At "Scottish Highland Trails" it’s as important to us, as it is to you, that your vacation package is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. It’s of immense importance to us that the content of everyone’s package is personalised to the most finite degree thus ensuring your trip is filled with those things important to you, throughout your time with us.
We guarantee to do everything in our power to arrange your trip in the manner that you would wish, exchanging ideas with you during the planning process, and never amending a plan, or changing any aspect of an agreed itinerary, without good reason and without consulting you first.
We guarantee that in every trip commencing in Scotland, one of our representatives will be at the airport to meet you and ensure those first few uncertain minutes are met with a welcome and a helping hand for your luggage.
We guarantee to be behind you during the course of your trip, never intrusive, but always at the end of a telephone should you require assistance of any kind.
We guarantee that there is no cost involved in our planning process. If we fail to construct your ideal vacation at a cost with which you are satisfied, you are free to walk away and do so with our best wishes.
As stated in our Home Page, “we don't do complaints!”. We don’t do them because we take immense care to ensure that everyone’s arrangements are in place prior to their arrival hopefully giving you no cause for complaint. However, should you find during your vacation that some aspect of the trip is not what you would have wished, then call us immediately and we guarantee to rectify things there and then.
We believe in high levels of personal service and guarantee to treat all our Guests, or potential Guests as friends ... we don’t do clients or customers either!
Reviews
"This letter is in reference to your outstanding preparation and personal attention for our family reunion trip to Scotland two weeks ago. Our 16 year old granddaughter said it best, "This was the Trip of a Lifetime." Much of that was due to your excellent pre-trip communication and attention to detail including the written directions we received upon arrival for each day. I am sure that is what made everything go smoothly and without wasting any valuable vacation time. I especially appreciate your help with the golfing schedule. We could never have played the Old Course at St Andrews without your help and guidance. It was an incredible experience for me, my son, son-in-law and grandson. Many thanks for everything and we look forward to a return trip. All thirteen of us voted for that."
Senator Jim ForresterRaleigh, North Carolina
"Jean and I wish to express our thanks and appreciation for the wonderful Scottish experience planned and executed by Scottish Highland Trails, and most of all, for your personal contributions to its success. The trip was an eye-opening experience for us, and not just for the glorious Scottish countryside and sites we visited. This we expected from past experiences. What we had not expected was how much the whole experience was enhanced by placing it in the capable hands of Scottish Highland Trails. In describing our trip to others we have spent almost as much time talking about how wonderful it was to have a driver, a comfortable vehicle, the time saved never getting lost, the ability to stay as long or little at visited sites, the option to add and subtract places from our itinerary (Jean is most thankful for your patience in her never ending search for stone circles), having places we visited often enhanced by the knowledge of our driver, having our lodging arranged for us, often at wonderful places we would never have found on our own, often with exceptional dining experiences, having the minutia of traveling taken care of: ferry times, tickets, opening and closing times, accommodation etc. I have been asked by several people what was my most memorable moment of the trip. There were so many memorable moments for so many different reasons that to try and choose a "most memorable" is an absurd exercise in futility. However, one very special moment for me was sitting at Burns' table in the Globe Inn, Dumfries with a pint before me, a plate of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, and you giving a wonderful recitation of the "Address to a Haggis." Thank you and your staff for all your efforts on our behalf. We very much look forward to the next time. The Orkney Islands are beckoning."
"As we expected from our first trip with Scottish Highland Trails in 2005, our trip in June (2008) went off without a hitch. As usual, the places you chose for us to stay were just what we wanted, and we enjoyed them all. The scenery and the history were spectacular and we could enjoy them to the fullest because we knew we had no travel worries. One of our best days was when we visited Dunnottar Castle and then went on to stay at the Redgarth Inn. We would not have found either without your guidance and both were delightful. I cannot even find a way to describe the drive around the northwest coast. The experience of driving through that desolate but mesmerising scenery, only to round a curve and suddenly be confronted with Ceannabeinne Bay cannot be put into words. Between the Falkirk Wheel, the Museum of Scotland, the Museum of Transport in Glasgow and all the Castle, my grandson Gregory never had a chance to get bored. When we are again ready for another Scottish Adventure, rest assured that we will again start our planning with you."
Richard Darling
Bloomington, Indiana
"Just a note to tell you that we had the most magical time in Scotland! There wasn't much that we DIDN'T see! Especially loved Skye and Iona! John was able to see the two homes that he lived in as a boy in Rothesay and Bishopbriggs and the churches where his father was minister. Took over 1400 pictures; couldn't turn our heads without another photo opportunity presenting itself! We loved meeting Judy, Amanda and Tom at the Dunorin House. What a gracious place to stay! Please tell George thank you for getting us safely out of Edinburgh; not sure we would have wanted to start our driving on the "wrong" side of the road experience while in mid-city! Didn't take long to get used to the other side of the road, thank goodness! We're planning on coming back in 09 to attend the Cameron Clan Reunion if all goes well here! Thank you for planning a very memorable trip for us; one that will never be forgotten!"
We are safely home after a wonderful experience in Scotland and a very nice journey on the QM2. Your planning was excellent and we saw all that we had planned (hoped) to see. Thank you for working out a plan that met our desires. Next time I'll be ready to track down my Ritchie and MacKintosh forebearers. Please extend Peggy's and my best wishes to both David and Robin. Their advice, given over very short periods was most helpful.
George & Peggy Newton, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts. Travelled October 2010
"What a fabulous trip we had. Thanks so much for all your hard work. Scotland is a beautiful country and the people are polite, cheerful and helpful".
Colleen Dibiase & family, Tucson, Arizona. Travelled September 2010
"Jill & Dave, I just wanted to send you a note thanking you for your travel planning services. We had a great time and felt we really got to see a lot of Scotland in a relatively short time. Of course the truth is that it had nothing to do with Jills highly detailed, well organized trip planning and everything to do with Daves brilliant selection of Pubs and Whisky's in both Ireland and Scotland. ;-D".
Tom Feeney, Bloomington, Indiana. Travelled August 2010
"We have returned home and we already miss Scotland. What a wonderful country! This was the best vacation we have ever experienced and we have traveled a lot. Your planning of this trip was really top notch! Everything was on target and your trip details really helped us see a lot of things we would have missed without it. It was really worth the money spent! We were totally satisfied with every aspect of this trip and we will definitely be back again. Hats off to Scottish Highland Trails, Robin Williamson, guide superb, and the beautiful country of Scotland!".
Charles & Susan Wilson, Tamarac, Florida. Travelled August 2010
Jamie & Sue McKishnie, London, Ontario, Canada. Travelled July 2010
"Thank you for making our vacation such a pleasure.Your itinerary and accommedations were perfectly suited to our needs. The boys and I had a great time. We also enjoyed meeting Dave, he was very friendly and was very patient with our driving lesson. I will highly recommend your agency to anyone travelling to Scotland".
Dr Gerald Germano and family, Oxford, Connecticut. Travelled June 2010"Jill & Dave, words cannot express how much we appreciated your professionalism and detail. Because of you we will undoubtedly be returning to your amazing country".
Brendie & Noah Heter, Santa Clarita, California. Travelled April 2010
"We want to thank you for the most absolutely beautiful trip of a lifetime for my sister and I. Scotland was more than I could ever imagine. Through you we experienced Scotland! The people, the culture, and the beauty. Meeting us at the airport, helping us with the car rental and sending us off in the right direction with maps in hand (perfectly laid out for us), and a helpline to call if we needed it, made us feel so at ease right away. We were a little apprehensive before we arrived, a little worried about two ladies traveling alone, but as soon as we met you, we knew we were in good hands. The whole trip was one big highlight. Everywhere you sent us off to was wonderful. The beauty of the country, the highlands, the highland games, the castles, cities, the history, the people (the proud people of Scotland), accommodations - everything! I am so impressed with you and your company. We ARE coming back. We will definitely book our next trip through Scottish Highland Trails. I have highly recommended your company to all my friends. So has my sister. I have told them to check out your web site. I tell everyone if I could go back today, I would be right on that plane heading to Scotland. Thanks so much again for a trip of a lifetime for my sister and I. Proud to be of Scottish heritage."
Sue LingardVerona, Wisconsin
"The trip arrangements were so complete and flawless that anything less would have been an understatement. We still feel that to be the case. The Tongue Hotel in Tongue, B&B in Ft. William, Pitlochry Manor home. Frankly, the latter would be difficult to exceed in our estimation. Well situated for town walks, a fantastic room and bath, a circular seating area with views as well as an enthusiastic hostess. We would highly recommend it. The coordination with the ferry line was superb. Prompt, efficient, timely and just well done. Our auto was quite acceptable and dependable. The CD player allowed us to play several CDs of bagpipe music and provide our own welcome to the highlands. Your little prompts in the daily guide were excellent and provided food for thought and extras when our own mission gave us the urge. We missed the Spean Bridge and Commando Memorial but knew of it and, of course, were moved with its startling promontory over looking Ben Nevis. We loved being in and around Dunoon and cross the Clyde at that point. The trip to Iona was superlative in scenery and experience. The island and Hotel were high on our list. Walking lanes with stone walls to separate the fields was a throw back to previous centuries. We enjoyed our restful and engaging two days at the Hotel. Excellent food and fabulous staff."
"Well, we are home again, but honestly, we would still rather be in Scotland! We, all three, quickly learned to love Scotland, and we were not yet ready to leave. This has been the most thoroughly enjoyable trip we have ever taken! Our route was perfect for our purposes and we could have stayed a few more days in each place. There was such a diversity of beautiful scenery and amazing sites. We learned so much more about history and our heritage. We can't complement the people of Scotland enough! We were always received with friendship and courtesy and everyone was so helpful. Everyone was always happy and laughing. They have a pride in their country that is well-deserved. Mike easily learned to drive on the left so he was our only driver. The narrow roads were a challenge at times but since the Scots seem to drive with care, it was never a worry. Our genealogy research was very successful thanks to all the help we received! It was so exciting to stand in the home of Mike's (five great) grandmother! Amazing! Alex, thank you so much for planning our wonderful trip. We are still glowing with warm memories."
"We wanted to thank you again for planning the best trip we could have imagined! I'm so glad you strongly suggested eliminating a few destinations so as not to be on a "whistle stop" tour. It was high energy, non the less & worth it all. We especially enjoyed Skye and staying at the Dunvegan Hotel. Alison & Diane made it more like visiting friends than staying at a hotel. Earls Court house in Killarney turned out to be a good choice. Walking distance to restaurants & town and the proprietors, Ray & Emer Maynihan, were welcoming & helpful. We did tour the Dingle Peninsula, which was a beautiful experience. Of course, my husband's favourite stop was St. Andrews. And the Russell hotel was just fine. We had great views from most rooms along the way. And all breakfasts were delicious & filling. We want to compliment you for your organization of the "Tour Book" with comments & tickets held within. This & the map books proved invaluable. Please tell Robin hello from us; Mike was grateful that he took extra consideration going over the car with him & hints for the road."
"We continue to reflect on our recent vacation with very happy memories, and we thank you very sincerely for developing with us an ideal itinerary. We have no gripes, and the following aspects of our trip are worthy of special mention. Immensely reassuring to us were your meeting us in Glasgow on Friday 14th and then leading us out of the busy part of the city. Our sincere thanks, again, for spending your time to get our vacation off to a great start. We were very satisfied with every one of the five lodging accommodations we stayed at -- Atholl Villa, Glen Mhor, Dunorin House, The Moorings and the Express by Holiday Inn. All of them were very hospitable and we were very satisfied with the meals provided. We suspect you had a personal hand in selecting a superior class of room in several of those establishments -- for that, we thank you or whoever was involved. You should be aware that your name and Scottish Highland Trails were held in high regard wherever we stayed. The Daily Tour Notes you provided were extremely helpful and we consulted them regularly. In particular, they contributed to the ease with which we managed the self-drive option we chose. A special thanks to you and your wife for delivering the notes and the big Philip's Road Atlas to us at the Melville Castle -- we recall that site has a special significance for the two of you, and now it does for us too. Needless to say, we consulted our maps frequently. We encountered no situations that required use of your Help-Line but it was reassuring to know that it was available in case needed. Under the heading of Things to Eat in Scotland, Nancy wants you to know that we tried Cullen Skink and found it very tasty. Haggis we had on our 1999 trip, and we don't recall seeing Cranachan offered during the recent trip. In brief, we ate well during our recent vacation -- including prevalent sticky pudding. Various whiskies and Tennent's were also found to be quite palatable! Alex, during the planning phase, our email communications were efficient and effective and we thank you for your prompt responses to questions we raised. Your secure payment mechanism worked smoothly and inspired confidence in a new overseas client like myself. Lastly, and most importantly, our week's vacation exceeded our expectations and we shall certainly contact you when we consider another visit to your extraordinary country. We will not hesitate to enthusiastically recommend Scottish Highland Trails, and yourself especially, to anyone we encounter who is considering taking a vacation in the Highlands."
"I have racked my brain trying to think of something that wasn't right about the trip, but cannot come up with anything. Your services were excellent from the start and nothing went wrong anywhere. It is hard to rate the hotel accommodations since each was different. I guess I would put the Craigard House first because of its ambiance and comfort. Last would be the Millennium in Glasgow mainly because the room was small even by European standards and there was quite a bit of street noise, but that probably is hard to avoid. It does have a good location, though, right next to the railway station. The Atholl House was comfortable, pleasant and the stay was enjoyable. I would go back. All of my objectives for the trip were met. I gathered some new information on our family history and had an enjoyable time at the clan gathering. The high point was the visit to the Logierait churchyard. I talked with the clan historian, and he said the Reids from that area definitely are part of the Donnachaidh Clan. I guess the low point was not finding as much as I expected about the Langwills in Campbeltown. I know they were there. It's an excuse for another trip I guess. Right up there as well was the drive from Glasgow to Campbeltown. Finally, thank you again for everything. I would have no problem giving you a favorable reference should it be necessary, and perhaps we can work together again sometime."
"We returned home on Wednesday very late and are catching up on our sleep and local activities. We had a wonderful time at the wedding in Wales and spent one day touring London in the rain the day before we flew out. We turned in the car a day early and took the train into London. We enjoyed seeing some of the sites there. We want to thank you (and Robin) for making our trip to Scotland so unforgettable. We were so happy that we could walk to everything in Edinburgh. It was cold when we were there but we toured the castle and spent time in the museums. It was a pleasure meeting Robin and having his help getting around. We were very grateful for the Atlas and the marked routes. We continued to use it in Wales and England. We were in Grantown for my birthday and had a very lovely time there including finding some music in a local pub. It was great to be able to walk from the hotel. The food at the Ravenscourt was outstanding. The battlefield at Culloden was one of highlights of the trip. It was very moving to walk the grounds there. The drive to Skye was very long but well worth it when we got there. We were well treated at Dunorin House. We enjoyed Dunvegan Castle and saw seals on the boat trip. We wish we would have had time to go to the Waternish Peninsula. We heard of the fossil beach too late to go. We should have taken your advice. We chose go out to the lighthouse past Skye Silver. This area had wonderful scenery and the ocean views. We would like to come back and go to Skye and other lslands. We were happy we could see the areas of Scotland that we chose and have advice in traveling. We almost got used to the roundabouts. We never got lost in Scotland thanks to your directions. We are very happy that we had your help and advice on this trip. We were able to make the most of the time we had in Scotland and relax and really enjoy ourselves. It was ideal for our first trip. We hope we can come back to Scotland someday. Thank you again for helping us to have such a wonderful time."
"We had a wonderful time. Many thanks to you and your team. Everything went very smoothly. The Highlands were BEAUTIFUL! As we came over every rise and around every bend, each sight was more spectacular than the next. While I still have doubts about what you Scot's consider "highways" (the A82 for example, a wide sidewalk in the States ), the Country along the way was extraordinary. The Inn's and Hotels were all very good with the Clachaig Inn, Glencoe being a favorite. We can't wait for our next trip."
"Working with you was a delight and pleasure! Everything was as presented and all facets of the trip worked well. The itinerary book with tickets attached by day was wonderful! The Royal Glen Hotel in Sidmouth was a joy. The former owner is a delightful character right out of the movies. He's there every day and night and holds court in the bar in the evening. The rooms were nice, the meals were very good and the staff wonderful and very accommodating. Sidmouth is a place you could spend your whole holiday. The Millennium Hotel is in a great location for touring the city. We just prefer smaller places. The Hotel Eilean Iarmain was wonderful, food great, our room was perfect. The whole experience at Three Chimneys is worth the price of admission All ferries worked out very well, timing was great, your travel times to them worked out great. The Pentland ferry ( to Orkney) was and adventure and fun. The other two were pretty great with the Hamnavoe (to Shetland). Sutherland Arms Hotel has new owners. They are a great family, the food was really good, and the service delightful. (I know, we chose this one ourselves.) Ravenscourt Guest House Hotel was a delight. Sheena and Andrew, also new owners, were simply charming and most gracious hosts. The rooms were delightful, with updated bathrooms. They served tea upon arrival before unloading luggage which was a joy. Breakfast was whenever we wanted...dinner also. Food was really great. (Voted best coffee, porridge, and eggs.) What can I say about the Peat Inn? The very best! Food, staff, accommodations, amenities, grounds, service and everything fabulous! Incredible and well worth the 9-year wait to get back there! A week there would be sheer heaven and decadence! Thanks for your help...you gave us a wonderful trip and thanks again for the drinks at the Whiski."
"We enjoyed our excursion into Ireland. Doolin was fantastic. The B&B was to our liking. They served the best scrambled eggs I have ever had. We enjoyed all three pubs. The music was grand and the pints flowed. The Cliffs of Moher was breathtaking. If you ever have any clients wishing to see the Aran Islands, suggest the smallest. We went to the largest and wished we had not. It was too commercial. The Lake Hotel was a great place to be to visit the Killarney area. We actually preferred the Ring of Kerry to the Dingle Peninsula although both are worth seeing. Aherne's was fantastic. It cost us time to visit but the meal was the best of our trip. I would suggest warning your clients to avoid Cork. It is too busy and not attractive. Dublin was great fun. We dropped the car at the airport and took the bus to town. We had to walk (with luggage) about 5-6 blocks to Jury's Inn. That was not a problem but I would suggest taxi instead. It would be worth the extra Euros. Jury's is an excellent location for seeing Dublin. We found a few excellent restaurants close by. We like Quay's. The beef stew and salmon were excellent. I hope this information is helpful to you. Thanks again for all you did for us. It was grand meeting you. Next time we visit Edinburgh, I'll buy the first two rounds at the pub of your choice."
"We were at the Argyll Hotel on September 11, 2004, had just awakened, and went to the window and flung open the drapes. There was the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen; I didn't know you had contacts in such high places. We arrived at Inveraray Castle about 10 minutes after it had opened. I went to the lady in the ticket booth and told her I was a Campbell and that my husband and I had come from America to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, "today", and here at the castle. I asked if anyone could please take a picture of Bob and I at the Castle. We were taken to the Great Hall and had pictures taken beneath the Campbell shield. It was wonderful, they watched our things while we toured the castle and had lunch. We couldn't thank them enough. And this was at the end of our vacation!
The first part was almost as exciting: the 12 hour flight from California, the politics discussed in the hour taxi ride in to London, the Big Bus Tour about the town, the Chauffeur to drive us to Heathrow; George meeting us at the airport and taking us on a whirlwind tour of Edinburgh, the Tattoo, the Museum of Scotland, Scotch Pies; meeting you at the hotel and then abandoning us to the wilds of Scotland. We found our way to Pitlochry, the Gathering at Braemar, Blair Castle, then on to Bridgend House in Drumnadrochit and Ros. A fabulous woman whom we couldn’t bring to understand there were only two of us for dinner instead of the six she appeared to be cooking for ! Urquhart Castle to Dunorin House where they told us you had been planning the celebration there for a week, Skye Silver, the ferries; The Grange - Joan Campbell was as gracious a lady as she could be and the room was extraordinary. Then through Glencoe to Inveraray which brings us back to the Argyll Hotel.
There is no way to tell you how much this trip meant to the two of us. We have been on numerous vacations in the past, but the personal element wasn't there before. We truly will never forget this vacation, or it's people."
"Alex, you have been wonderful from start to finish....the planning of our trip and all the attention to detail is noted and greatly appreciated by all of us. We are much impressed with your knowledge and personal skill, but even more grateful for the extreme kindness and care with which you have attended to us. Your personal interest in our every need is quite special."
"Your good humour, quick wit, attention to detail, your special geographical knowledge and knowledge of great places to eat, drink and sleep have all contributed to a hugely successful visit to our homeland."
"We arrived home safe and sound yesterday afternoon. Carol and I both wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had on our trip to Scotland. We enjoyed the accommodations you selected for us. The inclusion of evening meals was terrific and we thought we were at first class restaurants with both the quality of the food and service. We loved the Lodge at Daviot Mains. Alex and Margaret welcomed us as family. We hope to visit them again in the future. We really loved The Highlands!! Must be in our blood. Carol and I wanted to also thank you for the personal touches such as airport pickup, transport to the car rental depot, and getting us on the our way to The Highlands on the motorway to Stirling. We especially appreciated the transport from Glasgow to the Edinburgh Airport on the morning of our departure. By providing these services you eliminated a lot of stress associated with traveling in a country for the first time. Thanks for the encouragement to rent a car! We had a terrific time seeing what we wanted to see and doing what we wanted to do in a time frame we selected. By leading us to the motorway, I was able to get accustomed to driving in Scotland fairly quickly as we drove north. As you know we drove 725 miles over an eight day period without any incidents. We drove major highways and many single track roads all over Skye as we went exploring. Carol was a great navigator and the map was very helpful! We looked at it each night before we drove the next morning. Without the car we would not have been able to see the many small villages and sites and meet so many wonderful people. We will be sharing details of our trip with many friends and will highly recommend Scottish Highland Trails as the only way to go!"
"Well, we made it home. We survived the plane ride and our van ride from Chicago to St. Louis. We finally got our two glorious weeks in Scotland and I am left with some lasting memories and poignant images burned into my brain. Beautiful Scotland, where a crusty weathered old Scotsman can stand out on the damp highland bog while the moist midge-laden air whistles up his kilt and brings a smile to his face. My ancestral home, where the Glen and the Ben and the Kin and the Loch appear integrally tied together - sometimes. Nowhere else could I have an Ecclefechan Tart in Drumnadrochit before heading to Rothiemurchus for an Auchentoshan Whisky. It’s certainly clear to you by now that I have learned much during my short stay in bonnie Scotland. I learned about Cullen Skink and Cloutie Dumpling not to mention the great three-legged Haggis beast and how he runs in circles and falls down hills. All kidding aside, we had a wonderful vacation. Every one of us had a great time. Made lots of memories and would love to do it again sometime. Alex, thanks so much for all you did to make this happen. And thanks for the cars, the patience, the company, everything."
"Alex & Susan ; This letter is late in coming only because we are still sorting through pictures, reliving the experience, and trying to come back to normal. The trip was everything we had hoped for, and more. Your advice, your arrangements, and your service were all exactly what we needed. Every one of the lodgings was perfectly suited to our needs; clean, comfortable and delightful. It was real fun to spend a day with Morag, and that day let Glen get a sense of what driving and traffic were like before we set off on our own. Your suggestions for things to see and do were all well taken, yet we still had the freedom to fit in some extras (such as the Glenturret Distillery and sites from Monarch of the Glen) when we found them. All of the details you arranged were so well done that we are even ready to give you the credit for the absolutely magnificent weather we experienced around Inverness and Skye!"
"Thank you so much for helping us plan a wonderful trip - it was perfect. Driving was indeed the best way to see your beautiful country - we had so much fun. Thank you for all your good advice, and thank you Annie for your lessons in driving etiquette. Driving allowed us to plan our activities for the day, to see what we wanted, and stop where and when we wanted, so we never felt hurried. We took time to explore the towns and cities we stayed in too, which allowed us to take time to talk to people about their communities; the hospitality was wonderful. Every accommodation was pleasant and comfortable; the owners and staff were always accommodating; and when meals were included, they were excellent. One of our favorite places was Castle Stuart - Caroline, David, and Mrs. "M" where wonderful hosts, but so were the owners of the Dunvegan Hotel on Skye and the Lawriestone B&B in Fort William. Nan, Ellen and I will certainly recommend you to others, and since one trip to Scotland could never be enough, I know I'll be back. Thanks again for helping us plan a wonderful trip."
"Frank & I have been back from Scotland for a week now. I think we've recovered from the time change and the travelling. The trip was wonderful and we want to thank you for your help in setting up the trip. There were no problems with any of the golf tee times. Check in went smoothly at all courses. We were very pleased with the hotels you had selected, each different in it's own way. The Scores Hotel did a wonderful job setting our group of 10 up for dinner to celebrate Fred's 70th birthday. Once again, the location was ideal. The men golfed and the ladies were able to walk everywhere. We loved the Craigellachie Hotel and the bar. It was a perfect location to visit the Scotch Whisky Trail and dinner was very good. It was a memorable trip and hope should we make another trip to Scotland, you will still be in business to assist. We will gladly refer you to anyone we know looking to travel to Scotland."
"Annie, your ready smile and thoughtfulness made an outstanding trip even better. Our granddaughters, Shiloh & Rachel, said you are one of their favorite people. We hope that handling that absurd amount of luggage was not harmful to you. I think we have learned that truly we could travel with less. You went all out to make our trip a pleasure and to knock down all the obstacles. We would hope another trip to Scotland would include association with you and Alex. We would also be delighted if either or both you ever get wild and travel to Charleston, because we would roll out the red carpet for you. We cannot express how grateful we are for your care and attention to every detail for us."
"Just wanted to say a big thank you for all your efforts, we had a marvellous time. I hated to come home. We loved Stuart at the Redgarth especially, and will plan to stay there again. Thanks for a job well done and if I have any friends planning to head your way I will certainly tell them to contact you for a stellar vacation planner. P.S. I still didn't get my fill of haggis so I will have to come back for more."
"Marty and I are back in Arizona after experiencing a truly wonderful trip and want to thank you for your careful planning and travel arrangements for us. Without a doubt we would not have been able to see all the marvellous sights in the Orkney and Western Hebrides islands without your expertise of the roadways and ferry systems in Scotland. Directing us to the many prehistoric sites, such as Skara Brae, Maes Howe, the Standing stones of Stenness, the Callanish Stones, castles, palaces, distilleries, and the lovely landscape contributed to a most memorable trip. We wish everyone who visits Scotland has the opportunity to work with you and your staff!"
"We started with the desire to see and experience as much of the beauty and spirit of Scotland as possible during a short visit. Our best dreams were out-distanced by the excellence of the trip Scottish Highland Trails arranged for us."
"Alex, we certainly do want to thank you for your competent and professional service rendered for our Scotland visit. Annie was very helpful, courteous, and pleasant on arrival. Your trip notes, mapping services and accommodations were excellent. Locations, views and culinary delights were enjoyable. Guidelines on sites to visit were good. We tempered to suit our interests and time and that was good. The Tattoo was all that it was supposed to be; glad you essentially insisted we go. Crubenbeg House 4-5 stars and, at Bridgend House, Ros Luffman a very congenial and caring hostess. Her meals were the best we had in Scotland! Thank you and best wishes,"
"Just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the fantastic trip arrangements you made for us. We have returned home now, but we had a wonderful trip. Scotland is probably the most naturally beautiful country I have ever seen and the people were so friendly and great! All in all, it was a trip to remember very fondly. All of your driving directions and inn arrangements were excellent. All of the B&B's you booked us with were so nice. We especially loved Crubenbeg House (Newtonmore) and Kinnemond Cottage (Colbost) - both inns and innkeepers were delightful! And the Three Chimneys Restaurant was a real treat. Gosh - all the food in Scotland was great. And I brought home a few extra pounds to prove it!"
"It just occurred to me that I have not gotten back to you to thank you for the trip of a lifetime. We had the PERFECT vacation. Not one hitch...no problems driving or with hotels. Perfect weather, spectacular scenery, and wonderful people. Your directions were fantastic. Do you do this for England too, or just for Scotland? We would be glad to serve as a reference should you need one ... oh and the guide in Arran was one of the great highlights of the trip. She was a delight. With deepest thanks (especially for the push off from Glasgow Airport on arrival)."
"All of the ferry crossings went smoothly, and I fell in love with Iona. We loved the Three Chimneys restaurant, and we were lucky enough to have a light dinner at the Witchery in Edinburgh. Our pictures prove that we found Hatton Castle and Drummond Castle, and we were fascinated with Blair, Urquhart, Glamis, Dunvegan, and Eilean Donan. We left much money behind at Skye Silver and the Orbost Gallery, and came home with lovely cashmere items too. So, we are definitely huge fans of Scottish Highland Trails, and the super planning that you and your comrades offer. We adore Scotland and it is a destination we plan to re-attack. Next time, more Skye, Lewis & Harris, the Orkneys & Shetlands, more time at Crubenbeg House, several days on the east coast ... till then, thank you so much for your wonderful support"
"Needless to say we had a great time, we truly enjoyed the beautiful country. We drove about 1,700 miles so you can see we were doing a lot of backcountry driving. The Isle of Skye was unbelievable but we were disappointed that we didn't get slowed down by sheep in the roadway. The next time we would like to take a train from Edinburgh to Fort William. We would also like to return to Skye and also see more of the other islands. We really enjoyed that part of the country. I will stay again at Inverlochy Castle; it was wonderful and so restful, worth every penny. Again thanks so much for planning everything out, we enjoyed the whole experience."
"We all arrived home safe and sound and want to thank you again for all your efforts to make our trip a successful and very memorable occasion. We had a wonderful time. Right now I am trying to return to the normal bowl of porridge for breakfast, instead of the "Complete" Scottish breakfast - Along with an extra turn on the treadmill to work off the effects of all the good food. I'm sure our paths will cross again in the near future, and I look forward to it."
"Harry and I had a wonderful time and I thank you for all the suggestions and ideas that you gave us. It is amazing what was of special appeal... that has been talked about a great deal to anyone who will listen such as the history of, and visit to Culloden, Loch An Eilein, Clava Cairns, dinner at the Rowan Tree, Abbotsford House, Blair Castle and the list goes on. It was "awesome trip." We loved driving around in the Jaguar; thank you for driving us and for being so accommodating. Harry is only #5 on the grandchild list of 16 so you probably haven't seen the last of us!"
"We returned safe and sound last Saturday. What a wonderful trip! The people were fantastic. A country of friendly, entertaining, engaging people. The food was so much better that what we thought. You only hear about oatmeal and haggis, so we had no idea the regular food was going to be so good. The countryside was beautiful and all the colors were out. It was a great trip..... and such a wonderful country. We saw many distilleries and tasted more scotch than I want in the rest of my life! We toured five of the distilleries and bought six bottles.... we have to come back. Again, thank you. It was a wonderful job. Have anyone call me and I will rave about the service."
"Back three days now and I've told everyone that we had the perfect vacation in Scotland. I guess I can't give you all the credit for Scotland being such a delightful country to visit, but I do give you all the credit for the arrangements, for meeting us at the beginning and the end, for knowing just the right lodgings, for making everything so effortless. I do know we'll definitely be back to visit again, so we'd like to know what to do next time we're there! But until our next visit, our photos and our memories will keep us in holiday spirits! Thank you so much, Alex, and I do hope you'll contact us if you ever come to Pennsylvania!"
"My holiday in Scotland a couple of weeks ago was absolutely wonderful. Just too short! The accommodations you arranged for me were perfect and we really enjoyed the ferry rides to Harris and back to the Ullapool. Your help made the trip easier and there were no slip-ups!"
"We got back from our trip on Sunday evening. I wanted to thank you for all you did to make our trip wonderful. The detailed instructions and maps were invaluable. Our lodgings were all great. We especially enjoyed the bed and breakfast in Fort William and Aviemore. We stopped at all the places you recommended and took a few other side trips. We stopped in Gretna Green, Stirling, Dirleton, and happened upon Highland Games in North Berwick. I enjoyed England very much, but Scotland really captured my heart. It is breathtakingly beautiful and the people so friendly. I don't think there would have been anything that could have made this trip more enjoyable for us, you thought of everything. Thanks again."
"Our trip was wonderful thanks to your excellent help and planning. The directions you gave us were perfect. We only got a little bit lost once and that was in Perth. What a nice and friendly person Duncan MacKinnon is. He was so professional and yet personable. He welcomed us, helped us rent the car, and guided us to the Hotel. The next morning he met us at the hotel and guided us out of town. When we returned he volunteered to meet us at the Erskine Bridge and help us return our most excellent car. We found Castle Lachlan with no problem. What a thrill it was for me to finally be there. Truly a dream from childhood. We climbed up in the Castle, took pictures, walked around and just enjoyed the day and the beauty. Mull is spectacular, as is Iona. Skye is beautiful. The accommodations were excellent, the meals served and prepared superbly and the management very nice and friendly. All in all, what can I say? We had a ball. Already we are trying to talk my cousins into a visit to the Castle. I will be contacting you when we arrive at a mutually agreeable date. I have given your name and E-mail address to several of my friends, because they are contemplating trips to Scotland. Our trip was fun and relaxed because of your expertise. Thanks again for all your help."
"Thank you for making the arrangements for the two week tour of Scotland for the members of the St Andrews Society of S.W. Florida. Not only did you arrange a superb Guide who entertained us with her knowledge of Scottish History, but she also sang and accompanied herself on Guitar. You arranged the finest accommodations for us, great seats at the Tattoo and the Theatre and, unbelievably, ensured that the sun shone for the whole fortnight."
"How can we say how much we enjoyed our vacation? It was a thousand times better than we ever imagined it would be. It was like visiting a friend who took us for drives around Scotland - no stress - just relaxing and enjoyable. You know - it was just a wonderful two weeks! We want to return in August 2004 for the Heather, Tattoo and Highland Games."
"Our heartfelt thanks for your help with the vacation. The hotels, the car, the route, the parade, the Tattoo. and all the personal attention were way beyond my expectations."
"Thank you for arranging the perfect day trip for me during my short visit to Edinburgh. I appreciate how much effort you put into every detail of the trip. You were attentive, imaginative, flexible and saw that all my wishes were carried out to their fullest. Without question or hesitation I will recommend "Scottish Highland Trails" to as many of my friends in the USA as I am able. Thank you for a truly memorable time."
"We will always remember our visit to Scotland and the manner in which you met us at the airport with a wonderfully prepared itinerary from our landing in Edinburgh. Our visit to St Andrews (where I birdied the first two holes), then to Luss and Stirling before moving on to Northern Ireland. Through Belfast, the Giant's Causeway, Portadown (Suzanne's Grandparent's home) and back to Edinburgh for our flights home. Your maps and tour guides were excellent and very detailed. Our grateful appreciation for a perfectly planned trip to our homelands."
"Our two week vacation in Scotland to celebrate our 5th Wedding Anniversary was a fabulous trip with incredible service. We will recommend you to anyone."
"Your planned trip was absolutely the best vacation that we ever had. We received all the best care we could ever ask for, and will be in contact again for another trip."
"It was an awesome vacation !!! We truly had a wonderful time and hope against hope it won't be our last trip to Scotland. So much to see, so little time."
"All you did made our trip the experience of a lifetime. You went above and beyond the 'call of duty' several times. You live in a wonderful country, rich in beauty, and history, and music."
"We were so fortunate to have chosen "Scottish Highland Trails" for our vacation co-ordinators. You are a personification of the wonderful Scottish hospitality we found everywhere we visited. We wanted a variety of experiences and you accommodated our wishes, offered good advice, and provided all you promised along with extras we didn't expect. We needed a guide and driver, and ours was excellent. We intend making a return visit and will request the same Guide again. Your assistance in changing accommodation inadequately prepared by others and ultimately changing our entire booking, saved us money. When Carol lost one of her prescription medicines your assistance made what seemed like an enormous problem easy to resolve. Alex and Susan met us on our first night in Edinburgh. The following day was a free day and Alex offered to personally guide us somewhere extra at no additional cost, and it turned out to be one of our favourite visits. The one word, which stands out from the others, is "extra." Extra effort must be the norm at "Scottish Highland Trails" who can accept the credit for the success of our glorious Scottish vacation."
"We cannot say enough good things about the well organised trip you arranged for us. All accommodations as well as events were first class. You were always available in case questions or problems arose. The only way to see Scotland is with "Scottish Highland Trails."
"Our thanks for making the trip to Scotland so memorable. All the arrangements were excellent and very enjoyable. I'm sure our whole family will remember the summer of 2000 for many, many years. We arrived home safe and sound. It was good not to be driving on the wrong side of the road again!"
"It was an absolutely spectacular trip! We loved every single minute of it. And your directions were perfect everywhere. And what can I say about the weather? It was though it said "we must rain, to keep the country green, but we will do it when it will least affect the Goodmans". We wore our raincoats once or twice, but mostly we wore sunglasses, and short sleeves. I never expected to eat outside in the sun! But we did it a lot. Bless you, Alex. The trip was way past our expectations, especially since I had been thinking about it and planning it for so long. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"I am sending Sue a bit of Minnesota; a pound of wild rice to try (better than haggis?). Thank you for your fine service and companionship. We enjoyed our visit very much. We have connected a few more family links thanks to your knowledge and research - that makes visiting Europe that much more personal and interesting. Scotland, however is unique. We hope we can return someday. I miss the salmon already!"
"Just want to thank you and your organization for helping us have a great trip to Scotland. Driving time a couple of the days was long but the destinations were worthwhile. I really felt "at home" in Orkney (maybe some of my ancestors came from there). The two places we liked the most for overnights were the B&B at Crubenbeg and the Corriegour Lodge near Loch Lochy. Never had better food in both places. We are already thinking about another trip (hopefully when the US dollar is in better shape) in which we fly into Glasgow and spend several nights at the Corriegour Lodge and day trip from there into more of the highlands. The scenery around Glencoe was fabulous and we did not see enough of it. Thanks again. We have passed your website around to several friends and you may be hearing from them."
"We just finished having dinner with all of the Scotland travel companions and I thought that you would like to hear our comments. Everyone had a wonderful time and thought that you-all did a great job of planning for us. We truly had a great vacation and want to thank you again. If we decide to come to your beautiful country again, we certainly will call you for assistance."
"Where do I begin to thank you for your travel planning and tips with regard to our stay in Scotland, going from Edinburgh, after our Elderhostel trip, to the isle of Skye and then back to Edinburgh for our trip home. The Edinburgh part of the trip was super, starting with the Tattoo at the castle and ending all the plays musical events and touring they had in our schedule. I thought this would be the highlight of the trip, but was I ever wrong. Starting with being picked up at the University by Annie and taken to the train made that part of the trip a breeze. The trains were on time, although somewhat close, but we made all the connections with no real problem. When we got to Kyle of Lochalsh, the car was waiting for us. The Dunorin Hotel was perfect and gave us a good jumping off spot for all our driving around which was quite extensive. We saw Eilean Donan castle, which was special. We also went to Elgol and saw the "Five Sisters." We had no idea that this part of the country was so mountainous and spectacular. Again, many thanks for all your help, it really this special trip extra special for both of us. If we hear of anyone going to Scotland, we will certainly give them your e-mail address and tell them to get in touch with you if they want a good trip."
" Beautifully done! The planning help, the reservations, the tickets and maps in the packet received at the airport, and the unexpected personal service of the trips on Skye and to Gairloch, and the very special addition of Sue, all contributed to a grand experience. Many thanks for your professional and personal assistance ! If I concentrate really hard I can almost still taste the scones and jam on the north coast of Skye!"
