M C L E A N S C O T L A N D

V A C A T I O N S    T O    R E M E M B E R

 

BELOW ARE A SAMPLE OF THE COMMENTS WE RECEIVE FROM HAPPY GUESTS.
 

THE CLAN MACLEAN GATHERING TOUR  link to June 2007 THE MASTER GARDENERS OF TEXAS TOUR IN SCOTLAND 2007 US TRAVEL AGENTS THAT CAME ON TOUR IN 2005. ALSO FROM PIPE BANDS SUCH AS THE MESA CALEDONIA.  Read about one of our trips from TADDY  McALISTER'S diary Hey Paul, We made it home on Thursday to the heat of the South. I just wanted to take a minute and let you know how much Linda and I appreciate you taking us around Scotland and showing us and explaining the little side areas we probably would not have known about. Linda and I have enjoyed the short bread cookies. I have a new addiction now that I feel I need one of those cookies with my coffee in the morning, the afternoon, in the evening and while just sitting around during the day. I have found the web site for the cookies. Please let us know if and when you come over. Stay safe. Danny & Linda USA

Liz and Paul: I don't believe in all my travels throughout the world have I ever been so impressed with a travel company (physical ie you and Paul.. and business). Tomorrow I will be bragging in front of 60 people about the quality of service, the itenerary, the personal touches all that went into what is undoubtedly the best experience I have had with any travel company ever!. The accomadations all exceeded expectations. The country, its people, and the environment the world could learn from and with your personalities there is no question as to whatever trip you put together folks are going to be impressed have fun and learn. Mimi and I are considering next Sept to come on over.  Robert Menzies. USA

Liz and Paul I wanted to get back to you on what we thought of the trip and such. Overall impression: This was a fantastic trip and I'm glad we did it. Our itinerary was... perfect. Yes, perfect. Can you believe I don't have any complaints about it, or McLeanScotland? This was an absolute perfect mix of distillery tours, site-seeing, castle-sleeping and driving. Neither Virginia nor myself found ourselves saying "Oh gee... another castle to look at..." The fact that we were able to drive ourselves around was a huge bonus as well, as it gave us more freedom in what we wanted to see (the tour notes proved to us were a huge help, too). Both days of our guided tours (Islay with Lamont and Speyside with Paul McLean) were done VERY well. Lamont was a treasure trove of local information and a really funny guy. He brought us to the 4 distilleries that we wanted to see and let us set our own pace, which was very much appreciated. Our day with Paul was also equally enjoyable. While he had some ideas of where to take us (Culloden and the cairns and a few distilleries), he modified the day to take into account what we wanted to see and do. Capping off the day with Paul at a local pub was a great idea. We got to know him better and he's a really great guy. Having the owner of the company drive us around personally made us feel very good about our travel decision and gave us a feeling that we were special.

Hello Paul and Liz  Yes, we are home, here in Western Australia. I'm happy to give you our impressions of the time we spent with McleanScotland, since they are in the main very positive. The part of our journey spent in Scotland remains one of the highlights - one of the things we talk about when friends ask 'What were the best things you did?' (as they do all too often) To put it simply, we were very satisfied with the service provided by your company, and have no hesitation in recommending that others contact you if they would like to explore 'whiskey country' as we did, what impressed me most was the level of personal welcome and support we received. In particular: Being greeted by Paul at the airport started us off in a relaxed and pampered frame of mind. Paul was an excellent guide, and a warm character as well. He has the skills to know when to be 'part of' our experience with chat, information, or options for us to think about, but at the same time we never felt pushed or overwhelmed. Consequently the days we had together were well paced and left us feeling as if we had some say in what we were doing. A special treat was Paul loaning us his card for the whiskey society (I've forgotten its name) - we did take advantage of this. In a similar vein, when we were planning the tour, I always felt that someone was listening to what we wanted, and doing their best to help us meet our needs. Being treated like real people rather than a code number, in other words. I guess that was Liz. It may be a small thing but it makes a big difference. Peter and Monika Australia 2008.
 

Liz, Hope you are well. I heard from Mindy, she forwarded me the email from her client with the raves about the tour notes! I wasn't surprised that the client was happy, but then again, I knew that they would be getting a quality product. I am glad that you were able to help her out!  Kristin 2008.  Travel Agent USA

Hi Liz, Just wanted to pass on the response from Marc and Virginia. They just received their documents yesterday from me........... Mindy (Travel Agent USA), I received your care package yesterday (that was fast!). All I can say is... Wow. Wow. I'm very impressed. Seriously. I expected some ratty Department Of Transportation map with highlighted routes and a couple of sheets of paper saying things like "...after leaving <insert place>, make a left turn, go 4 klicks, make a right turn at <insert landmark>, travel <some number> more minutes and you'll get to <insert incomprehensible town name>..." I did not expect a bound, color-printed itinerary with many maps and pamphlets, along with pictures of where we'll be staying and places we'll be seeing. I didn't realize we'll be leaving our car at the ferry terminal before going to Islay, but I guess it makes sense to have a driver the entire time we're on the island. That's a bonus. Our Speyside distillery tour will also be coordinated and driven by Mr. McLean himself. That's pretty cool.  Marc

Hi Paul  Thank You for a very nice tour. We liked it very much. Everything, even the weather was good. Everyone was very pleased. I promise You pictures when Jimmy have them ready. Take care.   Arne.  Sweden   Arne's group came over from Sweden for a whisky tour.  2007

 

Liz and Paul, Thank you so much for making such great arrangements!  We had an amazing time in Scotland, due in large part to your excellent itinerary suggestions and accommodation selections.  The fact that the weather cooperated for the most part (only two bad days of rain!) made it that much better, although there is definitely something to be said for a foggy, moody Scottish landscape. We were disappointed that we didn't get a chance to meet you, but while we were in Perth we arrived back late both evenings and figured it was too late to call and meet with you somewhere.  We particularly enjoyed ourselves at Paco's, a restaurant recommended. Several of our friends have inquired about the arrangements we made for our trip, and we've been recommending you as points of contact if they decide to follow in our footsteps.  Again, we can't thank you enough for taking care of everything on such short notice!  Take care, Andrew and Ulana.  USA 

 

Thanks Liz !!  My friends and I had a great time there. We loved the whole trip. I have to say that we all felt in love with Inveraray. What a lovely place !!   Anyway, we all wanted to thank you for the trip. I'll recommend it.  Regards.  Audrey  FRANCE

Liz & Paul  Awesome !!! We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. We followed (backwards) the Book of Kells from Iona to Kells, county Meath, and then on to Trinity College. Beautiful. The accommodations you arranged for us were better than we expected. Thank you. Granddaughter especially enjoyed Glasgow and we found Margot McLaughlan to be delightful, only wished we could have spent more time there.  Our driving experience went without a hitch. We crossed over to Mull via Lochaline to Fishnish then returned Craignure to Oban. Wonderful trip. We did not feel we were in a 'foreign land' until we returned to New York City. What a mess there !!!  I was taken back by the fact I did not see any fat women as we see here in the US.   Probably all the stairs one has to climb Thanks again for a grand tour.
Jill, USA - Jill and her family came to Scotland and Ireland with us

to Mclean Scotland,  Dear Paul and Liz,  Just a few lines to say what a super time we Texans had with you two on the June 2005 Gardens & Glens of Scotland tour.  Speaking for Texas Certified Master Gardeners in Dallas, Cooke and Grimes Counties plus our fellow Texas travelers the scenery was superb and the gardens. WOW!!!  The team you have assembled is truly professional, enjoyed by all on the tour and "the team" we want to travel with again.  As a professional Horticulturist and Educator we received invaluable information on Scotland from Colin and gardening in Scotland from the Horticulturists that greeted and personally toured our group through their individual public gardens. We all have very fond memories of you three, Paul, Liz and Colin plus the wonderful people of Scotland.  I hope the "great gardener" up above lets me visit your country once again and the wonderful Gardens & Glens of Scotland with McleanScotland. Until then.  Great Gardening!
Dale Groom, Extension Horticulturist, Dallas County  Texas A & M University System
note: this group, with some new friends are coming back in 2007 with us!

 

Driver Guided Tour by Paul Dear Liz,   We thought you might be interested in an evaluation of our tour with Paul.  We met our guide/driver, Paul McLean, whom we came to adore. Wearing authentic Scottish kilts each day , he made our trip a journey through history, incited our interest in Scottish culture and generated lots of laughter.  No one else could have kept four ladies happy and comfortable, each with different thermostats!  Liz, he made our trip a total joy.  We learned so much about your history. His little side trips to out of the way places, places he loves, were so fascinating.  Seeing some of the most beautiful scenery on earth we'll never forget, he made us fall in love with Scotland.  No one else could have done a better job!  He worked so hard handling luggage with never a complaint, always in a good mood,  even when rain made things a bit more difficult.  We are grateful and he will remain in our minds and hearts a very long time.   All the  best, DeJuana Jones, Washington DC, USA        the same tour is featured in Taddy's  diary Read about one of our trips from TADDY  McALISTER'S diary

 

JUNE 2005 - GARDENS AND GLENS TOUR:

 

To Richard Hunter  Clan President           Dear Richard  I wrote to Madame Pauline regarding the tour in Scotland that I went in June 2002.  She suggested that I share the information with you. The tour to Scotland was my third tour since 1999 and it was the very best of the three tours.  The tour was in conjunction with the McLean Gathering on the Isle of Mull.  McLean Scotland, a Scotland tour and holiday company, planned and conducted the tour. Thru my many communications with Paul prior to the trip, I became very impressed with him.  He responded to all queries immediately in a very warm and personable manner and no question was ever unimportant to him.  (On the tour, I constantly heard from everyone how marvelous Paul and his partner, Liz, were in answering all their questions and not once were they made to feel dumb.) On the MacLean tour we had Canada, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and the US represented with ages ranging from 5 years to two sisters ages 86 and 89.   They met us at the airport, were with us all the way and went with us to the airport when we left.  Not all flights came in at the same time or left at the same time, yet everything was well coordinated. In person Paul is every bit as warm, caring, gracious and personable as in his communications over the internet.  He cares deeply for those on the tour and for their well being.  Paul takes his job very, very seriously even to he point of giving up his own room when there was a mix up at one of the hotels. Colin was our driver who has 26 years experience and had an informative manner. Liz, Paul's business Partner, was with us for part of the trip and she is as great as Paul and Colin.  Together they created a marvellous atmosphere for the trip, and as one tour member said in her "Ode To The McLean Tour"- 'we slowly became great friends, A family by the very end.'  Paul, Colin and Liz received consistent, sincere praise for the tour and for the fine job they did in taking care of us. I don't know of anyone who was unhappy with the tour, and that is a real compliment.  I felt very strongly about the excellent job that McLean Scotland did and highly recommend them to plan and conduct a tour for our 2004 Hunter Gathering in Scotland.  If I can be of any assistance I stand ready to do so. Aye Marcia Gillen, Texas, USA

Hi Paul! Hi Liz!! Wow!  Again!  The videotape is superb!  It's magnificent!  It's fabulous!  It's fantastic!  It's wonderful, marvelous, excellent, extraordinary & a priceless souvenir of our unforgettable time which we shall always treasure!  You did a beautiful job of putting everything together! & a very nice picture of you in there, too!  It really brought back the memories.  We watched the tape twice just on the first day it arrived!  We shall truly enjoy it again & again.  I would think that everyone who attended the Gathering would love to have at least one copy - so you really made a great gift for all of us.  The scenery alone is better than any "travelogue" I've ever seen!  Very expertly & professionally done.You folks are pros!  Anyway, many thanks also for all the great stuff that you've sent us at various times, & for all the times that you've gone out of your way to do thoughtful things for us (not to mention finding us accommodations & a car on Mull, without which we never would have been able to attend the Gathering at all!) - neither mum nor I shall ever forget you! See ya! Angela, Kansas, USA

Brian and I want to thank you very much for all the arrangements you made for our trip.  We had a wonderful time.  And every place we stayed was special.   Plockton was a little gem of a place; we're so glad we got to see it.  As you predicted, Ann and her husband at Felstead House are lovely people.  We had a great time in Inverness.   Perth was great fun, and Rita and Aberdeen House were the best.  And we loved the Thistle Hotel in Edinburgh.  Made some friends in the bar there.  Total miles was around 2500.  I think our average mph was right around 30.  We took some 700 photos.  Brian's mother actually let us show her the entire lot.  Only a mother would do that. Anyway, we just wanted you to know that you are directly responsible for us having the vacation of a lifetime.  We're telling all our friends that if they go to Scotland, they need to get you to arrange it.  Needless to say, we'll be contacting you for our next trip.   I was predisposed to like Scotland, but it and the Scottish people were more beautiful that I could even imagine.  England was lovely, but not a patch on Scotland. Thanks again. Nena McLin Dunn   USA

Hi Paul and Liz I would like to order the MacLean Gathering video. We all had a great time in Scotland and after Mull we drove around for a couple of days. The car was fantastic with the road computer and the whole
trip was just perfect. Asa & Marlene Jonsson Fillsta 148    832 93 Froson    Sweden

I have no idea how long and wordy this will be, but I promised I would write, so if you have to stop reading and take a nap, please feel free to do so --- notes on June vacation. The Barriemore Hotel, located on bay, at Oban. My notes say," lovely place." Greeted by Hamish (but of course) Dawson. Served a great breakfast the next morning by Leona Dawson.  Craignure Inn, Mull,  very nice room on the front, great view. Loved having the pub right at hand with good food, dining space conducive to much conversation. All breakfasts were fine, and were able to order just what we wanted. Janice MacGregor was pleasant, Billy MacGregor always had time to talk! We enjoyed our stay there enough to go back some day.  Inverness, Felstead Guest House for a wonderful stay with Ann and Diarmid Troup. Beautifully furnished, friendly 'gathering' room for guests and we 'gathered'.  Very good breakfast with others, lots of talk, as everyone felt at home. Site of this guest house beside of Loch Ness is wonderful, with views of ornate buildings across the loch. Stonehaven's Pitgaveny Guest House, a homey-looking place which we loved. Cheryl Castner, owner and hostess, most attractive (Clarence noticed!) a spacious room on the front. Wonderful old house and surrounding gardens. Good, easy place to park. Old, unmatched china used for breakfast, I loved that.  Rita and Peter Buchan at Aberdeen Guest House, Perth, where we de-cided to stay forever. EVERYTHING a personcould ever want was available in that upstairs room. Rita even had a little sewing kit ready with needle threaded!  Our breakfast plates of bacon/sausage/eggs looked like water-color paintings, almost too pretty to eat. Must mention the lovely garden view from our window. We told the Buchans goodbye with many hugs and waves. REAL big city, called London, now, at sorta plush hotel, Jury Inn. ELEVATORS,( I almost unlined that word!) Now aren't you sorry you asked for all this? I have not re-read my notes since the trip, so I've had a good laugh now and then over some things I wrote. We both want to thank you for all the phone calls, etc you must have made to arrange our stay and assure you that it was wonderful. Come to see us soon.  Best regards,   Mrs Bobbye Greek,  Tennessee USA

Dear Paul and Liz, I know John wrote that we were home safely but I remember you wanted a few comments.  I don't know if we were lucky but I suspect it was your genius in finding perfect spots.  I can't believe all B&Bs are as special as ours turned out to be.  All comfortable, each unique, all friendly.  Anyway to get specific, we'll start at the top.  All hostesses were welcoming and eager to make us comfortable.  Edinburgh with Alix was a special find of yours.  Next to the Ramada made an evening drink easy!...and she is a special cook and amazing decorator.  Her towels were the very best fluffy quality.  She had homemade pastries on the table for us when we left at 4 am.  Anne in Inverness made us so at home but I could really say that about all your friends.  Our schedule went as planned perfectly. It was good meeting you in Perth.   All in all we are praising our arrangements to everyone who welcomes us home. Thank for you for your attention to detail and for taking care of EVERYTHING.  Let us know when you come to Florida - Liz too.  We shall certainly recommend you to anyone who is planning to go to Scotland - or Ireland. Sincerely Judy Friedman  USA

Dear Paul and Liz  Sometimes we just get so busy we forget to thank people who help us be successful. Here is just a wee thanks for helping me with the Dinsdales in June.  They had a wonderful time and could not thank me enough for the plans. Everything except the nasty Dutch they encountered on the airport bus to Amsterdam was perfect. I guess you couldn't do anything about the Dutch, but you did a wonderful job for them. Thanks again to you and Liz for coming thru in true McLean style!!  We all look forward to seeing you in Aberdeen at the next VisitScotland Fair. We are already mapping out our visit. This time it will be Lewis and Harris if the ferry schedule allows. I understand you and Roxie are becoming good buddies, too. I know she still raves about your good work. Till April... Cheryl Maynard, Travel Link Services, Orlando USA

Hi, Paul! I thoroughly enjoy our trip to Scotland.  As you know, I loved everything about it and would have gladly stayed another week or longer.  On my NEXT trip there, I want to stay longer on Iona and Mull and then go up to Inverness and down the Eastern side!  And then end up in Edinburg for a few days. What do you think?  Actually, I would love to be there for the Tattoo. You were a great guide and the trip could not have been better. Best regards! Carol Henderson Texas USA

Dear Alice: Yes, I was delighted with mcleanscotland and their services as were my clients.  They really went above and beyond, even e-mailing me during the middle of the night their time.  I would recommend them.  I have used two or three wholesalers in Scotland, trying to find someone I could depend upon to work with me. Both Paul and Liz are delightful.  They get my vote and I will be using them again.  I have also recommended their services to several other agencies here in town. By the way, they were able to get me some wonderful little B & B type inns and, as you know, many of the agencies there will only use the "big" hotel chains.  Roxie Seales, CTC    SCOTSmaster/BritAgent    ACACIA TRAVEL INC    San Diego,

Paul, I should have written earlier but had a full schedule. 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. Jim had done a wonderful job preparing it and Lamont did a wonderful job taking us around. Hotel and food also amazing. What can I say!?  Also Terry gave us some time for shopping in Glasgow and finally we had lunch at Willow Tea Rooms before going back home. I´d do it all again any day.  Thank´s again and let´s keep in touch.  Best regards  Mats Larsson, Sweden  


Hello Paul and Liz:  Well, I figure you're home from New Hampshire so I thought I'd better get this off to you.  From the attached photo, do you think Milt spent a wee bit too much time in Scotland?  He loves his See ya Jimmy hat!  We brought one back for the neighbor's kid and he hasn't been out of it! We want to thank you both so much for putting together the most wonderful trip of a lifetime in Scotland.  Unfortunately, I've left a big piece of my heart in your country and probably will have to return to find it!  We had a wonderful two weeks.  The high points for us: Meeting Paul and Gordon and the rest of the buds and pubbing in Perth!  I really enjoyed the drams the boys bought for me and enjoyed the education into Scottish customs and life! Peter at the Aberdeen Guest House,  Alex McPherson's Number 17 in Edinburgh Valerie McGee's hospitality and wonderful room overlooking the bay  in Oban, Glencoe and Glenfinnan. The CRINGLETIE experience, including the wonderful evening meal and breakfast there! Oban was my favorite city, followed by Edinburgh--I think Milt would vice versa that. Glamis Castle. Our Loch Ness cruise with Jacobite, Urquhart Castle, The Bad Ass Pub and Another pub across the way--was it the Kensington or something like that?  They had an original bar from the 18th century. Martin's Restaurant and the cheese course in Edinburgh--recommended by Alex, Ee-usk Restaurant in Oban recommended by Valerie. CULZEAN Castle--wow--we spent 4 hours there and could have spent more wandering, but my legs gave out! Iona and Mull (the day was rainy, but it turned out to be a jackpot because we saw so many beautiful rainbows! The friendliness andhospitality of the Scots!   I could go on and on but darn it, I have work to do!   If our health and good fortune holds, we plan to be back!  PLEASE keep in touch.  You have become a special friend.  Hello to Gordon and the other guys!   Jean Cross Florida, USA
 

Paul-  I am sending you a word of thanks from everyone traveling in our group. We had a great time exploring your country. Everything worked out great and everyone had a great time. Your help in planning our trip on short notice was appreciated. You were very helpful and our first trip could not have had such a positive experience without your help. It was nice seeing you in Perth and we all  wish your Happy Holidays.
Bill, Jean, Helen, Steve, William Sinausky NH.   USA

I contracted mcleanscotland for a guided tour of Scotland's Highlands. Paul arranged all ferry and accommodation reservations beforehand and met me at Glasgow airport. He took me wherever I wanted to go, and added some sightseeing of his own recommendation. I found his rates to be reasonable, he was friendly, personable and extremely competent, I thouroughly enjoyed my tour with Paul McLean.  Mr Norrie MacPhee  membership Chairman Macfie Clan Society of America