Meet the PerryGolf Concierge Drivers: Angus McIntosh

PerryGolf’s Concierge Drivers play an essential part in any Customized or Escorted Tour. They fill many roles during your trip abroad – from recommending restaurants to sharing nuggets of local history and culture while also making certain every part of the Tour from the airport to the hotel to the first tee runs smoothly on schedule. This post is the second in an ongoing series, during which we’ll profile the devoted, diligent Concierge Drivers who help PerryGolf guests: Play the Game. See the World.

(Learn more about PerryGolf Concierge Driver Neil Cruickshank)

Angus McIntosh didn’t anticipate embarking on a second career as a PerryGolf Concierge Driver and Cruise host. Now, a decade into these roles, he finds it difficult to imagine life without the guests met and tours led.

A native of Islay, Scotland, McIntosh spent 30 years as a Police Inspector in Glasgow and the town of Oban, on the country’s west coast. Upon retirement at age 48, he filled his days in the usual manner, spending time with his family and playing rounds of golf at The Bishopbriggs Golf Club – which he joined at age 10, and where today he resides 400 yards away from the clubhouse. One day after a round, he became aware of PerryGolf during a conversation. He made contact with the company and shortly thereafter began helping on cruises and meeting guests at the airport.

“I really wasn’t looking for a job,” McIntosh said in a recent phone interview from Scotland, where he’s enjoyed the warm, dry summer. “I like the freedom to deliver each tour as what I see as my way of doing it. There’s a template in place and a generic way of doing it but the company realizes that each person is an individual and has their own way of doing it. I like to give the people a bit of general information about the places that we’re going to.”

McIntosh honed his skills dealing with people during his long, successful career on the police force. Obviously the tenor of a PerryGolf trip is much different than what’s required on the beat, but his experience making decisions and organizing large groups of people can come in handy as he shepherds guests on their journey in a safe, timely manner. 

“The whole thing is about a worry-free holiday for the guests,” he said. “We’re there to push them in the right direction. As drivers, we provide a pretty unique experience, a concierge service on the road, similar to a concierge in the hotel.”

At the trip’s outset, McIntosh tries to understand the desires of a group. Perhaps it consists of four couples and they are interested in fine dining and sightseeing. Or maybe, it’s a group of eight men focused solely on the golf and unconcerned with historical landmarks or upscale restaurants. Some guests simply want to become immersed in the local community and culture during their holiday. Regardless, possessing intimate knowledge of his native land enables McIntosh to ensure their needs are met. 

On a recent assignment, McIntosh led PerryGolf’s Best of Scotland Escorted Tour. He speaks fondly of the concentration of championship courses available in golf’s homeland and requiring minimal travel or transfer of accommodations. Where else, McIntosh asks, can a golfer have a game at epic links such as St. Andrews, Troon, Turnberry, Carnoustie and Prestwick in a five-day span and spend only four or five hours in transit, traveling comfortably, of course, in a PerryGolf VIP Coach.

Rightfully proud of his homeland, McIntosh loves St. Andrews, however, his favorite area is the Scottish Highlands, an area ripe with beauty and rich with mystical bucket list destinations around Inverness, such as Nairn, Cruden Bay and Royal Dornoch – which tops the list of none other than Tom Watson, five times champion of The Open.

“From a driver’s point of view it’s very picturesque and there are a couple of beautiful detours you can take if the golfers are interested,” he said. “Getting about up there is also pretty easy.”

McIntosh and PerryGolf co-founder Colin Dalgleish depart Aug. 8th on the Baltic Sea Golf Cruise. McIntosh helped host guests on PerryGolf’s first voyage to this beautiful corner of the world two years ago and looks forward to returning because of the hospitality received at Gorki GC in St. Petersburg, Russia and throughout the region. He’s proud to play a role in helping these cruises run smoothly, from shuttling clubs to the course where they await the golfers on their arrival from the ship to ensuring each golfer returns to Azamara Journey within a comfortable time frame after the round, so each can embrace the area’s sights and scenes alongside their partner or other guests.

Land or sea, tour or cruise, Scotland or Scandinavia, building relationships with PerryGolf guests remains the common thread. Like many Concierge Drivers, he remains in regular contact with guests who have become friends through regular correspondence or return trips to the U.K.

“You get to know them quite well on a personal basis and you get to be quite friendly with them,” he said. “You want them to go back and tell everybody so they send people back to our country to experience what they have as well.”

Listening to McIntosh, 58, it’s obvious he’s found the ideal occupation for this stage in life.

“If I left PerryGolf I’d probably retire properly,” he said with a laugh. “I get along well with the staff. Once you’re out on the road you’re left to your own. It’s not like they’re calling every two or three minutes to check on you. For me it’s been a great experience. It’s nothing I thought I would ever do. I’m in no great hurry to throw in the towel just now.”

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Nairn Golf Club, Nairn, Scotland

Nairn Golf Club, Nairn, Scotland 
Nairn Golf Club is nestled on the shores of the Moray Firth less than 20 miles northeast of Inverness.
Like so many of Scotland’s most respected courses, it’s a descendant of Old Tom Morris and James Braid. Read more “Nairn Golf Club, Nairn, Scotland”

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Golf in the Scottish Highlands and Attend The 2014 Ryder Cup

PerryGolf has a proud history of over 20 years delivering innovative and successful programs to the Ryder Cup in Europe.  Previous Ryder Cups have included the fabled ocean liner QE2 to Valderrama in Spain in 1997 followed by a series of small ship charters that sailed the British Isles for links golf and sightseeing combined with attendance to the Matches. What’s next? The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course, and this is one PerryGolf’s trip you don’t want to miss…


The 2014 Ryder Cup is just around the corner!  Although the actual dates aren’t until September 26-28, opportunities for attending are narrowing and golf packages are filling up.  If the addition of famous links golf can complement your visit to Scotland for the Ryder Cup, PerryGolf has a 3 Pre-Ryder Cup packages for consideration that include three nights and three rounds of golf September 21-24:

  1. Turnberry Resort with golf at Turnberry Ailsa, Royal Troon & Prestwick
  2. Kingsmills Hotel (Inverness) with golf at Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart & Nairn
  3. Fairmont St Andrews with golf at the Old Course (Guaranteed), Castle Course, & New Course

But you need to act now, as the Turnberry extension is already sold out and our main Ryder Cup Package is almost full as well!
How would you like to play the same links course the pros played at the 2013 Scottish Open?  Castle Stuart Golf Links is just one of three world famous venues you now have the opportunity to play with PerryGolf’s Pre-Ryder Cup package to the Scottish Highlands.

Scottish Highlands At A Glance:

  • Golfer $2.250 | Non-Golfer $1,195 | Single Supplement $950
  • Three (3) nights’ accommodations in four-star Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness (two sharing)
  • Full Scottish breakfast daily
  • Green fees and starting times for Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn
  • Sightseeing program for non-golfing Guests
  • Transportation throughout by luxury motor coach
  • Welcome cocktail party & dinner
  • Airport transfers on arrival (from Edinburgh Airport)
  • Program management by PerryGolf staff
  • All taxes

Click here for more details about the trip and how to book.

For The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, we are pleased to offer your choice of three packages each of which will operate from the captivating town of St Andrews whose sights, shopping and restaurants will be enjoyed from the comfort and convenience of the five-star Fairmont St Andrews hotel.

Ryder Cup 2014 Ryder Cup Golf Package 1 is the “all in” program, operated from arrival Wednesday 24 September until departure Monday 29 September. Five nights’ accommodation at the Fairmont St Andrews, everyday attendance to the Matches, golf at Kingsbarns on Thursday, complimentary golf on Wednesday at the Fairmont’s Torrance Course, shuttle service to Gleneagles is included and more.

Ryder Cup packages 2014 Ryder Cup Golf Package 2 and 2014 Ryder Cup Golf Package 3 are for those who wish to share their time at the Ryder Cup with additional golf and sightseeing. A limited number of “split” packages are available that provide attendance on Thursday (Final Practice & Opening Ceremony) and Saturday; OR attendance on Friday and Sunday.  Each “split” package provides two rounds golf in St Andrews, Kingsbarns and the Fairmont’s Torrance Course, plus five nights’ accommodation at the Fairmont St Andrews.

For more information about these options and how to book please click here.

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About the Author: Harrison Gould is the Social Media Marketing Manager of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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Castle Stuart Golf Links Receives Impressive Ranking

Castle Stuart Golf Links, the new home of the 2011 Barclays Scottish Open, is now officially rated as the 56th best Golf Course in the World.  The official rankings by the US based GOLF MAGAZINE were released this week on the ‘front9’ app with Castle Stuart being the highest-ranking debut on the World list. Following on from its success as host venue to the recently played Barclays Scottish Open, Castle Stuart’s reputation continues to spread worldwide.  Perfect location and the courses in the highlands are a must play on a trip to North of Scotland; Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn are some of many worth the trip to the area.

By Denise McKee.  Denise has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team.

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Royal Golf Hotel receives Top Honour

Royal Golf Hotel
Royal Golf Hotel

At the recent Golf Tourism Scotland awards ceremony, The Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch was named the ‘Hotel of the Year’ in the large hotel category.  After some extensive refurbishment and under new ownership, the hotel re-opened in April 2010.  Overlooking the first tee at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, the hotel is ideally located for golf in the Highlands.  Royal Dornoch, Brora, Tain, Golspie, Castle Stuart, and Nairn are all within striking distance and all come highly recommended.  Click here for more information.

By Gary Sheppard.  Gary has been with PerryGolf for over 4 years and is a one of our Golf Travel Specialists.

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