Paul McLean, co-owner of MCLEANSCOTLAND talks to a guest – Whisky News
Paul
Paul McLean co – owner of MCLEANSCOTLAND talks to a guest on tour recently
What was your first tour? for friends from USA. Och many years ago, they wanted a tour where they wouldnee have to drive on the wrong side of the road, I obliged!
Do you like what you do? aye! I get paid for enjoying myself in my own fantastic country! What better?
Who is your hero? My Dad (sadly departed).
What keeps you going? well many things really, it’s my job and only income, I have to make a living somehow so may as well do something I love doing. The love of the job keeps me going, showing people my country and not least; Liz keeps me going! A slave driver so she is!!!
What is your favourite part of Scotland? aye a hard one as its all brilliant. I would say definitely the west coast.
Who or what is your “big thing in life”? er, that’s a hard one to admit to. I would say two things – a person and my country! Say no more.
You have tattoo’s that we have seen, what are they? right arm; clan crest and Liverpool & Celtic, referring to my two football teams and my clan. Left arm, a Scottish thistle and Dalriada, and “sons of Kilkenny” for my mum.
Yes that’s another question – what is your accent? another hard one, half Irish, half Scottish and half Scouse, work that one out! I have lived in England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
We see you with a pipe band, what do you play? nothing, they won’t let me near any pipes or drums! They made me the band manager because I have got them some gigs and take care of the coaches, ferries and any hotels needed. I am not the manager any more, the band got a new Pipe Major, he does all that himself now, but I still go to all major band events when possible.
Where are your family? Mum and Stuart are in Liverpool, Scott is in Wirral. In laws and outlaws are all over the place, mainly Ireland. My Dad is drinking whisky on a cloud with others (the angels share). He fought in WWII in Burma, he was a special forces Chindit. He survived the war only to be killed at work in Liverpool in an explosion. He was a carpenter my Dad. Dad was a McLean, Mum is a Daley.
Ah yes, is that why you do Irish tours? Aye, I love taking tours in Ireland, so different from Scotland, but still Celtic!
Is it true you only offer whisky tours now? No not at all, only recently we had numerous tours for couples, wee and large groups, not dedicated to whisky, we do everything here!
But you do like a dram? Oh yes, several to be honest, I can’t do whisky tours properly without some research can I? Scotland has over 100 distilleries, whereas Ireland has 5 or 6 you can actually get into – at the moment, watch this space!
What do you keep as sacred? My special friends, my country, my Dad my mum and boys. And a few special bottles of whisky I have hidden away!
Paul’s guest (Finland) saw an interview with Paul a while back and wished to add on some questions.
