Our ‘In the Driver Seat’ series will provide some insight into our wonderful Tour Leaders. You’ll learn a little about their time off the road and what they like about Scotland too. Today we introduce you to our Tour Leader Cliff.
Q. How long have you been a Tour Leader with Discover Scotland Tours?
A. I’ve been a Tour Leader for six years now.
Q. What did you do before you were a Tour Leader?
A. Well you’ve heard of “white van man”, I was a “white van repair man” White van man smashed them up and I fixed them up.
Q. What Scottish food or meal would you recommend to visitors?
A. I sometimes get asked what haggis is like on tour. However, another option is Cullen skink. It’s another Scottish dish which is made from haddock and potatoes. If I had to choose it would be Cullen skink for me.
Q. Do you have a favourite Scottish band or singer?
A. . I like quite a few Scottish bands but when driving I play Cappercaillie a lot, a band from the Oban area. Not the Bay City Rollers though (they’re my wife’s favourite).
Q. If you had to choose one viewpoint in Scotland, where would it be and why?
A. Even after six years of touring I’ve never get tired of stopping at the 3 sisters in Glencoe. I’ve seen it in all weathers and particularly like it there on the winter Oban tour. We drive through just as its begins to get dark. Earie dark.
Q. Can you recall a great trip you have taken in Scotland? What made it so good?
A. I’m fond of the Fife region of Scotland probably because of family holidays when younger in Anstruther and St Andrews. I don’t play golf but like to watch and one of the most memorable holidays was in St Andrews when the British Open was on and was able to watch the best golfers in the world. There is a putting course at the Old Course where I like to beat my brother and I am able to tell folk I’ve played at St Andrews.
Q. What is your favourite tour and why?
A. My favourite tour is West Highlands and Oban especially in nicer weather. Frequent stops and what better way to finish the tour with a visit to a 300 year old inn.
Q. What is your favourite fact or story that you share on tour?
A. One of my favourite stories on tour is of John Cobb who came to Loch Ness in 1952 to attempt the world water speed record. He almost done it in his jet engine powered boat Crusader but traveling around 200mph in perfect conditions the boat suddenly flipped and crashed down on the loch breaking in to pieces killing him instantly. It’s still a mystery what made the boat flip but some of the local people said it was, well, you know who.
Q. Leaving Scotland behind, where is your favourite place to holiday abroad?
A. I like to be on the move on holiday so I have tried cruising recently. However, I once hired a car in southern Germany and toured parts of Austria, Switzerland and Italy including Lake Como. Some great scenery.
