Meet Tess

Tess is a four-year-old Whippollie (Whippet × Border Collie) who came into my life from near Lockerbie when she was just six months old. From the moment we met, she made it clear she had one mission in life – to make friends with absolutely everyone.

She genuinely believes every person, every dog and, quite possibly, every passing squirrel is a potential pal. If you’ve stopped to say hello, you’ve probably already been adopted. If you’ve got a dog, even better – she’ll be doing her very best to persuade them that a game of chase is the finest idea anyone has ever had, and if you don’t want to play, she will steal your ball and make you chase her. She is an exotess missile black and tan in colour.

Built with the speed of a Whippet and the stamina of a Border Collie, in her head she is Thunderpaws Dark Shadow. Tess is equally happy racing along a beach, exploring woodland trails, wandering through historic villages or curling up for a well-earned snooze after a day of adventures.

M & Tess Tour Scotland isn’t just about places to visit – it’s Scotland seen through the eyes of a curious, enthusiastic dog who never met a stranger and thinks every day should include a new adventure, a new friend and, if she’s lucky, a biscuit or, better, a sausage.

Meet M

Hi, I’m M, and together with Tess I’ll be exploring Scotland one adventure at a time.

I’ve always believed that the best journeys aren’t about racing from one famous landmark to the next. They’re about taking the scenic road, wandering into places you’ve never heard of, chatting to local people, finding a cracking café, and discovering the stories that make a place special.

Photography has been a lifelong passion, and these days you’ll usually find me carrying a camera, looking for that perfect combination of light, landscape and history. Whether it’s an ancient harbour at sunrise, a forgotten railway, a village with a fascinating past or simply a great view from the top of a hill, I love capturing Scotland as it really is.

Good food is another essential part of any trip. From a bacon roll in a local café to fresh seafood by the coast or a hidden bakery you’ve never heard of, I’ll happily travel for a recommendation that’s worth sharing, and not a deep fried mars bar ir pizza crunch in sight, though there could be an occasional fish supper shared with the daft dug, and a famous Scottish ice-cream or two.

I also have a fascination with history. Scotland is full of remarkable stories, many hiding in plain sight. Every ruined castle, old railway, abandoned mill or quiet village has a tale to tell, and if we can uncover a few of those along the way, all the better.

After many years working in emergency services, I now have the opportunity to slow the pace a little and enjoy the country I’ve called home all my life. This channel and website are about sharing that journey—not as a travel expert, but simply as someone who loves getting out, exploring and hopefully encouraging others to do the same.

So grab a proper coffee—or, even better, a real milkshake or an old-fashioned ice cream float if you can find one—bring the dog if you’ve got one, and come along for the ride. Scotland has plenty more to discover, and we’re only just getting started.