Gray Line are currently the only tour company in Edinburgh that pick people up from their hotels before their tour starts. Since these tours begin around 8.30 am, if not earlier, this is a selling point that most tourists appreciate, and a reason why Gray Line is so popular. So book early in the summer, especially for the Highland and Loch Ness tours, since the buses are farily small and compact to ensure everyone gets bit of attention. The driver is usuallu the guide too, with a constant stream of information being broadcast around the bus, and they tend to be knowledgeable, friendly, witty and funny too, the perfect guides. The tours pack a lot into one day, so be prepared to be tired but stimulated by the end of it- just remember you will spend a lot of time on the bus if you take a tour of the Highlands, whereas the Loch Lomond tour, being a closer destination, simply has more time for stops. They don't drop you off back at the hotel, so beware of that, but usually drop people off around Princes Street for their dinner, and since most hotels are on a bus route that tends to suit most people anyway. A good way to see the highlights of Scotland in a day if that is all the time you have.