Rob Carr Tours

Rob Carr Tours Fun, interactive and educational tours in Edinburgh and Scotland
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Saying goodbye to the Puffins for 2024 💔Who’s coming to see them next year?!                                            ...
17/08/2024

Saying goodbye to the Puffins for 2024 💔

Who’s coming to see them next year?!

Back to back 4 day and 3 day tours done! WHAT A BLAST! Both the tours wanted something similar. A trip to the Isle of Sk...
06/08/2024

Back to back 4 day and 3 day tours done!

WHAT A BLAST! Both the tours wanted something similar. A trip to the Isle of Skye, a mixture of history and culture combined with adventure.

The weather was tough. It really tested our patience but it allowed us to be flexible. Flexible about locations and their timings. Saving the hikes for the best part of the day and doing the rest in between breakfast and dinner.

It went down a treat teaching them all I knew, learning from them at the same time. As well as having some of the deepest Harry Potter conversations I’ve ever had. You know who you are 🤣

Thanks for booking it was a pleasure and I really look forward to meeting you all soon.

Here’s some of our incredible highlights. Before I pass out. I’m absolutely shattered!

Over and out,
Rob

Hosting friends and family on my tours is always a dream! Especially when you get such a special night like this one on ...
28/07/2024

Hosting friends and family on my tours is always a dream!

Especially when you get such a special night like this one on my Edinburgh Harry Potter, Haggis and City Sunset walking tour!

The countdown for the fringe festival is well on its way! The stadium is up on the castle esplanade ready to host the Ro...
24/07/2024

The countdown for the fringe festival is well on its way!

The stadium is up on the castle esplanade ready to host the Royal Military Tattoo. George Square is already hosting the yearly Edinburgh food festival and the old town is packed more than my dinner plate on Christmas Day.

As tour guides we really have a love/hate relationship with the festival. The extra 1 million people in the city brings an opportunity to do what we do best to more people. Showing guests the city we love. But at the same time this chaotic period makes us have to shout louder and push our way through the crowds making the whole experience draining! We have to remind ourselves to enjoy it, take it in and be present.

The Fringe festival is on the bucket list for so many so make the most of it! Book your restaurants before, investigate what shows you want to see and if you want to sightsee? Make sure to utilise the hours of the morning before 10am to get away from the crowds. Then once the day heats up head over for a day of entertainment whether it’s comedy, theatre, dance, circus etc! Have a belter!

Here’s the best of the under appreciated Isle of Mull!1 & 9. Isle of Mull Cheese 2. Eas Fors3. Lochbuie Standing Stones4...
20/07/2024

Here’s the best of the under appreciated Isle of Mull!

1 & 9. Isle of Mull Cheese
2. Eas Fors
3. Lochbuie Standing Stones
4 & 8. Macculloch’s Fossil Tree
5. Tobermory
6. MacKinnons Cave
7. Crater Loch
10. Whisky Cave

10 of Scotland’s Beautiful Towns 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 1. North Berwick 2. Tobermory3. Oban4. Culross5. Crail6. Carrbridge7. Portree8....
13/07/2024

10 of Scotland’s Beautiful Towns 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

1. North Berwick
2. Tobermory
3. Oban
4. Culross
5. Crail
6. Carrbridge
7. Portree
8. Ullapool
9. St Andrews
10. South Queensferry



My jaw is still on the floor after visiting the Isle of Staffa. A real geological masterpiece! I can’t recommend this tr...
10/07/2024

My jaw is still on the floor after visiting the Isle of Staffa. A real geological masterpiece! I can’t recommend this trip combined with Lunga enough. Just breathtaking!

Thank you



If you love hidden gems you’re gonna love this one! Only accessible by low tide MacKinnons cave is tucked away on the Ba...
04/07/2024

If you love hidden gems you’re gonna love this one! Only accessible by low tide MacKinnons cave is tucked away on the Balmeanach coast on the Isle of Mull.

Not only is the cave HUGE! But holds a story that paved into folklore.

One day, 12 men of Clan Fingan, led by a piper, set out to explore Mackinnon’s Cave. Another group walked above ground, following the sound of the piper’s music to track the cave’s depth. The plan was for the underground party to signal with a special tune once they reached the cave’s end, allowing the surface group to mark the spot.

As the clan cautiously walked deeper and deeper into the darkness. A fairy woman appeared, disgusted by their presence she slaughtered them one by one, sparing only the piper, whose music enchanted her. She promised to let him live as long as he continued playing. The piper began his desperate journey back to the cave’s entrance, with the fairy closely following. She agreed to let him go once he saw daylight.

Exhausted, the piper continued playing, his music growing increasingly harsh and faded. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to sustain the melody. When the music finally stopped, the fairy attacked and killed him.

The harsh notes alerted the party above that something was wrong. Drawing their swords, they rushed to the cave entrance, only to arrive as the piper played his last note. Inside, they found his mangled body along with the remains of his companions.

A special trip to Lunga to interact with the most wonderful bird in world 🐦 Aren’t they just impeckable?!               ...
03/07/2024

A special trip to Lunga to interact with the most wonderful bird in world 🐦

Aren’t they just impeckable?!


Want an alternative to hiking the touristic trails of Ben Lomond or Conic Hill?Head straight to Beinn Dubh, the Black Mo...
22/06/2024

Want an alternative to hiking the touristic trails of Ben Lomond or Conic Hill?

Head straight to Beinn Dubh, the Black Mountain for the Glen Striddle Horseshoe hike. It takes between 3.5-5 hours and has phenomenal views over Luss and Loch Lomond.

This was the location of today’s Edinburgh Hills, Thrills and Wildlife Wanders Meetup which was a tremendous success. Big thank you to the group of 14 strong that absolutely smashed it! Our biggest meetup turn out so far which I’m super buzzing about! The group had super energy and at the bottom it seemed like they could all do back and do it all over again!


Are you willing to pay £3,000 A NIGHT to stay in the same room J K Rowling spent 5 months writing Harry Potter and the D...
21/06/2024

Are you willing to pay £3,000 A NIGHT to stay in the same room J K Rowling spent 5 months writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? Welcome to Room 552 in the Balmoral hotel 😉

10 Amazing Scottish Castles that you didn’t know about? 1. Keiss Castle2. Craigievar Castle3. Castle Stalker4. Carnasser...
18/06/2024

10 Amazing Scottish Castles that you didn’t know about?

1. Keiss Castle
2. Craigievar Castle
3. Castle Stalker
4. Carnasserie Castle
5. Castle Fraser
6. Doune Castle
7. Fyvie Castle
8. St Andrews Castle
9. Slains Castle
10. Castle Tioram

Would you rather watch or ride the iconic Jacobite Steam Train?! 🚂 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿                       %visitscotland         ...
17/06/2024

Would you rather watch or ride the iconic Jacobite Steam Train?! 🚂 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
%visitscotland

 # 10 of Scotland’s Most Beautiful Coastal Walks 🌊 From superb sea stacks and stunning beaches to historic castle ruins ...
13/06/2024

# 10 of Scotland’s Most Beautiful Coastal Walks 🌊

From superb sea stacks and stunning beaches to historic castle ruins and fascinating wildlife, Scotland’s coastal paths offer an incredible variety of experiences that you NEED to try. Make sure to save this post to level up your Scotland adventure:

1. Crawton Falls to Dunnottar Castle including the Fowlsheugh Cliffs
2. Duncansby Head Stacks
3. Bow Fiddle Rock
4. Crovie to Troup Head - Troup Head is home to the only mainland colony of Northern Gannets
5. The Arbroath Red Cliffs - an incredible walk which is made even better on a kayaking and cave tour!
6. Old Man of Stoer
7. Cruden Bay, Slains Castle and the Bullers of Buchan
8. Newburgh Seal Beach
9. Seacliff Beach to Tantallon Castle viewpoint, North Berwick
10. Isle of Mull Fossil tree

From around April through to the end of July 1, 2, 4 and 7 all have nesting colonies of northern Atlantic puffins and other beautiful seabirds! If you want to know which part of the cliffs to find them DM me directly!

Which walks do you have on your bucket list?

Back to where I love to be yesterday! Out in the mountains for a super day for some midweek Munro bagging in the Arrocha...
12/06/2024

Back to where I love to be yesterday! Out in the mountains for a super day for some midweek Munro bagging in the Arrochar Alps!

Although I’m not directly racing to summit all 282 of the Munros (mountains above 3,000 feet). It’s nice to keep a tally just in case!

Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime were my 37th and 38th and certainly lived up to the challenge with incredible views throughout. The journey up Narnain was pretty relentless and no place to rest as it was steep all the way. Even finishing off with a brilliant (🎣) little scramble to top it off too!

The second Munro was a lot more gradual with clear views over the Cobbler and made for a smooth summit. Before sprinting back to the car like sonic the hedgehog to top up the parking ticket 😂

There were some sleepy heads on the way home! But all in all a superb day! Thanks as always for coming along!

If you want to be a part of our meetup hikes don’t hesitate to reach out!

🌟 Highlights from the First 6 Months of the Year! 🌟**January** featured some classic research trips to Argyll, the Isle ...
06/06/2024

🌟 Highlights from the First 6 Months of the Year! 🌟

**January** featured some classic research trips to Argyll, the Isle of Mull, and finished off at the Isle of Jura with .

**February** was a bit quieter with time away from the UK. Still, it marked the beginning of our successful Edinburgh Hills, Thrills, and Wildlife Wanders meetup group and catching up with friends at the Elephant House Cafe.

**March** brought our first multi-day tour of the year with a brilliant group. We explored the Outer Hebrides with its incredible history and stunning scenery, visited Mull for the Fossil Tree and Crater Loch, and took on an outrageous hike to Suilven in Assynt.

**April** was jam-packed! We welcomed back the cherry blossoms and migrating birds, including the Osprey from West Africa and the adorable North Atlantic Puffins. We also had adventures in Aberdeenshire and the Moray coast and hiked Grey Mares Tail and White Coomb!

**May** was highlighted by a tremendous 8-day tour featuring sightings of the Northern Lights and the Hebridean Bottlenose Dolphin, plus four wonderful one-day tours!

**June** has just begun, and walking tours are flowing like the Black Linn Falls. There’s so much to be excited about in the coming days and weeks!

Which are your favorite highlights?



It’s been a couple of weeks of so much going on but not too much to update you on at the same time! It’s been walking to...
05/06/2024

It’s been a couple of weeks of so much going on but not too much to update you on at the same time! It’s been walking tour after walking tour after walking tour. 24 of them in the last couple weeks alone. And even more of them coming up which I’m incredibly excited for.

During these periods it’s really hard to get the right balance between taking tours, managing energy and handling other aspects of the business! Thankfully this isn’t a new feeling so I know what to expect and how to better manage expectations. So bring it on!

As I am hosting so many guests at the moment I can’t help but feel a deep gratitude for everyone that has booked on over the last few months. It’s been a hell of a lot of fun so thank you so much!

Your enthusiasm for Scottish history, Harry Potter and dad jokes make each tour unforgettable. As well as a special shoutout to those who have recommended me to friends and family - your support means the world!

Edinburgh walking tours | Visit Scotland | Things To Do in Edinburgh | Edinburgh Attractions | History | Harry Potter

Glorious day visiting Bank Hill and Castle Campbell 🔥
02/06/2024

Glorious day visiting Bank Hill and Castle Campbell 🔥

I’m sure many of you know that I’m extremely fond of hiking and adventures in the wild. Nature has a way of rejuvenating...
24/05/2024

I’m sure many of you know that I’m extremely fond of hiking and adventures in the wild. Nature has a way of rejuvenating the soul and challenging the spirit. But there’s no better way to experience it than with a team!

So I’ve created a meetup to bring like-minded hikers together to seize the summer weather and embark on some of the best one-day hikes Scotland has to offer. Originally, these were small 2-4 hour hikes accessible from Edinburgh, but there’s always been a need for a bigger challenge! So I’ve launched a New Midweek Munro Bagging meetup to take that challenge to the next level!

Munros are Scotland’s ultimate challenge: 282 majestic peaks, each towering over 3,000 feet. Bagging them means embarking on an exhilarating journey to conquer them all. Do you have what it takes?

Our first adventure to Beinn Narnain kicks off on the 11th of June! Who’s joining me?

Meetup number 3 took us to Beinn an t-Sidheinn (pronounced Ben an key-an)!Thanks, everyone, for coming on the trip today...
19/05/2024

Meetup number 3 took us to Beinn an t-Sidheinn (pronounced Ben an key-an)!

Thanks, everyone, for coming on the trip today! This time, we organised the group through Meetup and had a full van! The craic was flowing right from the start!

Another visit to the Trossachs meant another visit to Mhor Bakery. We enjoyed a cracking breakfast before the short drive to Strathyre to start the hike.

The cloud cover was low, and visibility was poor as we set off, but it lifted as we began our ascent. The path was steep at points and a little moist, making it a good fitness test!

At the top, we were rewarded with gloriously moody views over Loch Lubnaig and a sneak peek of Loch Earn. Thanks to everyone who came along; the energy was pumping right until drop-off in Edinburgh!

I’ve set up some more events in the diary. We have the Beinn Dubh hike on the 22nd of June and the beginning of Midweek Munro Bagging on the 11th of June. Let me know if you want to join!

Belter day for our tour group taking the 4 hour Isle of Canna Puffin run with . The conditions were absolutely perfect. ...
12/05/2024

Belter day for our tour group taking the 4 hour Isle of Canna Puffin run with . The conditions were absolutely perfect.

Our skipper Jonny did a phenomenal job educating us on the Small Isles bringing the region alive with great humour too. From the geology to marine and bird life to the history of the people. He’s got it all!

The highlights of got to be:
- Spotting the most northern species of bottlenose dolphins in the world. The Hebridean Bottlenose!
- Seeing the nesting birds on the Canna cliffs including puffins, kittiwakes, razorbills, shags and guillemots
- Dining at for some salmon and scrambled egg on toast
- The Isle of Rum shipwreck
- The Red Deer population
- The views over the Cuillin Ridge

It’s basically all a highlight! As the Bella Jane team are a super bunch of people. Thanks again for having us!

Can’t sleep, won’t sleep 😂 OUTRAGEOUS!
10/05/2024

Can’t sleep, won’t sleep 😂 OUTRAGEOUS!

Is this Scotland’s very own fairytale castle? 🧚 Our Day 4 of the tour landed us in Golspie to visit Dunrobin Castle. THE...
08/05/2024

Is this Scotland’s very own fairytale castle? 🧚

Our Day 4 of the tour landed us in Golspie to visit Dunrobin Castle. THE most visually appealing castle in the country. But knowing the brutal evictions forced by the house of Sutherland during the highland clearances makes you look at the castle in a slightly different light.

Make sure to scroll through to see the beautiful flowers in the garden, the audacious rooms and the baffling family collection in the museum.

Away on an 8 day tour of Scotland on Sunday. Working our way north via Stirling, St Andrews, Angus and Aberdeenshire bef...
02/05/2024

Away on an 8 day tour of Scotland on Sunday. Working our way north via Stirling, St Andrews, Angus and Aberdeenshire before cutting over to Inverness. Ending the trip with a couple of days on the glorious Isle of Skye.

Here’s a reminder of some of Skye’s most beautiful locations. Let me know your favourite in the comments 👀
1. Elgol
2. Fairy Glen
3. Quiraing
4. Portree
5. Glen Brittle with a bottle of red
6. Rha Falls
7. Fairy Pools
8.
9. Rubha Hunish
10. Old Man of Storr

Brilliant second meet up out at Kinloch Rannoch hiking Craig Varr.We love our breakfast stops so we broke up the journey...
27/04/2024

Brilliant second meet up out at Kinloch Rannoch hiking Craig Varr.

We love our breakfast stops so we broke up the journey with a stop at Livvi’s Little Lunchbox in Dunkeld. Sausage rolls, big slabs of brownie treats, croissants. You know the story. Fuelled and excited for the day we got back onto the A9 which was nice and smooth before the weaving roads to Kinloch Rannoch.

Raring to go and ready to share stories we headed towards the Craig Varr trail. Straight away spotting the Allt-Mor waterfalls before the ascent got real! As the sun shone, the layers were quickly shed and we eased our way up to our destination.

We couldn’t have got more luck with the weather as the sun popped out of the clouds for majority of the journey. As we hit the top the visibility was so good we could see all the way to Buachaille Etive Mor to the west and way past Loch Tummel to the east. What a stunning sight!!

The team found the walk a bit of a doddle so we continued on for a further 20 minutes to another wonderful viewpoint before heading back to the van.

The way home saw us fuelling up at the house of Bruar. Before heading back to Edinburgh! Phenomenal day, thanks to everyone who came along!!

If you’re exploring Scotland, YOU NEED TO SEE THIS! This is McCulloch’s fossil tree on the Isle of Mull.Established in 1...
26/04/2024

If you’re exploring Scotland, YOU NEED TO SEE THIS! This is McCulloch’s fossil tree on the Isle of Mull.

Established in 1811, this 12-metre fossilised tree is a geological masterpiece sitting on the Ardmeanach peninsula. Sixty million years ago, North America pulled away from the continent, opening up the Atlantic Ocean. This created huge amounts of volcanic activity, causing lava to spew out of the fissures, including Ben More, which was once Britain’s largest volcano.

The lava engulfed a forest of conifer trees, leaving their carbonised remains buried within. Here on the left, you can see its remains with the beautiful basalt columns curved around it.

This walk is an incredible 18km adventure along Mull’s coast. Look out for views over Iona and Staffa, keep your eyes peeled for seals, sea eagles, and seaweed-eating feral goats and be careful on the sketchy ladders. You really are in for a treat!


It’s been a whole year since I left my job in finance to take my tour business full time.And bloody hell. WHAT a year it...
22/04/2024

It’s been a whole year since I left my job in finance to take my tour business full time.

And bloody hell. WHAT a year it has been. A real year to remember. You could say I’m as buzzing as Mr Bean when he won first prize in the church raffle!

I’m thankful everyday for making the decision. Every morning I wake up and I have no issue getting out of bed. No longer thinking “eurgh do I have to do that”. I have a spring in my step and I’m ready to take the bull by its horns.

The experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met over this period have been a delight. You are very much the reason I do what I do. I want to thank you all for booking on the tour or being apart of this incredible journey. I really appreciate you! As well as Elaine who has been my mentor, her insights and help have been instrumental.

All of you have helped make this year special so here are some of my favourite memories:

- Isle of Canna Puffin run also spotting a minke whale
- Northern Lights
- Filming for Canadian Television show “Avec ou Sans Cash”
- Starting the Edinburgh hiking meetup group (reach out if you want to join)
- Teaming up with Matt from Edinburgh Birding to take wildlife tours
- Building the website and pushing the blog
- Spotting a Hen Harrier on Mull
- Completing the 100km ultra marathon in aid of Roy Castle Lung cancer foundation

How lucky I am to call Scotland my office?

Have a wonderful day,
Rob

A lot of you loved the puffins returning! But how about the Gannets?
21/04/2024

A lot of you loved the puffins returning! But how about the Gannets?

Sitting at Sgùrr Na Strì on the Isle of Skye looking for the next mountain to attack!After experiencing some setbacks wi...
16/04/2024

Sitting at Sgùrr Na Strì on the Isle of Skye looking for the next mountain to attack!

After experiencing some setbacks with my leg post-ultra marathon last July, I haven’t been able to conquer munros. Munros are the holy grail for hikers in Scotland, these are mountains above 3,000 feet and there are 282 of them. After a bit of patience I’ve finally got the green light to tackle big mountains again!

Which mountain do you think I should climb next?!

Did you know that just a 20 minute drive from Aberdeen there is an incredible beach at Newburgh that hosts hundreds of s...
14/04/2024

Did you know that just a 20 minute drive from Aberdeen there is an incredible beach at Newburgh that hosts hundreds of seals basking on the shore!! (Depending on tide and season)

Really is nature at its best! Who loves exploring nature?!

After my early morning exploration, I stopped by Trellis for a cracking breakfast. When you walk through their door you are met by a wonderful display of sweet treats that get your mouthwatering. If only I could have tried everyone of them 😂 wouldn’t put it me… instead I went for the banging French with bacon and maple syrup before tucking into a delightful cherry cheesecake donut. The cherry on the top of the East Coast adventure for sure!

This spot is at the estuary of the River Ythan and is also home to 6,000 nesting birds which makes for quite the viewing. Especially at low tide where Eiders are able to feed on the submerged mussel beds.

Things to do Aberdeenshire | Nature watch | Scotland East Coast | Where to find Seals | Travel Scotland |


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