New McKinlay Kidd tours feature chance to meet craftspeople

Domestic tour operator McKinlay Kidd has launched a collection of experience-led holidays in Scotland and Ireland called Real Encounters, Real People.

The tours take clients to working bakeries, family farms, fishing boats, island breweries and craftspeople keeping traditions alive.

Zoe Davidson, McKinlay Kidd managing director, said: “There’s a version of Scotland and Ireland that most visitors never quite reach. Real Encounters opens the door to that world.

“These experiences aren’t performed for tourists – they’re lived, and our guests are welcomed into them as friends, not spectators.”

Real Encounters, Real People in Scotland is a seven-night itinerary from £3,750, including B&B accommodation and car hire.

Clients will take a private Scottish bakery class, a guided walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town and a premium tour of a distillery. They will also visit the R&A Golf Museum and take part in a Harris Tweed handbag-making workshop and fly-fishing.

Real Encounters, Real People in Orkney and Shetland is a nine-night holiday from £2,895 including flights and car rental.

Experiences include a private pottery class, private tour of Westray, Shetland pony experience, tour of Lerwick Brewery, a wildlife tour on Unst and Shetland Mussel Farm boat trip.

Real Encounters, Real People in Northern Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way is a 10-night itinerary from £2,650 including a soda breadmaking experience, a cider farm tour, a private Donegal Tweed experience and a private oyster farm experience.

Real Encounters, Real People in Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way is a seven-night tour from £1,395 featuring a sourdough experience, a private woodturning workshop, weaving and pottery experiences, lunch at a buffalo farm, a forest foraging experience and a VIP visit to the House of Waterford Crystal.