us the time to experience things at a good pace, and this tour really allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of Scotland. Had an excellent time with the tour group (13 of us) where are out most nights at local pubs before heading off to comfortable hostel accomodation. Highly recommend this tour especially Mark our tour guide!
J
The tour was fantastic! Mark was an amazing tour guide, he was extremely knowledgeable and hilarious. Had us laughing nonstop during the entire trip with his storytelling. Best tour guide I've ever ha…The tour was fantastic! Mark was an amazing tour guide, he was extremely knowledgeable and hilarious. Had us laughing nonstop during the entire trip with his storytelling. Best tour guide I've ever had and I was bummed when the tour was over. Overall just a great experience.
O
Such a bloody good tour, Mark’s a great storyteller and was also just great to chat to in general. 3 days is great for a quick getaway but I’ll definitely be going back for a longer tour with this com…Such a bloody good tour, Mark’s a great storyteller and was also just great to chat to in general. 3 days is great for a quick getaway but I’ll definitely be going back for a longer tour with this company in the future, huge thank you to Mark for a great weekend!
C
This was one of the best vacations I've had in a long time. I travel extensively for work and fun and am usually not a fan of tours, but this one is definitely an exception. Even though the weather wa…This was one of the best vacations I've had in a long time. I travel extensively for work and fun and am usually not a fan of tours, but this one is definitely an exception. Even though the weather wasn't ideal, the scenery was still incredibly beautiful. Mark did everything he could to show us amazing sites and get us out hiking. His knowledge of history, folklore, and current events around Scotland was astounding and enhanced the trip tenfold. He took time to speak with each of us and get to know a little about our background and interests, stopping at and pointing things out that he thought would be of particular interest to our group. His passion for his country and job are clearly evident. I'd highly recommend Mark and MacBackpackers to anyone thinking of traveling to Scotland. You won't regret it!
A
The tour was amazing, and Mark was a great guide. Very knowledgeable, and thorough about historical facts of Scotland. He kept the tour flexible due to constant changing weather conditions, and we wer…The tour was amazing, and Mark was a great guide. Very knowledgeable, and thorough about historical facts of Scotland. He kept the tour flexible due to constant changing weather conditions, and we were still able to complete the majority if not all of the stops on the list! Having the smaller tour group was great because we could get to the more remote spots as we had the smaller bus. It was one of the best experiences of my lifetime as I was able to propose to my now fiancé at the Fairy Pools at the Isle of Skye! Thanks MacBackpackers and Mark for an amazing time and I hope we meet again!
C
This was an amazing tour experience. We had Mark as our guide and he was excellent. We stopped at a bunch of amazing spots to take pictures, explore and fly my drone. Isle of Skye was amazing even th…This was an amazing tour experience. We had Mark as our guide and he was excellent. We stopped at a bunch of amazing spots to take pictures, explore and fly my drone. Isle of Skye was amazing even though the weather wasn’t on our side. Mark kept us entertained with stories and music the entire time on the bus which was excellent.
H
Mark was a great tour guide and extremely knowledgeable on the history of Scotland. The tour was a great experience and the locations we visited were amazing.
It was the perfect vacation. We had an awesome guide, who told us amazing stories about Scotland and its history, so we knew the significance of what we were looking at/visiting. Mark is a great story…It was the perfect vacation. We had an awesome guide, who told us amazing stories about Scotland and its history, so we knew the significance of what we were looking at/visiting. Mark is a great storyteller, with a great sense of humor, so I was all ears on the bus. We were off the bus a lot as well, even though the weather was far from perfect (a lot of rain and wind). Mark made it work by taking us to wonderful sites where it wasn't pouring rain that day. Also, I actually liked the sight of mountains, with peaks covered in fog. In conclusion, Scotland is always a good idea :)
And doing a MacBackpackers tour is a good idea, because it's very well organized.
Can't upload photos, it takes my phone too long...
C
Awesome tour, as a solo traveler i truly recommend it!! Mark is an excellent guide, i would only have tried to spend more time enjoying the view and not trying to do everything so fast, but it was oka…Awesome tour, as a solo traveler i truly recommend it!! Mark is an excellent guide, i would only have tried to spend more time enjoying the view and not trying to do everything so fast, but it was okay:)
The tour was good. We covered a lot of ground. But wouldn't exactly recommend for people who like hiking and getting down and dirty and really experiencing the land. Most of the time was spent on the …The tour was good. We covered a lot of ground. But wouldn't exactly recommend for people who like hiking and getting down and dirty and really experiencing the land. Most of the time was spent on the bus. The place we stayed at on isle of Skye was beautiful! Best part of the tour!
B
7 Day Best of the West
This is my second MacBackpackers tour and I think that says a lot! I did the 5 day tour last year and knew that I had to come back again. I was extremely lucky to have Mark again (love), and yet again…This is my second MacBackpackers tour and I think that says a lot! I did the 5 day tour last year and knew that I had to come back again. I was extremely lucky to have Mark again (love), and yet again I learned a lot, had lots of laughs and did not want it to end. We had a great time cooking together at the Gearrannan Black House Village and the hostel in Loch Ness. We did some amazing hikes ( wee walks) and got to see some very important historical place. In fact it was so amazing that I am planning to do another trip next year and probably going to do the 7 day again. I highly recommend this tour for anyone that wants to learn, to be inspired, make friends and have fun.
P
7 Day Best of the West
The tour was fantastic! It was awsome to be able to visit places difficult to access on our own. Having had a really small group the community was brilliant. The tour itself was really educational as …The tour was fantastic! It was awsome to be able to visit places difficult to access on our own. Having had a really small group the community was brilliant. The tour itself was really educational as our guide knew everything about Scotland. Can only recommend it.
S
The Highlands was absolutely amazing, but Mark is the one that made it one of the best experiences of my life. He listened to what we wanted to do. He knew all the goods stops. He had insider secrets.…The Highlands was absolutely amazing, but Mark is the one that made it one of the best experiences of my life. He listened to what we wanted to do. He knew all the goods stops. He had insider secrets. His musical choices had everyone singing on the bus. (It was also hilarious when he woke people up on the bus.) He joked with us. He told us the history and some very good stories that may or may not have been stretched. It seemed like he got to know everyone personally. While he doesn’t remember my name now, I will always remember his and all the experiences that he gave us. If I was ever going to take a tour of the Highlands again, then I would do it with Macbackpackers and Mark.
Did a 3-day tour to Isle of Sky.
I've never traveled in "tour form" before and had no idea what to expect.
In 3 days we managed to visit about 20 different sites and somehow our guide Mark kept a com…Did a 3-day tour to Isle of Sky.
I've never traveled in "tour form" before and had no idea what to expect.
In 3 days we managed to visit about 20 different sites and somehow our guide Mark kept a common (and humouristic) historical/mythological thread through it all. (Insert emoji with praise hands)
Even though I personally prefer more hiking/walking there's no chance we would've seen and discovered as much as we did if we made longer stops.
You get the feeling Macbackpackers are really passionate about what they're doing, and it just makes the trip even better.
Long story short, this is an awesome "scouting"-trip if you want inspiration for a longer trip or just a taste of the highlands in 72 hours.
I can't regret doing the 3-day instead of the more extensive 7- day since I met the best people whom I intend to keep in contact with and had a fantastic guide. I'll just have to return next year for a longer trip.
My only regret is not jumping into Loch Ness. I mean, how many times do you get the chance to swim with a possible prehistoric beast?
Tip: Be vocal about what you'd prefer be incorporated into the itinerary from the start and if it's possible they might fit it in.
Make sure you walk in and around Kyleakin during your free time, it's gorgeous!
Major thanks to Mark and Macbackpackers!
H
Great, very kind and patient, funny and introduce lots of background history.
K
Excellent tour! A great way to get to know the Highlands. The minibus is comfortable, the itinerary includes the main attractions, the accommodation is great and the guide is excellent, telling us abo…Excellent tour! A great way to get to know the Highlands. The minibus is comfortable, the itinerary includes the main attractions, the accommodation is great and the guide is excellent, telling us about the history of the places we pass through and Scotland in general. If you're visiting Scotland, you can't miss Isle of Skye and this tour is great!
C
If you're thinking about doing this tour, DO IT! Everything about it is so fantastic. Mark was a fabulous guide, telling us funny stories and history about Scotland and the places we visited, and he g…If you're thinking about doing this tour, DO IT! Everything about it is so fantastic. Mark was a fabulous guide, telling us funny stories and history about Scotland and the places we visited, and he gave us options of some places to go as well as took us to other places when the weather was nice. Everywhere you go is stunning and if you have an amazing group of people like my tour did, it will honestly be the highlight of your trip. Thank you so much Mark and MacBackpackers!
7 Day Best of the West
I couldn't be more pleased with my trip taken with MacBackpackers. I met some fantastic people and saw some truly stunning places that I definitely wouldn't have known about on my own. Mark was the to…I couldn't be more pleased with my trip taken with MacBackpackers. I met some fantastic people and saw some truly stunning places that I definitely wouldn't have known about on my own. Mark was the tour guide on my trip and he was just awesome! Loved to hear the history of the land while driving through picturesque landscapes, and the occasional giant tale as well, followed with a great mix of music. One of the best weeks of my life and I can definitely say you won't regret if you book with MacBackpackers, I myself am already itching to come back because even with all that I've seen, I amassed a whole big list of my own for next time! Thank you for a lovely experience and lifelong memories. Scotland now has a very special place in my heart and I'm so glad I got to experience it this way for the first time.
B
7 Day Best of the West
The 7 day tour with Mark was awesome. We visited a lot of stunning and truly beautiful places and Mark is a very knowledgable, funny and accommodating tour guide who added the icing to the cake (Scitl…The 7 day tour with Mark was awesome. We visited a lot of stunning and truly beautiful places and Mark is a very knowledgable, funny and accommodating tour guide who added the icing to the cake (Scitland). He shared with us some weird and wonderful stories as well as Scotish history and the history of the places we passed and visited. I am forever in love with Scotland and cannot wait to go back. Highly recommended tour.
I have always wanted to travel to Scotland and do a tour of the country, but not being able to drive was holding me back. So I decided to book this tour, based on the reviews, and it certainly was a g…I have always wanted to travel to Scotland and do a tour of the country, but not being able to drive was holding me back. So I decided to book this tour, based on the reviews, and it certainly was a great decision!
The tour was fantastic, the places we visited were breathtaking (the views in the Highlands and island of Skye) and Mark was a great guide. His knowledge about Scotland history and its folk stories is fascinating.
I would highly recommend joining the traditional Scottish dancing night if the opportunity arises.
D
I could recommend the 5 day tour with Mark enough! It was an eye-opening, adventurous, and stunning trip! From ceilidh dancing to hiking in Glencoe and sampling more Whiskey than I care to ever again,…I could recommend the 5 day tour with Mark enough! It was an eye-opening, adventurous, and stunning trip! From ceilidh dancing to hiking in Glencoe and sampling more Whiskey than I care to ever again, my only regret was not buying a cottage in the Highlands so that I could stay in Scotland! Mark was a fantastic, caring and very entertaining guide, you’re lucky if you’re on one of his trips!
7 Day Best of the West
This my second time going on a tour with Mark and he was great both times. He makes sure to tailor each day according to each group he has, and he has so much (fun) knowledge to share.
Mark was awesome!! He definitely molded the 5 day experience to fit our group and was super knowledgeable! Super kind, entertaining and all around a great guide.
The accommodations were okay, some of…Mark was awesome!! He definitely molded the 5 day experience to fit our group and was super knowledgeable! Super kind, entertaining and all around a great guide.
The accommodations were okay, some of the hostels had very limited numbers of toilets/showers.
Overall the tour was a great value and we got to see some awesome things and places!
A
When looking at a trip to Scotland it seemed difficult to get around by myself so I started looking into tours. I came upon MacBackpackers it was highly reviewed and there is good reason! I traveled o…When looking at a trip to Scotland it seemed difficult to get around by myself so I started looking into tours. I came upon MacBackpackers it was highly reviewed and there is good reason! I traveled on the 5 day trip with my sister on the tour and we had the best time! Mark showed us all the top spots to visit, along with some hidden gems and was open to suggestions! He also knew a tremendous amount about the history of Scotland and made sure that we learned the information as well! He gave excellent recommendations whether it was food or activities. He also had an awesome playlist filled with music that all had a Scottish connection. My sister and I really enjoyed all the hikes that were offered throughout the trip! We also loved the opportunity to join in on a Ceilidh, or traditional Scottish dancing at one of our overnight stops! I can not recommend this tour enough, it was fantastic!
R
Mark is an awesome tour guide who never fails to keep the whole group entertained.With all his knowledge in t he history of the Scottish Highlands and his own personal stories, it makes the long bus r…Mark is an awesome tour guide who never fails to keep the whole group entertained.With all his knowledge in t he history of the Scottish Highlands and his own personal stories, it makes the long bus ride seem so much shorter. He also includes himself in interacting with the group. Really fantastic tour guide and would really love to be on another tour with him.
This is a flexible, busy, friendly and fun tour. Scotland is beautiful no matter what tour you go on but I feel this one takes it's time at key spots for you to explore and enjoy. If you have anywhere…This is a flexible, busy, friendly and fun tour. Scotland is beautiful no matter what tour you go on but I feel this one takes it's time at key spots for you to explore and enjoy. If you have anywhere you want to see in particular let the guide know and they will try and incorporate it if possible. Our guide was Mark who was knowledgable, capable and fun - he tells you history and stories as you travel but also handles the logistics of lunch, bathroom stops and where to eat dinner so you always have enough information. He was passionate about showing us how great Scotland was and it makes the tour very special.
I travelled solo as did many on my tour and by Day 2 I felt comfortable chatting to anyone. There was a good mix of ages and nationalities. We were sad to say goodbye by the end!
Some things I would recommend: - Bring walking shoes (they don't have to be expensive, mine were 40 euro) but they give you extra grip when the trails get rocky - Bring a lightweight towel - Bring a water bottle - Bring sunscreen! - Bring earplugs - You can pay extra to stay in your own room but it's way more fun to stay with the group and we were mostly in bed by 11pm so you do get enough sleep. - We were an active group so went on long enough hikes but I went at my own pace and you can stop at any time. Views and camaraderie were equally great so it was worth it.
Lastly, if you have the time do the 5 day or the 7 day tours. You get to see everything at a better pace and the extra time on the islands is absolutely worth it.
I can’t imagine a more Scottish highland experience! Awesome.. well done to our guide Mark!
Being my first time in Scotland, this tour was incredible! We got to see so many things that wouldn’t have been accessible without having to rent a car (and drive on the “wrong” side of the road). The…Being my first time in Scotland, this tour was incredible! We got to see so many things that wouldn’t have been accessible without having to rent a car (and drive on the “wrong” side of the road). The tour was catered to our group and Mark made it a fun and exciting experience (he also has a soothing voice that may or may not put you to sleep - in the best possible way!). Thank you Macbackpackers and Mark for making my time in Scotland a trip I will never forget.
M
Just got back and had the best time. The tour was briljant and I loved it. The only thing I regret is..... that it's over! You see so many beautiful things, get the best hikes and your guide fits eve…Just got back and had the best time. The tour was briljant and I loved it. The only thing I regret is..... that it's over! You see so many beautiful things, get the best hikes and your guide fits everything in with the group. Mark was the best and can drive that bus like crazy! I highly recommend this tour!
P
Great itinerary, very interesting facts and stories told by mark. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Mark was great
Hostel we stayed in was very poor however, only downside
K
An amazing experience you can't find anywhere else! MacBackpackers is unique in that the itinerary is altered depending on the interest of the group. With typically small group sizes you get to kno…An amazing experience you can't find anywhere else! MacBackpackers is unique in that the itinerary is altered depending on the interest of the group. With typically small group sizes you get to know everyone you're travelling with. The guides are knowledgeable and funny and an overall joy to be around. This is one of, if not the best, tour I've ever been on. Highly Recommend the 5-Day trip.
D
Great tour and fantastic guides. Learnt a lot from Mark as he was exceptionally knowledge. Liked the range of different places visited; got a real in depth feel for Scottish history. Also liked the re…Great tour and fantastic guides. Learnt a lot from Mark as he was exceptionally knowledge. Liked the range of different places visited; got a real in depth feel for Scottish history. Also liked the regular stops and opportunities to walk/hike. Would recommend to anyone interested in immersing themselves in a historic and cultural tour of Scotland. Would have preferred more of a selection of cereals at breakfast, however that is my only criticism.
P
Thank you! One of the best tours I have taken.
R
Excellent tour, Mark was a great tour guide with lots of knowledge and a great sense of humour. There wasn’t a dull moment on the trip, the scenery was phenomenal and luckily we had warm weather as a …Excellent tour, Mark was a great tour guide with lots of knowledge and a great sense of humour. There wasn’t a dull moment on the trip, the scenery was phenomenal and luckily we had warm weather as a bonus. If you are contemplating going to Scotland you should 100% go with Macbackpackers!
Cheers Rob
J
Had an awesome time on the 3 Day Isle of Skye tour. We had great weather and I loved that there wasn’t a set itinerary as if you have a dream location or thing you want to tick off your bucket list th…Had an awesome time on the 3 Day Isle of Skye tour. We had great weather and I loved that there wasn’t a set itinerary as if you have a dream location or thing you want to tick off your bucket list they are more than willing to accommodate. Mark has a wealth of knowledge that he shares with the group in an very entertaining way. He is very passionate about Scotland and rightfully so! Thanks Mark and Branka for an amazing start to my holiday
So Mark and Branca were our beautfil tour guides. I honestly can not thank them enough for making our time absolutely magic. My expections of the tour were well exceeded and blown away. Mark and Branc…So Mark and Branca were our beautfil tour guides. I honestly can not thank them enough for making our time absolutely magic. My expections of the tour were well exceeded and blown away. Mark and Branca shared so much knowledge about the land and history, they had so many great stories to tell. At the beginning of the tour I happened to mention to Mark that I am a McLeod and that I had heard my ancestors were from Isle of Skye and Dunvegan. The next day Mark was explaining to us what the plans for the day were, and they had incorporated a detour to Dunvegan to visit the land of the MacLeods and their castle. I was over the moon! These guides will literally go out of their way to make sure everyone has a great experience. Great tour company, awesome tour guides and beautiful locations. Love it all!
H
I am not one to enjoy touristy things, I usually like to wander about and focus on the locals more than the sights. But I wanted to see Scotland and I didn’t know where to start, I am on a several mon…I am not one to enjoy touristy things, I usually like to wander about and focus on the locals more than the sights. But I wanted to see Scotland and I didn’t know where to start, I am on a several month backpacking trip and wanted a break from planning and worrying about timetables, hostel bookings, etc. This tour was perfect for that!
We definitely hit up classic tourist spots and such, but we also got out into nature and saw some really cool (and I think) unique things. I loved the hikes we did and the towns we stopped in.
My tour guide was Mark, and wowzah, he is a WONDERFUL guide. The driving time was amazing, because we got to sit and look out the window and listen to Mark tell stories of Scottish history. He is most definitely the best storyteller I’ve ever had the privilege of listening to and I know everyone on the bus enjoyed his stories as well. He is also obviously experienced and knowledgeable in what he is doing- I never felt unsure or anything of that sort with him leading. A good leader, indeed. Additionally, what we wanted was taken into account. We were given options on what to do everyday and that was different than I expected, but a cool twist to have for the tour, and I think we had better experiences as a group because of it.
If you’re looking to have a fantastic guided tour with lots of good food, laughter, walking, and choices, this is perfect for you. Oh, and did I mention laughing? There is plenty of that.
100% recommended.
S
Hands down the best tour I’ve ever been on! Mark was fun, encouraging and sincere and made sure we had the best time even in the worst of weather! I have not a single complaint about our tour!! So won…Hands down the best tour I’ve ever been on! Mark was fun, encouraging and sincere and made sure we had the best time even in the worst of weather! I have not a single complaint about our tour!! So wonderful!!!!
It was amazing! Mark was fantastic, knowledgable and made sure we had the best experience possible. Highly recommend! Next time I'll do the 7 day trip and will bring some friends. Keep up the good wor…It was amazing! Mark was fantastic, knowledgable and made sure we had the best experience possible. Highly recommend! Next time I'll do the 7 day trip and will bring some friends. Keep up the good work! (The hostels were also pretty good, although one of them could be a bit cleaner).
I have just returned from the 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling tour led by the amazing Mark and I could not have had a better time. Mark was so great about working in what we wanted to do (everything from …I have just returned from the 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling tour led by the amazing Mark and I could not have had a better time. Mark was so great about working in what we wanted to do (everything from dinosaur footprints to coffee stops haha), our schedule was never rigid and we were given as much or as little time we needed at every stop. This tour is a great mix of easy sight seeing, more active hiking (though it is not anything too difficult and you can always choose to do as little or as much as you like, one lady had a bad ankle but she was completely fine with all the walks we did), culture and history. Mark had such enthusiasm for story telling and I enjoyed his personal anecdotes as much as the history and legends!
It was a social tour without the kind of party culture I would associate with other tour companies, which is exactly what I was looking for. Travelling in a mini bus with the smaller group of 11 meant we could access places a larger bus couldn't, which was great. I'm sure I can speak for the entire bus when I say we had a fabulously fun time and I would 200% recommend a tour with MacBackpackers!
The tour was amazing! Mark was an amazing story teller & full of history. We got to see some beautiful country and the only downside was I didn't go on the longer tour! I love how the activities were …The tour was amazing! Mark was an amazing story teller & full of history. We got to see some beautiful country and the only downside was I didn't go on the longer tour! I love how the activities were interchangeable depending on what the group felt like and what weather permitted. Such a great time. Definitely will be joining the longer tour next time!
C
Mark is really professional and responsible. If the ltinerary can have two days in skye,it would be perfect,
I thoroughly enjoyed this whole tour! Mark is an excellent guide who knows an unbelievable amount of history and has endless stories about Scotland and the Highlands. There was a perfect mix of hiking…I thoroughly enjoyed this whole tour! Mark is an excellent guide who knows an unbelievable amount of history and has endless stories about Scotland and the Highlands. There was a perfect mix of hiking and sightseeing. He accommodated everyone's requests and bucketlist items. This was a truly unforgettable trip and I would recommend MacBackpackers to anyone who wants to really see Scotland! Thank you!!
Mark is an amazing being. It’s just amazing how much does he know about the highlands and Scotland in general. I am definitely coming to Scotland to do a 7 day tour with macbackpackers (especially wit…Mark is an amazing being. It’s just amazing how much does he know about the highlands and Scotland in general. I am definitely coming to Scotland to do a 7 day tour with macbackpackers (especially with Mark). Mark is a top lad. Very accomadating. The guest house at Cael Akin was really cozy. The places that we visited in the 3 days were more than I expected to. Way more value than the money that’s being paid.
PS:- I don’t do reviews but this tour and Mark especially made me do it. Definitely recommending it to everyone.
L
An amazing experience with an amazing tour guide! Loved the entire thing!!
M
Loved everything and Mark was fantastic!!! Thanks heaps :)
M
It was an incredible experience. Mark was a great guide; informative, friendly and extremely fun. I left Scotland knowing that one day I will return. Thank you!
T
We loved Mark! He has an amazing voice that leaves you dreaming about all the stories of history and of mystical beings while enjoying the amazing views of Scotland.
It was amazing! I really liked it and will definitely do it again for 5 days. Mark is great! he is so helpful and informative, he makes a lot of fun and tells us about everyplace we went to including …It was amazing! I really liked it and will definitely do it again for 5 days. Mark is great! he is so helpful and informative, he makes a lot of fun and tells us about everyplace we went to including stories and history. The people I met are lovely and it was a very nice group t travel with. Isle of Sky is breathtaking.
Thank you Mark for making this trip a one to remember!! :D
S
This was an amazing tour, we managed to see so much in the three days. Our tour guide Mark was very entertaining and insightful. I highly recommend this trip if you are in Edinburgh.
R
It was fantastic few days.
6 Night Hogmanay Hootenanny (Package 1)
such a great tour , my favourite by far ! a very goos way to see the country
Loved the tour! So many great memories and great people! Mark is AWESOME!!!
C
The best tour I’ve ever been on! I use this tour with Mark as a benchmark for other tours and no one has ever come close to how amazing this tour was or how incredible Mark is as a guide!
O
Our group enjoyed a fantastic experience with Mark being in charge.Immense amount of knowledge, great fun; overall a top service!
M
I've had so much fun, seen so many beautiful places and met so many wonderful people from all over the world, including our guide Mark. He was brilliant and hilarious and thanks to him I have learnt s…I've had so much fun, seen so many beautiful places and met so many wonderful people from all over the world, including our guide Mark. He was brilliant and hilarious and thanks to him I have learnt so much about the history of Scotland. Thank you macbackpackers for this wonderful experience!
N
Worth every penny. The trip was truly one in a million and we didn’t know it was possible to do so many things in 3 days! Skye is a beautiful Isle with so much to give and we felt lucky to be able to …Worth every penny. The trip was truly one in a million and we didn’t know it was possible to do so many things in 3 days! Skye is a beautiful Isle with so much to give and we felt lucky to be able to see and do what we did. We particularly enjoyed the hike up to Old Man of Storr, the Fairy Pools, Fairy Glen and the lochs. Our tour guide is incredible and was very informative, funny and a credit to MacBackPackers. He is a wonderful guy and he really made the tour as great as it was. To Mark - thanks for keeping Luke company whilst being the only guy on the tour! And thanks for grabbing our neck pillow from the minibus!!!!
All in all, an absolutely one in a million experience that has made us see Scotland with new eyes! Thank you! <3
It has been such a wonderful trip to the highlands. I have never experienced such wonderful storieteling from a guide. Mark knew everything and told us rich history and beautiful folktakes. The group …It has been such a wonderful trip to the highlands. I have never experienced such wonderful storieteling from a guide. Mark knew everything and told us rich history and beautiful folktakes. The group was fun, the hikes where amazing and the accomodation very cosy and cute. I could let go of all the hustle from home and just be there in the nature. Even in winter the collors of the heather, water and stone were vibrant and stunning. I lost my heart to the highlands of scotland and certainly will return.
We chose the three day Isle of Skye tour and it was one of the best breaks that we have been on! Mark was our guide and he was a pleasure to listen to, he is great at telling stories and constantly h…We chose the three day Isle of Skye tour and it was one of the best breaks that we have been on! Mark was our guide and he was a pleasure to listen to, he is great at telling stories and constantly had us laughing. He also made a real effort to talk to everyone and get to know us all and find out what we really wanted to see or do on the trip, which we really appreciated. He had excellent knowledge of everywhere we visited (and even things not on the itinerary) and adjusted the tour according to things like where we could get the best views and pictures with the weather conditions (because it was snowing when we went).
We stayed on the Isle of Skye for two nights and it was lovely there. The hostel itself was lovely. It was clean, cosy and comfortable. They provide you with breakfast, tea and coffee etc. We ate out both night in a local pub where the locals are very friendly and seem to welcome tourists, but there is the option to buy food and cook it at the hostel as well.
Overall, Mark was wonderful and there wasn't a bad moment on this trip. The money you pay for the trip is beyond worth the experiences you have. Thanks MacBackpackers!!
This tour was AMAZING. I definitely recommend it to everyone, the itinerary was flexible, Mark was a fantastic and funny guide and the Isle of Skye was simply breathtaking. I enjoyed it so much I alre…This tour was AMAZING. I definitely recommend it to everyone, the itinerary was flexible, Mark was a fantastic and funny guide and the Isle of Skye was simply breathtaking. I enjoyed it so much I already started missing the places we visited after the second day. This tour made me fall completely in love with the Highlands and I’ll definitely be back for more, it was so beautiful!
E
Great tour of not only the Isle of Skye, as mentioned in the tour name, but also the rest of Scotland itself! Mark was a very entertaining and captivating storyteller keeping you interested in what he…Great tour of not only the Isle of Skye, as mentioned in the tour name, but also the rest of Scotland itself! Mark was a very entertaining and captivating storyteller keeping you interested in what he was saying throughout the entire 3 day trip. Stops were also flexible which was also a plus because if you saw something you wanted to take a closer look at it would be no problem to pull over. Overall a great tour and would definitely recommend to a friend!
A
Honestly the Isle of Skye is something that you need to experience to believe, it’s truly magical and overwhelmingly beautiful. Our guide Mark! who is a natural storyteller made it very entertaining &…Honestly the Isle of Skye is something that you need to experience to believe, it’s truly magical and overwhelmingly beautiful. Our guide Mark! who is a natural storyteller made it very entertaining & fun with his tales of history, the landscape & folklore even his commentary & tangents just make me laugh or smile throughout the time we had. Macbackpackers offer a fantastic way to see a glimpse of what Scotland has to offer. Thanks Macbackpackers & thank you Mark!
N
The tour exceeded all expectations I had before we left.
We heard amazing things from family who have taken the tour before, but nothing could prepare us for the amazing trip we had.
Mark was AMAZ…The tour exceeded all expectations I had before we left.
We heard amazing things from family who have taken the tour before, but nothing could prepare us for the amazing trip we had.
Mark was AMAZING! The best tour guide I’ve ever experienced. His stories were factual, fun and very very entertaining. He made history exciting and gave us all the information about the places we visited in a way that made you not want him to stop talking.
The music he played on the bus in between the stories was super entertaining, and mark made sure everything was always fun.
The isle of skye is something that you need to experience to believe, it’s truly magical and almost overwhelmingly beautiful. The photos taken can’t capture the sheer beauty.
We already want to come back for more again and again!
Thank you Macbackpackers & thank you Mark! Your passion and love for Scotland comes through in everything you do & you really are in the exact right job for you!
B
Mark our tour guide was the highlight of the trip, his amazing knowledge of the history as you adventure through the amazing highlands was incredible. His story telling was humorous and modern about t…Mark our tour guide was the highlight of the trip, his amazing knowledge of the history as you adventure through the amazing highlands was incredible. His story telling was humorous and modern about the history and honestly made the tour amazing. Highly recommend doing the tour if you want to see the beautiful highlands, narrated by an amazing tour guide, who will give you so much history about it all. Mark was 10/5 and i can't thank him enough. Thank you Mark and Macbackpackers
D
The tour was amazing.Mark is an interesting and amazingly funny guy. Would love to join the tour again and that too for 5 or 7 days trip
O
Great way of story telling, entertained throughout!!
Incredible amount of amazing locations packed into the short amount of time!
10/10
W
The trip was terrific!! The view was epic!! Love love love our tourguide!! Can't imagine how can someone be this patient, humorous, funny, he made everything different!! This was actually my very firs…The trip was terrific!! The view was epic!! Love love love our tourguide!! Can't imagine how can someone be this patient, humorous, funny, he made everything different!! This was actually my very first trip joining a group. Used to tend to travel by myself. Didn't expect that there would be introductions, stories, great great strories. Mark literally made me like Highland and Isle of Skye!! Would definitely join Macbackpacker again if there would be a chance!!
B
Best week of my life! Had an absolutely amazing time and fell in love with Scotland and it’s history! Mark was a fantastic guide and a natural storyteller!
D
10/10 REACHED expectations! Mark was an absolutely fantastic guide and an even better storyteller! There is literally no better way to do such a beautiful and magical place such as Scotland than with …10/10 REACHED expectations! Mark was an absolutely fantastic guide and an even better storyteller! There is literally no better way to do such a beautiful and magical place such as Scotland than with an amazing Scottish man telling you stories about Giants and Faeries along the way! definitely saw so many things that I wouldn't even have thought to look for and got to learn all the history and folklore!
We missed the main highlights of isle of skye unfortunately due to storm on the third day during our 5 days highlands tour. But thanks to Mark, we still had an enjoyable trip. He recounted Scottish hi…We missed the main highlights of isle of skye unfortunately due to storm on the third day during our 5 days highlands tour. But thanks to Mark, we still had an enjoyable trip. He recounted Scottish history and story of Kings, had a good taste for Scot music and brought us to alternative point of interests. Really satisfied with this bus tour which is different from the other bus tour; this is truly our own tour. We will go again with Macbackpackers to see the main highlights we missed this time.
Last review did not go through properly in terms of rating so I'm doing another one. MacBackpackers was awesome. 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling was amazing. Our tour guide/driver/storyteller extraordi…Last review did not go through properly in terms of rating so I'm doing another one. MacBackpackers was awesome. 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling was amazing. Our tour guide/driver/storyteller extraordinaire, Mark, really made the trip. He did everything he could to hit all the top places and even shout outs to stop for the Hairy Coos. Ha. The group made it so much fun as well. I lucked out in stumbling upon MacBackpackers and would definitely do it again.
A
Awesome trip through Scotland! Mark took us to many places, several of which would’ve been difficult to find solo. Even more importantly, he explained the history behind each location as well as the h…Awesome trip through Scotland! Mark took us to many places, several of which would’ve been difficult to find solo. Even more importantly, he explained the history behind each location as well as the history of Scotland in general. In general he was very interactive, flexible, and has a great sense of humor; It honestly felt like he was part of the group not just the guide.
We took several small hikes which sparked my interest in coming back to Scotland for a few bigger hikes because the terrain and the views were incredible (even with the clouds and rain at times). I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone remotely interested in Scotland and its history.
D
You will not be disappointed - tour with Mark and MacBackpackers is a must do during your time in Scotland!
?
Amazing experience! I’m so happy I ventured into the beautiful Scottish highlands with Mark and MacBackpackers! Absolutely stunning views with brilliantly prepared stories of history and folklore. You…Amazing experience! I’m so happy I ventured into the beautiful Scottish highlands with Mark and MacBackpackers! Absolutely stunning views with brilliantly prepared stories of history and folklore. You will not be disappointed!
T
Amazing tour though the highlands, got to go to places we never would have seen if traveling on our own. Great way to meet fellow solo travelers. Our tour guide Mark was excellent at telling Scottish …Amazing tour though the highlands, got to go to places we never would have seen if traveling on our own. Great way to meet fellow solo travelers. Our tour guide Mark was excellent at telling Scottish history and tales in an entertaining and hilarious way. Would highly recommend!
?
This is by far the best tour I've ever been on, and our guide Mark (along with all the amazing people I met!!) was a huge part of that! He really went above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy …This is by far the best tour I've ever been on, and our guide Mark (along with all the amazing people I met!!) was a huge part of that! He really went above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy and got their special Scotland experiences - like selfies with hairy coos and seeing the Jacobite steam train as it crossed the Viaduct. This was a no regrets tour, we did everything on the itinerary and more! I couldn't be happier and will recommend macbackpackers every time :)
M
I am so happy I stumbled across this tour. I cannot recommend Macbackpackers enough or our tour guide Mark. He is passionate about his beautiful country, an excellent story teller with reeeeaaalllly g…I am so happy I stumbled across this tour. I cannot recommend Macbackpackers enough or our tour guide Mark. He is passionate about his beautiful country, an excellent story teller with reeeeaaalllly good humour, has a wealth of knowledge to share, and took us to some neat places that are hidden away. The tour itself was great. My friend and I were debating renting a car and going on our own, but we would`ve missed out on so much rich history, unique sights, and new friendships. Travelling with a youthful group made the journey a fun adventure and an exciting way to create shared memories. This particular tour is a fantastic way to cover much of Scotland, including a full day on Skye. It was everything I was hoping for. I look forward to my next opportunity to travel with Macbackpackers again.
A friend of mine did a tour with MacBackpackers last fall and suggested I check it out. I'm so glad I did - this was hands down the best group tour I've ever been on. Absolutely fell in love with the …A friend of mine did a tour with MacBackpackers last fall and suggested I check it out. I'm so glad I did - this was hands down the best group tour I've ever been on. Absolutely fell in love with the highlands. The accommodation was always comfortable, every day had a good balance of activities/sights/downtime, and Mark is just fantastic. I learned (and laughed) so much from his stories about Scottish culture and history. He really knows his stuff! And he's a genuinely nice person, always making sure everyone is having a good time. Lovely bunch of people as well - I was travelling solo but I made so many new friends on this trip. Can't wait to return to Scotland for a 7-day tour with MacBackpackers as soon as I can! Cannot recommend enough.
E
Really enjoyed the 5 day tour. Mark was an excellent guide. His knowledge and stories were great. Never felt rushed at any of the many places we explored. Even when the weather was poor, Mark made sur…Really enjoyed the 5 day tour. Mark was an excellent guide. His knowledge and stories were great. Never felt rushed at any of the many places we explored. Even when the weather was poor, Mark made sure we still did as much as possible.
?
Best tour I've done!! Mark is such a great guide, super knowledgable, funny, and patient, should definitely have a career in reading audio books as well. Amazing sights and a great hostel in a lovely …Best tour I've done!! Mark is such a great guide, super knowledgable, funny, and patient, should definitely have a career in reading audio books as well. Amazing sights and a great hostel in a lovely town. Highly highly recommend!
J
Mark was an absolutely remarkable guide. Super personable, informed, and a stellar driver. Our 3 days traveling to and from Skye have been some of our best in Scotland — would recommend to absolutely …Mark was an absolutely remarkable guide. Super personable, informed, and a stellar driver. Our 3 days traveling to and from Skye have been some of our best in Scotland — would recommend to absolutely anyone with time to spare.
Honestly this was such an amazing, unforgettable experience. Mark and his glorious beard showed us breathtaking places and told us so many great stories! I will cary these memories to my grave and I c…Honestly this was such an amazing, unforgettable experience. Mark and his glorious beard showed us breathtaking places and told us so many great stories! I will cary these memories to my grave and I couldn’t be happier to have chosen this tour.
L
An amazing weekend tour filled with history, culture, and nature! Would recommend to anyone and everyone!
A
Amazing tour and guide.
A
Had such a good few days, Mark was a brilliant guide - funny, friendly, knew everything about history in Scotland so was really interesting! Loved it
7 Day Best of the West
What an experience! Let's be honest, in the 24 hours before our tour left I was thinking "maybe we should have done the 5 day tour...what if it's awful and we're stuck for 7 days...7 days can be a.lon…What an experience! Let's be honest, in the 24 hours before our tour left I was thinking "maybe we should have done the 5 day tour...what if it's awful and we're stuck for 7 days...7 days can be a.long.time." Thankfully, within the first couple of hours of getting on our bus, meeting our group/awesome guide Mark, and crossing into the beautiful Highlands, those thoughts totally disappeared! We covered a lot of ground in one week, and I can't imagine having gone for any less! We had a fairly small group of 10, which was conducive to really experiencing things together rather than individually. The landscape and history of Scotland is impossible not to enjoy and fall in love with, and I always felt safe (in transport, accommodations, on some very windy "wee" hill climbs, etc...). I also appreciated that we had freedom to choose quite a few of our activities and tailor the week to really get the most out of it. I would go back in a second! Lastly, our guide Mark was a huge part of what made our week a great one- his humor, knowledge, and reverence for the places/people we were encountering were a gift. Thanks Macbackpackers for some incredible memories!
Amazing tour and Mark made it all the more enjoyable!
The best tour I have ever experienced in my life, highly recommended, worth every penny. The three days journey was awesome! Our guide, Mark is incredibly kind, funny, and best of all he is a fantasti…The best tour I have ever experienced in my life, highly recommended, worth every penny. The three days journey was awesome! Our guide, Mark is incredibly kind, funny, and best of all he is a fantastic storyteller, every station we passed through always have stories (and the funny catches side of it), truly amazing! I'll come back for another tour for sure :) Thanks MacBackpacker and Mark for this unforgettable lifetime tour!
C
Everything and everyone are perfect. Best tour I ever had and it won’t be as excellent as it has been without the magical voice and overrated sense of humor of Mark! Top of it the astonishing beauty o…Everything and everyone are perfect. Best tour I ever had and it won’t be as excellent as it has been without the magical voice and overrated sense of humor of Mark! Top of it the astonishing beauty of Scotland and the outstanding story telling of Mark about the history of each places we’ve been for 3 days tour of Isle of Skye. I will definitely recommend this tour to my friends. Excelente! Keep up the good work x
J
This was an awesome tour, got out and explored the highlands and Skye catching all the visible sites. Mark never ends the day on time which means you get a few extra minutes to explore everywhere you …This was an awesome tour, got out and explored the highlands and Skye catching all the visible sites. Mark never ends the day on time which means you get a few extra minutes to explore everywhere you go. The itinerary changed in accordance with the weather so we saw unexpected things which were amazingly beautiful. All around, funny, fun, fantastic tour. Made great friends, learnt heaps and laughed with (at) Mark on his Isle of Skye tour of free toilets!
?
Amazing landscapes and Mark is an excellent guide who know a lot of things about Scotland. I really enjoyed this three days trip. Thank you!
A
This was a great tour! Mark was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. The itinerary was good and Mark adapted it to what the group wanted. It was the best three days of our Scotland trip, and I w…This was a great tour! Mark was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. The itinerary was good and Mark adapted it to what the group wanted. It was the best three days of our Scotland trip, and I would absolutely go on another Macbackpackers tour if I got the chance!
7 Day Best of the West
This is one of the best tours I have ever decided to take. The history was well told - Mark has an amazing story telling voice and I loved the way he told the stories - and it was incredible to hear t…This is one of the best tours I have ever decided to take. The history was well told - Mark has an amazing story telling voice and I loved the way he told the stories - and it was incredible to hear the stories and see the places that people lived, battled, and explored. I loved that we had options to stop if we really wanted to see something. The Black House was my favorite place as it allowed myself and the other tour-people the time and space needed to bond, laugh, drink, and eat together which made the rest of the tour even better. I will recommend Macbackpackers to anyone and everyone I know who is thinking about going to Scotland. It was amazing to go to places that I would never have been when traveling alone, or if I had to drive. I cannot say enough positive things about this company and my guide so I will stop here with: THANK YOU for making the end of my time in Scotland phenominal!
A
7 Day Best of the West
Basically an absolutely cracking tour
"Smile because it happened"
We were met with Mark who straight away made jokes and slight ridicule ultimately leading to wads of laughter which continued throug…Basically an absolutely cracking tour
"Smile because it happened"
We were met with Mark who straight away made jokes and slight ridicule ultimately leading to wads of laughter which continued throughout the tour. Every day was great. Our trip was a perfect mix of culture, history, castles and breathtaking landscapes with hiking trails. It was fantastic to have been a part of such an amazing and diverse group of lovely/daft folk from all over the world.
It's also been an absolute joy to be reacquainted with some dear friends, breathtaking and enchanting places, while discovering and exploring new ones. Thanks to Mark's knowledge we created countless unforgettable moments, heard cracking stories on history & folklore, jokes and a great selection of music.
Thanks definitely making memories for life!! Looking forward to the next trip with Macbackpackers
7 Day Best of the West
Mark was my favorite part of this trip! His stories, humor and historical knowledge were fabulous! Thank you so much Mark for all of your entertainment!
I didn’t know much about Scotland before going on this tour but I feel like now I can give several great fun facts to friends and family!
T
A fantastic tour! Mark was friendly, funny, and extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour to anyone looking for adventure and a great time.
Tyson.
G
7 Day Best of the West
It was an amazing 7 day tour along with our guide Mark who actually knows how to pass all the information needed and historical facts! I had a great time and I highly recommend it without any doubt!…It was an amazing 7 day tour along with our guide Mark who actually knows how to pass all the information needed and historical facts! I had a great time and I highly recommend it without any doubt!!
?
Amazing tour. Amazing guide. Amazing Scotland!
T
This was the first time I have ever done a back packing trip let alone with MacBackpackers. I loved it, Mark was knowledgeable, funny and kept us entertained and laughed right along with us. He made u…This was the first time I have ever done a back packing trip let alone with MacBackpackers. I loved it, Mark was knowledgeable, funny and kept us entertained and laughed right along with us. He made us feel like family and showed us the beauty of the highlands. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the beauty and hidden gems of Scotland. It made my trip so much more enjoyable. I would and have been recommending this to all my friends and family since I have returned home. It was a once in a lifetime trip I wouldn’t mind doing twice.
Mark is amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better guide! We had a wonderful time on our tour, can’t wait to come back to Scotland!
C
Mark was absolutely excellent and really took this trip to the next level. The beauty and magnificence of the Highlands blew my mind and was only enriched by the fascinating and funny stories told so …Mark was absolutely excellent and really took this trip to the next level. The beauty and magnificence of the Highlands blew my mind and was only enriched by the fascinating and funny stories told so ardently by Mark. His passion and appreciation for Scotland is contagious and if you are traveling independently don't worry, you will soon feel part of your own little travelling clan! The shared accommodation could have been a little comfier but after a full day of activities and fun including hiking, sightseeing, and ceilidh dancing I was ready to get my head down. I would highly recommend this tour if you want to see a lot of Scotland, meet people and see the rugged beauty of the landscape. Mark is an outstanding guide, so knowledgeable, enthusiastic and I especially loved his Scottish musical soundtrack to match the surroundings. Thank you and until next time!
The tour was fantastic. Mark was down to Earth, hilarious, and taught us the history of Scotland while we were seeing each place. Great way to see the whole country in a short amount of time. Everyone…The tour was fantastic. Mark was down to Earth, hilarious, and taught us the history of Scotland while we were seeing each place. Great way to see the whole country in a short amount of time. Everyone bonded and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
This is the second time I’ve been on tour with MacBackpackers and once again it was amazing! (I cannot say I’m surprised...)
Our 3-day trip to Skye was super fun and care-free - the perfect combinati…This is the second time I’ve been on tour with MacBackpackers and once again it was amazing! (I cannot say I’m surprised...)
Our 3-day trip to Skye was super fun and care-free - the perfect combination of exploring the great outdoors & chilling on the bus between stops enjoying Marks witty master classes about Scotland new and old (not to mention his singing/banter/driving skills).
What a way to discover Scotland’s hidden jems, make new friends and have an awesome time!
I cannot recommend enough that you get in there and BOOK NOW! DO IT, AND TAKE ME WITH YOU!
I'd never done a tour before this one so I guess I don't have much of a reference point, however I found the experience really enjoyable! We got some great hiking in that was actually a bit challengin…I'd never done a tour before this one so I guess I don't have much of a reference point, however I found the experience really enjoyable! We got some great hiking in that was actually a bit challenging at times, which I was thrilled about. Mark was super knowledgeable and friendly. I'm definitely going to be coming back to the highlands again!
C
Mark was fantastic! Loved listening to every word he said while on the tour! He made this an enjoyable experience for me and all of my Stout classmates! Thanks from America!
-Casey, one very satis…Mark was fantastic! Loved listening to every word he said while on the tour! He made this an enjoyable experience for me and all of my Stout classmates! Thanks from America!
-Casey, one very satisfied customer
My boyfriend and I booked this tour after I had previously heard about it from staying the Castle Rock Hostel. It was absolutely the highlight of our 2 and 1/2 week trip in the UK. Mark and Stewart we…My boyfriend and I booked this tour after I had previously heard about it from staying the Castle Rock Hostel. It was absolutely the highlight of our 2 and 1/2 week trip in the UK. Mark and Stewart were both great! Mark had us rolling with laughter in the first 15 minutes and Stewart was super knowledgeable about the history, particularly Jacobite history which I loved. In the end, my boyfriend and I actually got engaged on the tour during one of the hikes. I can't thank Mark and Stewart (who knew about it) more for not making a big show of it! Additionally, their kindness and expertise made it the trip of a lifetime! Can't wait to join Macbackpackers again as soon as I can!
Had an amazing time! Great views and lots of information! Had lots of fun
M
The flexibility afforded to the group by the tour guide to select options for sightseeing and the amazing knowledge of the guide. Second the absolutely beautiful scenery of Skye
C
Mark did an amazing job as our guide for the 5 day tour! He did a very good job in incorporating everyone's tastes into the itinerary of the trip. I especially loved the stories of the Jacobites. M…Mark did an amazing job as our guide for the 5 day tour! He did a very good job in incorporating everyone's tastes into the itinerary of the trip. I especially loved the stories of the Jacobites. Mark made the history very engaging as he told stories by adding personal touches as well as humour! All the places we visited were beautiful and filled with history. I would definitely come back again and had a perfect time!
D
Can't recommend this tour enough!
We did the 3 day Isle of Skye Tour with Mark as our tour guide and he was brilliant; so knowledgable, hilarious and his stories about Scotland's history were inform…Can't recommend this tour enough!
We did the 3 day Isle of Skye Tour with Mark as our tour guide and he was brilliant; so knowledgable, hilarious and his stories about Scotland's history were informative and engaging. He was approachable, patient and ensured each tour group members questions/queries were addressed. The best tour guide I've ever had. Nothing was ever too much, and always had a smile on his face! The snippets of Scotland music, in all its forms, were a particular highlight for the bus journeys
The tour covered a lot of items on our sightseeing list, without feeling rushed. Yes you will spend a bit of time on the bus (its a fair drive from Edinburgh to Skye), but there was plenty of places to stop along the way and there is an abundance of scenery that makes the journey so enjoyable! There was a good amount of time for each of the activities we did, and I loved the flexibility of the itinerary depending on the weather/ the preferences of the people on the bus. We did one coastal walk in particular in Isle of Skye that was an absolute highlight, so stunning! The bus was modern and well equiped with AC when the days would get a bit warm, and very comfortable and spacious to travel in.
Accom was basic, as was the included breakfast which is to be expected and it was perfectly fine for such a short tour and value for money.
Macbackpackers were great with communication, and everything ran very smoothly and was well organised. Would definitely recommend if you're considering a trip, and looking at doing another in the future :)
D
Had an awesome time on this tour! This is a short tour considering how far you travel and the itinerary is tight, with good reason - it's a great way to pack in the key sights but anyone not expecting…Had an awesome time on this tour! This is a short tour considering how far you travel and the itinerary is tight, with good reason - it's a great way to pack in the key sights but anyone not expecting to be on a bus for a long time on travel days is kidding themselves. It was perfect for our limited time in Scotland.
The bus was great, accommodation and breakfast included was basic but for the price it is to be expected and was absolutely fine.
Our tour guide Mark was brilliant, probably the best guide I've ever had on a tour. He was humorous, incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. When certain overly touristy destinations were too busy, Mark always had a backup plan which resulted in seeing some stunning scenery and hikes with few people around; we never felt like we missed out on anything and in fact felt grateful we had a guide that was able to take us to equally amazing sights that weren't well known.
There were enough stops along the way and Marks' stories helped make the long bus rides feel short. Would definitely recommend.
L
looking at the scenery and getting told about the history
T
Good trip but last day we saw a little monuments only one. All day we were sit in the bus.
Y
Fantastic and excellent trip! Enjoy to listen our tour guide explain all the history and also the music.
Y
It’s really a fantastic tour for my trip. Enjoy to hear our tour guide Mark talking about all the history. It’s really worth
M
Guide (Mark) was great - funny and knowledgeable. Bus was nice and comfortable. Route and scenery was superb.
I was a bit sad I didn't get to see several spots on the itinerary (especially Doune cast…Guide (Mark) was great - funny and knowledgeable. Bus was nice and comfortable. Route and scenery was superb.
I was a bit sad I didn't get to see several spots on the itinerary (especially Doune castle), but overall the trip was nice. I really liked the hike to Brothers' point.
Accomodation was quite nice (comfortable beds), but unfortunately the room assignment was non-negotiable. We were a group of five friends, but have booked separately and we were split into three rooms. Maybe it could have been arranged beforehand, but we didn't expect the need :(
Our guide Mark was hilarious! Great trip, beautiful place
Mark was fantastic! Telling us all about the Isle of skye and surrounds as well as tones of thing you wanted to know and so much you wouldnt even know to ask about. Favorite stop (Brothers point/faeri…Mark was fantastic! Telling us all about the Isle of skye and surrounds as well as tones of thing you wanted to know and so much you wouldnt even know to ask about. Favorite stop (Brothers point/faerie pools)
When you book this trip you will have a great time in Schotland. Mark truely loves his work and puts his heart into it to make sure everyone has an amazing time. The way he tells about the history gre…When you book this trip you will have a great time in Schotland. Mark truely loves his work and puts his heart into it to make sure everyone has an amazing time. The way he tells about the history greatly sparked my interested and he was able to answer all the questions I had which greatly added to my experience. We visited numerous different places, from towns, to a distillery, to castles, and nice hikes. All of which came with a great story. The tour is worth every penny! Thanks again Mark!
Excellent trip, great country. Will defo come back!
T
I did the 5 day tour to the Highlnds and Skye with Mark.The rides are incredible and Mark is really the REAL DEAL. With his captivating and funny way he managed to make us understand and appreciate th…I did the 5 day tour to the Highlnds and Skye with Mark.The rides are incredible and Mark is really the REAL DEAL. With his captivating and funny way he managed to make us understand and appreciate the stories of this wonderful land. Our days together were like a SUPER VOLCANO erupting: lots of laughs, lots of culture and lots of stories to tell. In addition, Mark took us along wonderful trails and made each one of us feel at home.
E
I have seen the most beautifull places, Scotland is absolutely stunning. Mark the guide was very kind and had the most amazing stories. The variety between the time on the bus and the time of the bus …I have seen the most beautifull places, Scotland is absolutely stunning. Mark the guide was very kind and had the most amazing stories. The variety between the time on the bus and the time of the bus where good. Thereby i enjoyed the time on the bus as well, the views, music and stories from mark made it very worthwhile. Would absolutely recommend this tour!
This tour was absolutely AMAZING. I came on this tour originally just because it convientently fit into my schedule, but I could not be more satisfied with the results. I now know more about Scotland …This tour was absolutely AMAZING. I came on this tour originally just because it convientently fit into my schedule, but I could not be more satisfied with the results. I now know more about Scotland and its history and sights than I ever could have imagined. Thanks to Mark for being an awesome guide and making everything so entertaining! I hope to make my way back to Scotland soon!!
?
The tour was great from start to finish. You can never underestimate the power of a great tour guide. Mark was fantastic. The love he has for his country shows and he makes you love it too. I apprecia…The tour was great from start to finish. You can never underestimate the power of a great tour guide. Mark was fantastic. The love he has for his country shows and he makes you love it too. I appreciated all the great stories and history he shared. It was great to learn more about my heritage. Scotland is a beautiful place! The nature and scenery of the Highlands make it worth the visit.
Ken Rooney
?
Mark made the tour incredible. Loved his knowledge of Scotland. His stories were entertaining and engaging. The activities on the tour were fun and challenging. I definitely wish I had more time on th…Mark made the tour incredible. Loved his knowledge of Scotland. His stories were entertaining and engaging. The activities on the tour were fun and challenging. I definitely wish I had more time on the tour to see more of Scotland!!!!
LOVE THIS TOUR!! This is my 3rd time with MacBackpackers and they never disappoints me! I just keep coming back for longer-day tours! Mark is brilliant! So knowledgeable. I enjoyed all the historical …LOVE THIS TOUR!! This is my 3rd time with MacBackpackers and they never disappoints me! I just keep coming back for longer-day tours! Mark is brilliant! So knowledgeable. I enjoyed all the historical stories he told us. He's also very funny. I can't tell which guide is funnier, Richard (the tour guide from my last tour) or him. I'm sure I will be back to attend another tour. No doubt!
R
The tour is nothing without a fantastic leader. Our guide Mark from Mac Backpackers was truely unique in a way that he could tell long stories in a witty and informative manner. Furthermore I never en…The tour is nothing without a fantastic leader. Our guide Mark from Mac Backpackers was truely unique in a way that he could tell long stories in a witty and informative manner. Furthermore I never encountered a problem of any kind throughout the entire trip.
For me personally it was a good way to get to know Scotland, its culture and especially the landscape it has to offer. Our Guide also offered us the oppurtunity to choose between multiple activities. So not the itinerary decided our faith but the possibility to choose the right activity according to the current weather condition did.
Finally there is nothing else left for me to say but to highly recommend this tour and especially Mark as your guide (P.S. don't ask him what skirt he is wearing).
I had an amazing time! Mark our guide/fearless leader was very entertaining, extremely knowledgable, approachable, and did everything he could to make sure we had a great experience. I asked him to ta…I had an amazing time! Mark our guide/fearless leader was very entertaining, extremely knowledgable, approachable, and did everything he could to make sure we had a great experience. I asked him to take us to a place that was not on the itinerary and he researched and made it possible for us to go. Mark has a contagious passion for Scottish history, folklore and nature. He is what makes this tour so special! I would go back just to be able to hear his stories again. We spent more time off the bus than on the bus. This tour is for a bit more open minded travelers that understand the limitations of traveling on a budget. Hostels are hostels so don't expect 4 stars just make do. The food/pub locations Mark reccomended were awesome! I chose Macbackpackers because it is not a massive corparite company and you really feel like you are a part of a group. I would go back 100% ! Thank you!!!!
5 day tour April 2nd 2018.
Having Mark as a tourguide has been a blast! He has amazing food places suggestions at each stop. He relays the history of Scotland with so much passion and humour. The bus…5 day tour April 2nd 2018.
Having Mark as a tourguide has been a blast! He has amazing food places suggestions at each stop. He relays the history of Scotland with so much passion and humour. The bus is alive with fun music! He was excellent.
The scenery itself is so beautiful.
Sadly the accommodations are not comfortable - kyleaken 2 nights, not enough toilets for the amount of people, toilets do not flush properly, bed near sink was gross, and extremely cold at night. Oban, good but only one socket to charge electronics for the 8 people in the room.
Wonderful trip. Beautiful views. Skye in particular was a highlight although the Highlands and everything in between was also great. Mark the tour guide was very friendly and accommodating; his commen…Wonderful trip. Beautiful views. Skye in particular was a highlight although the Highlands and everything in between was also great. Mark the tour guide was very friendly and accommodating; his commentary kept thing buoyant and interesting so that even with the large amount of travelling you wouldn't be bored for a moment. Accommodation and amenities were fairly basic but that didn't detract from the overall experience. I imagine a 5 day trip would be appreciated as there seemed to be a lot crammed in; you won't be able to spend a lot of time in one place. I expected more of a hiking holiday but we were only able to go on one proper hike. Nonetheless, amazing experience. Highly recommended.
?
Wonderful tour. Beautiful views. Skye in particular was a highlight - felt like even a full day wasn't enough time to explore it properly. The Highlands and everything in between were also great. Mark…Wonderful tour. Beautiful views. Skye in particular was a highlight - felt like even a full day wasn't enough time to explore it properly. The Highlands and everything in between were also great. Mark the tour guide was very friendly and accomodating; his commentary kept things buoyant and interesting, ensuring that you're not bored for a moment of the journey. Lodging was pretty basic but didn't detract from the overall experience. I imagine one could really benefit from a 5 day tour as a lot felt crammed in - I expected more of a hiking holiday but we only really had time for one hike. Overall, highly recommended.
This is the second time I take this fantastic tour. Our guide Mark was ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY fabulous. We got to know amazing places, got to hear great stories and we listened to a wide variety of dif…This is the second time I take this fantastic tour. Our guide Mark was ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY fabulous. We got to know amazing places, got to hear great stories and we listened to a wide variety of different bands while driving across the breathtaking scenery of the Highlands. Highly recommended. Thanks Mark for another unforgettable experience in Scotland. We will definitely come back
J
I had a great time on this tour and thoroughly enjoyed Scotland. Mark was a great guide who was very knowledgable telling us many folk stories and had a great sense of humour. The scenery in Scotland …I had a great time on this tour and thoroughly enjoyed Scotland. Mark was a great guide who was very knowledgable telling us many folk stories and had a great sense of humour. The scenery in Scotland is stunning which helped when it was cold and very windy one day on Skye.
Highly recommend this tour and MacBackpackers - Slàinte mhath!
The whole experience never got boring since Mark was always very chatty and had dozens of stories to tell. I fancied the mythological ones since it gave the tour a whole different and interesting spin…The whole experience never got boring since Mark was always very chatty and had dozens of stories to tell. I fancied the mythological ones since it gave the tour a whole different and interesting spin. But the historical part always been my favourite. Regarding the latter, perhaps Mark focused too much on portraying the character and (fictional) conversations, instead of the factual narration. Nonetheless was very amusing. The transport was excellent and given the limited amount of time we made most of our time. The lodgings were good but I hoped to stay with other people in the Macbackpackers Skye. A bit of a negative remark, there were not sufficient showers and the one in the bottom floor had no curtain and the wind flying through the door made it very uncomfortable. Also the breakfast could had included a bit more extras like fruit or cheese or ham.
S
Did this tour around the middle of February and loved every moment of it! Our tour guide (Mark) was fantastic, very friendly, funny and knowledgable. The Highlands were absolutely breathtaking. Would …Did this tour around the middle of February and loved every moment of it! Our tour guide (Mark) was fantastic, very friendly, funny and knowledgable. The Highlands were absolutely breathtaking. Would strongly recommend this tour to everyone.
K
The Tour was amazing! The Guide Mark explained a lot in a very entertaining way.
C
This trip was seriously amazing! Good price (a lot better than other similar trips out there) frequent stops, knowledgeable guide and chance to meet some great people.
Our guide was Mark- he was f…This trip was seriously amazing! Good price (a lot better than other similar trips out there) frequent stops, knowledgeable guide and chance to meet some great people.
Our guide was Mark- he was funny and approachable. He incorporates a good mix of history, pop culture and humour to his guided tour- allowing flexibility on some of the stops to cater for the needs of the travellers; for example our trip did not originally include a stop at the Harry Potter bridge (Glen Finnan Bridge) but since a number of Harry Potter fans were aboard we rearranged our itinerary a little to allow us to stop there.
The highlands/ isle of Skye is seriously so beautiful- it’s a must see if staying in Edinburgh.
You know it’s a good trip when you miss the place and the people- I definitely did pretty much as soon as I got off the bus.
Side note: Mark has a very soothing voice and should consider making a podcast lol. If only he could commentate the rest of my travels.
G
Literally just finished the 3 Day tour of Skye. My best friend and I were just like was that the best tour ever? Yes, it was!
The tour:
From the get-go our awesome tour guide, Mark, came on the…Literally just finished the 3 Day tour of Skye. My best friend and I were just like was that the best tour ever? Yes, it was!
The tour:
From the get-go our awesome tour guide, Mark, came on the bus ready! Everywhere we went there was a story, a legend to go with the beautiful mountains, castles and towns we were passing by which is exactly what we wanted. I don’t know how Mark had the energy to drive for hours and tell awesome stories with such energy, but you knew Mark knew his stuff and damn we learned A LOT. Personally, it didn’t bother me that Mark was talking most of the ride, I rather enjoyed it. Nobody else complained, they just slept if they wanted to or listened. Mark did play some music that either went with a story, just wanted us to hear some techno Highland music ( Martyn Bennet, look him up lol), or just some chill tunes to relax. We saw a lot of stuff, and the tour can be personalized, for example someone wanted to do a Whiskey tasting and Mark actually made it happen. So much history, so many sights, the most awesome jam packed 3 day tour ever. It will definitely feel as if you saw more than just
Our Accommodations:
We stayed in Kyleakin, at the MacBackpackers hostel. It was good, only the people on the tour were staying there plus our tour guide and a member of staff. It was comfy and cute. Free cereal, juice, Nutella, bread etc etc for breakfast. There’s a kitchen so if you wanna make your own dinner/breakfast you can. There were 2 bars and an Indian restaurant for eating/drinking options. The Indian restaurant, although I wanted to try it, was a walk so we just went to what seemed like Mark’s fav bar/restaurant King Haakon. It was good, staff there were friendly, you get a discount on food, not the drinks. The potatoes and sausage were my fav haha. It was a nice small menu that didn’t make you feel overwhelmed. Drink menu was extensive lol. If you needed to buy your own food to cook at the hostel kitchen, we did pass by a supermarket so you have a chance before you head into Kyleakin.
Our Tour Guide:
When I first got to Scotland, I was worried about doing tours, as if I wasn’t going to get a real experience. I was wrong! Every tour I’ve been on so far has been done by people so passionate about Scotland. Mark is definitely passionate, so it was nice having a tour led by someone who loves Scotland, loves being Scottish and actually knows what he’s talking about. I didn’t even feel like I needed to pay for a museum or exhibit entry because Mark had already given us names, dates, and the story behind it all. Also, he was very vigilant of us, like if someone fell or tripped he asked if they were okay and kept asking throughout the day just in case. Awesome driver, I totally felt safe in the bus. I just kept thinking, thank god my friend and I weren’t driving around, because 1) we weren’t gonna know how to deal with sheep on the road and 2) my internet was so poor up there, no gps was gonna have our back haha. 3) you really gotta know the lay of the land up there and Mark seemed like he knew that stuff like the back of his hand.
Funny Story:
Like a noob, I brought these wack but cute not good for hiking sneakers. They had already cut the back of my foot and I was limping around the town so I was like right, I need to get new shoes. Mark was like, we’re stopping here in my hometown, you have like an hr go roam be free. On the bus I had spotted a shop, so I run in like 5 mins before we have to meet back on tour bus, and I already picked out the hiking boots I wanted and the price was ballin! (£16.99). So, I’m trying them on real quick and the store attendant is helping me, asking me questions and finally says “who’s your tour guide today?” I’m like “uhhhh.. Mark..”, he’s like “Oh cool, tell my cousin I said hi.” .. Say what! Hilarious.. lol but let this be a lesson, wear boots that your feet are used to on the tour because you’ll just be more comfortable that way.
Overall review:
Everything was great, I have no complaints. We got really lucky with the weather, so we saw a lot. Definitely worth my money. We’re so happy we did this tour!
C
Absolutely fantastic trip, couldn't recommend it more. Our guide, Mark, was passionate, professional and went out of his way to make sure we had a great time. He was open to suggestions and happy to a…Absolutely fantastic trip, couldn't recommend it more. Our guide, Mark, was passionate, professional and went out of his way to make sure we had a great time. He was open to suggestions and happy to adjust the tour based on our interests. I would definitely travel with MacBackpackers again.
P
I did the 3 day Skye tour in January. Mark was an excellent guide with great knowledge and stories. We had some really snowy weather and he did a great job guiding us round with impassable roads and d…I did the 3 day Skye tour in January. Mark was an excellent guide with great knowledge and stories. We had some really snowy weather and he did a great job guiding us round with impassable roads and detours. Highly recommended
B
Me and my friend did a 3-day Isle of Skye Tour and it completely exceeded all of our expectations. Mark was our incredible guide, and he gave us a very well-rounded and endlessly captivating story of …Me and my friend did a 3-day Isle of Skye Tour and it completely exceeded all of our expectations. Mark was our incredible guide, and he gave us a very well-rounded and endlessly captivating story of Scotland and its history. We left from Edinburgh and toured all the way up to Skye via a very comfortable bus. Mark made sure we stopped and got out frequently so it didn't feel like we were seeing the country through a window. He was also very accommodating, always making sure to tell us if we had options of what to see and often polled the bus to see how we wanted to spend our time if there was flexibility in the itinerary. We stayed in a hostel on Kyleakin that was extremely cozy and warm both nights. Everyone on the tour was wonderful; it was really cool to meet a lot of young people from a bunch of different places. I would absolutely book a tour with them again!
L
Absolutely brilliant and our tour guide Mark was awesome. Would definitely recommend to anyone.
T
I had an awesome experience on the 3 day isle of skye tour. Not only was Marc very informative, engaging, and funny, he also had a sick ass playlist which was perfect for cruising through the Scottish…I had an awesome experience on the 3 day isle of skye tour. Not only was Marc very informative, engaging, and funny, he also had a sick ass playlist which was perfect for cruising through the Scottish landscape. Thanks for the good times and the stories!
L
The best tour of my life. Cant wait to do this with you again.
D
Took this trip with my best mate. Best part of our Europe trip. Mark was an absolute legend. His energy, sense of humour and knowledge were 10/10. Loved getting to know Scotland with Mark and the tour…Took this trip with my best mate. Best part of our Europe trip. Mark was an absolute legend. His energy, sense of humour and knowledge were 10/10. Loved getting to know Scotland with Mark and the tour group. Not only highly recommend it but will probably do it again on the longer trip.
H
If you would like to engulf yourself in tales of Highlander adventure and the history of Scotland while witnessing the enchanting landscape of the Isle of Skye, this is the tour for you! It was so muc…If you would like to engulf yourself in tales of Highlander adventure and the history of Scotland while witnessing the enchanting landscape of the Isle of Skye, this is the tour for you! It was so much fun, and I learned SO much about the beautiful country of Scotland. Our tour guide, Mark, was an exceptional story teller and all around, great guy to be around. It amazed us how much knowledge he had about his country. Very impressed! I would do it all over again! Go MacBackpackers!
E
3 day trip to Skye.
This was unbelievable. Our group was small and our tour guide Mark, Was so into his stories which made the tour even better.
My Australian boyfriend had been going on and on a…3 day trip to Skye.
This was unbelievable. Our group was small and our tour guide Mark, Was so into his stories which made the tour even better.
My Australian boyfriend had been going on and on about visiting Skye and I'm so glad we did it with a group otherwise would not have enjoyed it as much.
Thank you for an amazing 3 days
Eilidh and Steve
M
It was an superb awesome tour to Scotland with MacBacpackers. Basically it was 3day Isle of Sky tour. 1st day we started at 8A.M of morning in an awesome relaxing bus with other 10 travelers came from…It was an superb awesome tour to Scotland with MacBacpackers. Basically it was 3day Isle of Sky tour. 1st day we started at 8A.M of morning in an awesome relaxing bus with other 10 travelers came from different part of the world under the guidance of Mac(the best guide we ever have). The journey was mind blowing : covering all the mesmerizing natural beauty spots as well as the historic interests: our guide was super experienced in pointing the roadside beauty as well,describing all the facts and history of all the spots, planning properly to visit the places according to the weather to get the most lucrative views. The pleasant accommodation beside the sky bridge of Isle of Skye, free breakfast, unlimited tea, coffee, hot chocolate always boost us up for exploring more in next day. The recommendation of restaurants for lunch, snacks or dinners, or the pubs or the correct advise of taking rain coat and rainy shoes were very helpful and added extra benefit to trips. We roamed around lot and covered almost all the great places in a relaxing way. We started from Edinburg and visited Pitlochry, Kyleakin, Killiecrankie, ForestWalk, LochNess, IsleOfSkye, CullodenBattlefield
, EileanDonanCastle, Portree, KiltRock, OldManOfStorr, FaeriePools, Quiraing, Silgachan, BenNevis, Glencoe, FortWilliam, DouneCastle and lot other places as well. Apart from the visiting we enjoyed like a family of 12 members also. It was one of my greatest trip. I will highly recommend all to go with MacBackpackers only to get the best experience.
L
Heart is still full from such an incredible time on the 5 day Highland Tour! Loved the freedom of the itinerary and the awesome insight from our kick-ass guide, Mark; he was hilarious, had some great …Heart is still full from such an incredible time on the 5 day Highland Tour! Loved the freedom of the itinerary and the awesome insight from our kick-ass guide, Mark; he was hilarious, had some great music playing and made everyone feel very comfortable- so much so that we were all referring to each other by nicknames and felt like a little family. Highlight was definitely climbing The Old Man of Storr despite hurricane-like wind and rain, lol, and having a group dinner on our last night. Was so sad to leave but our little squad is already talking of coming back for a reunion. Thank you so much for such an unforgettable experience :)
Love always,
'Canada'
xo
A
Mark was an amazing guide. His sense of humour brought our entire group closer together from the first day. He was an awesome storyteller, and was passionate about the history of each place we visited…Mark was an amazing guide. His sense of humour brought our entire group closer together from the first day. He was an awesome storyteller, and was passionate about the history of each place we visited. He gave us enough time at each location, and we never felt rushed. He had awesome recommendations for each place we visited. The bus was spacious and very comfortable, and the hostels were a great value. Highly recommend the 5-day fling tour! Thanks Mark!
A
Mark was an amazing guide. His sense of humour brought our entire group closer together from the first day. He was an awesome storyteller, and was passionate about the history of each place we visited…Mark was an amazing guide. His sense of humour brought our entire group closer together from the first day. He was an awesome storyteller, and was passionate about the history of each place we visited. He gave us enough time at each location, and we never felt rushed. The bus was spacious and very comfortable, and the hostels were a great value. Highly recommend the 5-day fling tour! Thanks Mark!
Mark was an amazing tour guide. Honestly, this is the best ever tour I joined. It totally beyond my expectations. Highly recommended!!!
Regards,
Chiew Sim
E
Couldn't have asked for a better experience! Great group of people and our guide, Mark, was fantastic. Highly recommended!
Wow! What an incredible 5-day journey that was. Mark at the helm of the bus and the tour, our small group of 14 had tremendous weather, despite a hurricane warning, and got to experience the highlands…Wow! What an incredible 5-day journey that was. Mark at the helm of the bus and the tour, our small group of 14 had tremendous weather, despite a hurricane warning, and got to experience the highlands in the most amazing way possible. Mark’s historical stories of legend and lore brought every place we visited (and didn’t visit) to life. There was a story for everything and made the bus ride even more enjoyable. Our small group milked the most out of each other. We bonded quickly (thanks to a first-night dip in Loch Ness!) and the rest of the trip was a riot. I fully recommend this tour and probably the 6 or 7 days, because I wanted more!
N
Such an awesome experience!! The 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling tour went far beyond my expectations. Even if it could be a long trip, it didn’t get hard at all. Mark, our tour guide, is passionate about…Such an awesome experience!! The 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling tour went far beyond my expectations. Even if it could be a long trip, it didn’t get hard at all. Mark, our tour guide, is passionate about his job. He has a great sense of humor, an amazing talent for telling stories and a deep understanding of Scottish historical background. We were a group of 17 people, most of us travelling alone, who got along well quite easily. So, all in all, the amazing landscapes, the little things we were learning about this beautiful country and the good vibes made this tour so special and worth it. 100% recommended!!
K
I can honestly say this was the best trip I have been on. Mark is an amazing guide, the way he tells stories about the places we are going, not only tells you about the history of the place but also t…I can honestly say this was the best trip I have been on. Mark is an amazing guide, the way he tells stories about the places we are going, not only tells you about the history of the place but also the culture that is Scotland. His passion is contagious, he has made me fall in love with the highlands. The bus was always warm and comfortable, we always had enough cafe/shop/toilet stops and the accommodation was also warm cozy and friendly wherever we went. Thank you to everyone involved. I will definitely be recommending this tour to anyone that asks
J
The tour of the Highlands and isle of Skye was an absolutley amazing experience. Scotland is such a stunningly beautiful country and this was a great way to see part of it. What really made the tour t…The tour of the Highlands and isle of Skye was an absolutley amazing experience. Scotland is such a stunningly beautiful country and this was a great way to see part of it. What really made the tour though was our wonderful guide Mark; story-teller extraordinaire, comedian, historian, stellar dj, great dancer, impressive reverser, just an all around genuinely cool guy with a great sense of humour and an infectious passion for Scotland. We were able to do lots of ‘wee hill walks’ and see some beautiful places and learn the stories behind them and Mark was always flexible and tailored the itinerary to what we wanted to see and do. I cannot recommend this tour more - if you have the opportunity just do it!
E
I did the 5 day highland fling with MacBackpackers. I had one of the best holidays of my life! I felt like in 5 days; I saw so many sights, did so many epic hikes and learnt so much about the culture,…I did the 5 day highland fling with MacBackpackers. I had one of the best holidays of my life! I felt like in 5 days; I saw so many sights, did so many epic hikes and learnt so much about the culture, history and people. Out tour really was as wonderful as it was because of Mark; he was so knowledgable, informative, funny, accommodating and had the best stories!!!! I can honestly say that I will be back to the Island hopper tour next summer and hopefully have Mark again as the guide! I can't recommend this tour enough! I can promise you that you'll have the time of your life!!
Y
The tour was just above all expectations! Incredibly beautiful, charming and astonishing. We were traveling in a small but comfortable bus, the hostel is quite good for two-night stay, the living room…The tour was just above all expectations! Incredibly beautiful, charming and astonishing. We were traveling in a small but comfortable bus, the hostel is quite good for two-night stay, the living room is just an example of coziness :) Our guide, Marc, shared tons of interesting stories, legends and fun facts with us, as well as all sorts of Scottish music, and he definitely made this trip a lifetime experience. 10/10, it's a must for all kinds of travelers!
J
We had an amazing time. Great scenery, some beautiful hikes and an awesome guide (Mark) talking about the history of the castles, lochs, mountains and sights along the way. Well worth the time and mon…We had an amazing time. Great scenery, some beautiful hikes and an awesome guide (Mark) talking about the history of the castles, lochs, mountains and sights along the way. Well worth the time and money.
S
7 Day Best of the West
Had an absolutely fantastic experience when booking through MacBackpackers. They replied promptly to emails and answered my questions thoroughly going above and beyond to make sure I got the most out …Had an absolutely fantastic experience when booking through MacBackpackers. They replied promptly to emails and answered my questions thoroughly going above and beyond to make sure I got the most out of my trip. I went on the 7 Day tour with Mark MacB as my guide. He was so energetic and passionate about his job that it really was contagious. We went on a blast through the past with his enthralling stories of Scotlands past. Give that man a raise. Would highly recommend booking through this company.
C
7 Day Best of the West
Internet reviews are so full of 5 stars and superlatives, it's hard to emphasise when something is really special and really exceeds your expectations. This tour certainly was.
From the start, Mark…Internet reviews are so full of 5 stars and superlatives, it's hard to emphasise when something is really special and really exceeds your expectations. This tour certainly was.
From the start, Mark was professional, friendly and knowledgable. There's a lot of time in the minibus, but a combination of Mark's storytelling over the microphone (mostly about Scottish history, occasionally just some great anecdotes) meant the time really flew in. He's got a real knack for storytelling, so you'll be kept engaged.
The choice of places to visit was excellent, hitting a few of the big tourist attractions as well as quite a few hidden gems. The time in the black house on Lewis was particularly special, with a house to ourselves where we could cook together and hang out with some games in the evening (no wifi or phone signal forces you to be sociable!). We did a bit of hiking, but nothing too strenuous. There were also a few opportunities for a swim if you like cold water (swimming on the first night in Loch Ness was great!).
The hostels were all decent enough and cost between £15 and £20 a night, which was pretty reasonable. In truth, we were kept so busy that we spent very little time there, just cooking and sleeping.
Anyway, if you're thinking about the tour, then just do it. No way will you regret it! Thanks again Mark for everything!
L
7 Day Best of the West
Such a wonderful trip with Mark, a wonderful guide !! A lot of fun, hiking, laughing, and incredible stories ! I wish that this tour never ends
H
7 Day Best of the West
I did the 7 day Best of the West tour with Mark. What a fantastic trip, we managed to do so much but also had time to enjoy the places we visited, as well as having the flexibility to shape our own tr…I did the 7 day Best of the West tour with Mark. What a fantastic trip, we managed to do so much but also had time to enjoy the places we visited, as well as having the flexibility to shape our own trip. Mark was an awesome guide, fun and relaxed. We all felt it was like a group of friends going away on holiday with one friend who was immensely knowledgeable about Scotland and willing to drive! Thank you so much :)
Very cool tour, Mark was an amazing guide, and the place we visit were awesome. Scotland is AMAZING!!!
A
I could not recommend this tour more if I tried. Marc was absolutely out of this world fantastic!!! You can hear how passionate he is about his country by the stories he tells, interjected with the mo…I could not recommend this tour more if I tried. Marc was absolutely out of this world fantastic!!! You can hear how passionate he is about his country by the stories he tells, interjected with the most wonderful jokes/sense of humor. Thank you Marc & Macbackpackers for an incredible weekend.
H
This was such an amazing tour! Lots of beautiful stops and sights, and we learnt a lot about Scotland. Mark was an amazing tour guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. I've been on quite a few really …This was such an amazing tour! Lots of beautiful stops and sights, and we learnt a lot about Scotland. Mark was an amazing tour guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. I've been on quite a few really good tours but this was definitely the best one! Thanks a lot :)
S
This tour exceeded my expectations. I had an excellent time exploring Scottish castles, mountains, and historical sites. Our tour guide Mark was an absolute riot! Very passionate about Scottish histor…This tour exceeded my expectations. I had an excellent time exploring Scottish castles, mountains, and historical sites. Our tour guide Mark was an absolute riot! Very passionate about Scottish history and a great storyteller. I booked this trip as a solo traveler and found many others on the tour were also traveling solo. We had a great time getting to know each other while experiencing the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. I can't wait for my next MacBackpackers tour!!
C
Awesome 3 day tour with Mark. We learned so much in a short period of time. Wish there was a bit more hiking involved, but am still 100% satisfied with my experience.
D
The tour was much better than I ever expected. Amazing scenery. Great historical facts and awesome people and guide!
F
This was a perfect tour. Our guide Mark was an awesome storyteller. The Skye island and highland tour is the best you can book. Exceeded my expectations! I would highly recommend!!!! :-)
K
This was a great tour - a perfect balance of history, legend, stories, activity, sights, and travel. Our guide Mark was a fantastic storyteller and used his vast knowledge of the Highlands and Scotla…This was a great tour - a perfect balance of history, legend, stories, activity, sights, and travel. Our guide Mark was a fantastic storyteller and used his vast knowledge of the Highlands and Scotland to provide us with background and his own personal experiences in a fun and informative way. Would highly recommend!
Awesome tour!! Mark was so knowledgeable, friendly and funny and really made the tour a great one. The highlands are absolutely beautiful and I truly recommend MacBackpackers as a tour company. We saw…Awesome tour!! Mark was so knowledgeable, friendly and funny and really made the tour a great one. The highlands are absolutely beautiful and I truly recommend MacBackpackers as a tour company. We saw so many beautiful places but it didn't feel rushed at all.
R
7 Day Best of the West
My kids talked me into going on a 7 day tour Best of the West after they did the 3 day tour. I am 57 yrs old. and this being my first trip to Scotland you can understand why I was very nervous about i…My kids talked me into going on a 7 day tour Best of the West after they did the 3 day tour. I am 57 yrs old. and this being my first trip to Scotland you can understand why I was very nervous about it. I can only say now that I am very glad it was my first experience...because experience we did! This is not a trip for those who just want to see highlights and take pictures ...Mark kept us very entertained with history and stories and songs, he handles a very diverse group well and made everyone be a part of it while being considerate of cultural and (AGE) differences. It was a top notch tour!
S
WOW! Thats my first reaction to this amazing tour by MacBackpackers. I went along the 5 day Highland Fling and Isle of Skye trip with Mark as our guide. He was funny, knowledgable and made the tour so…WOW! Thats my first reaction to this amazing tour by MacBackpackers. I went along the 5 day Highland Fling and Isle of Skye trip with Mark as our guide. He was funny, knowledgable and made the tour so much fun! The best tour I have been on thus far, all because of the great atmosphere of Mark and the tour. There was never a dull moment, as bus rides were for stories and history, and each place we stopped was magical, and having Mark along to explain the importance of each site as well as tips for walking and eating were greatly appreciated. Thanks macbackpackers, I look forward to going on another tour very soon!
C
I went on the 5 Day Highland Fling with Mark as our guide. Hands down the best and most amazing tour I have ever been on. I will be highly recommending to friends that MacBackpackers tours are not to …I went on the 5 Day Highland Fling with Mark as our guide. Hands down the best and most amazing tour I have ever been on. I will be highly recommending to friends that MacBackpackers tours are not to be missed!
Mark, thank you - your insight to Scotland and the highlands was great, and your way of making history interesting was incredible.
I will be back for a repeat tour one day!
beautiful country. Mark the guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The transportation was comfortable. Very good trip.
My 5 day isle of skye and the highlands tour has been the highlight of my holiday.having previously done tours with other tour companies I was prepared for long days, expensive activities and brief d…My 5 day isle of skye and the highlands tour has been the highlight of my holiday.having previously done tours with other tour companies I was prepared for long days, expensive activities and brief descriptions read off a standardized information sheet. I have never been so pleased to be wrong. Mark our guide made our trip personalized with in depth insights into the varied and complicated history of Scotland. He was able to make the information simplified, relevant and relatable as well as humorous. There were no hidden costs on the trip (unlike other tour companies) and I feel everyone on the bus gained so much from our macbackpackers tour, and I am positive everyone will come back to Scotland after seeing how "sexy" it can be
R
The trip through the Highlands was absolutely incredible. I was expecting Scotland to be great, but Mark legitimately made this the trip of a lifetime. Between the sights, sounds, immersion with the c…The trip through the Highlands was absolutely incredible. I was expecting Scotland to be great, but Mark legitimately made this the trip of a lifetime. Between the sights, sounds, immersion with the culture and heritage, and the incredible storytelling and history that Mark shared with us, this was the absolute best trip I've ever been on.
I can't say enough how phenomenal Mark was as our guide. I'm positive every Macbackpackers guide is great, but Mark was beyond outstanding and is the reason why every person on our tour is so in love with Scotland now.
K
Amazing 3 day isle of skye tour with Mark. The stories were both hilarious and informative as we toured around the highlands. I would recommend for anyone who wants to focus on skye but still see othe…Amazing 3 day isle of skye tour with Mark. The stories were both hilarious and informative as we toured around the highlands. I would recommend for anyone who wants to focus on skye but still see other parts of the highlands (loch ness). We had an amazing group of like-minded people on the tour and our guide was great at bringing making everyone feel welcome. We also had a lot of choice in what we wanted to do and go see around skye which was very considerate.
S
Amazing tour and guide - can't say what I liked more ;-)
We've seen as much as you can in 5 days I guess: stunning landscapes, breathtaking mountains an views, beautiful waterfalls, a whiskey-destill…Amazing tour and guide - can't say what I liked more ;-)
We've seen as much as you can in 5 days I guess: stunning landscapes, breathtaking mountains an views, beautiful waterfalls, a whiskey-destillery and cute sheep anywhere... thanks to our highly motivated driver and guide MARK ! He was always in a good mood (even if the weather was not), told us loads of historical stories in his funny way.. I still wonder how 1 person can know (and talk ;-) that much.. He took constant and great care to make everyone of the group feel good. And although I don't actually like group tours, I liked this one a lot. The hostels were all ok, even the 6-bed-dorms or more were ok for 1 night. And in the end, I even miss this lovely scottish accent! Thank you ! :-)
N
What a fantastic week! Marc guided us on an exciting, educational and real adventure. This is the way to see Scotland!
?
I was lucky enough to be a part of the MacBackpackers 3-day adventure on the Isle of Skye starting on 17 April. I've found out about the tour at the reception of my hostel in Edinburgh and it seemed p…I was lucky enough to be a part of the MacBackpackers 3-day adventure on the Isle of Skye starting on 17 April. I've found out about the tour at the reception of my hostel in Edinburgh and it seemed perfect for me as I wanted to see the Highlands with a group of fellow travellers. Our guide Mark was a proud Scotsman and a true entertainer. His storytelling skills were insane (I was laughing out loud half of the trip), his puns were terrible (in the best possible way) and he also had another kind of underrated quality – playing the most fantastic Scottish playlists (we drove around the wild scenery to the sound of Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian, etc.). I am incredibly pleased that I went on this tour and the only thing I would have changed is to pick a longer one! I thoroughly recommend other travellers and explorers to choose MacBackpackers. Especially if they are travelling alone like I was, as I met some people I really appreciate and had some brilliant conversations along the three day trip.
S
Just completed the 3 day Isle of Skye tour and it was phenomenal. Our tour guide, Mark, is the best. He was very very knowledgeable with a great sense of humour and told us all about the legends and h…Just completed the 3 day Isle of Skye tour and it was phenomenal. Our tour guide, Mark, is the best. He was very very knowledgeable with a great sense of humour and told us all about the legends and history of Scotland. We were listening to pure Scottish music all time which was amazing. The hostel was clean, tidy, comfy and at the most perfect location with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. It was a great experience. Great job Mark! Great job Macbackpackers!
V
N
I had not planned on doing a tour when I first arrived in Scotland. After some research I ended up choosing a tour to visit the Isle of sky with macbackpackers. I am quite happy I did. Mark was our to…I had not planned on doing a tour when I first arrived in Scotland. After some research I ended up choosing a tour to visit the Isle of sky with macbackpackers. I am quite happy I did. Mark was our tour guide for the three day tour and he and Dave kept me in stitches the entire time. Mark could tell us the history with a modern day twist which helped me remember about the place. I would recommend a tour with this company!!
C
I had a great time on the 3 day Isle of Skype tour with our guide Mark. Mark was great- really funny and nice. I'd not been to the highlands of Scotland before so it was great to have someone to show …I had a great time on the 3 day Isle of Skype tour with our guide Mark. Mark was great- really funny and nice. I'd not been to the highlands of Scotland before so it was great to have someone to show us around and give us the history. If you like the outdoors, the highlands is great. From what I understand, the 5 tour is better if you want to do more hiking as the 3 day is not enough time to spend a lot of time at each place. We did hike the Old Man of Storr and that was probably my favorite part of the trip. You do go to a lot of places on the 3 day tour.
It was a nice bonding experience too, I was traveling alone so I made a lot of friends on this trip!
M
I am studying abroad in Scotland and went on a MacBackpackers tour with my house. It was the best experience I have had in Scotland. Mark, our tour guide, was amazing. He was a great storyteller an…I am studying abroad in Scotland and went on a MacBackpackers tour with my house. It was the best experience I have had in Scotland. Mark, our tour guide, was amazing. He was a great storyteller and kept a bus full of girls engaged throughout the whole trip. So amazing!
K
Traveling alone through Europe, this tour was a great chance to connect and make friends while having a lot of fun exploring Scotland. We all felt really lucky to have had Mark as our guide and he ma…Traveling alone through Europe, this tour was a great chance to connect and make friends while having a lot of fun exploring Scotland. We all felt really lucky to have had Mark as our guide and he made the trip such a memorable one that it makes me smile everytime I think back to it. Thank you guys!
J
Mark our guide tour is a wonderful and an amazing story teller. If there is something that Scotland has lots of besides castles is stories and these guys will tell you as many as possible during the t…Mark our guide tour is a wonderful and an amazing story teller. If there is something that Scotland has lots of besides castles is stories and these guys will tell you as many as possible during the trip. I did the the three day Isle of Skye, the environment of the minibus was very friendly an chatting (when we weren't asleep), the isle is stunning and all the place they take you through the Highlands of Scotland. It's a short time and it's true you don't get to stay in one place long enough to go for great hikes in this tour but I guess the point of it (since it is just three days) is to give you a bit of an introduction to what Scotland land is and was. And they do a great job with it! Had an amazing time, seen stunning landscape and met really nice people!
For me and my partner booked this was out first ever group tour and we loved it!! We were a bit worried about being with a bunch of strangers for 3 days and staying in a hostel but all our concerns me…For me and my partner booked this was out first ever group tour and we loved it!! We were a bit worried about being with a bunch of strangers for 3 days and staying in a hostel but all our concerns melted away when we jumped on the bus and were looked after by our tour guide. Mark was lots a of fun, he entertained us with historic facts and stories about Scotland. The other tour guide Shelby was a ball of energy, both had contagious positive vibes. The bus was comfy, and the hostel was clean. Would recommend this tour without a doubt. I wish this company was based all over Europe!
M
Had an amazing time on the 3 day Isle of Skye tour with the very knowledgable and entertaining Mark over the Easter long weekend! If you like incredible landscapes, fresh air, history, whiskey, local …Had an amazing time on the 3 day Isle of Skye tour with the very knowledgable and entertaining Mark over the Easter long weekend! If you like incredible landscapes, fresh air, history, whiskey, local pubs and top tour guides in kilts then this is the tour for you! Just don't listen to Mark when he tells you to "stay to the right of the path" when walking up the Old Man of Storr unless you enjoy rock climbing!! If you do stick to the right and end up rock climbing be sure to give him grief about it afterwards ;)
Cheers from the loud mouth Kiwis and Aussie at the front of the bus!
F
Easter 3 Day Isle of Skye
This tour was amazing. Not only were the places we visited unbelievably beautiful, but they vecame even more interesting with the stories that followed. Our guide Mark was great. He is a great storyt…This tour was amazing. Not only were the places we visited unbelievably beautiful, but they vecame even more interesting with the stories that followed. Our guide Mark was great. He is a great storyteller, the way he tells the stories make them come real before your eyes. He is also very funny and nice and friendly. The tour would not have been the same with out hum.
Highly recommend!
S
I opted of 3 days Isle of Skye. 11 gorgeous women (including me) in Scottish sexy weather, listening to The man in kilt talk about his countries rich heritage; history, sipping whiskey in the Loch Ne…I opted of 3 days Isle of Skye. 11 gorgeous women (including me) in Scottish sexy weather, listening to The man in kilt talk about his countries rich heritage; history, sipping whiskey in the Loch Ness wondering about Nessie, drinking Isle of Sky beer at the end of day with beer battered fish and chips in King Hakon, Kyleakin, what a fantastic way to celebrate women’s day in Scotland.
With Eric Bans small twinkling eyes, deep sexy soothing voice when Mark starts to talk about Scotland, no matter how hard you try, within seconds you drift to sleep and when you wake up you always wonder what happened to the Jacobites, Mary and the man disguised as woman to escape from British…. With his vast knowledge on Scotland history he slays every question without blinking his eyes. I am telling you he is encyclopedia of Scotland. You cant hide your giggles when he curses while overtaking other formula 1 drivers on the road.
Glaring the phenomenal view mountains; tip still covered with snow, surrounded by water you are tempted beyond control to leave everything behind, marry a Scottish man and settle down there for good. The place is quiet enchanting with Magical Fairy’s, dark secretive history, mind blowing castle, Smarty pants Kelpies, darling Nessie, “Don’t mess up with me” attitude wild goats, “Sexy and I know it” posture sheep’s grazing on the grass. There is not a single thing which you don’t like about Scotland. Whiskey, Castles, mountains, roads, phenomenal views, streams and the simple dry grass…
This tour gives the taste of highlands. If you like dancing on mountains with your camera you should go for 5 days highland and Isle of Skye fling. Hostels are really nice by the river and with fire place. Don’t forget to mark your stay in Castle rock Hostel in Edinburgh, Its super cool(try to be there on Thursday night; free pub crawl you see).
A
3 day Isle of Skye was amazing! Even though we got snow, rain and sunshine, I loved every bit of it. The tour guide was Mark, he is a funny guy who makes the trip even more worthwhile. He tells good s…3 day Isle of Skye was amazing! Even though we got snow, rain and sunshine, I loved every bit of it. The tour guide was Mark, he is a funny guy who makes the trip even more worthwhile. He tells good stories about the history, the proud of Scotland and made sure everyone got to see what they wanted to see. A good tip from Mark was to check out the series Outlander. I have to say I fell in love with Scotland and the series Outlander. It's so cool to recognize the places we have been. I will defenitely come back to stunning Scotland! Thanks Mark for an amazing few days!
M
I did the 3 day Isle of Skye with the amazing and funny Mark as a guide. It was one of the highlights of my entire trip to Scotland, thanks to the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland but also to Mark'…I did the 3 day Isle of Skye with the amazing and funny Mark as a guide. It was one of the highlights of my entire trip to Scotland, thanks to the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland but also to Mark's clever and thoughtful guidance. Perfect mixture of legends, stories, history, scottish pride, music and relaxed conversation. He really tried to meet our expectations and do a lot, but also leave some room to improvise and really take it all in. Very safe driving, which for me is a big plus. Everything really combined to enhance my experience in the Highlands, one I'm sure I won't forget. Already thinking of coming back for a 5 day tour and after this one, Macbackpackers will be my first choice!
Our trip in september/october 2016 was, by far, the best and most friendly tour I've ever been a part of in my life (and I've traveled. A LOT.). Our guide, Mark, was not only a wonderful storyteller (…Our trip in september/october 2016 was, by far, the best and most friendly tour I've ever been a part of in my life (and I've traveled. A LOT.). Our guide, Mark, was not only a wonderful storyteller (yes, Mark, we all bought your haggis tale...not) but he also happily adapted the trip (as much as possible) to our own preferences (I might have made the whole group wait up for me a couple of times, guilty as charged). The stops had been carefully chosen, the hikings too. Alas, no one could battle a hurricane and we had the misfortune to be stuck in one of those. But hey, not only did we survive, we actually bonded around the facts that we were the 'hurricane survivors' and became friends. So yes, thank you Macbackpackers for the life-changing trip, thank you, Mark, for the adventures, the songs, the stories, the happy-go-lucky feeling and thank you Scotland for making us all fall in love with you.
B
I did the 3 day tour of Isle of Skye with Mark and it was likely the best part of my visit to Scotland! Mark was animated and well versed on the history behind the highlands. He made the trip that muc…I did the 3 day tour of Isle of Skye with Mark and it was likely the best part of my visit to Scotland! Mark was animated and well versed on the history behind the highlands. He made the trip that much more memorable with his personality! Hopefully one day I can come back for another tour! Thanks again from the Canadians :)
This tour was phenomenal! Mark was the nicest, funniest and all around best guy, it was like touring with a friend. The fact that we had a small group was amazing, we felt like a family. I highly sugg…This tour was phenomenal! Mark was the nicest, funniest and all around best guy, it was like touring with a friend. The fact that we had a small group was amazing, we felt like a family. I highly suggest this tour, there was a little bit of everything. I never thought I would say I enjoyed hiking. We only finished an hour ago and I already miss my MacBackers family.
J
One of the best tours I've ever done. Mark was an amazing guide who managed to get us off the beaten track on an island full of tourists.
If you go to Scotland you have to do this tour!
R
Stunning landscape alongside the terrible weather, can anyone expect that experience!? It was the once and only in my lifetime!!! Thanks Mac! Whole the journey was ve~ri ve~ri greit! Oki hoki ~! Aye!
A
Trip was super!!! Bus was comfortable. Castlerock hostel was the best. Other hostels were fine, some had bad WiFi connection or very few toilets/showers. The tour was fun, we had many choices of ac…Trip was super!!! Bus was comfortable. Castlerock hostel was the best. Other hostels were fine, some had bad WiFi connection or very few toilets/showers. The tour was fun, we had many choices of activities and nothing was orbitary. But the best of the whole tour was our guide "sourcy" Mark. His smooth voice has taught us so much about Scotland. Furthermore he also know fun drinking games and is a good dancer! ;) we never should have guessed that we were his first 5Day tour untill he told us his big secret after the tour.
J
My friend and I went on the 3-day Isle of Skye tour and had a fantastic time. The castles and landscapes were beautiful and our tour guide Mark was a natural storyteller. Not only did he tell us about…My friend and I went on the 3-day Isle of Skye tour and had a fantastic time. The castles and landscapes were beautiful and our tour guide Mark was a natural storyteller. Not only did he tell us about the history of each place that we visited, he also shared folktales, jokes, and songs. He was also flexible and asked for our group's input. One person asked to visit the Fairie pools near Glenbrittle and Mark got us there before the crowds so we had the place to ourselves, which was very nice. I can't wait to visit the Highlands again and would love to do another Macbackpackers tour.
K
Our time on the 3 day Isle of Skye and Loch Ness tour was awesome! Our guide Mark was super fun loving, had tons of legends and information about his country and was just cool. The views we saw were s…Our time on the 3 day Isle of Skye and Loch Ness tour was awesome! Our guide Mark was super fun loving, had tons of legends and information about his country and was just cool. The views we saw were some we'd have never seen on our own and I'd LOVE to do a longer tour with MacBackPackers in the future! Totally recommend and enjoyed our time in the Scottish highlands!
A
I went on the three day tour to the Isle of Skye. The tourguide Mark was really professional, very funny and made the group feel comfortable. The transportation was good. We stayed in the small villag…I went on the three day tour to the Isle of Skye. The tourguide Mark was really professional, very funny and made the group feel comfortable. The transportation was good. We stayed in the small village Kyleakin, very cute and great views.
J
Unforgettable! Best bus tour I have ever been on!
Mark was brilliant, and made the trip an amazing experience with well timed stories for each place we visited, told in his soothing made-for-radio v…Unforgettable! Best bus tour I have ever been on!
Mark was brilliant, and made the trip an amazing experience with well timed stories for each place we visited, told in his soothing made-for-radio voice! I was impressed with the flexibility of the itinerary, and felt that Mark did a great job making sure everyone on the tour was happy and enjoying their trip.
Isle of Skye is an incredibly beautiful part of the world, and I absolutely loved the sexy mountains! The tour was the right mix of history, culture and fun. Thanks for a great trip!
R
My Husband and I went on the 3 day Isle of Skye tour. The best 3 days of my life so far! Defiantly the highlight of our trip. Mark, our guide, was so knowledgeable and hilarious! Scotland was lovely o…My Husband and I went on the 3 day Isle of Skye tour. The best 3 days of my life so far! Defiantly the highlight of our trip. Mark, our guide, was so knowledgeable and hilarious! Scotland was lovely on its own, but with all the stories and history that we learned from Mark, we fell in love with the country in its entirety. The trip went to all the best places, and our guide was more than willing to take us where we wanted to go, even if it wasn't in the itinerary. The bus was comfortable and the towns we stopped in were perfection. Everything was absolutely breath taking. Thank you so much Mark for the amazing experience and thank you MacBackpackers for making us part of your clan! We plan on coming back for the 7 day tour, but with a bus load of people with us!
K
Our 3-day Highlands and Isle of Skye tour was fantastic! We went to Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the most beautiful places on the Isle of Skye. OUr tour guide was entertaining and educational. We were in E…Our 3-day Highlands and Isle of Skye tour was fantastic! We went to Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the most beautiful places on the Isle of Skye. OUr tour guide was entertaining and educational. We were in Europe for 2 months and this was one of the top 2 highlights of our entire trip. If we'd had more time, we'd have done the 5-day trip as well!
R
My Canadian friend was visiting me in the UK, and really wanted to explore the Isle of Skye. I found the 3 day Macbackpackers tour online and went for it. We were a little hesitant but were not disapp…My Canadian friend was visiting me in the UK, and really wanted to explore the Isle of Skye. I found the 3 day Macbackpackers tour online and went for it. We were a little hesitant but were not disappointed! Mark was a fantastic guide, full of myths and legends about Scotland that really set the scene. There wasn't a dull moment, he made sure of that, The best thing about the tour was its flexible nature, Mark knew the area so well that he was able to make great recommendations, and adapt to specific things certain people wanted to see, and change plans at the last minute if the weather was an issue. The group was lovely, and the hostel is in a beautiful little town with a great pub. Would highly recommend, and Mark, thanks for making it so enjoyable and such a laugh!
A
I booked this trip (3 days island of Skye) as a solo traveller very last minute and without any expectation and it was so much fun! Our tour guide Mark is awesome and has so many stories to tell. I've…I booked this trip (3 days island of Skye) as a solo traveller very last minute and without any expectation and it was so much fun! Our tour guide Mark is awesome and has so many stories to tell. I've seen alot of Scotland in only 3 days and met so many nice people. I would definitely recommend this tour and if you have more time do the 5-or-more-days tour!
L
MacBackpackers was the best tour I have ever been on! The 3 day of Skye tour was so much fun. Mark was the best guide ever; he was so knowledgeable, and had so many fun stories! If you take the 3 day …MacBackpackers was the best tour I have ever been on! The 3 day of Skye tour was so much fun. Mark was the best guide ever; he was so knowledgeable, and had so many fun stories! If you take the 3 day Isle of Skye tour, request Mark for your guide!
D
Really glad I booked a Macbackpackers tour. Great way to see the Highlands and a good value. Our tour guide Mark was a funny and knowledgeable guy, he made the trip. A friend recommended Macbackpacker…Really glad I booked a Macbackpackers tour. Great way to see the Highlands and a good value. Our tour guide Mark was a funny and knowledgeable guy, he made the trip. A friend recommended Macbackpackers to me and I will continue the tradition!
C
I had a wonderful experience with macbackpackers keeping into consideration that I was traveling alone. Mark and Niel were awesome guides ...more like friends .The entire tour was well managed . Mark …I had a wonderful experience with macbackpackers keeping into consideration that I was traveling alone. Mark and Niel were awesome guides ...more like friends .The entire tour was well managed . Mark told stories about Scotland's history and rich culture that made the tour even more lively. Worth it!
K
I was an older person travelling by myself and had an amazing time seeing the sights of the Scottish Highlands with MacBackpackers. We were a small group and our guides were Neil and newby Mark who w…I was an older person travelling by myself and had an amazing time seeing the sights of the Scottish Highlands with MacBackpackers. We were a small group and our guides were Neil and newby Mark who were both lots of fun while showing us breathtaking scenery and secret locations around Scotland.
They looked after us well, & were flexible with our itinerary which meant we had as much time as we wanted at all the places we visited. The whole tour was great, but if I had to pick a favourite adventure, it was the time I spent on Skye. I have already told my daughter who will be touring Scotland later this year that MacBackpackers is the only company she should consider.
B
This tour was the best week of my entire trip overseas so far!
Our guides Neil and Mark did an incredible job, telling the stories of the land and people with lots of humour and they were amazing sto…This tour was the best week of my entire trip overseas so far!
Our guides Neil and Mark did an incredible job, telling the stories of the land and people with lots of humour and they were amazing storytellers, I got so absorbed into the stories!
They were flexible with the itinerary giving us choice of where we could go and how we could spend our time, but also just taking us to the best places in their expert experience if we wanted that too.
We travelled on a nice small minibus with plenty of room, doing hikes, sightseeing, whisky tasting and even a little swimming along the way! The guides were well organised, very friendly and took us to places I never would have thought were as amazing as I found them. Meals are not included (some breakfasts are) but this gives you a good opportunity to get to know your tour buddies a bit more, as the days are fairly fast paced.
I was lucky enough to be on a small tour with only four other people and two guides, and in such a small group you honestly do feel like a family by the end.
I wish I could travel back in time and do it all over again! Highly highly recommended :D :)
C
The tour was very good. You can see just as much as you can see in 3 days only. If one has the time, I suggest they stay longer in Highlands. Neil and Mark were very helpful, funny and entertaining an…The tour was very good. You can see just as much as you can see in 3 days only. If one has the time, I suggest they stay longer in Highlands. Neil and Mark were very helpful, funny and entertaining and we tried to take in as much information as possible taking into consideration how much Scotland has to offer.
C
This tour was excellent. We had double the fun, as we were lucky to have two awesome tour guides, full of information and interesting folk lore stories of the Scottish highlands. The accommodation is …This tour was excellent. We had double the fun, as we were lucky to have two awesome tour guides, full of information and interesting folk lore stories of the Scottish highlands. The accommodation is basic, but has everything you need for your two night stay. If you only have a few days this is the best way to see the best of Scotland.
D
This tour was absolutely incredible!! Highly recommend to anyone and everyone. Mark, our tour guide, was incredibly thoughtful, knowledgeable, and funny. The hostels were great and the staff always ma…This tour was absolutely incredible!! Highly recommend to anyone and everyone. Mark, our tour guide, was incredibly thoughtful, knowledgeable, and funny. The hostels were great and the staff always made sure we were accommodated for. The tour itself was worth every penny! They take you to incredible sights and you get to also learn about their history. Take the trip!!
P
Amazing experience, very nice locations and the accommodation is more than adequate for the experience.
C
A
Absolutely fantastic.
This tour offers a once in a lifetime experience in the hills of the Highlands and the beautiful isle. Our weather in July was unmatched. I was sunburnt climbing Old Man of Storr. This was worthwhile …This tour offers a once in a lifetime experience in the hills of the Highlands and the beautiful isle. Our weather in July was unmatched. I was sunburnt climbing Old Man of Storr. This was worthwhile in terms of money and time. We stopped at many places along the way and had fun the entire time. Mark was an excellent tour guide and I would specifically ask for him if you’re able to. He made the trip especially special with his energy and breath of knowledge surrounding the area. He was a safe and timely driver and tour guide- we were in good hands.
Small group, hostels with amazing views, especially getting really close to the water. Super knowledgeable and fun guides who knew the best secret viewing spots that were FREE and great walks. Made fr…Small group, hostels with amazing views, especially getting really close to the water. Super knowledgeable and fun guides who knew the best secret viewing spots that were FREE and great walks. Made friends too!! Amazing value :)
S
It was an easy and fun way to adventure around the Isle of Skye. Mark, our guide, was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed listening to him share about the history of Scotland and having the opportunity …It was an easy and fun way to adventure around the Isle of Skye. Mark, our guide, was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed listening to him share about the history of Scotland and having the opportunity to visit the places where the events happened. I would highly recommend both our guide and the tour. We’ll definitely do another tour with MacBackpackers in the future
Ik had Marc, en hij was echt geweldig! Ik had het zo’n naar m’n zin, Marc wist zoveel te vertellen en had geweldige verhalen. Zeker een aanrader.
S
Well planned, experienced, good communication before and during the tour. Accommodation was comfortable. Mark told us a lot of the Scottish history. Thank you Macbackpackers for the wonderful tour. I …Well planned, experienced, good communication before and during the tour. Accommodation was comfortable. Mark told us a lot of the Scottish history. Thank you Macbackpackers for the wonderful tour. I have to thank the Scottish weather too. It was kind to us on those 3 days.
It was such a fun and interesting tour! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and had lots of great tips to give. Super fun guy as well! The scenery and places we were taken to were great. I enjoyed e…It was such a fun and interesting tour! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and had lots of great tips to give. Super fun guy as well! The scenery and places we were taken to were great. I enjoyed every second of it.
M
This trip was a great experience. Great sceneries, great vibes, we had a great tour guide Mark who made it very special with his energy and humour. Met some great people and I would definitely recomme…This trip was a great experience. Great sceneries, great vibes, we had a great tour guide Mark who made it very special with his energy and humour. Met some great people and I would definitely recommend. Loved Scotland!
M
Amazing tour, beautiful views, really fun and Mark was a great guide!
K
Wonderful tour, with a great tour guide
R
Intense 3-day-trip. A good chance to immerse yourself in the scottish highland culture, especially with that extraordinary storyteller Marc --> he had the feeling of the group and could give everyone …Intense 3-day-trip. A good chance to immerse yourself in the scottish highland culture, especially with that extraordinary storyteller Marc --> he had the feeling of the group and could give everyone what they needed, best guide :)
F
I will never ever forget this trip. It has been my life best trip ever. The guide was amazing, the way she tell the stories of the Scotland was amazing. My ♥️ goes to her
O
Mark you done it again!! This was my SECOND time on this trip and it was even better than the first. Highly recommend. Fantastic all round. Start to finish. Looking forward to next year already. Great…Mark you done it again!! This was my SECOND time on this trip and it was even better than the first. Highly recommend. Fantastic all round. Start to finish. Looking forward to next year already. Great group with good energy, the BEST sights in the Highlands. Superb admin team might I add. Thanks again.
M
Unparalleled experience - cannot recommend enough - kudos to Mark! Beware the midge!
C
Highly recommend it! The tour was very well scheduled and the landscape was stunning (Don't forget to bring a pair of boots if you visit The Old Man of Storr ;) There're a variety of hikes you can tak…Highly recommend it! The tour was very well scheduled and the landscape was stunning (Don't forget to bring a pair of boots if you visit The Old Man of Storr ;) There're a variety of hikes you can take on that will be rewarded with beautiful views)
Mark is very easy-going, organised and punctual. Also, he has a warm personality and a wide knowledge of Scottish history. He told us lots of anecdotes and little facts of every place we visited, that I would never forget.
Big thank you!
Caelia
S
The tour was absolutely brillant and it was the best decision ever! Marc is a phenomenal guide - he had an answer to every question. Next time I will book the 5 days tour with him! Thanks to Marc and …The tour was absolutely brillant and it was the best decision ever! Marc is a phenomenal guide - he had an answer to every question. Next time I will book the 5 days tour with him! Thanks to Marc and also to the girl from the hostel on Isle of Skye. Our group was also fantastic. Marc - please say hi to your wife Sarah and belated birthday wishes to her from Germany !
I took the tour at the end of April and had the pleasure of taking it with Mark. From the moment we started the trip, Mark's enthusiasm, humor and knowledge took it from great to unforgettable. He not…I took the tour at the end of April and had the pleasure of taking it with Mark. From the moment we started the trip, Mark's enthusiasm, humor and knowledge took it from great to unforgettable. He not only made sure we got to take advantage of our time, but he also made sure we were comfortable throughout the trip. He was an endless well of so many interesting historical facts tinted with humor that I will never forget. Not to mention a brilliant playlist that had bag pipes in!
Our itinerary was certainly very eventful; we did a lot of sightseeing, hiking and exploring. However, It had a nice balance of things. The hostel we stayed at was nice, comfortable and the location was beautiful.
My time in the Scottish Highlands with Mark these three days was unforgettable. From the beautiful landmarks, to the folk tales and history, the laughter shared with the entire group and the many friendships and memories created... this Macbackpackers tour is an amazing experience that I would never get tired of recommending. If you are debating whether to take it, I'd say go for it! It's an experience that you will never regret. Just go with an open mind and heart, and the Highlands will do the rest!
Thank you to the entire team who makes these tours possible!
And once again, shout out to Mark for being such an amazing lead and person - keep doing what you do!
The three day Isle of Skye tour was amazing and the highlight of our trip to Scotland. Mark is a fantastic guide with so much knowledge, great stories and even better jokes. We were blessed with some …The three day Isle of Skye tour was amazing and the highlight of our trip to Scotland. Mark is a fantastic guide with so much knowledge, great stories and even better jokes. We were blessed with some amazing weather while we hiked up mountains, dipped in the Fairy Pools and Loch Ness, saw lots of castles and made so many new friends along the way. We couldn't recommend this tour enough and wish we could go again!
Easily the best way to see the highlands is one of the MacBackpackers tours. The 3 Day Isle of Skye tour was a great way, as a solo traveler, to see some of the most iconic spots on Skye! So much easi…Easily the best way to see the highlands is one of the MacBackpackers tours. The 3 Day Isle of Skye tour was a great way, as a solo traveler, to see some of the most iconic spots on Skye! So much easier than renting your own car to do the trip. Also, our tour guide Mark kept us entertained and told us all the lore and history about the land as we went through. Met a ton of amazing people and got some incredible views too
Amazing tour, smashing guide Mark. He's really a star.
Thank you for the great time
?
Mark is an incredible tour guide. Gave tons of history over the entire duration of the trip and told great stories. He has a great sense of humor and energy.
The trip itself was amazing. The perfe…Mark is an incredible tour guide. Gave tons of history over the entire duration of the trip and told great stories. He has a great sense of humor and energy.
The trip itself was amazing. The perfect amount of time to hit up most of the top spots.
Standard hostel living.
?
Brilliant tour! Doesnt matter if you've been to the Highlands 10 times or never, this tour emphasised the beauty of the place with history, fun and personality.
?
Active tour. Certain level of independence built into each day — we were given many opportunities to say what we were & weren’t interested in seeing. We visited a lot of places I don’t feel I would’ve…Active tour. Certain level of independence built into each day — we were given many opportunities to say what we were & weren’t interested in seeing. We visited a lot of places I don’t feel I would’ve been able to reach & experience if I’d gone by myself.
B
The 3 day Isle of Skye tour was SPECTACULAR!! Mark was a great guide that has wonderful storytelling abilities. Would of loved to do the 5 tour, may even come back one day to do it!
Went on the 5-day tour with guide Mark and was an awesome experience.. Mark was amazing, went out of his way to give us a good experience and show us/tell us the history and stories of the Highlands. …Went on the 5-day tour with guide Mark and was an awesome experience.. Mark was amazing, went out of his way to give us a good experience and show us/tell us the history and stories of the Highlands. Scottish people are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met!! The tour is jam-packed with historical spots and beautiful vistas so you go pretty hard over 5 days but it’s worth getting to see so much! Thanks for a great time!!
G
If you're a solo traveller and want to get off the beaten track, this is the one for you.
L
Tour was fantastic! Mark was our guide and he was an amazing storyteller. Every where we stayed Mark had a lot of suggestions for food or activities. The hostels were nice especially the one on the sh…Tour was fantastic! Mark was our guide and he was an amazing storyteller. Every where we stayed Mark had a lot of suggestions for food or activities. The hostels were nice especially the one on the shore of Loch Ness.
C
S
BEST tour of the world!! The guide (Mark) was funny, caring and full of interesting stories to share with us. 100% recommended!
F
The tour was awesome!
The 5 days Highlands Tour was amazing! I went as a solo traveller and everyone was so fun and welcoming. Mark was incredible. I have done quite a few group travel programs in the past and I was floore…The 5 days Highlands Tour was amazing! I went as a solo traveller and everyone was so fun and welcoming. Mark was incredible. I have done quite a few group travel programs in the past and I was floored by Mark's knowledge and passion for highlands history and culture. He was informative, chill, funny, and kind. The Hostels were okay, the bus was comfortable, and there was a great mix of touristy experiences, hikes, historical sites, and views. I would caution those who do no consider themselves as hikers and make sure to come prepared! I made the mistake of not packing proper shoes/attire and I struggled a bit with the weather. Overall, an amazing value for money and I'm so glad I did the longer tour.
B
The accommodation modest, but the views are amazing. Mark, our guide, was hilarious and informative. His way of telling the history made it feel real and exciting. The only thing I wished was that we …The accommodation modest, but the views are amazing. Mark, our guide, was hilarious and informative. His way of telling the history made it feel real and exciting. The only thing I wished was that we had more time to see and do more.
Any tour can take you to the beautiful places around Skye, but MARK with MacBackpackers truly made it an amazing experience! I was battling between several tour groups to go to the Isle of Skye, but I…Any tour can take you to the beautiful places around Skye, but MARK with MacBackpackers truly made it an amazing experience! I was battling between several tour groups to go to the Isle of Skye, but I saw several reviews mentioning this mysterious Mark with MacBackpackers that was so great so I had to see what the hype was about and
So here I am getting on the Mark bandwagon to exclaim how amazing his tour is. I am not into history, but his hilarious, expansive story-telling ability while caravanning through the glorious Highlands had me hooked the whole time and helped me see Scotland through Scottish eyes. On top of being very personable and friendly, Mark was very accommodating and even ask for places we wanted to see and planned the trip around it (like The Old Man of Storr and the Fairie Pools even though they were on opposite sides of the isle)!
Of course the Isle of Skye and the Highlands are beautiful no matter which tour you pick, but if you're unsure on who to go with, I obviously, highly recommend this tour if you want a tour that opens your eyes to the beauty and history of Scotland while making some amazing friends along the way.
**If you are able to travel longer, I would even recommend the 5 day adventure tour also. I was not able to due to other travel restrictions, but if have the time, 5 days would be even better!**
R
The 3-day tour was brilliant! Mark is an excellent tour guide and story teller - his stories of the history of the Highlands, and friendliness made it an unforgettable experience. It was definitely th…The 3-day tour was brilliant! Mark is an excellent tour guide and story teller - his stories of the history of the Highlands, and friendliness made it an unforgettable experience. It was definitely the highlight of my stay in Scotland.
O
Fantastic trip in April 2022. Mark was a wonderful, funny, considerate tour guide. The storytelling was a major plus - and the fluffy sheep (Mark is friends/friendly with nearly everyone you meet. We …Fantastic trip in April 2022. Mark was a wonderful, funny, considerate tour guide. The storytelling was a major plus - and the fluffy sheep (Mark is friends/friendly with nearly everyone you meet. We chanced upon a shepherd he knew who was visiting his flock at the grounds of a castle, and he even let us pet them! Do not touch babies without permission.), cows, light hiking, remains of history, architecture, and personal touches.
DO speak up early if you need the toilet - he won't make a big deal of it and has great knowledge of local public toilets. We stopped at least every couple hours, which I had been worried about.
I was also concerned that I wouldn't have fun as a solo traveler who doesn't drink, but I had a good time socializing without feeling any pressure to consume alcohol. I also didn't feel too much pressure to socialize if I wasn't feeling it, period.
DO also know you will be staying in shared dormitories (hostels) if you opt for the tour-arranged housing, with shared bathrooms and bedrooms. We were together with other people in the tour group.
J
Overall was ok, but
missed these two, that were in the route descrption:
Highland Folk Museum (1st day, maybe this is only visited when the weather is really bad...)
Doune Castle (last day)
T
Had a brilliant time on this tour. Mark was fantastic- very knowledgeable and even tried to find out more information about the History of my family! The tour was very well organised and saw some grea…Had a brilliant time on this tour. Mark was fantastic- very knowledgeable and even tried to find out more information about the History of my family! The tour was very well organised and saw some great sites.
A
I came to Scotland on a whim, not really knowing what to expect before I arrived. I’ve had others tell me it is a beautiful country and I had to see it for myself, but that was it. The first few days …I came to Scotland on a whim, not really knowing what to expect before I arrived. I’ve had others tell me it is a beautiful country and I had to see it for myself, but that was it. The first few days of my trip were in Edinburgh and while Edinburgh is a nice city with plenty to do, I will describe it as a “very okay” experience - not the most amazing I’ve seen, but hey, at least I got to see it at least once and I guess the history and architecture was pretty cool.
It wasn’t until this tour that I decided this was my favourite trip I have ever taken. For me, I was most looking forward to seeing the countryside and touring the highlands on my trip - this tour did not disappoint. Mark is an excellent guide with a lot of knowledge and passion for this country. Funny too. He was very professional when guiding us through the day, but while everyone would spend the evening at the pub he was very easy to talk to and was just another member of the group to share stories with.
The tours were very flexible and Mark did not force anyone into any activity they did not want to do. The weather for the duration of the tour was very generous to us which allowed us to see some incredible sights, but that may not always be the case. Your mileage may vary.
The people I met on this tour, as well as my experiences through the Highlands & Isle of Skye made the price of this tour well worth it. I will definitely be back in Scotland, it’s just a matter of when. Maybe next time I will go for the 7 day tour.
Also... hairy coos. That is all.
A
This was an amazing tour! If you’re unsure of whether to go with MacB or another tour group, this is the tour for you if you’re young, active, enjoy a lively atmosphere/experience, and want to be with…This was an amazing tour! If you’re unsure of whether to go with MacB or another tour group, this is the tour for you if you’re young, active, enjoy a lively atmosphere/experience, and want to be within a cohort of your peers.
Each day we did a really good amount of activities and we weren’t overwhelmed with info or going at 150% to fit everything in. It was a really great pace!
H
I had my doubts about guided tours but MacBackpackers totally changed my mind. This trip felt more like a road trip with friends than a tourbus full of tourists. It was fun and absolutely breathtaking…I had my doubts about guided tours but MacBackpackers totally changed my mind. This trip felt more like a road trip with friends than a tourbus full of tourists. It was fun and absolutely breathtaking. I was on the 5 Day Sky and Highland Fling, on which we saw way more of the Highlands than I expected to see on five days. Our tourguide Mark is a talented storyteller and car DJ. ;) He will amaze you with his knowledge about the Highlands and take you to some the best spots in the Highlands, some of which regular tourists would miss. I which I could go back already!
A
Was an excellent tour. Our guide Mark was so knowledgeable on locations and history of the places we visited. Would definitely do another tour again and would recommend to others to do a tour. Thanks …Was an excellent tour. Our guide Mark was so knowledgeable on locations and history of the places we visited. Would definitely do another tour again and would recommend to others to do a tour. Thanks Mark for a great introduction to the highlands and Skye.
A
Awesome! An excellent experience
Best decision we made as a couple to travel with awesome people to this special place. If you are still debating whether to do it or not, I can assure you it is value for money and more.
Guide was a …Best decision we made as a couple to travel with awesome people to this special place. If you are still debating whether to do it or not, I can assure you it is value for money and more.
Guide was a great guy who wasn’t over the top but still very passionate about the tour, had a good balance.
P
it was a very good experience!
M
7 Day Best of the West
Fantastic tour guide - fantastic trip. If you're considering it, just book it. I had a great time with some rad people in absolutely beautiful locations.
N
It was a fantastic tour through the highlands of Scotland ond the Isle of Skye, even though the weather wasn't the best, we all enjoyed it at lot and the landscape is just outstanding. Our guide Mark …It was a fantastic tour through the highlands of Scotland ond the Isle of Skye, even though the weather wasn't the best, we all enjoyed it at lot and the landscape is just outstanding. Our guide Mark was great, telling us a lot of stories about Scotland. I also liked having sometimes the option to decide (as a group) what to do next or even skip a place and spend more time exploring something else. Mark always had an alternative spot in mind (bad weather, too croweded,...). The itinerary is fully packed, but it's definitley worth it. You won't spend much time in the cities/villages (sometimes I would have loved having more time to explore the little villages), but so you get to see other places as well. The hostels we stayed in were lovely and there was everything you needed.
C
Macbackpackers’ tour is the best way to travel to the Highlands. Tour guide (Mark) is natural born storyteller, very funny (and furry), and probably knows everything you need to see in Scotland. Do y…Macbackpackers’ tour is the best way to travel to the Highlands. Tour guide (Mark) is natural born storyteller, very funny (and furry), and probably knows everything you need to see in Scotland. Do yourself a favor and book a tour right now.
7 Day Best of the West
What an amazing experience it was. Our guide Mark exceeded all expectations with his lovely Scottish humor, cheerful attitude and neverending stories of Scottish past.
O
7 Day Best of the West
Great experience. I loved the itinerary and the 7days allowed us to ho up to Ile of Lewis and Harris which was really the best part of the tour. Mark is also knowledgeable about the history and mskesi…Great experience. I loved the itinerary and the 7days allowed us to ho up to Ile of Lewis and Harris which was really the best part of the tour. Mark is also knowledgeable about the history and mskesit approachable and easy to understand. The group size is also good (small) which lakesit easier to ho yo some remote location. We were 6 and we lanaged to know and dpeak to everyoneby the end of thd tour. Accomodation, it's hostels so you know what you signedfir. The accomodation in Isle of Lewis was amazing. I recommend, and I am not much of a hiker.
D
7 Day Best of the West
This tour was absolutely fantastic. I have done two different bus tour companies in Scotland and I recommend this one best.
It is more suited to people who are happy to stay in dorm style accommodati…This tour was absolutely fantastic. I have done two different bus tour companies in Scotland and I recommend this one best.
It is more suited to people who are happy to stay in dorm style accommodation.
7 Day Best of the West
Book it ! You won’t regret !
J
7 Day Best of the West
Just do it! You wont regret it. Its amazing.
I could not recommend this tour high enough! You learn so much of Scotlands history in the most entertaining way!
If you are at all considering this tour do it! I've taken many tours geared towards the 18-30 age range and this was by far one of the best tours I've ever gone on.
C
Had a great time on our 5 day tour. Mark is a story teller and I loved hearing his perspectives and knowledge on all things Scotland. He maintained patient and consistently had integrity throughout th…Had a great time on our 5 day tour. Mark is a story teller and I loved hearing his perspectives and knowledge on all things Scotland. He maintained patient and consistently had integrity throughout the tour. I will never forget our beautiful hikes in the highlands!
H
This was an amazing tour, exceeded my already high expectations. Mark, our guide, was fantastic! He tailored the activities to what we wanted to do and gave great recommendations for how to spend our …This was an amazing tour, exceeded my already high expectations. Mark, our guide, was fantastic! He tailored the activities to what we wanted to do and gave great recommendations for how to spend our free time in the evenings. His stories were very enjoyable to listen to. Great hikes, scenery, people and history! I would recommend this to anyone!
R
My husband and I did the 3 day Isle of Skye tour in Sept. 2016. It was the highlight of our trip to the UK. Our tour guide Mark was extremely entertaining and so knowledgeable about Scottish history …My husband and I did the 3 day Isle of Skye tour in Sept. 2016. It was the highlight of our trip to the UK. Our tour guide Mark was extremely entertaining and so knowledgeable about Scottish history and the surrounding landscape. The Scottish Highlands and in particular the Isle of Skye are breathtaking. Some of the most gorgeous scenery on earth and you will not regret your choice to go on this tour (you may only wish you could stay longer!) You will meet people from all around the world and create memories that will last a lifetime. I cannot express how much we enjoyed this tour and MacBackpackers. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Scotland and would even do it again myself. Thank you again Mark for your enthusiasm and dad jokes ;) You are fantastic and really made the experience unforgettable.
