Unique things to do in United Kingdom

The advantage of a private tour opposed to a tourist bus is having the flexibility of personalising your tour with the privacy of your own vehicle and driver guide. My custom tours cover areas of Scotland accessible on a day excursion from Edinburgh. You will tour Scotland in the comfort of my spacious minibus seeing some of Scotland’s most famous sites, but also beautiful off the beaten track areas and unique locations that only an experienced local guide would know. As your personal guide, the sites you visit will be coloured with narratives of Scotland that immerse you in our rich culture and history. I cover many of Scotland’s areas of interest incl, sites of outstanding natural beauty, castles, filming locations, whisky distilleries, hiking and much more. I have a range of tour itineraries to suit all tastes and for every type of traveller, so please get in touch to discuss your guided Scotland tour. You can also find me on: www. ImmersiveJourneys-Scotland. com ------------- ***This is a Private Tour. The experience will be customised for you. The cost for a tour is £350 for the whole day and up to 12 hrs. Please book your tour under the PRIVATE GROUPS option, NOT the individual option. Please discuss your tour with me prior to booking***

A 3 hour live music tour around Edinburgh old town's genuine Scottish bars where people appreciate talented musicians. This is the opportunity for guests to plug into the city’s flourishing acoustic live music pub scene. Genres ranging from traditional and contemporary celtic folk, pop, indie, stripped back acoustic jazz/blues and original singer song writing. Part of the tour will consist of live music sessions where guests can just sit back and listen or borrow the house guitar and play a song or two. (no pressure) Your guide is a local professional musician with 20 years experience of performing around the city venues. During the tour you will also have the opportunity to listen to him sing and perform songs . Each of the 3/4 bars visited during the tour are established live music bars in the old town area of Edinburgh. Each venue hosts quality live music which are also famous for their warm atmosphere and traditional welcome. For over 18s only due to Scottish licensing laws. Guests are asked to follow local government covid guidelines . Bring face mask or covering, hand sanitizer and cancel and stay home if they have symptoms. Although we visit bars during the tour please don't feel pressured into drinking alcohol. Fun time with or without.

The Mountebank Comedy Walk is Edinburgh's completely original 'hysterical and historical' walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town. Mountebank is the only tour of Edinburgh that is led by a local, professional, stand-up comedian guaranteed to make you laugh yourself silly! The aim is simple, to make you laugh a lot while you learn about Scotland's incredible capital. This is a walking tour that is 'hysterical' and 'historical' you will laugh a lot and you might just learn a little! On this walk around Edinburgh's Old Town I will tell you everything you need to know about Edinburgh, Scotland, and possibly a little you probably didn't want to know about me! Come ready to laugh your wee socks off and mind and bring your best banter :) (PLEASE NOTE: this is a comedy tour aimed at adults with some adult themes and jokes. I’m Scottish and swears are just punctuation marks here.. Suitable for ages 16+) (PLEASE NOTE: I have a Scottish accent and use Scottish words on the tour, so fluent English is necessary to enjoy the tour fully) (PLEASE NOTE: I take my mega friendly dog Brahan aka 'The Bonnie Prince' on the tour, he is the softest, friendliest dog in Scotland but if you have any issues with dogs and would rather he wasn't on your tour please let me know)

This is a 3.5 hour tour from Edinburgh city centre to the sea and back in one superb loop through many different areas of this interesting and eclectic capital city. The main advantage of cycling is we can leave the city and visit the outer reaches, experiencing country landscapes and the gorgeous coastline. We pass through city attractions, history, breathtaking views, natural wonders and have a lot of fun along the way. 

(This tour is conducted using standard, non E Bikes, if you would like an E Bike you can find our other experience the Ultimate E Bike City Tour)

 

Our guided bicycle city tour starts at the West End of Princes Street, below the towering Edinburgh Castle. By travelling the cities superb network of bike paths and quiet side roads we will discover the hidden gems seldom seen by the average visitor. From the canals, volcanos, hidden tunnels, secret gardens and beautiful beaches to industrial history, old railways and all the interesting facts and tales therein. 

 The experience also includes an optional stop in a cosy cafe for refreshments around the midway point, should you wish.
 Sometimes the tour will be conducted by our experienced and excellent guide Stuart! Helmets are mandatory. Please come prepared for all weather eventualities. We are famous for rain after all :)

This is the ideal tour for anyone who wants to learn more than just the basics about Edinburgh's historic Old Town. To start, meet us away from most other tourists, on the edge of Princes Street Gardens, for the best view of Edinburgh Castle in the whole city. This tour will have a bit of everything - you'll learn about the lives of some of the Old Town's most famous and infamous residents, and some gruesome, interesting, and entertaining stories about what the city has seen over the centuries. Along the way, we'll point out some of our favourite spots to pop in for a "wee dram" or pint, so you'll know just where to go once the tour is over! This tour starts at 16.30, after the crowds have died down, so we have more space to explore Old Town. We limit the group size, so it's still a personal experience and you'll be able to chat with your guide and ask questions. Our goal is for you to learn a bit about Edinburgh's history, and have a great time while doing it! We'll do this tour rain or shine, so be sure to watch the weather and come prepared!

Guests will be inspired by learning of the history and character of the Highland breed in the surroundings of the self-built Roundhouse. Then we will walk to the purpose built Meeting Barn (shared between humans and animals as in days past). We gather in the atrium of tall larch logs around the central hearth sharing stories about our animals, as our ancestors did in the forests of this land. You will meet the animals that are being hand reared and taught to walk for the shows and spectacles for which pedigree Highlanders go through their paces. You will be introduced to Baby and Boy -giant sweet-natured bullocks who adore being fed and talked to. Next, (weather permitting!;-)) you will see the main herd of breeding mothers with their babies -(the nearest thing to real-life teddy bears!)- and Dougie the timid, affectionate bull. Afterwards you can explore the pastures where the animals roam at large. At the end of the tour you are free to wander the farm under your own steam, or enjoy stunning walks in the immediate vicinity with magnificent photographic opportunities. For those wanting to deepen their understanding of the Highlanders, on-farm accommodation is available on Airbnb Crofthouse at the Roundhouse (sleeping up to 8) or Hairy Cow Studio (cosy for 1-2 people). It is not possible to supervise one-on-one contact with the animals; for this check out 'Hug a Hairy' :-)

You will be welcomed to a bespoke micro distillery room where you will receive a gin and tonic on arrival. Guests will be allowed to settle in with a run through of the outline of the class. Each guest will then try three different gin tasting samples and then design their own bespoke gin recipe from the available ingredients. Guests will then use an individual mini copper still to distill their chosen ingredients to produce a 500ml (50cl) bottle of gin to take home with them. While their gin is distilling they will enjoy a cocktail and once their gin has been distilled, they will taste their newly made gin before bottling, labelling, naming and wax sealing their end product. Other things to note Unfortunately the room where we host the gin school is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible.

We will be eating our way around Glasgow starting in the heart of the City Centre followed by a trip to the West End and finishing in the historical East End. We will talk about each area and why they matter to the culinary and cultural map of Glasgow. This tour is an introduction to the must try 'Bucket List' of Scottish food and we encourage adventurous and curious eaters! Interacting with the locals and business owners allow us an intimate look at why the city of Glasgow is so incredible.

In a beautiful and secret location near Loch Ness with celtic hanging rings and altar where dressed in traditional Scottish dress I will explain this full celtic ritual of handfasting. After the traditional gaelic introduction the rest of the ceremony will be in english and I will join your hands together and you will repeat the old vows of binding from long ago. You will be offered the chance to recite your own vows after this if you wish. After the ceremony you can relax with your loved one and a romantic and decadent Scottish gourmet picnic and drinks complete with fire, rugs, blankets, crockery etc. Other things to note This is not a legally binding ceremony and available for lovers, married couples, same sex and mixed sex couples alike.

An Almaborealis knit workshop provides guests with the tools and knowledge to experience becoming a knitwear designer for a day. Visitors will be guided step-by-step through the design process of a machine knitted scarf. Colour, pattern and texture are all discussed and used as part of the design process. My guests will choose from a variety of yarn, including lambswool, merino, and other natural fibres. Chosen designs will come to life through the magic of a hand operated knitting machine. Guests will be introduced and guided through every step of operating a knitting machine to guarantee a successful wooly outcome. The process from an initial idea through to a final warming and hand (machine) knitted item is fascinating - and what better souvenir to take home than a memorable experience and the product of your own creative process! Please be aware that once you have knitted your wondrous scarf in our experience, you will then, at home, weave in yarn ends and hand wash, to give it the lovely finish it deserves! Details of this will be talked through during the experience.

Today you'll be taken away from the beautiful city of Edinburgh on a highland adventure full of beautiful scenic stops not accessible by public transport in the majestic Scottish highlands. You'll be picked up from your accommodation in the city and as we drive to the highlands, you'll hear some stories about Scotland and try some local snacks. We'll arrive at Loch Lomond and you can take some beautiful pictures of one of Scotland's most stunning lochs. We'll then make a few stops for photos and short walks before arriving in stunning Glencoe with its ancient moody hills and atmospheric tranquillity. You'll hear local legends and visit a few small towns in the area before stopping in Fort William and the Glenfinnan viaduct made famous in Harry Potter. We'll have time to grab a coffee or a drink in a local pub before taking a different road back to Edinburgh. Having lived in the highlands and knowing the area inside and out, I'm delighted to show what Scotland has to offer in terms of food and scenery on a whirlwind day trip - just note that meals aren't included in the cost. We can also offer customised trips if booked for a private group - visiting different locations in the highlands (taking in scenic locations, food/whisky experiences or even Outlander and Harry Potter filming locations) and we also offer multi-day trips. Please message for prices and availability.

The advantage of a private tour opposed to a tourist bus is having the flexibility of personalising your tour with the privacy of your own vehicle and driver guide. My custom tours cover areas of Scotland accessible on a day excursion from Edinburgh. You will tour Scotland in the comfort of my spacious minibus seeing some of Scotland’s most famous sites, but also beautiful off the beaten track areas and unique locations that only an experienced local guide would know. As your personal guide, the sites you visit will be coloured with narratives of Scotland that immerse you in our rich culture and history. I cover many of Scotland’s areas of interest incl, sites of outstanding natural beauty, castles, filming locations, whisky distilleries, hiking and much more. I have a range of tour itineraries to suit all tastes and for every type of traveller, so please get in touch to discuss your guided Scotland tour. You can also find me on: www. ImmersiveJourneys-Scotland. com ------------- ***This is a Private Tour. The experience will be customised for you. The cost for a tour is £350 for the whole day and up to 12 hrs. Please book your tour under the PRIVATE GROUPS option, NOT the individual option. Please discuss your tour with me prior to booking***

A 3 hour live music tour around Edinburgh old town's genuine Scottish bars where people appreciate talented musicians. This is the opportunity for guests to plug into the city’s flourishing acoustic live music pub scene. Genres ranging from traditional and contemporary celtic folk, pop, indie, stripped back acoustic jazz/blues and original singer song writing. Part of the tour will consist of live music sessions where guests can just sit back and listen or borrow the house guitar and play a song or two. (no pressure) Your guide is a local professional musician with 20 years experience of performing around the city venues. During the tour you will also have the opportunity to listen to him sing and perform songs . Each of the 3/4 bars visited during the tour are established live music bars in the old town area of Edinburgh. Each venue hosts quality live music which are also famous for their warm atmosphere and traditional welcome. For over 18s only due to Scottish licensing laws. Guests are asked to follow local government covid guidelines . Bring face mask or covering, hand sanitizer and cancel and stay home if they have symptoms. Although we visit bars during the tour please don't feel pressured into drinking alcohol. Fun time with or without.

The Mountebank Comedy Walk is Edinburgh's completely original 'hysterical and historical' walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town. Mountebank is the only tour of Edinburgh that is led by a local, professional, stand-up comedian guaranteed to make you laugh yourself silly! The aim is simple, to make you laugh a lot while you learn about Scotland's incredible capital. This is a walking tour that is 'hysterical' and 'historical' you will laugh a lot and you might just learn a little! On this walk around Edinburgh's Old Town I will tell you everything you need to know about Edinburgh, Scotland, and possibly a little you probably didn't want to know about me! Come ready to laugh your wee socks off and mind and bring your best banter :) (PLEASE NOTE: this is a comedy tour aimed at adults with some adult themes and jokes. I’m Scottish and swears are just punctuation marks here.. Suitable for ages 16+) (PLEASE NOTE: I have a Scottish accent and use Scottish words on the tour, so fluent English is necessary to enjoy the tour fully) (PLEASE NOTE: I take my mega friendly dog Brahan aka 'The Bonnie Prince' on the tour, he is the softest, friendliest dog in Scotland but if you have any issues with dogs and would rather he wasn't on your tour please let me know)

This is a 3.5 hour tour from Edinburgh city centre to the sea and back in one superb loop through many different areas of this interesting and eclectic capital city. The main advantage of cycling is we can leave the city and visit the outer reaches, experiencing country landscapes and the gorgeous coastline. We pass through city attractions, history, breathtaking views, natural wonders and have a lot of fun along the way. 

(This tour is conducted using standard, non E Bikes, if you would like an E Bike you can find our other experience the Ultimate E Bike City Tour)

 

Our guided bicycle city tour starts at the West End of Princes Street, below the towering Edinburgh Castle. By travelling the cities superb network of bike paths and quiet side roads we will discover the hidden gems seldom seen by the average visitor. From the canals, volcanos, hidden tunnels, secret gardens and beautiful beaches to industrial history, old railways and all the interesting facts and tales therein. 

 The experience also includes an optional stop in a cosy cafe for refreshments around the midway point, should you wish.
 Sometimes the tour will be conducted by our experienced and excellent guide Stuart! Helmets are mandatory. Please come prepared for all weather eventualities. We are famous for rain after all :)

This is the ideal tour for anyone who wants to learn more than just the basics about Edinburgh's historic Old Town. To start, meet us away from most other tourists, on the edge of Princes Street Gardens, for the best view of Edinburgh Castle in the whole city. This tour will have a bit of everything - you'll learn about the lives of some of the Old Town's most famous and infamous residents, and some gruesome, interesting, and entertaining stories about what the city has seen over the centuries. Along the way, we'll point out some of our favourite spots to pop in for a "wee dram" or pint, so you'll know just where to go once the tour is over! This tour starts at 16.30, after the crowds have died down, so we have more space to explore Old Town. We limit the group size, so it's still a personal experience and you'll be able to chat with your guide and ask questions. Our goal is for you to learn a bit about Edinburgh's history, and have a great time while doing it! We'll do this tour rain or shine, so be sure to watch the weather and come prepared!

This tour includes a little of The Royal Mile and a lot of The Castle. Set aside time after your tour to explore. The price advertised does not include the entrance price to the castle, this is because some people book their own tickets in advance. You can purchase castle tickets directly from us at the start of the tour for your convenience. We meet on the Royal Mile and start by giving a little background history to Edinburgh and the Castle to help put everything into context. Moving up to the castle esplanade where you will learn about the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and two of the most famous figures from Scottish history; Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. Entering the Castle we stop by the Argyle Battery where you will learn about the 1 o'clock gun. Moving on we head down to the Hospital Square where we get impressive views from the Western Panorama before heading up towards the castle barracks and prisoner of war camp, all these areas have enthralling stories that only a guide can bring to life. We then climb to the top of Castle Rock entering the medieval section of Edinburgh Castle. Here we see the oldest building in Edinburgh, St Margaret’s Chapel and Mons Meg, a monstrous canon! The tour finishes in the Crown Square which is the heart of Edinburgh Castle and I will tell you all about the daring attacks against this iconic fortification.

This is a 3.5 hour tour from Edinburgh city centre to the sea and back in one superb loop through many different areas of this interesting and eclectic capital city. The main advantage of cycling is we can leave the city and visit the outer reaches, experiencing country landscapes and the gorgeous coastline. We pass through city attractions, history, breathtaking views, natural wonders and have a lot of fun along the way. (This tour is conducted with E Bikes, these are bicycles with assistance from an electric motor to make it easier but they must be pedalled, as with any bicycle) 

Our guided bicycle city tour starts at the West End of Princes Street, below the towering Edinburgh Castle. By travelling the cities superb network of bike paths and quiet side roads we will discover the hidden gems seldom seen by the average visitor. From the canals, volcanos, hidden tunnels, secret gardens and beautiful beaches to industrial history, old railways and all the interesting facts and tales therein. 

 The experience also includes an optional stop in a cosy cafe for refreshments around the midway point, should you wish. Sometimes the tour will be conducted by our experienced and excellent guide,Stuart! 
 We apologise but Under 14s cannot use E Bikes. Helmets are mandatory. Please come prepared for all weather eventualities. We are famous for rain after all :)

Experience the freedom of exploring London by bike, just like a local, and get an exciting introduction to the best of London's landmarks and culture. We'll provide you with a gorgeous, hand-built British bicycle and a tweed flat cap (caps optional, helmets also available) and we'll set off on an adventure around London’s iconic sights and lesser-known hidden gems. Following back streets and dedicated bike lanes, you'll ride from Big Ben past Westminster Abbey and up to Buckingham Palace, the home of the Queen, where we'll see the Royal Guards in their dapper uniforms. (Changing of the Guard days: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, & Sundays) You'll coast along (London is very flat!) at an easy-going pace, stopping regularly to hear fun facts and some quirky historical tales. There's time to take photos too! We'll then take a break to enjoy a pint of beer at a cosy historic pub where you can get to know your fellow travellers. Lastly, you'll have a chance to try street art in Banksy's graffiti tunnel (and we provide spray paint!). We've designed this route to give you the best introduction to London. It's a great balance between 'not to miss' sights and local gems. - The route is mainly flat and easy - London can be a busy & unpredictable - The total distance is 7 miles / 11km - We ride rain or shine - Great for groups - Solo travellers welcome - Best way to start a trip

Do you want an all round, INTERACTIVE Edinburgh city tour which is full of local history, nature and cuisine? Then this tour is for you! We will meet at the National Library of Scotland where we will make our way down the street which inspired the creation of Diagon Alley. This street will lead us directly to the heart of the old town where we will see the grave of Greyfriars Bobby, the same graveyard which inspired J K Rowling's three leading characters in the ever-popular Harry Potter series. While learning more about Rowling's life and work, we will make the 20-30 minute, steep climb up the extinct volcano, and, weather permitting, we can sit and absorb the amazing sunset over the city. Slowly descending Arthurs seat, we will head to the Royal Mile where we will find the Holyrood Palace grounds, the 'birthplace' of Scrooge and our last stop, depending on the end time we can finish up with the local delicacies deep fried mars bar and haggis (recommended but not included). Just remember we can always customise the trip to suit you! *note do let us know if you have a toddler so we can ensure the route is suitable* It would be a pleasure to see you soon, Rob - IG @robcarrtours

We will meet at West Ham underground station in the concourse. Then we will take the train to Upton Park where i will talk about the history of West Ham, how the club formed and it’s story to modern day. We will walk down Green street (the infamous road the film is named after) past the iconic “Kens Cafe” & old site of the former Boleyn ground and notorious Boleyn pub where I will tell stories of my own experiences and my friends and older generations. We will have a drink here. We will visit the World Cup statue. I’ll give a short history of how West Ham “won the World Cup” and Bobby Moore’s legacy. Then we take a short walk around visiting the large mural of 2 club legends. You will learn a little about the icons of the club. A traditional Fish & Chips dinner provided here. (Or reasonable alternative) We will then take a short underground ride to Stratford to see the new stadium. We will walk to and around the London stadium providing great opportunity for photos. Ted Lasso fans will love this spot. To end the tour we will take a visit to the club store where guests can receive a small discount on official Umbro merchandise & have the chance to purchase any memorabilia. Please note we will be outside for the majority of the experience and will be doing quite a lot of walking. A must for West Ham fans or fans of Football wanting to learn about our great club.

*NEW for Spring: groups of four or more get 20% off* Get out of the hustle-and-bustle of Edinburgh for a day, take in stunning views of the city from the summit of an extinct volcano, and discover Edinburgh's unique history and folklore with a local guide. Over 2 and a half hours, we will walk a route through the scenic royal reserve of Holyrood Park, climbing up to the summit of Arthur's Seat, before descending and taking in spectacular views from the iconic Salisbury Crags. On the way, you'll see stunning views of Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, from the dockyards of Leith, the majestic Firth of Forth and the verdant hills of East Lothian. While we walk, you will hear stories of Edinburgh's historical past; its creation and triumphs, its darkest moments (including some violent battles and horrid murders), and its momentous scientific discovery! Guests should have a good level of physical fitness and be comfortable hiking for 2 hours on steep slopes and uneven terrain. There are steep steps, slopes, and rocky areas on this tour, and no toilets will be available. Accessible parking is available at Holyrood Car Park. Prepare for wet weather just in case! Our inclusive, small tour sizes (groups limited to 10 people) provide the perfect experience for solo travellers, groups and families exploring Edinburgh this Winter!

Come and discover Edinburgh's Pentland Hills, get some exercise, have a nature fix, and see incredible views! You’ll also learn a bit about the plants, animals, geology, history, and the landscape of the area. The Pentlands are the hills in the south of Edinburgh which are visible from much of the city. From there you can get views of the whole of Edinburgh and the Lothian region, the Borders to the south, Fife to the north, and on a clear day you can even see the south Highlands! We’ll meet in the city centre and catch the bus out to the park together. The hiking route will take in 2 to 3 of the peaks and will last between 3-4 hours depending on our pace and the route we take. We will take breaks as needed to catch your breath, take photos, and to eat/drink. No experience is required but you should have a sufficient level of fitness to be able to hike up and down hills for the duration of the outing. Be sure to wear suitable footwear and bring warm clothing and waterproofs as the weather can change quickly, especially on top of the hills. Private hikes can be tailored to meet the needs of your group, such as time of day, the terrain we’d cover, whether getting up more of the peaks or staying lower and circling some of the reservoirs, or doing a sunset hike. Children under 18 years and well-behaved dogs are welcome on private and customised hikes.

We meet on the iconic Royal Mile by the eminent Scottish thinker and drinker Adam Smith. It is then a short walk to one excellent whisky bar that we use. We have the entire upstairs area reserved for us, ensuring lots of space for the group. During the course of two hours we will sample four outstanding Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from the four major whisky producing regions of Scotland. We will discus some of the history of Scotland and explore the reasons as to why whisky is now so ingrained as a staple of Scottish culture and we have some great tales from Scotland and the world of whisky to share with you. Other things to note This tour departs promptly and we can not wait for guests who are late. You must meet us at our start point at least 15min before the tour departs to secure your space. People under the age of 18 are not permitted on this tour. This is due to licencing at the venue we use.

Are you ready to fly, apparate, and travel by Floo Powder to Edinburgh's top Harry Potter sights? Then this tour is not to be missed. Our squib guide (given permission to lift the veil of secrecy for just one day) will show you Edinburgh's must-see landmarks and key locations from the Harry Potter book and film series. What are you waiting for? Potterheads assemble! Groups of four or more enjoy 15% off all tours!* Step through the brick wall and feel the magic of Harry Potter's Edinburgh. This tour will take you on J.K. Rowling's journey from single mother to acclaimed author, from "the birthplace of Harry Potter" to Rowling's golden hand prints and venues housing Harry potter exhibitions. With us you will see first-hand the locations that inspired places and scenes from the books and films, including Knockturn & Diagon Alley, the Dark Lord's grave, the Dementor's Underpass, and Hogwarts itself. We may evens top off at a couple of Harry Potter shops! There will be trivia rounds to keep you on your toes and truly test your knowledge of the Harry Potter world. An experience not to be missed for true Potter fans. We look forward to transporting you to the wizarding world. Other things to note: This tour will involve up to 90 minutes of walking. Please wear suitable shoes and come prepared for the weather.