<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[My Site]]></title><description><![CDATA[My Site]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/news</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:01:22 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.macbackpackers.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Isle of Skye: Everything You Need To Know in 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Isle of Skye is one of the most iconic and magical stops on any Scotland tour. In this guide, we answer the most-searched questions […]]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/isle-of-skye-need-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d0</guid><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye Travel Tips]]></category><category><![CDATA[Scottish Highlands Adventures]]></category><category><![CDATA[Guided Tours in Scotland]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:26:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_959ed49bcb0b4c2aa062e46ee74ba85d~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_554,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Get a discount for an Edinburgh Hostel stay with every booking!]]></title><description><![CDATA[An exclusive hostel discount with every tour booking! Our tours leave from the multi award winning Castle Rock Hostel in the centre of Edinburgh and if you book a tour with us you will receive a discount code for 10% off your stay at the Hostelworld Scottish Hostel of the Year 2023 Winner. To sweeten the deal even more we’ve also teamed up with their sister hostels Royal Mile Backpackers and High Street Hostel to offer 10% off; so whether you’re looking for a big hostel experience or want...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/get-a-discount-for-an-edinburgh-hostel-stay-with-every-booking</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a041bbf403b35dd23b4</guid><category><![CDATA[Discounts]]></category><category><![CDATA[Edinburgh]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:49:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_d80512d429f144798426fcbaa0e97615~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When a Scottish Highlands Tour Is Actually Better Than Going Solo]]></title><description><![CDATA[You’ve landed in Edinburgh. Now what? You’ve arrived in Edinburgh with a backpack, a loose plan, and that familiar backpacker instinct: I’ll figure it out […]]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/when-a-scottish-highlands-tour-is-actually-better-than-going-solo</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d7</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[Edinburgh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:01:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_1926b8aa891a41e190686dc049ba44e5~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_700,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[MacBackpackers Tours: Meet the Team, Love Island Style!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Introduction: Meet Your Highlanders! At MacBackpackers, we don’t just take you on unforgettable Scotland tours – we bring you authentic Scottish banter too! Our guides […]]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/macbackpackers-tours-meet-the-team-love-island-style</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d1</guid><category><![CDATA[Edinburgh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[Team]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:03:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_6622d517ac3648639fcb3fb62bc40e19~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_800,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Backpacking Europe in August 2026: Why Scotland is a Must]]></title><description><![CDATA[Backpacking Europe in August 2026: Why Scotland is a Must Backpacking Europe in August 2026? Let us stop you right there. Before you race off […]]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/backpacking-europe-in-august-2026-why-scotland-is-a-must</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d8</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[Edinburgh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[Summer]]></category><category><![CDATA[Uncategorised]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:16:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_5c7d7867669c4378ad4de377c66db181~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_800,h_533,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Backpacking Scotland: The Ultimate Travel Experience 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[Introduction: Scottish Highlands – The Ultimate Travel Destination in 2026 Are you looking for a transformative travel experience that goes beyond ticking off the usual tourist spots? Read on to find out why backpacking the Scottish Highlands on a group tour of Scotland is the ultimate travel experience in 2026. With its rugged landscapes, ancient castles, and charming towns, Scotland offers something truly special for everyone. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a first-time backpacker, or...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/backpacking-scotland-the-ultimate-travel-experience-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d6</guid><category><![CDATA[Uncategorised]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2025 14:45:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_24d4fbc77f0143faaa2ba13d7755db46~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Re-Discovering Wonder on My First Scottish Highlands Tour]]></title><description><![CDATA[Re-Discovering Wonder on My First Scottish Highlands Tour Introduction: Falling Back in Love with Scotland on a Backpacking Tour Hi, I’m Jodie – the newest […]]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/re-discovering-wonder-on-my-first-scottish-highlands-tour</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d5</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[Spring]]></category><category><![CDATA[Team]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2025 11:56:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_e19d46c1ee64480fbe93dee1aaeb2a6f~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spring in Scotland – Why to Visit Scotland in Spring]]></title><description><![CDATA[Spring in Scotland Why to visit Scotland in April and May The start of April means one thing: Spring has officially begun! We’re thrilled to set the clocks forward and start looking forward to warmer weather, longer days and the Highlands once again starting to bloom. There’s loads of times you could visit Scotland, but in this piece we’ve made a list of the top 5 reasons you should visit Scotland in Spring. Reason Number 1: The Flowers Spring is rightly associated with beautiful flowers...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/spring-in-scotland-why-to-visit-scotland-in-spring</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d2</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[Spring]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:23:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_c8d65c9ceb00423c8daed995b36d4679~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_759,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Isle of Skye: What to expect]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Isle of Skye: what to expect The Isle of Skye is Scotland’s most visited island and one of the most popular places to visit in our entire country. But what makes this island so special and what can you expect when visiting the Winged Isle? Loch Fada and Old Man of Storr A bit about Skye The Isle of Skye lies off the west coast of Scotland and is the 4th largest island in the British Isles. With a size of 639 square miles it can feel quite daunting to plan a trip around this entire island,...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/isle-of-skye-what-to-expect</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d4</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:06:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_fa6fb0d6e0a24eba93fc564594c3d9c9~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Scotland Tours from Edinburgh – Why Choose MacBackpackers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Going on Tour from Edinburgh: Why to choose a MacBackpackers Tour So you’re looking into Scotland tours leaving from Edinburgh? Well then we’re sure you’d love to know all about us. MacBackpackers has been running tours of Scotland for over 25 years. But there’s loads of tour operators out there, so why should you choose a MacBackpackers tour over anyone else? We want to make Scottish travel affordable Scotland was once a holiday destination for the royals and upper society, and while Queen...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/scotland-tours-from-edinburgh-why-choose-macbackpackers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d89eecb0791383ec249d3</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[Edinburgh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 08 Feb 2025 15:26:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_e081d697dd9f4acdb04c717633af6cdd~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Reasons Why You Should Choose A Scotland Bus Tour]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why a Scotland Bus Tour is the best way to explore our home We absolutely love Scotland and we get asked this question a lot: […]]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/5-reasons-why-you-should-choose-a-scotland-bus-tour</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a041bbf403b35dd23af</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jan 2025 12:29:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_7ae08d54c0fd40d1984278cd6eb89bac~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Main Character Club Tour – A Tour Like No Other]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Main Character Club Road To Skye Tour This year we were approached by Gabby of The Main Character Club to host a special edition […]]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/main-character-club-tour-a-tour-like-no-other</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a041bbf403b35dd23b0</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[Isle of Skye]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:38:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_720d74b7ebb24379af4e859d322b6e3d~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Come see the Hogwarts Express]]></title><description><![CDATA[See the Hogwarts Express on Tour! See the Hogwarts Express Crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct on 2 of our tours in 2025! You’ve asked and we’ve listened! […]]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/come-see-the-hogwarts-express</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a041bbf403b35dd23b1</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:52:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_1efc582be1b544329a283da02f800f0a~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_500,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Winter in the Highlands – Why it pays to travel when it’s cold out]]></title><description><![CDATA[Winter in the Highlands: Why it’s actually best to travel when it’s cold! Scotland in Winter, an experience like no other! Scotland is a wonderful country to visit year round. Every season has something that makes it magical. But despite winter being one of the most photogenic times of the year, not enough people head up to the Highlands during our colder months. We really think that’s a shame, so we’ve compiled a few reasons you should visit the Highlands in winter! 1) It’s Cheaper! As a...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/winter-in-the-highlands-why-it-pays-to-travel-when-it-s-cold-out</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a041bbf403b35dd23b5</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[Discounts]]></category><category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Winter]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2024 13:44:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_539ab12fb7bb4bc2854fade9b2cc1383~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[You can now book your pre and post tour accommodation at Castle Rock with your tour!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Castle Rock Hostel is your spot for before and after your tour! EXCITING NEWS! We are pleased to announce that we are now giving you the option to book your pre and post tour accommodation in 2025 at the time you book your tour with us. This takes out the stress of looking around for budget accommodation in Edinburgh which can be very difficult to find (especially on weekends.) We have teamed up with Castle Rock Hostel, the top hostel in Scotland in the 2023 Hostelworld Awards, from where the...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/you-can-now-book-your-pre-and-post-tour-accommodation-at-castle-rock-with-your-tour</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a041bbf403b35dd23ad</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[Edinburgh]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 06 Oct 2024 08:08:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_3cf861f1f7394e39a4cb04603d67d5a8~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_683,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Scotland is the ultimate destination for solo female travellers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Solo female travel is getting more and more popular all the time. Travellers around the world often contact us and ask how is Scotland for solo travellers. Well, the answer is easy. Scotland is a perfect destination for any solo traveller. It’s safe and full of friendly locals, who’ll help you if you get lost. Not long ago, Scotland was named the Most Welcoming Country in the World. But since it’s International Women’s Day, we’ll dedicate this post to all those solo female adventurers, who’re...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/why-scotland-is-the-ultimate-destination-for-solo-female-travellers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a041bbf403b35dd23b2</guid><category><![CDATA[3 Day Isle of Skye]]></category><category><![CDATA[3 Day Skye &amp; Loch Ness]]></category><category><![CDATA[5 Day Skye &amp; Highland Fling]]></category><category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:29:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_e4522f5aef1f45fdb0e7f45a0539f05b~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_710,h_465,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bonfire Night in Scotland]]></title><description><![CDATA[Bonfire Night in Scotland Remember, remember 5th November… Happy Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night everyone! Ever since Guy Fawkes attempted and miserably failed to blow up the House of Lords in 1605, there has been a tradition to celebrate the Bonfire Night on November 5th. Actually, the celebrations used to be compulsory. The government was so relieved after capturing Guy and preventing the disaster of the Houses of the Parliament blowing up, that they passed a law compelling people to celebrate...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/bonfire-night-in-scotland</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a1596905735bfe62f50</guid><category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 04 Nov 2023 11:56:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_4ed0539d5e4143eab628a66aa1ecf8c8~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_554,h_428,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Meet the Team: Branka]]></title><description><![CDATA[Get to know Branka Last but not least, in our Meet the Team series, we have the newest addition to our lovely team of fantastic guides, Branka. If you’re looking for travel tips for your next trip to Scotland, look no further, our guides have insider expert advice, and they know everything about travelling in Scotland from hidden gems to fascinating history, myths and legends. Name:  Branka Why did you become a tour guide? I have always been fascinated with history and folklore, and I guess...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/meet-the-team-branka</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a1596905735bfe62f4f</guid><category><![CDATA[Team]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2020 18:27:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_a179cde8d228486ab8aa6841d4ceffd4~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_750,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Meet the Team: Mark]]></title><description><![CDATA[Next in our Meet the Team series, we have Mark MacB. So my name is Mark, and I am a tour guide for Macbackpackers, a small independent Scottish tour company based in Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh. What follows below is a little bit about myself and what I love most about being a tour guide in Scotland. Name: Mark Why did you become a tour guide? After 9 years in the Royal Air Force travelling the world, I left to pursue a better family/work/life balance. After trying a couple of other...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/meet-the-team-mark</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a1596905735bfe62f51</guid><category><![CDATA[Team]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2020 18:30:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_bf0e1e627acc4eae8cf0d7b2aa86c9df~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Meet the Team: Neil]]></title><description><![CDATA[Get to know Neil Christmas has come early this year! Our fantastic guides have put together their best travel tips for touring Scotland on a budget. Whether you are thinking about joining on a guided tour of Scotland or looking for the inspiration for backpacking around Scotland, we got you! On the first post of our brand new and extremely Scottish blog series, you will meet Neil, who will tell you why he became a tour guide and what are his favourite things about touring Scotland. Name: ...]]></description><link>https://www.macbackpackers.com/post/meet-the-team-neil</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0d8a1596905735bfe62f53</guid><category><![CDATA[Team]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2019 18:29:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/32cf9e_cff6d3ff23ee4467a44b3a9c5f6203c6~mv2.avif/v1/fit/w_710,h_710,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jodie Hill</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>