SCOTTISH GUIDES by MCLEANSCOTLAND

We have good friends in all sorts of locations who guide for us, no matter where you wish to go, we will find a guide or driver/guide for you with expert local knowledge, well, that's what it's all about eh!

PAUL MCLEAN THE FIRST TOUR I did was for friends from USA who came over for a vacation and asked if I would join them as guide.  Which I did, we had a great time.  two months later they rang me and asked if I would do the same for friends of theirs, I agreed.  Had another great time, and thought there was something in this.  Many folks (USA) do not want to come to a strange land without knowing where to go and what to see.  So I started out this way, took some clients on tour myself, some went on car rentals etc, which I planned their itinerary and all accommodation etc.  It has grown from a hobby to a full time career in these past ten years.  As for Scottish heritage and geography - I have O levels in both, and they still remain my best subjects and hobbies.  I can bore people to death with Scotland! This is my company I share with Liz, so everything will be done to ensure you enjoy your vacation with us.  I drive and guide maybe ten tours a year, I am very choosey I'm afraid.  I am also a Scottish Knight Templar. Some other guiding I do is for wee groups from Scandinavia (mainly) for whisky tours.  I'm saying nothing! Can you tell I all wrote these?

Lamont is a friend and excellent guide living on Islay. What he does not know about the whisky and island life on Islay, can fit on a postage stamp with room to spare.  Airport pick ups, meeting you at the ferry, he will arrange this to match your timings.  As he says, "I always have a wee dram in the car (I call it my SECOND AID kit!) so I can keep your guests happy."  He is a local and knows many other locals, including the distillery and hotel/bar staff!  When going to Islay we will place you in the very capable hands of Lamont!  Paul.

Willie is shown here with curlers from Sweden, he is centre in jeans!

Willie Auld, another one from Perth, Willie has great knowledge of the west coast around Inveraray as that's where he grew up! Willie took the Clan MacTavish tour in 2009 and was universally liked!"What can I say about our Tour guide, Willie, except he's simply the best.  Unfailingly pleasant while putting up with being picked at from all sides.  He took it; fired back, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself.  After settling into our hotel each night he would join us as a member of the group and contribute to the evenings entertainment.  We couldn't have asked for anyone more personable.  Absolutely great. I very gladly recommend McLean Scotland to anyone considering a tour. Tom Stevenson"

THE TEXT BELOW can be found in RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE; Mats mentions our pals over on Islay who guide for us, especially whisky!Paul, Thank you for everything you and your team had arranged for us. We had a wonderful time and we brought some good weather too. Our first afternoon starting with a traditional pub lunch and then a couple of hours at CULZEAN "(colleen)" castle was grat fun before going to Islay. Our welcome on Islay and the program and treats that followed was just fantastic and Lamont did a wonderful job taking us around. Hotel and food also amazing. What can I say!?  IŽd do it all again any day.  Thanks again and lets keep in touch.  Best regards   Mats Larsson, Sweden.

Thank you both again, for the great hotel booking, for answering ALL my questions (and they were many, as Liz well knows!!), for the travel tips, for the completely fantastic whisky/storytelling evening!!, and for being so warm, friendly, helpful, and outgoing towards me!  I did actually feel like I knew you both, when I met you that first day in the hotel!  I hope you both have had a great rest by now;  you definitely deserve it, LIz and Paul!  If either of you ever get to San Francisco, I'd be happy to show you around!  And, if a miracle ever occurs, and I find some more travel money, I'll be contacting both of you!!!  It was a trip of a lifetime, made more comfortable and more fun by both of you!  Thank you, ever grateful, Peggy 

 Paul McLean at the Italian Chapel, Orkney in June 2007

paul and liz pictured with mark and julie lane from usa mcleanscotland; liz and paul

ANDY GRANT is a Drum Major with the Denny & Dunipace Pipe Band (world champions of 2006) he is ex Argyll & Sutherland - Army.  He knows Scotland well and his history is well matched, he also has a wicked sense of humour!  He is a driver guide and lives in Aberdeen for his sins. Andy is available during the summer (sometimes winter too) for driver guiding around the whole of Scotland, although he does like his own patch - Aberdeenshire and Speyside.  He knows a thing or two about whisky.  Did I say he has a sense of humour?  Oh aye, and one more thing, he married a Campbell lassie!  Andy here being interviewed on radio at a pipe band competition.  and takes tours on that subject.

 big man hisel' at Dumbarton pipe band champs

Kim (left) and Liz in Glasgow pipe band worlds!

 LIZ MCINTYRE Liz hails originally from Tain, north of Inverness, to Pitlochry and finally Perth. She has been assistant manager of a hotel in Pitlochry, worked for House of Bruar (Harrods of the north) and is full of fun. A grand Scottish lassie brought up on her parents farm, she still helps out with the lambing and shearing, has her own cattle and loves to ride horses.  She loves travel, meeting people and socialising.  Liz is a guide only not a driver guide, you will find Liz on small group tours and day guiding in and around Perth and Pitlochry - where she knows it all, can be trusted for fun, laughs and great sightseeing trips, no doubt she will entice you back to a Scottish pub at the end of the day.