Scottish Tour Guide

Back again!

2011-11-14T18:27:00.004Z

Sorry folks for the loooooong absence - I have had such a busy summer with tours all over Scotland from April - October. Hope to get my photos sorted out soon and let you see where I have been over the last 6 months! Met many lovely people and formed new friendships. Highlights this year were tours to Arran, Mull and the great whisky island of Islay. (here's a wee photo of Balamory - do you know where that is?!
Appreciating some down time, catching up with my grandchildren and planning my next holiday .... but where to?!!

Snow drops and ..... snow in Inveraray

2011-02-20T04:59:00.007Z

Walking up by Inveraray Castle yesterday, I spotted the first snowdrops - could be a sign that spring is on the way and time for touring? Maybe not quite yet .... we had snow yesterday but the birds are starting to chirp hopefully although they are still eating me out of house and home at the bird cafe. The yellow is not on the broom yet.

Visitors from Valencia

2011-02-20T00:23:00.006Z

In December I had the pleasure of meeting up with Xavier and his relatives and friends from Valencia who were over in Scotland to spend The Scottish Hogmanay and partake of our whisky. Xavier, a veterinary surgeon, is spending a year at Glasgow University Veterinary Hospital but had been so busy he had not seen our beautiful country. Fortunately the roads were clear although still snow on the mountains and I was able to take them to see some highlights of the Scottish countryside including Loch Lomond where we stopped at Luss, Glencoe and then round to Appin, Castle Stalker and Inveraray where they had dinner in The George Hotel before I drove them back to Glasgow. Hasta pronto.

A visit from Norway

2011-02-19T23:58:00.005Z

These lovely ladies, members of a choir from Norway,visited Scotland for a few days last week and spent a night in Inveraray at Arkland and had dinner at The George Hotel and sang .... after their supper! They also visited Inveraray Jail (but didn't stay overnight!). They turned a few heads in Inveraray in their pink dungarees! Here are a few of the large group of 29 before they went home to various parts of Norway, including Trondheim and Oslo.

Fiddle workshop at Catriona Macdonald's home, Denholm

2011-02-02T20:36:00.010Z

A superb small group fiddle workshop weekend (14 - 16 January)was organised by Catriona Macdonald the well known Shetland fiddler (Blazin' Fiddles; The String Sisters)and her husband Gordie, in the intimate surrounding of their home at Denholm, a small village near Hawick in The Scottish Borders. In the company of 17 other fiddle students I had a very entertaining, instructive and interesting weekend. The hospitality and atmosphere was really lovely and we learned so much from Catriona's expert tuition. Delicious lunches and dinners were cooked and served in Catriona and Gordie's home by Gordie and Oona. Thanks to all for a memorable weekend. Another workshop is being held from 8 - 10 April. For those interested contact www.catrionamacdonald.co.uk
To see a gallery of photos - see the facebook page for Kathleen Cameron

Cuba, this time last year!!

2011-01-11T22:49:00.005Z

Believe it or not 1 year has passed since I visited this amazing island. Visited La Habana then with difficulty hired a car and visited Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Bahia de Los Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) and back to Varadero. Too short but will return. Lovely friendly people and marvellous music. We stayed in Casas Particulares (with families), gave lifts to the locals and were travellers rather than tourists. This is the way to see the real Cuba and learn about the land and the people. I have wonderful photos which I would like to share and soon I will have an album in facebook.

Caron's Musings: Real DIY and the Disappearing Amazon Snow Shovel

2011-01-09T02:31:00.000Z

Caron's Musings: Real DIY and the Disappearing Amazon Snow Shovel

I have just come across Carons Musings when looking up Real DIY. Here in Scotland I ordered a snow shovel on 30 November. I have an email saying it was despatched on Dec 1 by Royal Mail. I put the delay down to the bad weather, Christmas and weather delays, etc. and tonight checked on my order to find that Real DIY are no longer with Amazon. Fortunately I paid with credit card but will follow the advice sent by others in the same position - try to contact Real DIY then Amazon. Thanks everyone.

Autumn colours, golden whisky!

2009-11-02T00:48:00.003Z

Now is the time to take a stroll in the glorious native woodland of Scotland. Our 'Fall' provides nature lovers and photographers with beautiful shots of our trees in their wonderful autumn colours, especially chestnut and beech - some at least 200 years old. Perthshire, especially, is famous for the 'autumn gold' colours. However, this photo was taken in Cawdor woods, near Cawdor Castle, Inverness-shire.

Although days are short, touring at this time of year is more tranquil, less traffic on the roads and cosy log fires to look forward to at the end of your touring day and ..... maybe that golden 'dram' of malt whisky! Most distilleries are still open for visits - especially in The Spey region.

If you miss out on a whisky tour this year ....... there's always 2010!!

Blazin' In Beauly, 2009

2009-11-01T22:53:00.008Z

The week's relaxation in Turkey was followed immediately on my return by my annual pilgrimage to Beauly with my fiddle - an event not to be missed, as far as I am concerned. Blazin' in Beauly is the annual musical tuition week held in Beauly and organised by Bruce McGregor and his team from Blazing Fiddles, the well kent traditional Scottish music group, now well known all over the world. The tuition is first class and this year we had, amongst tutors, Alasdair Fraser, Bruce, Alan, Iain, Catriona and Andy from 'Blazing' and Greg Lawson (Moshie's Bagel), who inspired us with his world music classes.

As in previous years we had the expert guidance for the ensemble work from Rick Taylor. Great 'sessions' in The Lovat Arms & Callie Bar with the usual contributors and Brian Cromarty (The Chair, Orkney), Duncan Chisholm and Michael McGoldrick popped in too! The concerts were wonderful - with some highlights with the Fiddle Competition judged by Aonghas Grant with compere Robbie Shepherd (Alan Henderson), on the Monday night, from Alasdair and Natalie Haas and a great group 'The Crooked Still'. The final Friday night concert and ceilidh was superb - the most fantastic week of my music year, with the opportunity to meet people of all ages from all over the world. Roll on next year - 10th year of Blazin' in Beauly and thanks to all the team who put so much work into it.

Blazin

2009-11-01T22:53:00.000Z

Gulet cruise, Turkey - October 2009

2009-11-01T22:25:00.004Z

Sorry about long absence from blogs, have had a busy season with another tour starting on Tuesday so now trying to get up to date!

On the 'time-out' side ....had a last minute opportunity of a week's gulet cruise with Globespan, so off I went with friend Bob from Edinburgh airport to Dalaman airport in early October. The gulet cruise was based at Marmaris and cruised along the coast from there to Fethiye, calling at several quiet bays en route. We met our six fellow passengers the following day and got on famously with them all. There was a mixture of Scots, Irish, English and Welsh. Two of them (plus the Captain) were keen on the fishing and we managed to land an interesting catch including tuna, octopus and a large crab!

The highlight of the dining (all other meals included) was a wonderful BBQ of fresh fish which the captain had bought on our behalf in the Fethiye market and cooked expertly by Eno.

Swimming was magnificent and also the opportunity to see the Lycian tombs.

Relaxing with plenty of sea breezes - this was the way to see the coastline ...... I am well and truly hooked!

4 day tour in Scotland

2008-05-01T03:29:00.002+01:00

Last week, just back from a quick trip to Mallorca to see a friend, attend to some business and I was into the throes of a 4 day driver-guiding FAM tour. Mallorca was beautiful as ever on the north-east - one of my favourite places being Puerto de Pollensa. Weather was pretty good and excellent for walking and cycling.

The 4 day tour back in Scotland started in Aberdeen. I had the pleasure of accompanying a Japanese lady from Tokyo around some of the delights Scotland has to offer. The weather was at its best - cold, sunny and clear and I have rarely seen the scenery so magnificent. From Aberdeen we went to Crathes Castle and Gardens (National Trust for Scotland), then on to Glenfiddich Distillery for an interesting visit and a superb lunch in their very nice restaurant and cafe (portions are huge!).

Inverness was next for an overnight and then by Loch Ness on to the Island of Skye. A visit to Eilean Donan Castle and then a spectacular journey over the Mam Rattagan Pass, stopping for photos of The Five Sisters of Kintail - snow-capped and quite breathtaking. I do wish someone would stop the tree-planting in front of the car parking areas which are beginning to block this magnificent view. Perhaps a midnight prowler with a chain saw would oblige?!! Or perhaps the landowner could be bribed by some of our environmental or conservation agencies to desist planting there?

Delighted to see that the Glenelg turntable ferry is still running - one of the gems of Scotland and so glad it was saved. This would be such a miss. My clients never cease to be amazed by this journey and crossing - one of the best in Scotland!

The Cuillins were looking their very best and many photo stops were had on the journey to Portree. We really enjoyed the stop at Sligachan where my guest had her photo taken with two willing gents sporting their kilts!! The little museum in the Sligachan hotel is so interesting. The people on Skye were so friendly and hospitable.

After Portree the tour continued in glorious sunshine over to Mallaig, down the Road to the Isles, Fort William and Ben Nevis in all its splendour with lots of snow for the time of year. Then Glencoe where there was an unexpected fire on Rannoch moor, allowing for some rather unusual photo shots. Finally reached Inveraray on the last evening and finished off with an excellent meal including scallops in The George Hotel (my home town!!).

Amazingly the great weather held out for the last day's journey down by The Rest & Be Thankful Pass and Loch Lomond to Glasgow where I showed my guest the wonderful variety of museums and galleries we have there. She was delightfully surprised at Kelvingrove Art Gallery, The Lighthouse Centre and The Glasgow School of Art, not to mention the senorial Victorian mansions of the west end.

Time for rhodies and azaleas!

2008-05-01T03:17:00.002+01:00

For those of you who are keen on gardens - the west coast of Scotland is the place to be at this time of year. Many beautiful gardens in the Argyll area - Benmore, Crarae (near Inveraray), Arduaine, on the way to Oban and the smaller but very interesting Ardkinglas garden at Cairndow. Perhaps farther afield - the gardens on the Islands of Gigha and Bute are worth catching a ferry to.

Spring is late this year - one day it is here - the next it has gone! A cold but sunny couple of good weeks at the end of April has now turned to rain - hopefully the warmer weather will return soon. The trees are late in budding this year but ...... the swallows have arrived at last, after their long journey north. The azaleas and rhododendrons are now starting to bloom and this is the time to spend meandering through the gardens to see them at their best.

Better late than never!

2008-05-01T02:55:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the long absence from the site. Heavy work season last year plus a 3 month vacation in Spain over the winter! Just had to escape all that wind and rain and, apart from -8C some nights in Aragon in the N of Spain, the temperature was very appealing. Did not manage to reach Portugal this year - kind of meandered about in La Rioja, Aragon, over to Barcelona and down the Coast as far as Tarragona and south of Valencia. Then inland to one of my favourite places - The Alpujarras. Very disappointed in the whole coastline, some of which I had not visited for years - when will the Spanish planners ever learn? And do they need any more golf courses - I doubt it, when there is such a lack of rainfall. Perhaps developers greed has something to do with it. Hardly any natural coastline left - such a shame. The best places are to be found inland - also the camp site - the coastal ones are crowded in winter and no doubt in summer too.

Enjoyed the walking and the cycling. Cost of living going up also in Spain but still good menus del dia and good fruit and vegetables to be had in the markets. Fuel is cheaper than UK too. What a fright when I returned home!!

I had good opportunities to use my Spanish - especially in Andalucia. This year managed to catch Carnaval as it was early - I was in Pego (south of Valencia) at the time, and although this is a fairly small inland town, near Oliva, it was quite an event. Hundreds of young and older people thronging the street in amazing costumes. The drummers were fantastic and probably my favourite. There were also 5 large stages with good bands to suit most tastes - all for free. Quite incredible.

Getting Ready for the 2008 Season

2008-02-22T09:44:00.003Z

It's now February 2008 and my thoughts are turning to the 2008 season here in Scotland.

Let's hope we have a year of lovely sunny weather!

Spring in Argyll

2007-04-03T12:26:00.001+01:00

Ardkinglas House on the shore of Loch Fyne, Argyll

Back from travels

2007-04-03T00:01:00.001+01:00

So sorry I have not had time to keep friends and acquaintances up to speed with my two months over in Portugal and Spain - travelling in a camper. It was great - spring, summer and winter all rolled into one. Needless to say, I did not miss the gales and rain while I was away although there was some peculiar out-of-season weather over there from time to time! The highlights were the wild beaches in south-west Portugal; the pilgrimages and horses in El Rocio and the lively town of Puerto de Santa Maria and Cadiz in Spain. The tapas in Jerez at El Gallo Azul and the Tio Pepe visit and sherry-drinking mice ...... what a treat!

Great to arrive in Lisbon just as the Lisbon - Dakaar rally took off - what an event! Wonderful food and great value and, of course, the wine tasting was memorable. Took hundreds of photos - hope to post some up now and then.

Now it's back to work with tours already accomplished and more on the way. Organising them takes up time too. Suddenly it's spring in the last few days and the wonderful long days are starting. Birds are getting busy with nesting and the recent sunny days have helped their song to burst forth. There are still siskins nibbling at the nuts, however, at my kitchen window.

Welcome to Kathy Cameron's blog!

2007-03-23T16:04:00.000Z

Welcome to Kathy's Blog! I am a tour guide working in my home country of Scotland, and I have several years' experience of guiding both large and small groups. You can read more about my tours on my Scotland Tour Guide website.

I also have for let self catering accommodation in Inveraray, my home town.