Meet the Heart of Discover Scotland Tours – Our Amazing Driver-Guides
It’s often said that a company is only as good as the people behind it—and here at Discover Scotland Tours, we couldn’t agree more. While we may look like a large operation from the outside, we’re actually a small, family-owned company built on personal service, local knowledge, and a love for sharing the magic of Scotland with the world.
From the moment you get in touch with us or make your booking, our team is focused on one thing—making your journey through Scotland enjoyable, light-hearted, and unforgettable.
But it’s our driver-guides who truly bring the experience to life.
More than just drivers, they’re storytellers, historians, jokers, and lifelong locals who know every loch, glen, castle, and quirky backroad like the back of their hand. They’ll regale you with tales of ancient clans, mythical creatures, unsung heroes, and notorious villains—all while pointing out the best spots to snap a perfect photo (or five).
Whether it’s your first time in Scotland or your fifth, our driver-guides ensure that every tour feels personal, relaxed, and full of those little moments that make travel special. Thanks to their warmth, passion, and genuine love for Scotland, you won’t just see the sights—you’ll feel like you’ve lived them.
You’ll travel as part of a small group, giving you the space to enjoy a flexible, friendly experience tailored to your interests.
Many of our guests arrive as strangers, but they leave with new friends—and often, with a driver-guide they’ll never forget.
Michael is our longest-serving driver-guide, having been with Discover Scotland Tours since 2016. Widely respected throughout the circuit, Michael is not only an exceptional guide and driver, but also an all-around great guy. He consistently goes above and beyond in his role, always acting in the best interests of the company.
“My office is the whole of Scotland. I get to show people from around the world my country every day.
“My favourite place is St Conan’s Kirk which was built by a son for his mother on the banks of Loch Awe. He wasn’t an architect but self-taught and you always see something different every time you go there.
“I show our customers a coin that I found from the reign of two queens: one an English queen, Elizabeth I, and a Scottish queen, Mary Queen of Scots. I found this coin near Dumbarton Castle, which I take them to see, and they’re absolutely flabbergasted that they’re holding a piece of Scottish history.”
Johnny Toner has been with us for seven years. One of the easiest going guys on the circuit, Johnny, who to this day still asks, why he gets paid as he doesn’t think guiding is an actual job.
“The weather doesn’t hamper the tour, the weather makes the tour. My favourite time here in Glencoe is October and November. There’ll have been so much rain the waterfalls are running full and the greenery around you is going to blow your mind. If you go back to 1692 and the famous massacre down at the bottom of the glen, some of the poor souls who survived staggered up here and perished in the snow in these very hills. As you tread these rocks around this glen you’re walking in history.
“People come to this country with a perception of what the history is which is quite Hollywood-based. When they actually see it and they see it in reality their minds are blown by it.”
Gary may have only been with us for three years, but it feels like he’s been part of the team forever. With his fantastic personality and natural rapport with customers, Gary has quickly become a firm favourite. Nothing is ever too much trouble for him—he consistently goes above and beyond, making him a true ambassador for Discover Scotland Tours.
“Our customers expect lovely scenery but I don’t think they’re quite prepared for how beautiful it is in places, especially the west coast and the Isle of Skye.
“In any country where you get lots of mountains and glens you usually get some type of folklore. It’s great doing the Isle of Skye trip as there’s so much folklore and fairy stories around the Isle. You look towards the back of the coach and you can slowly see our customers becoming kids again. They love stories of giants and shape-shifting seals.
“I get to meet new people every day and you get to see all the beautiful scenery of Scotland. I get to show off this beautiful country and I see myself as a representative for much of Scotland.”