DMC Collection | Europe
McKinlay Kidd
About McKinlay Kidd
McKinlay Kidd are a specialist tour operator that offers holidays made differently around the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Founded in 2003 by husband-and-wife team Robert Kidd and Heather McKinlay, McKinlay Kidd is now an employee-owned company, with a team of around 20 based in their central Glasgow office. They have offered holidays to Scotland since the very beginning and have added Ireland in 2010, England in 2016, Wales in late 2018, and the Channel Islands in 2021.
They specialise in tailor-made holidays for the discerning traveller, including self-drive, fly-drive, train-touring trips, and small-group guided tours.
Their unique approach to creating holidays has won awards, including AITO’s Gold (2023) and Silver (2024) ‘Tour Operator of the Year’, and The Telegraph Travel’s ‘Best Specialist Tour Operator’ in 2023 and runner-up in 2025. They have received over 1,000 AITO reviews, independently submitted by customers, with an overall rating of 100%. All of their holidays are fully financially protected. All holidays are covered by an ABTOT insurance bond.
To discover more about McKinlay Kidd’s unique journeys and commitment to sustainable travel, visit their website.
Unique & Special Experiences
Castles & Special Stays
📌 Scotland
Sometimes you just want to treat yourself to that little extra piece of luxury. The UK and Ireland are home to some truly spectacular properties, and we have the insider knowledge of which is the right choice for you. In Scotland, travel across a rickety bridge to a private island hotel appointed with every luxury – perfect for a secluded getaway.
If you would like to stay in a real, traditional castle, we can suggest a few that might fit the bill, including a baronial estate in Aberdeenshire and a stay in Ireland’s fascinating Burren region alongside many others, with extensive grounds and sumptuous cuisine available in them all.
Jacobite Steam Train Tours
📌 Scotland
Spanning 82 miles of remarkable Scottish Highland scenery, it is little wonder that a trip on the Jacobite steam train is a ‘bucket-list’ experience for so many people.
Step back in time from the second you board, allowing yourself to be whisked back into the sooty Victorian age, relaxing in your well appointed as the train chugs along the tracks. We will always aim to place you in first-class comfort – all you need to do is watch the landscape unfold around you.
Whiskey Tour
📌 Scotland
In Scotland it is whisky, in Ireland it is whiskey – no matter which you prefer, the countless distilleries found in each country has its own distinctive twist. We have spent years touring them all, so we know the best tours and nearby accommodation to tailor a trip to your interest.
Whether you are a newbie looking to discover more about the ‘water of life’ or regard yourself as something of a connoisseur, we can arrange a trip for you. If you have an interested group of six or more, we can also include the services of a driver/guide – just let us know.