In with the New: New Tours of 2025
RabbiePosted on 28 May 2024
You know that feeling when you discover something new and exciting? A great TV show. A delicious snack. A quicker route to work. The smell of a flower you’ve never seen before. A debut author’s books.
We know that feeling well. Only for us, it’s about the place. The history. The secrets and stories and legends. The feeling we get when we arrive somewhere new and discover all the hidden little nooks and crannies.
We’re talking about new tours, of course.
And we love taking people to these new locations too. Seeing that look in their eyes when they discover somewhere – or finally get there after all those years of daydreaming about it. Newness breathes excitement.
So, each year that’s exactly what we do. We go out, we discover new places, and we share them with you.
What are these exciting treasures we’ve chosen? There are many in each new tour but, rather than overwhelming you with dozens of locations and sites, we thought we’d pick one from each of our new upcoming 2025 tours that we think you’ll love.
Coming up in this blog:
- Corrieshalloch Gorge, Scotland
- Canterbury, England
- Loch Katrine, Scotland
- The Falls of Foyers, Scotland
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast, England
- Cairn Distillery, Scotland
- Wensleydale Creamery, England
- Cambridge, England
Corrieshalloch Gorge, Scotland
Ever wondered how glacial meltwater can affect a landscape, creating deep gorges? Us too. We think about it all the time. Just kidding.
Though, when you lay eyes on the incredible gorge at Corrieshalloch, certain words come to mind: unfathomable, how, when, wow... just to name a few. And then you might wonder how you’ve never wondered about gorges before.
Corrieshalloch is one of the most spectacular gorges in Britain. For those without a survival instinct (just kidding), you can walk out over the suspension bridge and gaze down at the thrashing River Droma below.
So, what does ‘Corrieshalloch’ mean? In Gaelic, it means ‘ugly hollow’... so, colour us confused, since this is far from an ugly place. In fact, it’s the complete opposite.
Designated a National Nature Reserve, be on the lookout for the rare species of cranefly or the species of ferns that grow in the microclimate of the gorge.
Featured new tour: Remote & Rugged: Scottish Highlands Adventure – 1-day tour from Inverness
Canterbury, England
We don’t know about you, but when we think of England, our minds immediately go to places like the county of Kent. In the southeast lies this “Garden of England”, dotted with quaint villages, orchards and vineyards as far as the eye can see, and those all-iconic rolling hills, often shrouded in a morning mist.
Its cities are just as lovely, and one of those is Canterbury. And since many people visit England for cities like London, here’s our argument to why Canterbury definitely needs to be on your bucket list.
With origins dating back as far as Roman times, it’s no wonder it’s a tapestry of rich history. Back then it was known as Durovernum Cantiacorum, but try saying that five times fast. We think Canterbury has a far nicer ring to it.
Today, the city is known for its historical significance, medieval architecture, and both religious and cultural significance. Top of your list must be Canterbury Cathedral. As the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the leader of the Church of England) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s no wonder it draws endless visitors. Not only that, but it truly is also a specular feat of engineering and a stunning example of Gothic architecture, from its spires to its stained-glass windows, its crypt to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket.
More than that, the cathedral is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. And perhaps you’ve heard of a little author called Geoffrey Chaucer and his famous collection of stories The Canterbury Tales? These popular stories revolve around a series of characters as they journey on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Becket.
So, perhaps it’s time to make your own pilgrimage there? But be warned, according to local legend, the ghost of a medieval monk haunts the cathedral and, as most ghost stories go, his end wasn’t a happy one.
Featured new tour: Iconic Cliffs of Dover & Kent – 1-day tour from London
Loch Katrine, Scotland
Chances are you’ve heard of Loch Ness, home of the famous Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. But too much attention is never good, even for a lurking monster such as her. The thing about Scotland is... it’s a never-ending well of beauty. It’s like stepping through a portal to another world, one filled with myth and beauty and... many, many lochs.
The definite number of how many lochs there are in Scotland is unknown. The closest estimate suggests there are around 31,460 Scottish lochs alone.
And one of those beauties is found among the beauty and wildness of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. Loch Katrine is a 13km-long freshwater loch with a bright smile and interesting history.
Rob Roy MacGregor was born along its shores. Sir Walter Scott was inspired to put pen to paper when he gazed upon its waters. Outlander stars sat down for a picnic and a view. And it's more than likely Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites found themselves here time and again.
She’s a bonnie loch, not camera shy, and always in good spirits. She’d love to meet you, take you in, treat you to a good day and a great memory.
Featured new tour: Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky – 1-day tour from Edinburgh
The Falls of Foyers, Scotland
The Falls of Foyers is surrounded, but not as you might expect. She’s surrounded by lush woodland and dramatic cliffs. The two lovely waterfalls found at the Falls of Foyers feed the mysterious Loch Ness. So, if there are any shenanigans going on under the surface of the loch, surely it’s started here? With pools of water as black as the loch itself, it’s easy to believe something dark and dangerous lurks here.
Our own Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns was moved to (disturbing) words when he laid eyes on it:
The hoary cavern, wide surrounding, lours:
Still thro' the gap the struggling river toils,
And still, below, the horrid cauldron boils -
Like many remote and rugged landscapes in Scotland, the falls have several legends associated with them. One states that the waters possess healing properties, and pilgrims travelled to bathe in the waterfall’s icy embrace. Another legend states that there is hidden treasure somewhere near the waterfall.
But if you fancy visiting yourself for either a bath or a hunt, be warned: a water nymph known as the ‘Maid of the Mist’ watches over the waters, and we know those stories never end well...
Featured new tour: Legendary Waters: A Journey around Loch Ness – 1-day tour from Aviemore
Edinburgh, Scotland
We just love showing off our capital city, the place where Rabbie’s Tours got its start. A popular place, to be sure, but sometimes popular is popular for a reason. And we simply cannot let you leave Scotland without experiencing Edinburgh. A magical wee city, the kind of place people come to visit without being sure what to expect. And when they leave, they don’t want to go.
And it’s not just the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle that we’re talking about here. It’s Dean Village and the quaint rush of the river that runs through it. It’s the view of the city at sunset from Calton Hill and the dramatically placed ruins. It’s schlupping yourself up to the top of Arthur’s Seat and gazing out over Edinburgh from atop an extinct volcano. It’s discovering all the tiny closes (alleyways) that turn the Old Town into a labyrinth of history and mystery. It’s discovering the city’s haunting underground vaults and trying not to imagine yourself getting trapped down there.
Edinburgh is a magical kind of place and we’re so thrilled to be bringing people here on one of our new tours.
Featured new tour: My Heart is in the Highlands: A Journey to Scotland – 4-day tour from Manchester
Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast, England
Fans of Nanny McPhee and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe may already know of this spot, and chances are you’ve seen it on a beautiful Instagram feed at some point.
But we’d be amiss to not show off this stunning spot. Durdle Door’s natural limestone arch is the stuff of fantasy. Formed over millions of years, this UNESCO site is perfect for photographers, nature lovers, or even anyone just wanting a nice spot to walk their dog. Legend says that, once upon a time, this spot was even used by smugglers as a hiding place for their contraband. Hey, it’s as good a place as any!
Bonus: just down the road is Lulworth Cove... a bay so stunning, with water as clear and crisp as ice, it looks as if The Black Pearl is about to drift into view.
The whole of the Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is something to marvel at. Stretching some 96 miles along England’s south coast, it’s one coastline you won’t soon forget.
Featured new tour: Ancient England: Salisbury & the Jurassic Coast – 1-day tour from Bath
Cairn Distillery, Scotland
Pioneers and legacy builders, that’s who brought Cairn Distillery to life. And their mission is to build a legacy of exceptional whisky. "Respect the past, embrace today, build for tomorrow." The team at Cairn are passionate about discovering the new, reconnecting with nature, and embrace being shaped by the ancient land of Scotland.
Maybe you've already sampled their award-winning Speyside single malt. Using just four ingredients (barley, water, yeast, and a 'human touch'), its subtle smokey flavour is one to remember.
Their signature whisky, CRN57°, is only available to taste and buy within the distillery. A unique experience, you might say. A secret you're eager to discover.
Featured new tour: The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Tour - 1-day tours from Inverness (with an Aviemore departure coming soon)
Wensleydale Creamery, Yorkshire Dales National Park, England
Welcome to the Dales. The Yorkshire Dales, that is. 'Dales' is the Old English word for valley, and as you are welcomed into the embrace of this beautiful region, you'll soon understand why people flock here year after year. But the Dales are more than its landscape - it's about the people too. The people who have lived and worked here, who have shaped the landscape for thousands of years.
And some of those people began the Wensleydale Creamery. This area is no stranger to cheese. Back in 1150, French Cistercian monks decided to settle in this luscious region, bringing their cheese-making recipes with them. Today, the Creamery is the custodian of 1000 years of cheesemaking history... so you just know it's got to be good. And it is. Over 20 varieties of handcrafted cheese, some creamy and crumbly, others rich and buttery... who knew a cheese-lover's dream was hidden within the rolling hills of this beautiful valley?
Featured new tour: The Tales from the Dales & Brontë Country – 1-day tour from Manchester
Cambridge, England
This last one you’ve probably heard of – because Cambridge is a prestigious place. Phrases like ‘awe-inspiring’ and ‘gob-smacking’ are often used... and it’s no wonder, because Cambridge is a dream city.
Cambridge University alone has a lot of attention on it. The likes of Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin studied there in time’s past... intimidated yet?
But beyond its academic prowess, Cambridge is also a beauty worth gazing upon. It’s the kind of place where you feel inclined to rent a bike and cycle around its pleasant, flat streets. A place where you are drawn to the water, to glide down the River Cam as you discover the joys of Cambridge’s iconic activity: punting. What is punting, you ask? It’s kind of like being in a gondola in Venice, except you’re in a flat-bottomed boat being punted down the river of historic Cambridge.
And as you glide or wander or cycle, you’ll likely already know some of Cambridge by heart... thanks to the array of films shot here over the years, like the 1981 classic Chariots of Fire or biographical romantic drama The Theory of Everything.
From the vaulted masterpiece of King’s College Chapel to the culinary delights peppered throughout the city, Cambridge is a top destination that mustn’t be overlooked.
Featured new tour: Dive into History: Cambridge & Medieval England – 1-day tour from London
The discovery continues. We can’t help ourselves. Each year we head out to find new places – so make sure you see our full range of new tours here. We can’t wait to see you out there, collecting memories and experiences like souvenirs, which often make the best tokens of your adventures anyway.
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