What is your favourite part of Scotland?
Pretty much all of it, although there’s always more to discover and enjoy with every trip.  Scotland, of course, has to come top, a huge variety packed into a relatively small country.

What is your favourite visitor attraction?
I love castles, especially those that are partly ruined and which give such an evocative sense of some of our history.  Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland both have a wonderful selection of properties and sites under their care.  Mount Stuart House in the Isle of Bute (not too far from Glasgow) and Drummond Castle Gardens near Crieff are both very interesting to visit, and of course the mountains and glens of Scotland are always very impressive.  I may drive the same road a dozen times a year, but with the changing light and seasons, I always marvel at the views.

What is your favourite Scottish food and restaurant in Scotland?
Scotland has such a good larder and many talented chefs.  After a day chasing haggis through the heather, Darroch Learg Hotel in Ballater, Royal Deeside, is a welcoming small hotel with a lovely conservatory restaurant.  The tastes at the Ashoka Indian restaurant off Byres Road in Glasgow are wonderful – another ‘traditional’ Scottish food!  Mar Hall Hotel near Glasgow is a relaxing place to take a leisurely afternoon tea.

Where do you like to shop?
Slater’s Menswear in Glasgow has good personal service that makes shopping easy.  The House of Bruar near Pitlochry makes for a good stopover with a nice café and good quality food and gifts.

Favourite getaway in Scotland?
Somewhere you can easily step out over the hills and instantly be away on your own, so that covers most of Scotland!  The Isle of Skye is a favourite, having worked in a hotel there, and the Isle of Arran too.  Islands generally are fantastic, where the ferry journey is very much part of the experience.  The Scottish Borders are often overlooked yet have a fascinating history, dramatic abbeys and historic houses. 

Which is your favourite pub in Scotland?
I always get a thrill stopping off at the Drover’s Inn at Inverarnan by the shores of Loch Lomond as you head north or south on the A82 – you get a great sense of its history.  Say hello to the bear at the front door, and the girls may be lucky enough to meet a chap in his kilt serving at the bar.  Do pluck up the courage to try some hand pulled real ale, available in a variety of pubs – warm, flat beer at its best!

Given your experience what advice would you give to people coming to Scotland?
Better to see more of less, rather than attempting to see all of Scotland in one trip.  Having said that, Scotland is a very accessible country, although distances can take longer than expected due to the scenic roads.  It is always nice to allow time to detour via the smaller roads, especially in the Highlands.  It is also very helpful to read up about Scotland when planning your trip, as this will allow your guide and you to make the most of your time.  Think about adding a couple of days to a more ‘out of the way’ part of Scotland – the islands can be very easy to get to for example (with planning) and can often be a highlight of a visit, an experience very different to the rest of the Scottish and British mainland.