mcleanscotland  are local Scots who pride ourselves on showing you the nooks & crannies other tours companies pass on by.   We can show you those hidden gems even Scots do not know!  mcleanscotland of Perth tour company for vacations to Scotland here are our guides all Scottish for your satisfaction. The diary of Paul McLean taken on the coach tour for the 2007 Maclean gathering tour in Scotland

Paul's Diary

THE GATHERING 2007. Been there, done that, done more, we are home and exhausted now! The Maclean Clan gathering Tour of 2007 is over.  Our coach tour lasted 11 nights with a full coach of Maclean’s family and friends, so how did it go?  Well, here is my view – Paul McLean. Above enjoying a beer!

EDINBURGH

Left; Liz welcomes guests Mark & Julie Lane to our welcome night. Right; Ed, you won a prize, so I will sit on your knee and give you the book!

We started with a wee bit of a downer, almost every trans - Atlantic flight came in two hours late, meaning our friends were all very tired and delayed arriving. Some into Glasgow and some in Edinburgh.  Between Colin, Liz and myself, we met everyone, even those who were delayed by a day!  Unfortunately for one couple – Tom and Linda – they came in late and missed Edinburgh all together, but they still enjoyed their trip to Nethy Bridge they told me.  There were many who came in early also, from a day to a week early, they all met up on the Thursday at the Apex hotel in Edinburgh, where we had our welcome party.  Great to see so many people there, thanks to all for trusting us with your vacation.  The night went very well, we had fantastic wine from McLean’s Farm in Australia and Maclean’s Bakery from the Highlands with us, thanks to both of them.  With a few prizes and a few more laughs, we ended the evening on a high, the quiz Liz put together went down well and we had a winner, also a few cheated we think!!!  Never mind, next time eh!    

yummy!

Our second day had a tour to Rosslyn which was enjoyed by all, Liz took over as guide as I was once again at the airport!  The night went down a storm, pipers & drummers, a band and Spike!  Not to mention the dinner.  That was a great night out and we worked hard to make it so, methinks you all enjoyed it.  Some sore heads in the morning followed!

Left; Liz and big Andy enjoying the dancing.  Right more revellers with our pipers. MORE PHOTOS

NETHY BRIDGE

We bade farewell to our capital and headed (in the rain) to St Andrews, a brief stop here and over the bridge to Dundee, then to Perth for a rest stop at Caithness Glass.  Dewar’s World of Whisky next, a great distillery tour followed by a nip or two was well taken.  Then to the Nethy Bridge hotel, nice old traditional hotel with good food.  We brought along our pal Ray Owens for a story this evening, you all enjoyed Ray, so much so, he could not get away!  Ray had you all captivated for over an hour with his stories and weapons, what a good night it was!  BELOW; Ray Owens our storyteller posing with y'all!

ULLAPOOL

I must say right now, I was upset at the hotel we booked there, since we booked it two years ago, it has been bought and sold, not to the same standard it was, which I found out on arrival.  Saying that, we had excellent staff and the food was superb both nights.  Hope you all don’t hold that against us.  I went to the pub with a few of you, that was good also, except each time I go out with some of the group drinking, we always get asked to leave as we are staying too late!  Honest, it was not me!

Smoo Cave, shown left.

Day two there we went north, as far north as we could get. For everyone who could manage the steps, you enjoyed the cave at Smoo, somehow I showed a wee bit too much on my wobbly legs and was caught on film, ouch!  A long day filled with scenic wonders and stops.  Remember the time we were driving south along the Strathnaver Trail? We had two huge logging trucks come up against us the other way, on a single track road no less!  Colin got the coach to the right and somehow the two trucks squeezed past us with inches to spare.  In my mirror I saw you all breathing in!  A good few stops later and we were back at the hotel.

The trucks!

GLENCOE

Just want to mention wee man here in case I forget (how would that be possible?), he did a great job of loading up the luggage, sometimes with bare inches to spare, well done Col, just can you work faster next time please?  Birthday day for myself and Chrissy from NY State. Stopped at Eilean Donan castle and the infamous (to our mcleanscotland tours) Well of the Seven Heads.  No mention of ducks please!  Arrived at our hotel in Glencoe, to a back slapping night of thank you’s for a great location and choice of hotel.  I think you all enjoyed that one eh! A few drinks in the local pub tonight went down very well, even with a “happy birthday” song!

Second day and a change in our plans, Oban first and not last as in the tour notes.  Well, by the time we arrived at Mull you all understood why, we didna want to bump into Bob and Johnnie’s daughter there, as that’s where they stayed that night along with our Liz, unawares to Johnnie.  St Conan’s Kirk pleased you all also.  Apart from the dreaded midgies and the rain, it was a stunning visit.  Back to Glencoe after another stop, in nice sunshine no less!  Colin needed to take time off here for his driver hours (European laws) so what does he do?  Arrange a game of golf with Brian (NY State).  Brian came with us on the last gathering tour, so we knew him slightly better that the newcomers (we hade six from the last tour; Chrissy & Brian, Bob and Kathy Forsman and Carol & Ray Walker). Dinner was good once again and a night in the pub for me later on with my two pals from the staff, nice girls who invited me over for a drink, both Hungarian Coleen’s.  Did I have a few jealous guys looking at me in our group, er, yes.  “What are you doing drinking with these girls” I was asked by more than one person, och, come on give a man a break, I enjoyed myself.  I think as one of the girls came over to me in the lounge whilst sitting with a bunch of you said, “if you need anything Paul, we are in the staff room there” she smiled and went away.  One or two of you may have got the wrong idea methinks?  Can I just say, they were both lovely girls and boy, did they look different out of uniform!

MULL

Bob on bended knee!

And so to Mull, we crossed Loch Linnhe via the wee Coran ferry, then down to Lochaline.  Now you understand why we drove slow and had a stop, we didna want to arrive too early and catch the ferry before, as we were meeting people at the other side.  What a surprise it was for Johnnie MacLean!  Bob and I had started talking of his wedding vows renewal two years earlier!!!  Only a few on the tour knew what was going on, Johnnie had no idea until we landed on Mull.  A great start.  Most of you went to Tobermory with Colin, while Liz and myself and the wedding group stayed at the hotel.  It was a brilliant night for them and we were honoured to have been of some help, also to be invited along!  Bob and Johnnie, we hope you enjoy a long and happy life tighter from your vows taken on Mull.  The whisky tasting, birds of prey and Maclean beer all went down very well.  Once again, another busy day with mcleanscotland.  Many of you asked myself and Liz, “when do you two take a break?” or told us “you two work all the hours there is, when is your time off?”.  Well, we like to socialise and look after our guests.  As does Colin, but he, being our driver, has to waddle off to bed earlier than we do, I think you all understood that, he does a great job under that beard of his.

This shot here is of Liz and Paul at the Mull wedding. We were really happy to accept the kind invitation from Bob to be there at the castle that evening.  Liz and Paul had worked with Bob for two years arranging this, on the actual day, Paul drove the happy couple up to the castle 10 minutes behind the main group (Colin driving) and Liz on the coach.  As we got there the piper played as Johnnie stepped out of the car and her face was a picture!  Liz and Paul can honestly say, that whole evening was superb, from the service, the champagne cocktails, nibbles, the guests and the castle.  It was enjoyable and a privilege to be there.

Boat at Staffa.

Staffa and Iona went well, our chartered boat trip was wonderful and another chance to do something different and enjoy yourselves.  Liz and I like to plan these things in as much as possible.  By the time we got back to the hotel, there were a few tired people.  Dinner followed and many of you went to Tob (local slang for Tobermory) for gathering events.  Liz and I stayed at the hotel, do a wee bit of work, share a chat and a joke with a few guests and then to chill out.  Aye there was a wee bit of drinking involved.  We wandered up to see our old pal Billy MacGregor at the Roadhouse. I have known Billy for years and he always chills me out, he has this knack of telling jokes like no one else, chats with you, buys me (and Liz) drinks, and is generally a great guy (that’s a drink you owe me Billy!). MORE PHOTOS

THE GATHERING at the castle was great, meet up with fellow clan members from around the world, have a bite to eat, enjoy yourself and see the castle and Chief.  Although he did become a wee bit elusive for a while I am told.  The morning I took a wee group to see Castle Moy, this bunch were Lochbuie Maclean’s, so I asked if they would fancy seeing their own castle, they jumped at the chance.  It was a pity I only had 5 seats available, no coaches can get down there.  Another night in Tob, you bumped into us coming into town, Dennis driving our car.  We went back to Craignure, he played a round of golf while Liz and myself headed to Billy again – just to be sociable you understand.

LAST DAY Och it had to happen didn’t it!  In line for the ferry waiting to get to the mainland.  Rained again as we headed south, a quick stop at Kilmartin and Inveraray.  Rest and be Thankfull was also rained off as was Loch Lomond.  Liz, Betsy and Pat (and myself) got to the hotel in Glasgow before you and warned them of your approach.  The hotel was nice eh for a final night?  Dinner followed, och, we didna know that many photos would be taken of Liz and myself, then more with wee man hisle’ with the Chief’s piper, big Jim McLean.  I had arranged ages ago with Jim to come and entertain us and pipe us into dinner, it went down far better than we imagined.  I think you all like him.  Joining us that night were many on the self drive tours we had arranged, a great dinner followed.  And what about all those speeches?  Liz and I had nothing to do with the off the cuff speeches praising us, we were a wee bit embarrassed actually.  And you cannee keep Colin down for long eh, how many times was he up talking?  Many of you went to bed early, Liz and myself just HAD to stay up with you socialising! It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it!  By 1am most of you were away, so Liz and myself slipped away also.    Left; Liz and Paul with Jim Maclean the Chief's Piper.

A COMPLAINT!  Why do airlines make people leave so early in the morning?  As usual, we always see our friends off to the airport, I never actually got to bed that night, first to go were a wee group at 6am, followed by more a half hour later.  My eyes were like pee holes in the snow.  More departures at 8am onwards right up until 1pm, by which time Liz made an appearance looking brand new again.

Liz and I left Glasgow just after this for home.  So when we got home did we relax and get a nice kip?  No.  Work to catch up on, emails to reply to, och what a job this would be if I was on the road more often and no emails etc.  So, to end this wee ditty;  Thanks to everyone along the way who helped us put this together, my pipe band (I am their manager) Peter from Dewar's, the staff at hotels, Ray Owens, the girls at Glencoe (that’s from me), the porters – and, the unpaid porters who helped out many, many times, these were the un named hero’s on our coach.  Finally (hope I have not forgotten anyone, if I have, it’s not intentional), Colin, a driver and guide like no other. I know he is the very best there is – he told me so himself!  Thanks wee man, you did a great job for us, see you soon on another tour with the Texan’s.

One more, sorry!  THE PERSONAL BITS -  As in my impromptu speech at Glasgow, (she made me do it) a HUGE thank you to my very best friend in the world; LIZ.  The amount of people who met me who said “are You the Paul McLean?” Yes I am, but so many people never totally understand that Liz is my business partner, we share the total business 50 – 50, she handles all data base stuff; I am hopeless at this, marketing; which we do together, money; she won’t let me near it! And the day to day running.  Liz came on board after the last gathering and has made my life so much easier (and happier).  If the truth is known, she does more than me, I am just a name, she is a bloody hard worker, a great girl and an even better drinking partner!  We share a few days away at times relaxing, I spend many a day and night at her hoose and have great fun, Dennis, Shona and Gus, you have a great pal of mine there, look after her.  Gus is helpful looking after our computer problems (he is almost 13) and came to Travel Expo with us this year, Shona helps out so much with everything (14) and Dennis was to be seen loading cases on Mull and playing golf with Brian!  He is also our back up for computers and comes for a few days on tour with us now and then.  BUT I must say, my biggest debt in this world is to Liz.  While I am away on other tours, it is Liz who takes care of everything.  I just go out and enjoy myself.  I have the easier job, I love my job as I love Scotland.  I love the history, people, geography and everything else!  It’s a huge thanks to all our guests, as you pay me to have a great time doing what I love doing!

TO END; if you have enjoyed your tour with us, please tell us.  See you here in Scotland again soon, Haste Ye Back!  I know this may seem wild and outrageous but, we are now planning for the biggest gathering yet (we hope), 2012.  It will be the  100^th anniversary since the first gathering and the castle opening for we Maclean’s.  Of course we will be running the coach tour again – route not planned as yet, but different from either we have done before.  Self drive and wee group tours also offered as this time.  We do have ideas in mind – Liz in particular has many great things cooked up in that nice head of hers; a castle stay maybe, a steam train journey, two nights at the final location, maybe a 12 night tour using only four hotels.  If you have ideas please send them into us at gathering2012@mcleanscotland.co.uk

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