What makes your Bespoke Tours special?

All my tours are bespoke, which means they are tailored to your interests, pace and preferences. Every time I tour with guests, it’s a different experience and I like to think you are in the hands of an expert guide for The Scottish Borders, who is dedicated to making your day fun and enjoyable.

How can I book a Bespoke Tour?

If you want to book a bespoke tour you just need to get in touch with me and let me know what it is you are after. It’s as simple as that. We will then have a discussion over email or Zoom working out exactly what you need from the tour. I will then work out a quote for you and send you booking link (my Bespoke Tours start at £450 per day).

How many people can come on your tours?

For Bespoke Tours I can accommodate up to 4 guests. The price is for the tour, not the number of guests so feel free to bring a friend or two and share the cost! Low Carbon Tours are walking tours, so can accommodate up to 10, with the price again being for the tour.

Why can’t I book an ‘off the shelf’ tour online?

While it is great to have options to book online, and it is the way much of the world works now, my experience has shown me that is not how my guests have engaged me. While I can offer suggested itineraries such as Mary Queen of Scots in The Borders, The Border Abbeys or Walter Scott’s Borders, even these are highly bespoke and individualised to you and your group. Many tour providers such as Rabbie’s can give excellent off the shelf options for day tours but it’s not quite what I do, so we get to know each other a wee bit first, have a blether over email, before deciding exactly what kind of tour you want.

I love the sound of these Low Carbon Tours you’ve mentioned. What does that mean?

These are very exciting for me, and I strongly believe walking tours, integrated with public transport are key for the future of our industry. Low Carbon Tours are Private, guided walking tours in historic Borders towns. All of the locations for my Low Carbon Tours are found within easy reach of Edinburgh via public transport, and I encourage guests to use public transport to get to the meeting point. You have access to the Traveline App on my Low Carbon Tours Page to help you plan and, like Bespoke Tours, the tour will be tailored to you on the day. As an added bonus, and incentive to use public transport, all Low Carbon Tour guests are given exclusive access to my audio guides for the journey. This means your tour starts the second you step on to public transport! You can find out more on the Low Carbon Tours page.

How do I pay you for your tours?

I provide a secure online invoice which you can pay electronically using a Credit/Debit card from anywhere in the world. It’s simple to use and you’ll have a payment receipt in your inbox within seconds. Alternatively I can accept bank transfers or cash, but electronic invoicing is my preferred payment type.

What if I am unwell, or can’t make it and need to cancel?

I completely understand that plans can change! I don’t offer refunds for tours cancelled within 5 days of the tour, however I am of course happy to reschedule your tour for another date that works. Just let me know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements. For full details, please check my Terms & Conditions page.

Where do your tours start?

Bespoke Tours really start where you want them to - within reason! I often meet guests at their hotel or accommodation, either in The Borders or Edinburgh, dropping them back there at the end of the day. We will work all of this out before the day of your tour. Low Carbon Tours have set meeting points - Tweedbank Railway Station for Melrose, Eastgate Bus Stop for Peebles, John Street Bus Stop for Biggar and Tweedside Hotel for Innerleithen.

How long will my tour take?

Bespoke Tours are usually about 7 hours in duration, meeting around 9am and finishing up at about 4pm. It all depends on where you want to go, and what you want to see. “It’s your tour” is my mantra, so we will take our time and make sure you get to see everything you want. Low Carbon Tours are shorter, usually lasting around 3 to 4 hours but again this is flexible. We aim to meet at around 10.30am for those, but have to tweak slightly depending on public transport.

Are your tours accessible?

I do my best to make my tours as accessible as possible and will always try to adapt to individual needs. While my vehicle unfortunately can’t accommodate a wheelchair, there are many ways to tailor the experience to suit different mobility levels and requirements. If you have specific accessibility concerns, please get in touch, I’d love to work with you to create a tour that works for you.

You say your tours are in The Scottish Borders, what is that?

Perhaps the best way to explain what The Scottish Borders are is by reading this blog post. Remember though, your tour is bespoke and can easily slide into neighbouring regions, or even across the border!

What sort of themes or topics do your tours cover?

That’s the beauty of a bespoke tour, it’s shaped around what interests you. My tours often explore history, local folklore, landscapes, Borders culture, politics, architecture, famous figures or even hidden curiosities that most visitors never see. Whether you’re fascinated by Border Reivers, literary legends or simply want to soak in the scenery, I’ll design a tour that fits your curiosity.

Could I request a specific location or focus for my tour?

Absolutely! Many of my tours are built around a particular theme or interest, and one of the most common requests I receive is family history. If you have ancestral connections to the Scottish Borders, I can help you explore the places linked to your heritage. It’s not exclusively that however - I have delivered tours focused on churches, literary figures, lochs & rivers and we have even gone hunting for heather, coos and sheep - your curiosity inspires me!

What should I bring with me on a tour?

I’ve got the essentials covered. I provide water in reusable bottles, as well as tissues, hand sanitiser and a first aid kit, so you don’t need to worry about those. We will factor in stops for coffees and lunch as required. For your own comfort, I recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and anything else you might need for a day outdoors. And, of course, be ready for the ever-changing Scottish weather: layers and waterproofs are always a good idea!

For Bespoke Tours, I also provide beautiful Borders-woven rugs to keep you warm in the cooler months, so you can enjoy the drive in comfort, whatever the season.

Are your tours suitable for families?

My tours are best suited to adults and older children, particularly teenagers who enjoy history, storytelling and exploring new places. Due to the intentionally slow pace and content of my tours, I don’t generally recommend them for younger children, but if you’re unsure, feel free to get in touch and we can discuss what might work best for your family.

I’d love to do a private tour, but it’s a bit out of my budget. Do you offer other options?

I completely understand that private tours aren’t for everyone. My Bespoke and Low Carbon Tours are designed to be highly personalised, which means they reflect the time, expertise and planning that goes into making them special. However, I also run a number of public tours throughout the year, both for myself and other organisations/ These offer a great way to experience my tours at a lower cost. Keep an eye on the Events page of the website or social media for upcoming walks and tours.