I hired Mike for the day and we did some lowland navigation skills training in Northumberland around Bamburgh. A really useful and enjoyable day out..Mike is a very good instructor and teaches navigation skills to the army so is very accurate and clear as well as being great company. Highly recommended.

Group hillwalking led by Mike from Thistle Stop Tours. Excellent planning and coordination. Very knowledgeable guide with tailored trips suitable for groups of all levels of ability. Very highly recommended.

Me and my wife took a day trip to Edinburgh post lockdown. Whilst there we came across Thistle Stop Tours and the idea of a sunset picnic on Arthur’s seat sounded amazing. Not only did our guide provide us with some great snacks (and a wee whisky) but I never knew about the detail of history around Holyrood Park. We had a fascinating time and learnt so much, we were even given pointers about where we could eat and visit; this was invaluable considering how difficult it is to work out what is open post lockdown. Thanks again Mike and hope to visit again soon.

A really nice tour with our guide Juliette. A little extra of toture chamber for my 50!th birthday🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💕

Having wanted to do a tour like this for ages, I finally got round to booking it and I'm pleased to report that Mike did not disappoint. I had been concerned that my 2 boys would find it a little dull (having surgically removed them from the ps4) but Mike managed to keep them engaged for the entire tour. His knowledge is outstanding, and he was incredibly attentive, he really makes you feel like you are in safe hands. Be sure to ask him about the ghost of the old man..its quite the story!! I really can't recommend this tour enough. I for one am hoping to book another tour with Mike really soon.

My German family and I came on a history walking tour of the Old Town. We were delighted to get our own private tour, and with a German speaking guide, no less. Some of us are really into their history and have very specific interests, and one person has mobility issues, but our guide adapted the tour so that we all got something out of it, we learned a lot and had some laughs along the way. The weather was quite "authentic", as our guide put it, but the Royal Mile was far too interesting to get grumpy. You'd never expect to find so many little spots and anecdotes hidden in the closes. I highly recommend Thistle Stop Tours to anyone wanting an overview of Edinburgh's history or a deep dive into specific topics. The guides are competent and accommodating, we felt that they listened to what we wanted throughout the booking process and the tour itself. It was a great experience overall, we'll surely be back to do the New Town tour on our next visit.

Who would have thought you can hardly take 2 steps down the Royal Mile without becoming immersed in all sorts of interesting historical events and factoids. Really interesting tour with a very knowledgeable guide. I learned a lot and was fascinated by it. Now if only I could remember half of what was covered!

We had the pleasure to have Mike as our guide for the three peak challenge, and we are very thankful because without him we wouldn't make it! I extremely recommend him, very experienced guide and for sure at the end of your tour, you will gain some survival skills!

I had never done anything quite like this challenge - 3 biggest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland in 24 hours. It was tough (800 flights of stairs climbed in 24 hours) and some of the worst weather conditions I have ever hiked in (poor visibility and rainy ++). Mike was a fantastic guide - motivating, ultra prepared and supportive. When the weather was awful he took as on alternative routes to the peak. Similarly he adjusted the routes on the way down as my knee was playing up, so we took the gentle descent. The hike would not have been possible without him. Very grateful and would 100% recommend him.

My family and I were visiting Edinburgh and had no idea where to start. We booked onto the Close Encounter tour and it was absolutely brilliant! The combination of enthusiastic story telling and education was spot on and who would have known the Royal Mile had so many hidden secrets. Thankyou one again.

Mike guided myself and a friend up Ben More and Stob Binnein; an 8 hour day hike - we couldn't have wished for a friendlier, knowledgeable or more competent guide. Even though the conditions were extremely windy with rain for the duration of the hike, Mike made the whole day a supremely fun outing - from sharing advice and tips on navigation to explaining about the local flora and fauna en route. Mike not only brings experience and confidence to the experience, but does it with a good sense of humour. I wouldn't hesitate to be guided again by Thistle Stop Tours and Mike, and would recommend their services wholeheartedly for either a small or large group. A 10/10 day on the hills.