Robert Burns Tour

We took two trips with Tartan Tours. The first was on Tuesday, May 21, around Loch Lomond (and including Luss and Inverary) and the second was on Wednesday, May 22, to Ayrshire and Burns Country. Both tours lasted the entire day, with Stewart Gunn providing lively commentary about what we were seeing. On Thursday, May 23, Stewart met us again in the early evening for a complementary tour of the Greenock and Gourock area where we were staying. We were staying in Gourock because Tartan Tours recommended the Spinnaker Hotel, where we had a sea view room. We will be forever grateful for this recommendation because it located us in the real Scotland and not in a central Glasgow hotel catering to large groups of tourists (although central Glasgow was easily accessible through the nearby ScotRail station). The staff at the Spinnaker were, very much like Stewart Gunn himself, attentive to our needs and models of Scottish hospitality. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather for our ramble through Loch Lomond country – bright blue skies through the late afternoon. We also enjoyed the ferry ride back from Kilcreggan to Gourock. The next day we were again fortunate with the weather. The rain held off until the early afternoon. We were able to do the outside parts of our tour first in comparative comfort and then stay inside as the rain began. Stewart Gunn was an utterly charming host. We had an immediate connection with his love of all things Scottish. The conversation never flagged. In getting to know him we felt we were getting to know – in a truly unique and compelling way – the real Scotland. Thank you, Stewart, for a marvelous beginning to what was an unforgettable two weeks traveling around Scotland!!

We started our 5 days of tours with Tartan Tours Scotland with a full Robert Burns day. My husband was thrilled with all Stewart showed us. Getting picked up in Glasgow was easy and perfectly timed - no waiting for either of us. We spent the entire day viewing all that Alloway offered on Robert Burns. Stewart Gunn took us to the Spinnaker Hotel in Gourock to stay for four nights. We had the BEST room with beautiful sunset views over the River Clyde. Our second tour day was Loch Lomond and Inverary with stunning views from Rest & Be Thankful. Stewart showed us the "Real Scotland". Since Stewart knew how important Robert Burns was to my husband, he threw in a little of Burns every day! Getting to see Highland Mary statue in Dunoon was a fantastic surprise - thanks Stewart. I was thrilled to see Dolphins as we took the ferry across the Clyde to Gourock! Day Three was Robert the Bruce with tour of Stirling Castle and Bannockburn. We had additional evening tours both on our second and third nights. Stewart made dinner reservations at some of his favourite restaurants for us, so we were never left trying to figure that out on our own. MUCH APPRECIATED! Day Four was St. Andrews. I was thrilled that there was so much more to see than just the Old Course and its bridge. Stewart walked with us to the University, St. Andrews Cathedral (a must see!) and St. Andrews castle ruins. Day Five was William Wallace Tour with many sights to see. As Stewart is a member of the William Wallace Society, he offered much insight and history regarding Wallace. We were given information on the areas that we drove through and some of the history of the places. It was truly an experience worth every penny or should I say pence! Thank you Stewart and I hope I can get my husband on a plane again to come to Scotland so that you can show us more - we barely touched the surface of all Scotland has to offer.