Made in Scotland Tours

05/08/2024

It doesn't matter how many times I go to meet a cruise ship in a Scottish port, I always get a wee burst of pride and excitement when I first see the ship.

This is the Norwegian Dawn on Friday in port at Greenock just down river from Glasgow.

I guided a group of guests from the States on a scenic tour around five Scottish lochs. I was a little bit disappointed for them as it was a rainy day, but they assured me they enjoyed the rain and respite from the 40 degrees plus heat they had left behind at home.
Hearing visitors' experiences of Scotland is one of the great pleasures of my job.

09/07/2024

Another wonderful tour to thel isle of Skye this weekend. Stunningly beautiful every time.

22/06/2024

A few highlights from last week's tour of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Skye with a great group of teachers from the States travelling with . We had such a lot of fun.

16/06/2024

This week I'm touring Skye, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow with a great group of school teachers from the States who are travelling with Bookbag Tours. On Tuesday a grey day on the isle of Skye was brightened by splashes of colour in the grounds of Dunvegan Castle, home to the mysterious Fairy Flag, the most treasured possession of the Clan MacLeod. There is more than one version of the origin of the flag but it is believed to have been given by the fairies and when it is unfurled it has the power to protect the clan from harm. However like all the best fairy stories, its powers can only be invoked three times. It has been used twice to bring victory for clan during two major battles. Will it ever be needed again to help the MacLeod's and what will happen if it is unfurled for a third time?

14/06/2024

The famous Leakey's Second Hand Bookshop in Inverness- the best way to ride out a Friday afternoon thunderstorm in while waiting for guests.

20/05/2024

A perfect day to visit Culzean Castle in Ayrshire with a group of lovely guests from the Norwegian Dawn, in port at Greenock today.

01/04/2024

Last week I spent two nights in Glencoe on the way to and from the Isle of Skye for a few days holiday before the busy guiding season gets fully underway. The Spring weather meant the light and conditions in the glen seemed ever changingand my photographs tried to capture some of this. I hope I did it justice. Glencoe is stunningly beautiful, full of history and tragedy. It's also a place to walk, ski, climb, enjoy watersports and wildlife or just take in its beauty. When will you visit?

13/02/2024

We've had some pretty challenging weather through January and the first weeks of February but now the light is returning and signs of new life are everywhere.
One of the highlights of February in Scotland is the Snowdrop Festival where many castles, stately homes and gardens open their gates so we can enjoy the thousands of snowdrops that bloom at this time of year. On Sunday I visited Dunimarle Castle in the village of Culross in Fife and in spite of a gray gloomy day there was colour and life everywhere from the blooming snowdrops, rhodendrons, camellias and catkins. With birdsong everywhere, it really felt that the dark days of winter are behind us.
Time for you to think about a trip to Scotland? I'd be delighted to show you around. Just get in touch.

25/01/2024

Today Scotland and countries all over the world celebrate the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's national bard (poet). Born in Ayrshire in 1759 into a farming family, he went on to write some of the world's best known poetry that challenged, celebrated, loved and derided all aspects of humanity. His poem 'Address to Haggis', celebrates haggis, a humble Scottish dish. It is the reason why haggis is served at Burns Suppers.
Burns never held back in challenging the establishment. The water jug in the photograph advertises Freedom Whisky and carries the words ' Freedom and whisky gang thegither, Tak aff yer dram'; a quote from his 1786 poem 'The Author’s Earnest Cry and Prayer – addressed to The Right Honourable and Honourable Scotch Representatives in the House of Commons’. Burns wrote this is response to legislation, the Scotch Distillery Act of 1786, which meant extra duty (tax) had to be paid on Scottish spirits exported to England, making it much more difficult for Scottish distillers to do business there.
In the poem Burns views whisky and whisky drinking as a national and individual right, and he attacks parliament for it's meddling that affects these rights. The final words of the poem appear on the water jug and are used as a toast at Burns Suppers and other events.
Happy Burns night to you, whether you're celebrating at an organised event or gathered at home with friends and family, have a great time and don't forget to 'tak aff yer dram'.

17/01/2024

Yesterday afternoon's moody snow clouds changed to brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies this morning at St Fillans, Loch Earn, Perthshire.

31/12/2023

In Scotland Hogmanay is 31st December, New Year's eve, an evening of celebration and anticipation for the new year to come.
In 2023 I have had the absolute pleasure and privilege of welcoming people from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Malaysia, USA and UK. I have loved helping each and every one of you to get the best from your time in Scotland.
To each and every one of you, and to all of you who have viewed, liked and shared my page and my posts, a huge thank you. May 2024 be a peaceful, blessed and happy year for you all. X

13/12/2023

The cloisters at Glasgow University came alive last night for Carols in the Cloisters with the wonderful university chapel choir. A lovely and happy event. You can feel the anticipation while we were waiting for the choir.

13/12/2023

13/12/2023

A wonderful sound in an amazing setting at Glasgow University.

02/12/2023

The beautiful cloisters at the University of Glasgow all decked out for the festive season. Founded in 1541, it is the second oldest university in Scotland. Its beautiful old campus buidlings are said to have inspired JK Rowling's vision of Hogwarts. No tour of Glasgow is complete without a visit to this historic and atmospheric place. Its my alma mater and I love showing people around it.

30/11/2023

Happy St Andrew's Day. On Scotland's national day, a big thank you from me to everyone who has liked, commented or followed this page. A particular thanks to those of you who booked tours with me. It was a pleasure to meet you and to share Scotland with you.

17/10/2023

Surf's up at Lossiemouth, Moray coast North East Scotland.

17/10/2023

Blue sky, blue sea, golden sand, pink agapanthus and yucca palm. Must be faraway shores, except it's Lossiemouth and Hopeman on the Moray coast, north east Scotland. I took these photograph today and yesterday in glorious October sunshine. Winter seems a long way off although there is already a dusting of snow on the high hill tops. Scotland has something to offer for every season of the year.

06/10/2023

Gushing water, moody skies and the dramatic peaks of the Cuillins. Skye is always magical.

03/10/2023

It may be October and the leaves on the trees are just beginning to change to their autumn colours, but there's still plenty of sunshine and greenery. This is Urquhart castle on Loch Ness basking in the autumn sunshine today. My guests; a lovely family from the States, really enjoyed visiting with me and taking in the spectacular scenery.
Any time of year is a good time to visit Scotland. Get in touch if you would like to book a tour. Hope to see you soon.

29/07/2023

It's always great to visit a distillery I haven't been to before and this week it was Dewar's Aberfeldy distillery in the lovely Perthshire town of Aberfeldy.

To see how a distillery sits in the landscape and to see the water source the distillery draws from is my favourite way of understanding the unique character of the whisky. Slainte mhath!

24/06/2023

I feel very privileged to have spent a few days holiday over the Summer solstice in Lewis and Harris on the beautiful Western Isles of Scotland; also known as the Outer Hebrides. These islands on the western edge of Scotland are incredibly beautiful and varied with vast moorlands, dramatic hills and white sandy beaches washed by turqoise waters. The Summer solstice is the longest day of the year and this year on 21st June June the sun rose in Stornoway on the isle of Lewis at 04.16 and set at 22.37. Although we talk about sunset, the islands are so far north and west that at this time of year in never really gets dark, just a sort of dusk that is sometimes called the simmer (summer) dim. It's a truly magical time of year with all the wild flowers and grasses in full bloom, elder flowers perfume the air and bird song is everywhere. These islands on the western edge of Scotland are incredibly beautiful and varied with vast moorlands, dramatic hills and white sandy beaches washed by turqoise waters - truly breathtaking
I finally got to visit the mysterious Callanish standing stone circle, erected over 5000 years ago. Set in an incredibly beautiful landscape, no one knows exactly what rituals or events took place there. I've wanted to visit for over 40 years so it felt amazing to be there at this very special time of year and they did not dissapoint.
Scotland, you are truly amazing!

17/06/2023

Scotland is beautiful whatever the weather decides to throw at us, but this week it has been stunning in the glorious sunshine with blue skies, blue water and lush greenery.
Yesterday as part of a week long tour, my guests visited the evocative Glenfinnan monument at Loch Shiel where on 19 August 1745, Prince Charles Edward Stuart raised his standard to call clan chieftains to join the Jacobite uprising. Just eight months later the Jacobites were defeated in the bloody and brutal battle of Culloden on 16th May 1746.
The story of the Jacobites is woven throughout Scotland's beautiful landscapes. When will you visit and walk in the footsteps of the Jacobites?

13/06/2023

A bank of mist creeping up the River Ness, Inverness this evening. Very atmospheric.

13/06/2023

On tour this week to Inverness and Skye with lovely guests from the States. One of our visits today was Cawdor Castle and its beautiful gardens.
Send me a message to find out how I can help you discover Scotland

20/04/2023

Some images of the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye from a tour earlier this week when I guided a wonderful family from the States. Brilliant blue skies, snow dusted mountain tops and vibrant yellow gorse amid breathtaking scenery. Come and experience it for yourself.

14/03/2023

The distinctive green copper roof of Glasgow Cathedral was dusted in white today. The snow falling over the cathedral and famous Necropolis burial ground was just magical.

01/03/2023

The first day of March is best known in the UK as St David's day. St David is the patron saint of Wales but in the historic Scottish market town of Lanark, this day is also known as Whuppity Scoorie Day. What on earth does that mean? Well the meaning of the name is not clear but Whuppity Scoorie is a celebration of the end of Winter and the start of Spring.
Early in the evening, the townspeople gather at St Nicholas church in the centre of the town. The children each hold a paper ball tied to a length of string. At 6pm the church bell which has been silent for four months throughout the winter chimes again for the first time. On the first chime, the children rush forward, whirling their paper balls, run three time clockwise around the church, shouting, screaming and making as much noise as possible. After three laps around the church have been completed, coins are thrown to the children who rush forward in a 'scramble' to gather as many coins as they can. How and why the event started in uncertain. It seems to be linked to the Spring days becoming longer and the children driving away evil spirits by their shouts and the whirring paper balls to make sure of a fruitful year ahead. It certainly creates a lot of noise and fun as you can see from this video https://youtu.be/SNkrzh_ep5o
Scotland has many festivals and customs both local and national, so you never know what celebrations you might come across on your travels here. I love sharing stories about Scotland's customs and folklore with my guests on tour.

14/02/2023

Glasgow is known for many things; the power and wealth of its industrial and ship building past, galleries and museums, beautiful buildings, art, music and culture and of course the famous Glasgow sense of humour. It's also a city of many surprises but who would have thought that the The Church of Blessed John Dunns Scotus in the south of the city houses a relic of St Valentine, the patron saint of lovers?
Inside the church a wooden box is painted with gold letters that read 'Corpus Valentini Martyris' - ' The Body of Martyred Valentine'. The box contains a forearm of the saint, given to the city in the 19th century by the Franciscan church in recognition of the strong faith of the Glaswegian people.
Every year at this time, the box is decorated with flowers to remember the saint. The church has become a popular place to make a marriage proposal on 14th February, Saint Valentine's day. So perhaps we should add love and romance to the list of things Glasgow is known for! 💕❤️

25/01/2023

Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet was born on 25th January 1759 in the wee cottage built by his father in Alloway, Ayrshire. From humble beginnings he went on to become a celebrated poet not only in Scotland, but all over the world. There are statues and monuments to him across the globe and there can't be many people who have never sung Auld Lang Syne as part of a gathering. Tonight Scots and Burns lovers all over the world remember and celebrate this man who could capture and convey so much in his poems. Haggis, neeps and tatties are the traditional meal to celebrate at a Burns supper but don't forget a wee dram of whisky! Happy Burns Night.