Gary Saddler — Founder of Caledonia Private Travel
After a long and successful career as a management consultant and executive leader, Gary Saddler decided it was time for a new chapter. He had spent decades working with major organisations — including IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Nationwide Building Society, Barclays, Legal & General, and BT — specialising in customer service and customer experience. His work took him across industries, but the common thread was always the same: understanding people, anticipating their needs, and designing experiences that felt effortless.
When Gary retired, he expected to enjoy a quieter life. But after six months, he realised he wasn’t ready to step away from meaningful work — he simply wanted to step away from the corporate world. What he truly wanted was a career that combined everything he knew about exceptional service with everything he loved about Scotland: its history, its landscapes, and its people.
So he retrained as a tour guide. And he hasn’t looked back.
From the beginning, Gary knew he didn’t want to follow the traditional model used by most private tour companies. Rather than operating with a small, fixed fleet of vehicles, he wanted the flexibility to serve couples, families, and larger groups with the same level of comfort and attention. That’s why he chose to partner with Executive Transfer Scotland, an established executive transport company with a diverse fleet — from BMW executive saloons to Mercedes V‑Class vehicles and luxury Sprinter minibuses.
This partnership allows Gary to design tours around the guest, not the vehicle. It means every journey can be tailored, every group can be accommodated, and every experience can be delivered with the level of quality he believes Scotland’s visitors deserve.
Today, Gary brings together his corporate expertise, his passion for storytelling, and his deep love of Scotland to create travel experiences that feel personal, thoughtful, and truly memorable. Caledonia Private Travel is the result — a company built on service, shaped by experience, and driven by a genuine desire to share Scotland at its very best.
Doing Things, Differently
At Caledonia Private Travel, we believe that exceptional journeys begin with exceptional foundations. That’s why we’ve partnered with Executive Transfer Scotland, one of Scotland’s leading executive transport specialists. This collaboration allows us to offer a level of comfort, flexibility, and reliability that goes far beyond the standard tour experience.
Rather than working with a single vehicle type or a fixed capacity, we curate every journey around your group, your pace, and your style of travel. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, with family, or as part of a larger group, we match you with the perfect vehicle for your experience.
Our fleet includes:
- Executive saloons such as the BMW 5 Series and BMW 7 Series — ideal for couples or travellers who prefer a refined, discreet journey
- Mercedes V‑Class — spacious, elegant, and perfect for families or small groups
- 8‑passenger luxury Mercedes Sprinter minibuses — comfort and space for larger parties
- 16‑seater luxury Mercedes Sprinter minibuses — ideal for extended families, corporate groups, or special celebrations
This range means we can shape each tour around what matters most to you: comfort, privacy, and the freedom to explore Scotland at your own rhythm.
It’s not just transport — it’s the foundation of a seamless, elevated travel experience designed entirely around you.
