Rob Carr Tours

28/02/2025

Today will be my last day working for and .

Before people think it! I know this isn’t linkedin 🤣 But 3 months or so ago I decided off the cuff to try something a little bit different over the winter period to mix things up. But I only wanted to do it with a local brand that I really believed in. The idea to learn more about customer service, the Edinburgh brewery scene, to welcome back working as a team and to be involved in the community.

It’s been a cracking 3 months to say the least. From the moment I stepped through the door it was quite clear how welcoming and great the team is. Providing superb beer to everyone with an even better service. Especially given that the nature of hospitality where you are working at the weekend and missing out on the big events like New Year. There is no taking the smile off their faces!

For all those travelling around Edinburgh and want to learn more about beer and to taste some absolute belters whilst doing so in a local bar/brewery taproom. I couldn’t recommend this place enough. You are in cracking hands on their beer academy! The taproom is epic to watch the rugby and see trad live on Sundays!

Thanks very much for taking a gamble on me especially having no experience. Looking forward to coming back again as a customer and being apart of the community you have build!

Now that we are coming into March I’m back focusing fully on my business which to be fair has always had my undivided. On Sunday and Monday I will see me back on my research trips to Ardnamurchan! So keep your eye out for posts on that although the weather is looking a bit grim!

Have a wonderful weekend team!

26/02/2025

Join us on one of our unforgettable and action packed Scotland Group Tours in 2025—where are we going? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

🚀 4th May – 9-Day Isle of Mull, Staffa & Islay Adventure
Hike to breathtaking viewpoints, explore legendary castles like Dunnottar, Balmoral, and Dunrobin, enjoy Islay whisky tastings and distillery tours, and spot puffins and other incredible wildlife.

🏰 31st May – 4-Day Isle of Skye & Harry Potter Filming Locations
Discover the magic of Skye, walk in the footsteps of wizards at Hagrid’s Hut, see the real life Hogwarts Express at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and visit iconic sites like the Quiraing and Eilean Donan Castle.

⛰ 1st September – 8-Day Extended Isle of Skye
Hike the Old Man of Storr, stand before Scotland’s Pyramid, and explore the epic Dunnottar and Glamis Castles.

📩 DM me to book your spot or for more info!

21/02/2025

99% of people booking tours don’t know this! So I want to share with you the truth about booking tours on third party sites ⛔️

Of course I wouldn’t be here talking to you running a tour guide company without AirBnB and more recently TripAdvisor. I would be near nothing so I really have to thank them especially at the beginning of my journey.

But something happened recently that I can’t ignore and I think educating people on this will at least help one tour guide in the future!

On the 1st Feb without being notified AirBnB changed the amount of commission that they take from 20% up to 24%. I only realised this after trying to reconcile what 1 guest would usually cost but I couldn’t so had to call airbnb directly. It took me 2 hours to finally get to an answer!

To be honest AirBnB’s charge is still less than that of TripAdvisor which is at least 26.9%. But does that make it okay?

Well these websites provide most tours all in one place! It’s simple, it’s easy to access, there’s so much choice, they provide a some security and most importantly they provide you with reviews. It’s a marvellous piece of website engineering. But do they deserve £240-£269 for every £1,000 an experience costs.

It’s a large amount of money especially when you can go to people’s websites and book it cheaper and the host still benefits more from it. So in that case both people win - although the OTAs miss out.

I want to leave you with this as food for thought. An idea to think about supporting people more locally. Leave me your thoughts I would love to hear them!

15/02/2025

Scotlands WWII Secrets - The Aberlady Submarine wrecks!

Hidden in the sands of Aberlady Bay lie two haunting relics of World War II X-Craft midget submarines. This style of submarine was used in the invasion of D-Day as well as planting charges on N**i warships based in Norway in September 1943.

These two submarines were only a training version and after the war in May 1946 were towed to Aberlady, propped up against a concrete block and left for the RAF to open fire. They are now left to the mercy of the sea, hidden in high tide. Rusting away but standing tribute to the 23 soldiers we lost operating the machine in WWII.

When you see them up close it makes you think how on earth 4 people were meant to cram in such a small space!

To reach them, you need to be there at low tide! Start at Aberlady Local Nature Reserve and follow the coastal path across the wooden footbridge. From here, walk to where Google maps pinpoints Aberlady Bay Beach. Once you get to the top of the sand dunes look left towards the pentlands. They are about 800-1km into the sand!

Along the way, keep an eye out for roe deer moving through around the golf course on the right and a variety of birdlife, including curlews, shelducks, oystercatchers, and red shanks.

11/02/2025

Which one is your favourite?!

01/02/2025

Postcards from the Isle of Skye 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Enjoy your weekend folks!

29/01/2025

Last week the weather held up like a tourist climbing Ben Nevis in flip-flops!

But this week is entirely different. 2 days into this 4 day winter tour and it doesn’t get much better. Sun glistening off the contrasting colours of the land and the snow. And no rain in sight (if you discount a 5 minute drizzle or two).

The art of travelling Scotland in winter is utilising the time of darkness. Setting off in the dark so that you arrive at your first location as the sun comes up to maximise your day! There’s no doubt we’ve been quite lucky but shy bairns get nowt!

I’ve had the pleasure of sharing this journey with the Austrian and Colombian dream team! They have been awesome company and buzzing to see what the next 2 days bring for them.

If you would like to be a part of one of these tours do reach out for more information!

27/01/2025

Last weeks day trip into the Cairngorms was an epic adventure. The journey I took was the exact route for the first day of this Mays ultimate nine day group tour.

Visiting these locations again has got me super excited to share this experience with 4 returning guests and 2 travellers new to Scotland. Locations include three iconic castles: Dunnottar, Balmoral and Braemar as well as beautiful landscapes at Glen Shee and Prince Alberts Cairn.

Look forward to seeing if can lift the Dinnie Steens too (photo 7). With this man anything’s possible 😉

If anyone wants to get involved or know more about the 9 day tour drop me a message and I can share with you the details!

Scotland Castles | Cairngorms National Park | Balmoral Castle | Scotland Tours |

15/01/2025

My latest blog on the Isle of Staffa!

From practical tips on how to get there, to an exploration of its fascinating geology and thriving wildlife, we’ll also share the legend of Fingal’s Cave. Get ready to join us on a journey into one of Scotland’s most magical and storied corners.

Enjoy!!!

Discover the fascinating geology and natural beauty of the Isle of Staffa, renowned for its stunning basalt columns, sea caves, and rich wildlife!

11/01/2025

Shots from Thursdays epic sunrise on Ben A’an with

Ben A’an is well known by the people of Scotland and for good reason! It’s an extremely accessible mountain from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. Maximum of 1 hour 30 minutes drive before you are at this cracker!

As some of my tour have found out. Although it’s a 3.75km round trip. There are two bursts of real incline which certainly test the legs and it’s not to be underestimated. I’ve been up 12-15 times and thought I could just glide up it last week. But found the Christmas pudding weighing me down and panting like a dog before I knew it.

Be careful up there at this time of year. If you swipe through the photos you will notice there was a fair bit of black ice. But if in doubt have a look at the hike through walkhighlands to gauge the difficulty.

Enjoy and happy hiking 😉

07/01/2025

The Isle of Mull research that almost didn’t happen!

On the 2nd January there was all this talk of yellow weather warnings for snow and ice. It was touch and go whether we were going to bottle it. But we made the bold call, that very much paid off!

Weather was cold but with glorious blue skies. Some of the best sunrises and sunsets I’ve seen. Always watched by the glaring eyes of the roadside red deer.

I have been doing a lot of trips to Mull over the last couple of years. It is a stunning island and so much quieter than the Isle of Skye. If you are after epic walks, geology and wildlife as well as culture and whisky this place is for you!

Here’s a few of the cracking things we got up to on this trip!

1. Rubha Nan Gall Lighthouse
2. Carsaig Waterfall
3. Tobermory
4.“I Know Where I’m Going” Film Phone Box
5. Carsaig Black Sand Beach
6. Langamull Beach
7. Highland Traffic
8. Eas Fors
9. Sunset over Isle of Mull
10. Loch Na Keal

31/12/2024

Wow 2024…

The first calendar year of tour guiding full time. What a remarkable year! So many special memories and moments that I will never forget. Stories that I will one day write in a book called “Tour Guide Tales” 🤣

This year showed the shift towards of touring outside of Edinburgh! Bringing my passions together in a unique blend of history, hiking, wildlife and of course you can’t leave behind the dad jokes!

It all started with an epic 9 day tour in March which blasted me into action. Especially after cold plunging in waterfalls on the Isle of Skye (you’ve never heard screams like it 😂). Followed by tours to:
- Hunting down beaches, viking heritage and standing stones on Isle of Harris & Lewis
- Whisky touring on Raasay
- Spotting Puffins and Hebridean dolphins on Canna
- Northern Lights on Skye (3 times)
- Exploring St Andrews and the Fife Coastal Path
- Castles of Aberdeenshire and the Bullers of Buchan
- Glamis Castle Highland Games
- Hiking Old Man of Storr, Ben A’an and so much more!
- Bird Watching Tour in East Lothian

Outside of touring there’s been cracking research trips which will help shape my tours for 2025! Including Mull with my family, Jura with to spot down the Corryvreckan whirlpool, Glasgow with . Then onto the best hike of the year with on Suilven!!

It’s exhausting writing it all down and knowing that it doesn’t even scratch the surface! 😂

What a blast! But with all the positives there’s also areas for improvement. One thing that I’m distinctly aware of which is always brought to light by big festivities like Hogmanay. Friends and family are off work, free and ready to celebrate. Where for me they are my busiest times of the year. And it seems silly not to grasp the opportunity to sell out tours when you don’t know what’s around the corner.

But now that the business is starting to become more self sufficient balancing out work and life will become a growing priority. Don’t burn yourself out kids!

Wishing you all the best for New Year, I look forward to following on all your own special journeys. Continue being you!

Love, Rob

26/12/2024

In case you missed it! Here's a look into the best places to see Puffins in Scotland and some fascinating facts about the beautiful birds!

A Guide on where to see Puffins in Scotland! Make sure to add these locations to your Scotland adventure.

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas team! Hope the big man has came down the chimney! Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and hope you all get what you asked for!

I wanted to say a huge thank you to you all. It’s been an epic year of countless tours. However, it’s not about the quantity of the tours but the quality of the people that have been on them. Meeting you all and organising these trips has been a pleasure. It’s been great getting to know you and buzzing to see what 2025 has to come! I know I have some of you booked in again for next year and I CANNOT WAIT! Will be raising a glass to you all 🥃

Merry Christmas,
Rob

11/12/2024

Over 2 years ago I wrote a blog post stating my top 10 favourite hikes in Scotland. Sgùrr na Strì on the Isle of Skye remains my absolute favourite!

Where to start with this one? Well I can really say that when I first set my eyes on this place I realised that this was one of the best days I had ever had on a mountain. It was like winning the golden ticket for W***y Wonker’s chocolate factory. Like Chris Colombus discovering the Americas. Like Mr Bean winning first prize in the church raffle. What more to say? Utterly magical.

The route that we took isn’t the conventional one which you find on the Walkhighlands website but it is worth considering for the extra views and challenge. We started from the day in Elgol (see photo 3 and 4). Before driving to Kilmarie to start the trek to Sgùrr na Strì via Camasunary bay and Loch Coruisk.

On our way we encountered a river crossing which we had to take on bare foot, spotted seals around the coast and lastly conquered the ‘Bad step’ which is a sheet of rock that you need to confront to continue. But one ‘bad step’ and you may fall 15m into the sea below (it’s not too bad really).

It is a long, thrilling hike. But every ounce of energy is worth it. The views from the summit show you nature at its very best. One side you overlook the mystical Loch Coruisk and the rugged Cuillin ridge. The other over the ocean towards the Isle of Rum. Incredible.

07/12/2024

WINTER MAGIC!

Quiet day staying indoors with the wind and rain ripping through the country! Currently sitting at home planning the next winter adventure hoping to see the stunning layers of snow over the highlands mountains.

If you are wondering where these belter locations are?! You are welcome 😉

1. Pap of Glencoe
2. Glencoe
3. Sligachan
4. Brides Veil Falls
5. Three Sisters
6. Bidean Nam Bian
7. Bidean Nam Bian
8. Calton Hill
9. Aros Falls
10. Ross fountain

Have a cracking weekend!

01/12/2024

Only postcard photos on the Fife Coastal path! Today we started off in Anstruther with a bit of drizzle but it opened up beautifully when we arrived in Crail.

We adored Crail for an hour or so before heading back to finish the day at the worlds best !

30/11/2024

Happy St Andrews Day from the Elie Chain Walk on the Fife coastal trail!

This has been on my Scotland bucket list for a long time and it lived up to every minute of it. The mixture of adrenaline and beautiful landscapes was perfect. We started the walk just before low tide at 7.40am and got to see a magnificent sunrise. The rays glistened off the igneous rocks which you see about half way in!

The trail took us 2.5 hours with plenty of time to take photos and marvel at the geology! If you are an adventure lover this is for you. For those a little unsteady on your feet or haven’t got the right footwear then I would recommend to take the alternative coastal path route!

Have a belter of a day 🥃