Scottish Touring

About three years ago Travel ran an article about David Dean’s coach tours of the Scottish Highlands. I kept the article, and in September spent a thoroughly enjoyable week on his tour of Harris, Lewis, Skye and Ullapool. Pamela (the buses have names) was a vintage early ‘60s coach, old enough to echo the elegant days of British postwar touring, which means comfortable seats (three across), plenty of leg room, excellent visibility and, most importantly, the ability to navigate the often primitive roads of the north. The best part was Dean, who not only runs the company but conducts all the tours. His energy, foresight and adaptability cannot be adequately praised. Of the 20 in the group, more than half were repeat business.

Tours usually run from four to eight days; a typical tour costs about 90 to 295 ($128 to $419), depending upon accommodations, which may be a small hotel or a B&B.; A Los Angeles tour company has advertised “Classique Tours,” but that one does not use vintage restored coaches, in spite of its brochure that says it does. The one I took is David Dean’s Classique Luxury Coach Tours, 8 Underwood Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA3 1TD.

FAITH SUNDERLAND

Camarillo