Hugh’s spare time was spent hill-walking on the tracks, byways and drove roads, learning about the flora and fauna of the area from his father. In this way he built up knowledge of the prettiest glens, the best views, the most inspiring waterfalls, and the ruined castles and towers with the blackest of legends.

 The degree Hugh studied for, at the historic Glasgow University, included Geography, Geology and Scottish History. His early career included work for a couple of different Scottish Tourist Boards, and he later became a senior manager in Cultural and leisure services, for local government in the Highlands.

This meant that he had responsibility for developing and promoting heritage and tourism; and the 1980’s and 1990’s saw Hugh gaining a string of prestigious awards for good practice. He also wrote several publications on walks, car-tours, and the geology; natural history; and myths and legends of the Highlands.

At the turn of the millennium he chose to take employment with the charity “The National Trust for Scotland”, managing both Brodie Castle and Culloden Battlefield for them. It was also during this period that he realised the long-held dream of becoming a fully-fledged author.

He has now written three acclaimed books. The first book, “Roots of Stone” is an easy-to-read journey through the last 2,000 years of Scottish history. The next work, “Rivers Running Far “looks at the emigration of the Scots to America and Australia. His most recent book “Culloden Tales” has become a popular buy, and as well as outlining the role that each of the clans played at that tragic battle, the book also tells the other tales and stories relating to the Inverness area. Researching these books has also developed his ability to undertake genealogy and archive searches for other people.

In the last few years Hugh has delighted in showing visitors around his beloved Highlands, and has now left “the National Trust for Scotland” in order to concentrate on guiding full-time. His background in history and landscape combines perfectly with his lively sense of humour, skill as a storyteller and his knowledge of the area. A true Highlander, he is waiting to share his culture with you.

Graham Hercus

Born in Aberdeen, he was brought up there and in the Kingdom of Fife at Burntisland before going on to take a degree course at Edinburgh Napier University.

He decided to shun “Business IT” in favour of the far more enjoyable existence of guiding young groups of backpackers on extended Highland tours. More than just a touring experience, Graham stayed with the passengers and often introduced them to pursuits in the Highlands which they would otherwise have missed.

During this period, his already good knowledge of our country and its history further developed and while many guides only have a general knowledge, Graham made it his business to get to know the local people during his travels and this has permitted him to include, within his already dynamic narration, some fascinating aspects as to how the grander Scottish historic pageant impacted on tiny communities and individuals. Want to see where musket shot hit stones near Boleskine, Graham will show you? Want the mythology surrounding old Gaelic place names, Graham will enthral you?

A few years ago Graham suddenly realised that living in Edinburgh and guiding people into the Highlands meant that he was spending his quality time in a city environment and his working life in the northern paradise! Why not move north and live in that wonderful environment he was normally just driving through?

Initially he and a partner ran tours aimed at young people and visiting Loch Ness, Glen Affric and Glen Shiel, but the administration involved in this type of business impinged heavily on his spare time. He wanted to be golfing, hiking, sailing and fishing in his spare time, not spending it answering the phone and producing tax returns.

In 2008 he moved into more exclusive guiding with an eight passenger VW, which is also equipped with disabled ramps. And he (and all his immediate family!) is extremely happy to have Inverness Tours dealing with huge chunks of his admin.

Graham categorises his guiding as history, mystery, heritage and humour. With folklore and local mythology a great strength complimenting the history of Scotland.

While Graham is well able to guide people from all walks of life, his strengths are in the introduction of the Highlands to younger groups.

Graham’s tours will be ideally suited to groups of students or young people wishing to incorporate outdoor activities, hill walking, white-water rafting, dinghy sailing, fun-yaking, paint-balling, quad bikes, surfing, archery and clay shooting … all arranged through qualified and fully insured third party contacts. He can also organised golfing itineraries and extended walking in Skye and the Cairngorms.

Initially we are offering Graham for seven and eight passenger groups, but we are also developing a series of tours specifically to exploit his talents and expertise.