About Us - SatNavTours.comMuch to my anguish I was told that an “About Us” page should be about the team and me and NOT about “Us the Scots”. On reflection many distinguished authors, historians and philosophers have tried to write about the Scots and the only conclusion reached is that we are different and the world would be a boring place if we were all the same. We shall continue to remain an enigma like our Loch Ness Monster. You the visitor can judge us. Though different we have much in common with others, we have successfully created a Scottish diaspora throughout the world. Yes I am one of them, a Scot, born and bred in Glasgow, but like so many I packed my bags to settle afar and came back regularly for holidays while an IT consultant, resident in South Africa. I am sentimental about the land of my birth, but having lived amongst other cultures, I have developed a different perspective of Scotland and as a result a shared empathy with the issues that visitors may have for the country. Having visited other countries I find we often come up awfully short in comparisons. We lack co-ordination between the private sector, the public sector and non-governmental bodies. I was surprised to find that many of Scotland’s Councils have tucked away somewhere on their websites the word “Tourism”. That’s where you pay your council tax not look for a tourist location. We are inflexible about our opening hours. How can I say that? We have some of the most complicated opening hours imaginable in some tourist destinations. Is that not showing flexibility? But we must ask ourselves for whom is this arrangement suitable, the operator or the visitor? So, once upon a time not long ago I decided a website that showed the best side of Scotland was needed. One where I could put some of my IT skills to use in doing something I felt was necessary rather than what a client thought was necessary, something that would keep me occupied in retirement and be able to fulfil the wish my wife and I discussed about “doing Scotland” properly one day. Well that was the starting point of a long uphill learning experience as website development is different from systems development. There’s that different word again! And you are reading the result. As for the team, well it is family and friends all with an enduring faith in my vision and patience in listening to me go on about software issues. You will get to know them more in time and you will find tips throughout the website where we identify with our visitors and their frustrations when dealing with these Scots who are different but stubbornly won’t acknowledge our similarities. Lookout for our section on Assistance – Touring and Planning. Now enjoy your trip round our website as a teaser to the real thing. Happy Touring and Best Wishes Bob McCreight |