McKinlay Kidd Traveller Reviews

Each of the four islands we visited had its own charm and provided an opportunity to experience the culture and wildlife of the different terrains. The laid back and friendly approach of the islanders, welcoming you as a friend rather than a tourist, was heartwarming.

Helpful and responsive. Provides full and detailed itinerary and additional travel information- paper based and/or online.

The Mull wildlife experience was relaxing and well organised. My daughter and I were looked after very well by McKinlay Kidd the tour organisers and by the accommodation providers Jo and Dave Currie, as well as the wildlife and sea day tours we took part in. Excellent.

McKinlay Kidd kept in touch with us throughout our break, giving us options and keeping us up to date. Excellent communications.

Traveling by train allowed us to visit more of Scotland than we could have in our own in the same amount of time. The places we stayed at were wonderful. And the food was great. Our favorite was Thurso and the Orkney Island tour. And we loved our stay at Spean Beidge and Kingussie.

Our tour operator on Orkney was Excellent. A very enjoyable and interesting experience.

Excellent. The scenery is wonderful and our hosts every where throughout Scotland were fabulous. Certainly a trip to remember.

Organised by Mckinlay Kidd - timetables were spot on, and managed with just the right amount of time to spare. With free time organised in where we wanted. Accommodations were as requested 5 star plus - we had the pleasure of Castles, Lodges and Spa where able to relax and enjoy excellent cuisine everywhere.

Having visited already many islands and archipelago’s in the North Atlantic we decided it was time to visit the lesser known islands and after an intensive search on the internet we ended up at McKinlay Kidd. Their ‘Journey through the Western Isles’ was exactly what we were looking for: self-drive so that we could bring our own bicycles and visiting as many islands as possible staying in small scale guest houses, B&B’s and hotels. Tooled with Paul Murtons ‘Outer Hebrides’ and ‘Cycling the Hebrides’ we set off. And what a fantastic holiday it was! We have learned a lot about the history of the Hebrides and were surprised to experience that the Gaelic past is still so tangible here. Besides we were extremely lucky with the weather and we drove or cycled as much single track roads as possible. On one of the last days of our holiday we met a young women who -like we- cycled on the isles. When we tried to explain to her what we liked so much on the Hebrides she summarized: 'a feast for the eyes'. And that's what is was. A feast, not only for the eyes, but a feast altogether!

A small-scale tour operator who knows exactly what their customers like and they are able to offer that!

The rail tour if Scotland was a perfect blend of relaxed travel, comfortable and welcoming accommodation, wonderful scenery and friendly locals. Support by McKinlay Kidd staff was excellent and made for a fuss free holiday. Freedom to do as we wished in each location was a bonus to us as normally independent travellers.

Every aspect of the package from our initial enquirer to the end of the tour was professionally managed. Having a constant contact throughout was most welcome. There were no hitches in any aspect of the program.

Three nights on the island of Mull, bathed in tropical sunshine. One day was devoted to a boat trip, trying to spot the Minke whale which frequents the area. Not on this occasion, sadly, but the other local residents did their best: a large pod of dolphins was the highlight, spending around 20 minutes showing off. And seabirds, from Skua and Arctic Tern, to Manx Shearwater and Puffin. A day trip around the island followed, with magnificent views of Duart Castle, Ben More and the beautiful white sands of Calgary beach were among the highlights. A visit to the Tobermory distillery and a pint (or two) by the water rounded off the trip.

McKinlay Kidd organised three elements of the visit: the ferry crossing, accommodation and the day boat trip. Everything went according to plan. The bookings were smooth, and the only change we requested was made immediately.

We stayed in 3 locations organised by McKinlay Kidd, each was just what we wanted, after personal tailoring to our requirements. Trouble- and hassle-free due to MKK's in-depth knowledge of the area and facilities.

This is our fourth MKK holiday, we would book with no other, the pre-and post attention to detail is excellent.

We walked miles in Edinburgh, hiked and went to the Festival Theatre in Pitlochry, and enjoyed Culloden whilst staying in Inverness. Skye was quite a highlight with a half day tour given by Gordon McIntyre, from Kyle of Lochalsh, holding on to his kilt and his hat . With him we almost blew off of Quirang , saw Heilan' Coos and learned history and extensive details. Visibility was good when we travelled on the Jacobite Steam Train though Ben Nevis struggled to greet us in Spean Bridge. All this whilst staying in B&B's that were second to none before finally arriving in Glasgow, our final destination of the tour. We are left with wonderful memories.

Planning was first class by McKinley Kidd. They covered every minute detail of the accommodation with date and type of room and board . We knew our train times, when they would leave each location and when they would arrive at each destination as well as who would drive us to the station and who would meet us at the other end. We had been asked where we would be staying in Edinburgh the night before the tour and when we arrived at the hotel 2 days earlier we were handed the package with our tickets, all fully documented. We had descriptions of the accommodations and what we could plan to see whilst there. We were not left to wonder about anything. I would highly recommend this company.

Our holiday was excellently planned from beginning to end . The hotels ( with the exception of one ) were all brilliant. The itinerary was well planned and we enjoyed the experience immensely.

We have so enjoyed our McKinley Kidd holiday that we shall most certainly be using them again. The planning of it and the information pack that we received was excellent.