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We bought Celtic Routes in 2020 – right in the middle of Covid, when the UK and Ireland were being rediscovered in a completely new way. It felt like the right moment to build something more personal, more considered, and more connected to these places.
What drew us in was simple: a love of the journey itself. Driving quiet coastal roads, finding small places to stay, lingering over great food, discovering a distillery you hadn’t planned to visit – and realising those are the moments that stay with you.
We’d travelled these routes for years – sometimes for work, often for pleasure – and we kept coming back to the same idea: that the best trips aren’t rushed or pre-packaged, but shaped around the person taking them.
That’s what Celtic Routes became. Not a tour company in the traditional sense, but a way of sharing places we know deeply – with the time, care and attention they deserve.
We’re still hands-on. You might hear from Graham about a route he’s just driven, or a new place he thinks you’ll love. Alexia may personally check over your plans before you travel. Because every journey matters – and we want it to feel that way.
That way of travelling – unhurried, thoughtful, and shaped around the individual – still defines everything we do today.
Our purpose, values and vision – and how they shape
every journey we create.
our purpose
To help people fall in love with the UK and Ireland the way we have – slowly, deeply, and with a genuine connection to place, people and landscape.
our values
We take the time to get things right – shaping each journey through real conversations, first-hand knowledge, and carefully chosen places to stay. From handpicked hotels to unique stays and experiences we’d recommend to our own friends, everything we suggest has been chosen with care.
our vision
To be the trusted experts for travellers who want to experience the UK and Ireland with depth, style and genuine local insight – creating journeys that feel personal, unhurried and truly their own.
Real people, with real experience of the places you’ll travel through – from Scotland’s most iconic destinations to Ireland’s hidden routes and the quieter corners of Wales. No scripts, no call centres – just genuine knowledge, thoughtful planning, and a shared love of the UK and Ireland.
Every member of the team has travelled the routes we recommend – often many times over. We know how a place changes with the seasons, when it’s worth taking the longer road, and where to go when you want to step away from the obvious.
That experience shapes every journey we design. Whether it’s finding the right place to stay, suggesting a quieter route, or pointing you towards something you might otherwise miss, we’re here to help you experience these places in a way that feels personal and well considered.
hannah barnwell
Hannah grew up in the Lake District and has a big love for the outdoors – she enjoys walking the fells and isn’t put off by the weather, often ending up hiking in the rain! She now lives by the wonderful beaches in the North-East of England.
Hannah has been working in the travel industry for 10 years which has brought many amazing opportunities her way.
Loves: Historic sites, whisky tastings, connecting people with place
leigh rafferty
Leigh was born in Glasgow but spent a lot of time moving around, from Inverness to North Devon! She currently lives in Derbyshire on a narrowboat with her partner, cat Peggy and rescue dog Jeanie. She loves spending her weekends out walking in the Peak District and combining it with a cosy pub that shows football, then she’s double happy!
Leigh spent the previous five years before joining Celtic Routes working in group travel, looking after choirs, orchestras and bands to travel the world and perform in amazing venues. She has always been passionate about what we have to offer in the UK and loves nothing more than exploring new places and trying local specialities, be that food and drink, music, history or walking routes.
Behind every journey – beyond the people you’ll speak to – is a small team making sure everything comes together exactly as it should. From confirming your stays to coordinating the finer details of your route, it’s this team turning a plan into something that runs smoothly from start to finish.
They’re closely involved in every booking – checking, refining and keeping everything on track. It’s a hands-on role, and one they take seriously, because the details matter. From the moment you arrive to the final day of your trip, they’re working quietly in the background so everything feels seamless.
We make time to experience these journeys for ourselves. Not as a one-off, but as an ongoing part of what we do – returning to places, revisiting routes and seeing how they feel in different seasons.
This might mean exploring some of the most scenic drives in Scotland, staying at the hotels we recommend, and taking part in the experiences along the way – whether that’s a behind-the-scenes whisky tasting, a sheepdog demonstration in the hills, or simply spending time in places that rarely make it into the guidebooks.
That first-hand experience shapes every recommendation we make. It’s how we know what’s worth your time, what to suggest – and what to leave out – so your journey feels considered, personal and entirely your own.
For us, the vehicle is part of the experience – not just how you get from one place to the next, but how the journey feels along the way.
We’ve always been drawn to Land Rovers and Range Rovers for that reason. They’re comfortable over long distances, capable on the kinds of roads you’ll often find in more remote parts of the UK and Ireland, and give you the confidence to explore a little further when something catches your eye.
Many of our journeys naturally lend themselves to relaxed, self-drive 4×4 tours – giving you the freedom to travel at your own pace, while knowing everything behind the scenes has been carefully planned.
Alongside our Land Rover journeys, we also offer the stylish Range Rover Evoque and a small collection of premium Minis. These allow for a different kind of self-drive holiday – one that suits those who prefer something more compact without giving up comfort or character.
Our VehiclesWe believe the best way to experience the UK and Ireland is through a more sustainable approach to travel: go slowly, stay longer, and take the time to really understand a place – not just pass through it.
That often means choosing smaller roads over faster ones, independent businesses over big chains, and places that feel lived-in rather than simply visited – whether that’s a family-run hotel where breakfast is sourced just down the road, or a guide whose knowledge comes from a lifetime in the landscape.
This approach to sustainable travel naturally supports local communities, spreads the benefits of tourism more widely, and helps protect the character of the landscapes you’ve come to experience – offering a more considered alternative to more traditional, less eco-friendly holidays.
It’s not about ticking boxes or making grand claims. It’s about travelling thoughtfully, making considered choices, and leaving each place exactly as you found it – or better, in ways that ensure it can be experienced by others for years to come.
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