Meet Our Team

The Faces Behind the Magic

Get to know some of the wonderful people who make this all possible!

We’re a small team who work super hard to make sure you love your time in Scotland. Meet some of the people who will be helping you create the incredible memories of your #UltimateScottishAdventure!

  • Neil - MacBackpackers Team
  • Neil - MacBackpackers Team

NEIL

Tour Guide

Neil has more knowledge on Scotland than most books and has been driving travellers around the Highlands for us since 2004. He’s got a hell of a smile and some of the best crafted jokes in the industry and will leave you with more than a few incredible pieces of Scottish trivia to impress your friends with.

FUN FACT: Neil once worked in a call center and after a tour with him you’ll see why! He can talk for ages about everything Scottish. He was also once an extra in the Bob Roy film!

MARK

Tour Guide

Mark’s raucous laugh and sharp wit are the hallmarks of one of his fantastic tours. Whether he’s scurrying up a hill or manoeuvring his bus through the windy roads of the Highlands, Mark will never miss an opportunity for a well timed pun. If you’re going on tour with him make sure to bring your singing voice, he’s a massive fan of tour bus karaoke!

FUN FACT: Mark is trained to fly jets but chooses to drive backpackers and travellers from around the world to the Scottish Highlands instead!

  • Mark - MacBackpackers Team
  • Stewart - Meet the Team
  • Stewart - Meet the Team

STEWART

Tour Guide

Stewart is our enigmatic leader tour guide that nobody knows too much about. He grew up in small farming village and is a bit of bibliomaniac, with most of his evenings spent reading after a day showing travellers around Scotland. His love of dogs is surpassed only by his love of making latecomers sing in front of the bus… so make sure you’re on time! He may look a bit mean but we know that’s just a facade and he’s really very sweet.

FUN FACT: Stewart’s Roman Empire is ancient civilisations.

MARK

Tour Guide

Mark is the newest member of the MaccyB’s team and already one of the most chatty (no mean feat in this office.) Before being becoming a tour guide Mark was driving for Lothian buses, but after some time in the city he’s decided to use his great chat and love of Scotland out on the road with us. Mark’s a keen pilot and was in aviation for 17 years based in London and Edinburgh, before settling back in Auld Reekie. He simply couldn’t resist the pull of Bonnie Scotland while living down South and we’re so glad he decided to join the team!

FUN FACT: Mark has travelled to over 65 countries, a record in our office!

  • Mark - Meet the Team
  • Branka - MacBackpackers team
  • Branka - MacBackpackers team

BRANKA

Tour Manager & Occasional Guide

She may sound Scottish, but Branka is actually from Slovenia! When Branka isn’t dressing up in ridiculous outfits or riding her motorbike, she can be found raising money for Lothian Cat Rescue. Her big personality and chaotic tour style are a big hit with all of our customers, so much so that she won the Tour Driver of the Month Award for May 2024 on TourRadar from a selection of over 5000 guides! Branka is our youngest ever Tour Manager!

FUN FACT: Branka is a member of the Harley Davidson Club and you can hear her bike from miles away. She also went to school with Scotland’s sweetheart Lewis Capaldi!

JODIE

Marketing Manager

Born in Glasgow but destined for the mountains! Jodie is a sensitive soul who values deep connection with nature and the people around her. After quitting the corporate world in 2024 to ‘find herself’ in Asia and South America, Jodie finally settled in Edinburgh where she can be closer to family and friends. Her childhood summers were spent camping in Scotland with her dad and sister… or playing around on Microsoft Paint when the weather was bad. With her creative eye and love for Scotland, she feels this job was made for her!

FUN FACT: Jodie is a certified yoga teacher and rock climber in her spare time!

  • Girl in scottish highlands, isle of skye, scotland travel, dramatic scottish landscape
  • Janette - MacBackpackers Team
  • Janette - MacBackpackers Team

JANETTE

Office Manager Extraordinaire

Janette is really the brains of the operation here at MaccyB’s! Everything goes through her and without her careful oversight we’re sure this place wouldn’t be what it is today. From our offices in Edinburgh, Janette ensures our tours run smoothly. She makes sure every query is answered on time and that everyone is taken care of throughout the booking process and beyond. In her spare time Janette enjoys a glass of bubbly and watching one of the many live acts that grace our wonderful city throughout the year.

FUN FACT: Janette can flawlessly perform The Highland Fling and Sword Dance!

OUR PARTNERS

We have been running tours for over 25 years and we’re proud to work with the following partners in the Scottish tourism industry.

Tripadvisor-Logo White
Scotland's Top Hostels Logo White
Visit-Scotland-Logo White
Tour Radar Logo White
JoJo's Hostels