Land Rover Defenders join the guest fleet at the start of the 2027 season, for private tours and chauffeur work in the Scottish Highlands. Our Defender Commercial already runs in support for bags. The Mercedes V-Class stays the everyday car, and we run the largest V-Class fleet in the Highlands. The Defenders are for the days when a 4x4 is the right car: estate tracks, single-track west-coast roads, multi-day Highland touring, and lodges that sit off the A-road.
This is not Defender hire. You do not collect keys. You get a touring chauffeur who knows the roads and the ground. If you need a self-drive rental, that is a different market. See chauffeur versus self-drive in the Highlands.
We are taking 2027 enquiries now. Two guest cars only, so peak weeks fill. Send dates and we will hold what we can. For 2026 travel, book a Mercedes. Do not wait for a Defender if you are on the road this year.
From £900 + VAT for a chauffeur-driven Defender day
Guest Defender days start from £900 + VAT (£1,080 inc. VAT) when the day starts and finishes in the Inverness area. Half day or full day only. No hourly. That is the vehicle, touring chauffeur, fuel, parking and chilled water. Hotels, meals and attraction tickets are separate.
If the day starts or finishes away from town, Skye, the west coast, Edinburgh, a remote lodge, we add a driver overnight at £150 + VAT and/or a positioning charge so the car is where it needs to be. That is quoted to the route, not buried in the day rate. A 50% deposit secures the date once you confirm the hold, with the balance due 14 days before travel.
If you want us to book hotels, tickets or similar on your behalf, those are arranged separately and carry a 10% + VAT concierge booking fee. Full terms: venturehighland.com/terms-and-conditions.
Land Rover Defender chauffeur in the Highlands
Typical work: Inverness Airport to a Highland estate, then days on the property and the surrounding glens; a multi-day loop that includes Glen Affric, Torridon or the north coast; a west-coast day where the last miles are single-track and the weather is doing what Highland weather does. See Highland estate 4x4 tours, estate transfers and luxury chauffeur Scotland.
When the 4x4 is the point
A Mercedes V-Class is the right touring car for most guests: leather, climate, USB, chilled water, space for bags. A Defender is for a different day. Higher seating, proper 4x4, and the look guests expect on an estate or a wilder Highland itinerary.
- Estate and lodge stays, including tracks and private drives
- Multi-day Highland tours where the route leaves the main roads
- West coast and NC500 sections with single-track and weather
- Glen Affric, Torridon, Sutherland and similar ground
For a classic touring loop that stays on good roads, start with multi-day private tours, NC500 private tours or wildlife tours. Say if you want that itinerary in a Defender for 2027.
Defender 110 commercial: luggage, golf clubs, helicopter bags
From 2027 we also run a Land Rover Defender 110 commercial as a follow vehicle. Driver, passenger, jump seat. Luggage, golf clubs, helicopter bags, and the cases that will not sit in the guest car. It is not the guest car. Ask for it on golf transfers to Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn, on multi-day tours with more than a cabin bag each, and on helicopter days where the aircraft takes a soft bag and the cases stay on the ground.
2026 Mercedes, 2027 Defenders
Until the Defenders arrive, nothing changes for this year. Airport transfers, city chauffeur work and most touring days stay in the Mercedes fleet: the largest V-Class fleet in the Highlands, with more joining next year, plus GLE, E-Class, S-Class, BMW 5 Series and a BMW i5 Touring. Book that fleet for 2026. If you want a Defender in 2027, we will note it on the file and hold the date.
How to enquire
Send dates, passenger count, pickup point and whether you need the luggage Defender as well. If you need child seats, send each child's age and height. We will confirm what we can hold for 2027 and what we can run in a Mercedes if you are travelling sooner.
Contact us or call +44 1463 262 820.
FAQs
Is this Land Rover Defender hire, or a chauffeur?
It is a chauffeur-driven private tour. You do not get the keys. We do not rent Defenders for self-drive. Your touring chauffeur drives, sets the pace, and knows the A82, A87, A9 and the estate tracks that sit off them.
Do you offer Land Rover Defender tours in Scotland now?
Guest Defenders join the fleet at the start of the 2027 season. We are taking enquiries now so those dates can be held. For 2026 the cars are Mercedes and BMW: the largest V-Class fleet in the Highlands, plus E-Class, S-Class, GLE, BMW 5 Series and a BMW i5 Touring. A 2027 hold is a diary reservation.
How much does a Defender chauffeur day cost?
From £900 + VAT (£1,080 inc. VAT) for a guest Defender day that starts and finishes in the Inverness area, half day or full day only. We do not sell hourly. If the day starts or finishes away from town, a driver overnight (£150 + VAT) and/or a positioning charge is added, quoted to the route. The Defender 110 commercial, when you need it for bags, is a support vehicle quoted separately. Fuel, parking and chilled water are included. Meals and attraction tickets are extra.
What if we start or finish away from Inverness?
The from-price is an Inverness-area day. If pickup or drop-off is away from town (a west-coast lodge, Skye, Edinburgh, a remote estate), we add a driver overnight at £150 + VAT and/or a positioning charge so the car is in the right place. That is quoted to the route.
How do I hold a 2027 Defender date?
Send dates, passenger count, pickup point, and whether you need the luggage 110 as well. We will confirm what we can hold. A 50% deposit secures the date once you confirm. Peak weeks from May to September fill, so it is worth holding a date.
When should we choose a Defender instead of a Mercedes?
Choose a Defender for Highland and estate work: single-track west-coast roads, estate tracks, lodges off the A-road, NC500 sections, and multi-day touring where a 4x4 is the right tool. For airports, cities and most tarmac touring days the Mercedes V-Class, GLE or saloon is still the better fit.
Do you have a Defender for luggage and golf clubs?
From 2027 we also run a Land Rover Defender 110 commercial as a follow vehicle for luggage, golf clubs, helicopter bags and similar. Driver, passenger and a jump seat. It is a support vehicle, not the guest car. Guests travel in the guest Defender or the Mercedes.
Can you book a Defender for an estate or lodge stay?
Yes. That is the work the guest Defenders are for: Inverness Airport to a Highland estate, then touring days on the property and the surrounding glens. We already run estate transfers in Mercedes vehicles. From 2027 a Defender can take the same job when the ground needs it.
Do you provide child seats in the Defender?
Yes, at no extra charge. Send each child's age and height and we will fit the right seat. Do not send weight.
Hold 2027 Defender dates
From £900 + VAT (£1,080 inc. VAT), half day or full day from Inverness. Overnight or positioning extra away from town. Send dates, passenger count and pickup.
Enquire now