Insider Experiences

For the first episode in our new Insider video series we travelled to the beautiful Isle of Skye. One of Scotland’s most popular tourism spots in the summer months, the Isle of Skye is also home to a rich culture of incredible local produce and exquisite foodie experiences. We met local characters such as michelin-starred chefs, foraging experts, local fishermen and deerhunters who all share a passion for their island and the quality of food they can give to visitors.

• Click here for our 60 seconds on Skye travel film and image gallery.

Episode 2 in our Insider’s video series involved a different take on Scotland’s mesmerising capital city of Edinburgh. It feels like a lot of Edinburgh’s visitors experience a side of the city that sits at the very front of collective consciousness, such as the fairytale castle, winding cobbled streets and alleys and a smorgasbord of tartan-fied hospitality. So in this video we wanted to connect to a side of Edinburgh that not everyone stumbles across. We meet a local tour guide whose passion for Edinburgh’s bloody and rich history brings its buildings and sights to life. We meet a kiltmaker whose passion for bringing Scotland’s national dress into the 21st century has reached customers all over the world. We also meet the concierge at Edinburgh’s most prestigious and iconic hotel, the Balmoral, which sits at the very heart of this amazing city.

In this episode, escape to the Cairngorms where we meet Wooden Tom, an Aviemore-based wood carver. Learn more about Tom’s ways of living off the land and the secrets of woodworking as Tom welcomes you to his natural amphitheatre.

Ghillie Basan is an award-winning cook and author living in a very wild spot in the Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands.  Growing up in Africa and travelling widely in younger years has given Ghillie’s cooking a taste of the exotic, combined with the best in local Scottish ingredients. Ghillie has written over 40 books and now cooks at events and workshops hosted in her own wilderness retreat here in the Cairngorms.

Here we meet Shane Wasik, a marine biologist, adventurer, and expert in Scottish marine wildlife experiences. Scotland, including its islands, has a coast which is over 10,000 kilometres long and home to some of the most rugged and beautiful scenery in the world. The wild coastline is dotted with pristine white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Along our varied shores, you will find an abundance of fascinating marine wildlife, both in the water and out.