As a native Scot you might expect me to say that my homeland is one of the most beautiful and finest countries in the world. But Scotland is really two countries - or more. There is the Stereotypical, Tartan and Kilt Scotland, most commonly seen by our more-than-welcome overseas visitors, and then there is in addition the Real Scotland of the ordinary and kindly Scottish people immersed in their day-to-day lives.
   
For the past ten years, I have specialized in guiding highly personalized Small-Group Tours to the Real Scotland.  Each tour is different and unique. Each tour has its own itinerary, specifically designed to meet the needs of the group and its members.

It maybe a Hobby-orientated itinerary; or a Family or Clan Surname-orientated itinerary. Some tours concentrate on a particular part of Scotland. Other tours meander all over Scotland. Normally, each tour will have two " hub " bases from which all their Scottish interests can be satisfied. Quite often, group members have a family connection to Scotland, and I will, through dialogue with the group, design an itinerary to visit the most appropriate sites. It is vitally important though that Group Members visit Scotland in a flexible frame of mind as the daily itinerary may change depending on weather conditions etc; Fixed-in-Stone itineraries do not allow the kind of freedom necessary to take advantage of the kind of cultural, sports and social opportunities that will often present themselves. Don't worry you'll still see everything you want to see !

Any time from April through October is a good time to visit Scotland. Spring and early summer are my particular favorites. Forests, fields and glens offer a wonderful array of colors during that time of year, while the long Northern days of sunshine let you get out and enjoy it.  There is also no shortage of things to do as all the best visitor attractions are already open, and are far more relaxed away from the mid-summer crowds, whilst in the cities the Arts season is in full swing. But whenever you visit, you're always guaranteed a warm welcome in my Scotland.

My small group tours of Scotland are paced for discovery and understanding - not just notching sites. I do not put 52 people on a huge coach with an endurance test for an itinerary. In fact, each group is limited to an absolute maximum of 18 people ( unless by special request ), with a typical small group being just 8 people.

I prefer to guide groups through Scotland in a relaxing manner, staying at two or three base locations from which we can visit sites of interest - and not have to move luggage every day. My small group members tend to be travelers rather than tourists, enjoying seeing behind the tourist façade, while visiting with " locals " and seeing sites not normally seen by the regular tourist.

Many group members visit Scotland to trace their Scottish ancestry; others to golf or fish; most come to simply enjoy the beautiful scenery,historic buildings and gardens, and most of all, to meet and enjoy the people of Scotland.

My tours can be best described as being " couthy. " It's a Scottish word meaning " gentle."

I specialize in matching itineraries to the needs and desires of group members, thus I rarely have a standard itinerary. Being a " Fifer " from the Kingdom of Fife, I do enjoy showing folks around my native Kingdom. Highland Perthshire is another of my favourite parts of Scotland. You're in the Highlands, and yet still close to many major sites of interests, with access to lots social and cultural activities. But wherever you go in Scotland, you can be sure there will be plenty to see and do.

The following sites are generally included in any itinerary.