
Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh worth booking?
Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh is a 24-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $89 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (14)
- Duration
- 24 hours
- From
- $89 per person
Experience the Annual Royal Braemer Highland Gathering with Highland dancing and Bagpipe bands on this spectacular day trip from Edinburgh. The Braemar Gathering, is always held on the first Saturday in September in The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar.
What you get
About this experience
Experience the Annual Royal Braemer Highland Gathering with Highland dancing and Bagpipe bands on this spectacular day trip from Edinburgh. The Braemar Gathering, is always held on the first Saturday in September in The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar.
What's included
Included
- Driver/guide
- Hotel pickup
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel drop-off
What you'll see and do
The Braemar Gathering
We cross the River Forth and head through Perthshire known as the Heart of Scotland, surrounded by Wild deer and Pheasant and down into Royal Deeside. The festivities are fit for Her majesty Queen Elizabeth the First of Scotland. While there have been Gatherings of one sort or another at Braemar since the days of King Malcolm Canmore, nine hundred years ago, the Gathering as we know it has been organized by the Braemar Royal Highland Society for only 187 years. But during much of that time large crowds have come each year to acclaim their Monarch as Chieftain of the Braemar Gathering. Every Gathering is a memorable occasion. International athletes will be among those taking part in the "heavy" and "track" events. Pipers and dancers will be of the usual high standard while teams from H.M. Forces will compete in the Inter-Services Unit Tug of War Championship and in the Services Medley Relay Race.
720 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Our departure point is opposite The Apex Hotel on Waterloo Place at 7.20AM
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Our departure point is opposite The Apex Hotel on Waterloo Place at 7.20AM
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Gray Line Scotland
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Not recommended for child aged 6 and under
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Prepaid for bus to Highland Games. Bus was no show
We prepaid for our bus to Braemar Highland Games. It was to be a highlight of our Scottish trip (we're from Canada). Arrived early to the pickup point, as instructed. No bus. 45 minutes went by, we missed the opening ceremonies, finally a bus came to pick up 1/3 of the people waiting. The harried bus driver told us another bus or two would arrive in 10 minutes. Nothing. The people waiting were from all over the world - the Games were an important part of their trip. No one in the office of the bus line to answer our calls or assist in any way. We finally shared an Uber to the Games (80 pounds each) passing the bus, broken down on the side of the road 14 miles from the Games. We had assumed we could get a ride back on either that bus or one of the late busses, but this was not to happen. Later when it was time to return to Edinburgh we couldn't get an Uber or taxi. All rooms in the small village were rented. We thought we'd be sleeping in the park! We finally found a van for hire - the owner agreed to drive us back for 300 pounds. Very steep, but we were stranded. Viator gave us our money back a few days later. There was not one word from the actual bus line that stranded us, nor any offer of compensation for the 380 pounds we spent to get to and from the Games. The bus line was Gray Line Scotland. They have no one in the office on weekends for assistance, even though they offer services on weekends. The Games were great, we met nice people when we shared their Uber, and we got back to our hotel, eventually. Viator did not quibble about giving a refund. This is one of our travel stories now.
Response from the operator: We are very sorry for the disruption and understand your frustration. Unfortunately, the service was affected by significant operational issues on the day, causing substantial delays. A coach was available to return passengers to Edinburgh, although we understand that some passengers had made alternative arrangements. Our customer service office operates Monday to Friday, while our operations team was working to manage the disruption. Your booking was fully refunded through Viator, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.
via Viator
Our tour bus never showed...
Our tour bus never showed up and left 40 people without transportation to the Braemar games. After many tries to reach the company by many people, the office was closed. We waited 2 hours for a bus to sho, and finally we all left. The reason for this whole trip to Europe was to attend the Braemar games and this really was a resounding disappointment. I would definitely not recommend using this company!
Response from the operator: We are very sorry for the disruption to the Braemar transfer and understand the disappointment caused. Unfortunately, the second coach was affected by a last-minute driver issue. Our operations team worked to arrange replacement transport, although we recognise this was too late for passengers who had already left. A full refund of the coach booking has been provided, and we sincerely apologise again.
via Viator
Bus did not show up
The bus never showed up and left us stranded. We had to pay for alternative way which was stressful given the location to a remote part of Scotland. The company did nothing. They don’t answer the phones on the weekend.
Response from the operator: We are sorry for the disruption and understand how frustrating this must have been, particularly when travelling to a remote location. Unfortunately, we were let down by the driver allocated to the second coach at short notice. Our operations team was on duty and worked to source alternative transport, with a coach eventually sent to the pickup point for passengers who were still waiting. We appreciate that this was too late for many passengers and apologise for the inconvenience caused. While our customer service telephone lines operate Monday to Friday, our operations team was working over the weekend to manage the situation. All affected coach bookings have now been fully refunded. We sincerely apologise again for the disruption and disappointment caused.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend.
Very comfortable. A great way to see the amazing scenery. Our driver was friendly and we felt very safe.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We’re delighted you found the tour comfortable and enjoyed the amazing scenery. We’ll pass on your kind words to our driver and are glad you felt safe throughout. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
via Viator
Excellent driver. Pristine coach.
People should keep an eye open for emails from Viator close to departure. Important info about which coach to board was missed by those who hadn’t read the email from a couple of days earlier.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your helpful feedback! We recommend checking emails from Viator close to departure, as they include important info about which coach to board. We appreciate you sharing this tip, it will help future guests have a smooth start to their tour!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh cost?
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Prices start at $89 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh take?
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Plan for about 24 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 24-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 24-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh?
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Included: Driver/guide; and Hotel pickup. Not included: Food and drinks; Gratuities; and Hotel drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh?
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Our departure point is opposite The Apex Hotel on Waterloo Place at 7.20AM Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Edinburgh. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Round-Trip Transportation to the Braemar Highland Games from Edinburgh?
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Across 14 reviews averaging 4.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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