Best of British Getaways 2023

From the outset, the main objective of Go Highlands has been to operate as the premier tour guide for its area of operation, no easy feat due to the North Highland region being the largest geographic area in the UK. George and Alastair are more than up to the task however, with Alastair utilising his experience working in a five-star hotel and the pair being well-versed in running tours, meeting while operating out of Invergordon’s Cromarty Port Cruise Centre. Bolstered by these experiences, the business has gone from strength to strength over its previous three seasons, with 2023 seeing it cater to almost 2000 clients, 80% of which travelled over from North America. Aiding the company in its mission is a strong set of core values, and Alastair talks us through some of the most important, such as, “integrity in both the services that we offer and in how we deal with our clients, flexibility, in offering scheduled tours as well as customised tours and an outstanding level of communication with both our clients and our partners.” As a small business, the two directors also happen to be the two leading tour guides, and as such, when clients or hotels call the company, they talk directly to either George or Alastair. This positions Go Highlands in an incredibly enviable position, one closer to a high-end concierge than a standard tour company that often simply schedule tours to main attractions. The tours run by Go Highlands are able to be fully tailored, and other experiences are on offer throughout, with these ranging from hiking to biking, golf, boat trips, fishing, and even hunting, all carried out within this breathtaking region of Scotland. In recent years, the North Highland region has played host to several significant tourist developments, culminating in its status today as one of Europe’s premier tourist hotspots. One such reason is the North Coast 500, which emerged in 2015 and has been marketed as one of the world’s greatest road trips, something fully corroborated by George and Alastair. Almost concurrently, the popular historical drama series Outlander premiered on television screens across the world, with this show taking place in the 18th century and being based upon true events that occurred in the Highlands. George explains, “our Outlander tours continue to be our best-selling day tours out of Inverness and from the cruise centre at Invergordon.” This location itself is also paramount to the area’s success, with its status as a former Royal Navy base and it is the deepest natural inlet of water in the UK, meaning that there are almost no restrictions on the size of cruise ships from around the world able to dock there. There is approximately 250,000 people expected to grace the region in 2024 alone. Specializing particularly in golf tours, this sector is likewise experiencing tremendous growth. Alastair elaborates, “recently, Cabot Highlands purchased Castle Stuart golf links (just 8 miles east of Inverness) and are currently constructing a second course, with an expansion of the clubhouse and lodge accommodation.” This is in addition to the area also boasting Royal Dornoch, a frequent pilgrimage for American golf fanatics, and the Tain, Brora, and Golspie golf courses, which too serve as sought after golfing destinations. With this fantastic corner of the world to boot, the future for Scotland’s Highlands appears to be very bright, and George and Alastair are currently exploring ways to maximise their tours, developing relationships with several of the best hotels within the region. This is set to be completed alongside the development of the company’s multi-day trips, which serve as an excellent choice for those looking to explore the region with their family and friends. Whatever comes next for Go Highlands Ltd, its beautiful location, commitment to providing clients with the best experiences possible, and leveraging of Scotland’s rich history, culture, and traditions, are sure to keep clients from around the world seeking out its tours time and again. Contact: Alastair Kennedy Company: Go Highlands Ltd Email Address: [email protected] Web Address: https://gohighland-tours.com Scotland is one of the most picturesque places in the world, and nowhere is this truer than in the Scottish Highlands, where Go Highlands Ltd happens to operate its exceptional tours. Founded in May 2021, when Covid-19 was still very much impacting the travel industry, Founders George Murray and Alastair Kennedy were thus amply prepared for the tourist influx that took place in 2022. Now into its fourth season, this company offers full-, half-, and multi-day tours across Scotland’s North Highlands region, predominantly catering to the golf tourism sector. George tells us more about these superb offerings and the company’s unwavering commitment to its clients. Most Client-Focused Guided Tour Company - Scotland

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