Left; Paul at the Inverness Highland Games July 2006, looking busy and official (not!). Right; with Liz at Boston in April 2006 for the men's world curling finals. below; at the Italian Chapel, Orkney in 2007.

Above left, at a wedding on Mull, Duart Castle June 2007. Right, end of a tour Glasgow, June 2007 Below; paul and Guinness from the Rhine Power Pipeband Germany.

An interview WITH PAUL MCLEAN (mcleanscotland)

with the DALRIADIC HERITAGE TRUST MAGAZINE

Q: What first got you interested in Scottish heritage, tour guiding etc.? Any particular inspiration?
How did you go about setting things up? Were there any particular difficulties?

A: THE FIRST TOUR I did was for friends from USA who came over for a vacation and asked if I would join them as guide.  Which I did, we had a great time.  two months later they rang me and asked if I would do the same for friends of theirs, I agreed.  Had another great time, and thought there was something in this.  Many folks (USA) do not want to come to a strange land without knowing where to go and what to see.  So I started out this way, took some clients on tour myself, some went on car rentals etc, which I planned their itinerary and all accommodation etc.  It has grown from a hobby to a full time career in these past ten years.  As for Scottish heritage and geography - I have O levels in both, and they still remain my best subjects and hobbies.  I can bore people to death with Scotland!

Q: What places do you take people to? Any particular favourites of yours?

A: I TAKE PEOPLE OR, SEND THEM ALL OVER SCOTLAND ACTUALLY.  Most of my itineraries cover Argyll and Mull for sure.  I was born near Oban (Dunstaffnage) so like to get as many that way as possible, keep it in the family so to speak.  I really think the west coast is better anyhow, thats my opinion, I may be biased but plenty of clients seem to agree.  A favourite venue has to be Kilmartin Glen.  So much history, a good museum, the hilltop fort, standing stones, cairns etc etc.  As a great deal of our business originates from USA, I like to show them some history, when I can show them 5000 year old sites, it blows their minds!  I also enjoy Morvern and the other parts of the Highlands.

Q: What kind of people tend to come on your tours?

A: FOLKS from all walks of life, mainly from age group 40 upwards.  We have singles, couples, families, small and large groups.  June 2002 we had the Maclean gathering on Mull, as part of the ten night coach tour, we were on Mull three nights, Oban one night, and will be stopping at Kilmartin, amongst other locations.

Q: Any interesting incidents that have happened? Or comments people have made?

A: PLENTY OF INCIDENTS, SOME I COULD NOT PRINT  - TO SAVE FACE OF A FEW UNFORTUNATES - one day I will write a book!  That's Paul on the right of each photo.

 

Q: Has anyone ever asked a really awkward (or stupid!) question?  
A: During the foot and mouth crisis, things on the travel scene were as bad as they could get, I had e mails from my clients due to visit, or thinking of a visit, some went along these lines:

“should we bring our own food with us?  as we see you killing all your sheep and cows”
“now all the cattle are dead, shall we bring milk with us?”
“if we still come over do we need any jabs? or bring a mask with us?”

 

To be honest it was all the media hype that ruined that year, splashing pictures of burning cattle all over our tv screens!  Here in Scotland, there was no foot and mouth above the Glasgow - Edinburgh line at all.  In my own view it was all done by the media!  Others have been equally strange, but these are not stupid, just dont know our geography...  “on the way from Mull to Edinburgh, will we be passing Stonehenge?”  or,  “leaving Glasgow airport towards Mull, how long will be be in Edinboro?”
My favourite one relates to Mull ... as we all know thew roads are a wee bit on the narrow side, with passing places every 200 yards or so.  I had a small party in the jeep with me, going to Iona from Duart castle we met many cars coming the other way, so pulled over quite often.  One lady commented “goodness Paul - you seem to know everyone on Mull!”  I was merely thanking folks with a wee wave for pulling over!  I didna have the heart to say anything.