John Harbour

John spent a career spanning more than 3 decades in the Royal Navy as a former Commanding Officer, Deputy Head of European Union Logistics, Head of Information and Media Operations to the global fleet of Royal Naval Commanding Officers, Member of the Ministry of Defence Strategic Influence group, amongst many other roles. One of his most intriguing appointments, was to be the Spokesman for the European Union’s Anti-Piracy force off Somalia where he saw at first-hand how Pirates operated and their changing strategies to prevent world powers from closing down their operations/businesses. At times, he had direct contact with the Pirates themselves, an unnerving experience for a military man.

John retired from the world of global defence and combat 8 years ago to pursue a more leisurely career. Combining his passion and great interest in history and travel, particularly that of Scotland and Scottish history, John now runs a successful Tour Guiding company based in Helensburgh.

Exclusive Scottish Visits was launched in 2012. A tourism business combining the organisation of bespoke, unique tours of Scotland, to global visitors, delivered with factual, historical, whimsical and, occasionally, humorous talks on Scotland, its people and the more intriguing places to visit. In the last 8 years, John has travelled all over Scotland, visiting those places where history was made and connecting with a multitude of businesses and individuals that make up Scotland’s tourism industry as well as working with a large number of foreign visitors.

With the occurrence of the global pandemic Covid 19, calling a halt to all things tourism for the foreseeable future, the concept of Unique Scotland was born, providing Exclusive Scottish Visits a sibling company, with its main aim to bring Scottish tours and educational talks on Scotland to the world. If the world cannot travel to Scotland, then Unique Scotland will bring this wonderful country to the world.