Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about private guiding with Ross McDowell and Tartan Compass Tours — from city days and guided walks to business enquiries, responsible travel and booking basics.
Planning your private day
What does Tartan Compass Tours offer?
Tartan Compass Tours offers private guiding in Scotland, shaped around the people travelling. Days may be city-based, beyond the city, walking-led, vehicle-supported, or a mixture of both. Ross shapes the day around place, pace, story, weather, comfort and the time you have.
Is this a fixed itinerary tour?
No. The website shows the kinds of days Ross can shape, but these are not fixed public itineraries. Your enquiry starts the conversation. Ross will then suggest a sensible shape for the day based on your interests, group, dates and practical needs.
Where do tours usually start?
Most days start in Edinburgh or Glasgow, depending on where you are staying and what kind of day you want. For city days, Ross may meet you at your hotel, accommodation or a practical central meeting point. For days beyond the city, the meeting point or pickup arrangement will be confirmed as part of the plan.
Can you collect us from our hotel?
Often, yes, if it is practical and agreed in advance. Edinburgh and Glasgow both have areas with access, parking and waiting restrictions, so Ross will confirm the best meeting arrangement for the day rather than promise a pickup that may not work well.
How far ahead should I enquire?
As early as you can, especially for peak travel periods, business enquiries or days beyond the city. For 2026, Ross is normally available Thursday–Sunday, with half-day and full-day options by enquiry. From April 2027, availability is expected to broaden to Monday–Saturday.
What should I include in my enquiry?
The most useful details are your preferred date or month, where you are staying, group size, whether you are interested in the city or beyond the city, and anything Ross should quietly keep in mind, such as walking pace, mobility, hearing, comfort, medical needs, food considerations or strong interests.
What happens after I send an enquiry?
Ross will review your enquiry personally. If the day looks suitable, he will respond with next steps, questions if needed, and an outline of what may be possible. An enquiry does not confirm a booking until the date, scope, price and payment arrangements have been agreed.
City and beyond-city days
What is the difference between In the City and Beyond the City?
In the City is for private guiding in Edinburgh, Glasgow or a city-based day shaped around streets, buildings, galleries, ports, archives and layered urban stories.
Beyond the City is for days that move out into wider Scotland: landscapes, coastlines, towns, hills, castles, abbeys, glens or quieter roads. These days need more attention to travel time, daylight, weather and pace.
Can a city day include both walking and a vehicle?
Yes, where agreed. Some city days work best mostly on foot. Others benefit from vehicle support, especially where guests want to connect different neighbourhoods, viewpoints, galleries, ports or quieter stops without rushing.
Can we visit both Edinburgh and Glasgow?
Sometimes, but one well-shaped day is usually stronger than trying to see too much. Ross will be honest about what is realistic. Edinburgh and Glasgow each reward proper time and attention.
Can we go to the Highlands, Borders, coast or castles in a single day?
Often, yes, depending on the starting point, season, daylight, weather and how much time you want to spend travelling. Ross will help shape a day that is worthwhile rather than overloaded.
Can we request a specific place?
Yes. Tell Ross what you have in mind. If the place is realistic for the time available, it can be considered. If it would make the day too rushed, Ross will suggest a better way to approach it.
Are attraction tickets included?
Not unless this is clearly agreed in your quote. Many private days work better when attractions, meals or special stops are chosen after the shape of the day is clear. Admissions, meals, ferries and third-party costs should be treated as separate unless stated otherwise.
Do you provide food or meals?
Meals are not normally included unless agreed in advance. Ross can help shape the day around sensible food stops, comfort breaks and local options where practical.
Walking and outdoor days
Do I need previous hillwalking experience?
Not always. Some walking-led days are gentle and suitable for visitors who simply enjoy being outside. Others need more fitness, confidence on uneven ground or tolerance for Scottish weather. Ross will be clear about what is suitable.
What level of fitness do I need?
It depends on the route. A short city walk, a Pentlands outing and a longer hill day are very different. Tell Ross honestly about your walking pace, recent activity, injuries, mobility needs and comfort level. The day can then be shaped properly.
What should I wear or bring?
For walking-led days, bring comfortable footwear, a waterproof layer, a warm layer, water and any personal medication you need. Scotland’s weather changes quickly. Ross will advise if a particular day needs more specific kit.
What if I have an injury or medical condition?
Please tell Ross before the day. A private day can often be adjusted, but some routes may not be suitable if there is a recent injury, medical concern or uncertainty about walking distance. If in doubt, seek medical advice before committing to a walking-led day.
What happens if the weather is poor?
Poor weather does not automatically mean a day cannot happen, but it may change the route, pace, stops or emphasis. Ross will make practical decisions around safety, comfort, visibility, access and the quality of the day.
Can children or young people join?
This depends on the day, the age of the child, the walking involved and the responsibility of the accompanying adult. Ross should confirm suitability before any day involving children or young people is agreed.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes. Scotland offers plenty to photograph. Please remember that outdoor ground, rain and busy places can be unforgiving, so you are responsible for your own camera or phone.
Responsible Travel & Guiding
What does responsible travel mean for Tartan Compass Tours?
It means the day is planned and guided with care: clear expectations, sensible pacing, respect for local people, respect for places, and honest interpretation. Responsible travel is not treated as a slogan.
Do you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code?
Yes. Outdoor days should respect the core principles of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code: respect the interests of others, care for the environment, and take responsibility for your own actions.
How do you protect the places you visit?
Ross will encourage careful behaviour: using appropriate paths, respecting residents and land managers, avoiding private spaces, leaving historic structures alone, keeping distance from wildlife, avoiding litter and taking weather, ground and access conditions seriously.
Will the day include difficult or sensitive history?
Where relevant, yes — but it should be handled with care. Scotland’s story is full of beauty, character and complexity. The aim is to tell it warmly, honestly and fairly, without lazy assumptions, shaming or campaigning.
Can you adapt for accessibility or comfort?
Ross will do his best to shape the day around practical needs, including walking pace, steps, surfaces, toilets, hearing, rest stops, weather and comfort. Not every place is suitable for every guest, and Ross will be honest where a plan needs to change.
Business and professional enquiries
Do you work with PAs, concierges, DMCs and travel professionals?
Yes. Tartan Compass Tours can support professional introducers who need private guiding for guests, executive visitors, incentive travel, companion programmes or carefully handled Scotland days.
Can I request business credentials?
Yes. Use the Business / Professional enquiry option or Request Credentials CTA. Credentials are request-only; they are not provided as a public download.
Can you work under an agency or professional introducer arrangement?
Potentially, depending on the arrangement. Ross is comfortable with discreet, guest-sensitive planning and professional communication, but specific terms, branding, insurance, transport and supplier requirements must be agreed before anything is promised to a client.
Can you support incentive or corporate programmes?
Yes, by enquiry. The right format may be a short city introduction, a hosted day for executive visitors, a companion programme, or a private day beyond the city. Larger or complex programmes need more planning time.
Booking, payment and terms
Does submitting an enquiry confirm my booking?
No. Submitting an enquiry starts the conversation. A booking is only confirmed when the date, scope, price, terms and payment arrangements have been agreed.
How do I pay?
Payment is by bank transfer or PayPal. Any later payment options will be confirmed if and when they are approved.
What is included in the price?
This depends on the agreed day. Guide time and planning will be included in the quote. Transport, admissions, meals, ferry tickets, special access, third-party services and other costs are not included unless clearly stated.
What is your cancellation policy?
The cancellation policy will be confirmed in the Terms & Conditions before booking.
What happens if we are late?
Please tell Ross as soon as possible. Late arrival may reduce the time available and may affect what can be delivered. The final late-arrival position should be confirmed in the Terms & Conditions.
Can the itinerary change on the day?
Yes. Weather, traffic, access, closures, ferry issues, guest comfort and safety may all affect the day. Ross will keep the day as close to the agreed shape as possible, but sensible changes may be needed.
Should I tip?
Tipping is entirely optional and never required.
I cannot find the answer to my question. What should I do?
Send an enquiry and ask Ross directly. If your question affects safety, comfort, access, timing or suitability, it is better to raise it before the day is agreed.
Still have a question? Tell Ross what you have in mind.
Every day is shaped around the people travelling. Share your thoughts and Ross will answer honestly.