About
Explore heritage within a broad cultural landscape.
Why choose Picturesque Travel?
We are experts in 18th and 19th century cultural and social history.
Our tours add depth and a sense of discovery to Scotland’s rich artistic and historical landscape. We believe that heritage is best understood within a broad cultural setting.
The name, Picturesque Travel, is derived from RL Stevenson’s delightful impressions of Victorian Edinburgh: Edinburgh: Picturesque Notes (1878). It evokes an aesthetic ideal which inspired 18th century travellers and embodies a way of thinking, enabling us to look more closely, think more deeply and find a joy in discovery.
We invite you to discover Scotland’s art and history with us, as participants as much as recipients. We strive to stimulate your curiosity by making fascinating connections with paintings, place, portraits and people – and the climate and ideas which formed them.
Our goal is to inform – but also inspire. We encourage you to look again, ask questions and re-experience your surroundings with enlightened eyes.
What we do
Picturesque Travel offers expert-led guided tours that explore Scotland’s art, history, and architecture through a cultural lens.
The tours we offer fall into three main types:
Highlights Tours – Gallery-based introductions to Scotland’s finest collections, from portraits to landscapes.
In Context Tours – Combined gallery and walking tours linking art to the cityscape that inspired it.
Bespoke Tours – Tailored private tours shaped around your interests, from fine art and architecture to local history.
Every experience is designed to be educational, imaginative, and reflective – blending rigorous historical insight with storytelling and conversation. We take our tours to art galleries and city streets alike. We explore hidden corners with context and conversation, bringing places to life.
Who we are
Picturesque Travel was founded by Alastair Learmont, a cultural and social historian with wide experience as a guide and educator.
Founder and Tour Guide
Tour Guide
Our expert-led tours are
Educational
Grounded in expert knowledge of history and heritage.
Engaging
Interactive experiences designed for curious minds.
Personal
Small group settings that allow for flexibility and authentic connection.