Rob Carr Tours

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 🥃

28/11/2024

We aren’t graced with snow as often as travellers seem to expect. So when the snow fell on Edinburgh last week I was absolutely gutted that I missed it! But I have social media to thank for filling me in on the magic I missed out on! Some of the photos are tremendous!

What I want to share with you is a special moment on the 28th November 2021. Somehow, some way I was not in the Christmas market before it opened but there was a beautiful blanket of snow! Making this tremendous scene which people now think is AI 🤣

Less than one month to go ladies and gents!

27/11/2024

Bonnie Glasgow! Class day wandering the Glasgow streets toured around by . The only thing that was missing to top the day off was a dram. Maybe we will save that to next time 🥃

1. St Mungo Mural
2. Glasgow Cathedral
3. Kelvingrove Museum
4. Glasgow Uni
5. A Pedigree Haggis

26/11/2024

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live”

18/11/2024

A week of winter tours outside of Edinburgh!

The one thing I love about tour guiding is the variety. One day you’re doing Edinburgh walking tours about Harry Potter, the next you are taking wildlife or history tours in the highlands.

There’s a never ending amount of information to learn about the country and that’s what makes it so fascinating. The more I learn about the country, the more fascinated I’ve become. But it’s not only the variety of the places we visit and the history of them but also the people that join the journey. People from all over the world, from all backgrounds. Not only do I get to share this with you but I get to learn about your places and culture too. Variety is the spice of life. It keeps things feeling new and refreshing!

13/11/2024

Don’t you just love wildlife? Here’s some of my favourite photos of Scottish wildlife and where I found them below.

1. Red Deer - Kingshouse Hotel
2. North Atlantic Puffins - Isle of Lunga
3. Hebridean Bottlenose Dolphin - boat trip from Elgol
4. Common and Grey Seal - Newburgh Seal Beach
5. Red Kites - Argaty
6. Eurasian Otter - Isle of Mull
7. Northern Gannet - Troup Head RSPB reserve
8. Highland Coo - Kilchurn Castle

There are many more amazing species of wildlife in Scotland. So keep your eyes peeled for Golden and Sea Eagles, Pine Marten, Wild Cat and more! If you want to learn more about Scottish wildlife you can do this on my website blog.

31/10/2024

28/10/2024

I’m back! The end of my first vacation of this winter. Time away from tours, no emails, no customer interactions, no working on the website or posting on instagram. This is the first time I’ve been able to do this since the 1st March.
I have worked consistently for the last 7 months.

This trip was key. I needed to get this trip right. Last November I had to come back from my Portugal trip early as all I could think about was work. I couldn’t seperate myself from it. In a way I was addicted to it. Of course, that relationship isn’t healthy. So this year I have been trying to balance that. How to make the most out of the peak tourism months but make sure to think about myself. Of course this is an area that always needs work and development. That has certainly improved but will continue to work on. But one thing I would say is I have waited too long for that holiday. I didn’t burn out. I have felt good. But it’s the realisation of how you can feel even better after having some proper rest and recuperation.

This holiday was different to last year. Its been an absolute cracker. I am very grateful for that. Switzerland for the third time has taken me away from work. Allowed me to do what I love best… exploring the world. The chance to get out into the mountains to run, climb and hike. Get out of the comfort zone. To be around people but to also be alone. Have physical demands but also to take the time to rest and destress.

As I prepare to fly home today. There’s a weight that’s off my shoulders that I didn’t even realise I had. And I look forward to this next chapter. To optimise work and recuperation.

When I’m back in Edinburgh I’m looking forward to catching up with people. If anyone wants to go for a coffee or some scran don’t hesitate to give me a bell!

24/10/2024

Maybe I need to take tours in Switzerland?🇨🇭🧐

19/10/2024

Long summer of working finished up with a trip back to the mighty Swiss alps for a rest. This time though for autumn. Mixing in some classic spots I’ve been to before with some epic new adventures.

Picked up the hire car in Geneva and adapted to the new car like a cat to water… took me 10 minutes to switch it on not realising you had to put your foot on the brake whilst pushing the ignition button.

But ever since then it’s been going pretty well, quite francly 😉 rainy day on day one left the mountain exploration for a bit later. So we browsed Thun castle and the city centre before heading to Lauterbrunnen. No amount of tourism could stop me coming back here. The autumn colours made it even more outrageous!

Day two gave us a perky morning opportunity. So dusted off the hiking trousers and headed up for the Klingenstock to Fronalpstock ridge walk. Absolutely marvellous. Met a cracking couple from Basque Country on the way. Nothing like an in-depth conversation about cheesecake. Before heading back to our base to get do some cooking done for a big day tomorrow!

14/10/2024

Autumn walks in Perthshire are just next level!

This weekend I was out with my hiking meetup group exploring Drummond Hill and the Birks of Aberfeldy. Although the settlement of Dull is inbetween the two locations. Theres nothing dull about this region. The autumn colours really bring this area to life and from what I can see the best is to come over the next week or so! So if you love autumn, now’s your time!!

What are your favourite walks in Autumn?

13/10/2024

Never a DULL moment travelling Scotland!

11/10/2024

It’s not always Sunshine on Leith! The Northern Lights strike again!

08/10/2024

As we settle into the heart of autumn in Scotland, the beauty of falling leaves and cooler air signals the approach of winter. Nature’s calm summer streams give way to roaring rivers, snow begins to dust the Highland summits, and longer nights open the door to stunning Northern Lights displays. With fewer tourists, there are chances to see location alone with higher chances to spot wildlife like red deer and otters.

Are you ready to embrace Scotland’s winter magic? ❄️ 🪄

After a much needed trip to Switzerland next week. I will be coming back to Edinburgh with a bang. My day and multi-day winter Scotland tours commence from November 1st through to February 28th! Itineraries can include visiting the Cairngorm Reindeer herd.

Don’t forget my Edinburgh Walking tours are scheduled as normal but with a festive twist and a touch of mulled wine! If you are interested reach out to me directly!

Scotland Winter Tours | Highlands Tours | Northern Lights | Cairngorms Reindeer Herd | Travel Scotland |

03/10/2024

One thing you can’t prepare for as a tour guide is the drama that comes with the job. You have to be ready and flexible for everything that comes at you. This time last year the rain lashed down, the rivers turned into roaring torrents and the countryside and roads were flooding.

That day we plotted our way through Scotland trying to get to Skye. Trying to navigate where we didn’t have weather warnings. However, the news didn’t do it justice, the floods were everywhere! The beginning of our journey we headed to Skye via Callander. About 5 minutes down the road past Callander the river was on the road and two cars floated along it. So we turned back and successfully headed to Skye via Dunkeld.

It was 100% worthwhile stopping by The Hermitage to see the power of Black Linn falls which as you can see by the photos was no longer a waterfall!

We certainly didn’t hang around for more rain to lash down as we managed to make our way to Skye which was very much flood free.

How nuts is this?!