What's In A Driver's Name? Meet Paul Donnachie...

Umbrella: Tell us about a trip where the weather didn’t quite go the way you wanted!
Not so much a story involving an Umbrella, but more a snow-shovel/HGV commercial tractor. I woke up in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos one

"My son was just generally melting passengers hearts..."

On the coach: Can you share any stories about the characters you’ve had on your coach? Funny, or heart-warming?
Oh yes. There’s a clear winning heart warming standout. My then, 6 year old son Frankie, joined me as a 'co-driver' on his first ever trip to Amsterdam. Frankie was on duty from the minute we collected the passengers to the minute we dropped them back home, providing passenger announcements on the microphone, delivering chilled drinks and bottled water from the coach fridge. My son was just generally melting passengers hearts with a friendly smile and positive attitude to Amsterdam and back. Ask the 53 passengers and they’ll echo my words.

No way! Is there anywhere in the World that Caledonian Travel doesn’t travel to, and you’re glad we don’t?  If so, where and why…?
Dubai, United Arab Emirates! I’m convinced that wearing my luminous green Borat-style mankini on the Dubai Palm Beaches would firmly ensure an All-Inclusive buffet dinner at the nearest government facility…!! I'm not a big fan of sandy dessert roads either…I’d be there all night, washing the coach down, in my luminous mankini!

Nicest hotel: Tell us what your favourite Caledonian Travel hotel is, and what’s so good about it?
I am beyond proud and delighted to let everyone know, that The Grand Hotel in Scarborough is the clear winner. Special credit goes to all the team and senior management at The Grand Hotel, for their incredible work in overseeing the recent £1 Million investment, development upgrade and very impressive turnaround to this jaw dropping, historic building.

It's been restored to a firm favourite with everyone, and my weekly guests will concur.

"If I see another roast beef hotel dinner, I'll start crying!"

Appetite: We know all coach drivers need to keep their stomachs full for their journey, but what’s your favourite food? And are there any places to eat that you’d recommend in any of our destinations?
Easy answer to this question. My own, famous, Italian Caprese Driver’s Room Salad, with thickly sliced San Marzano tomatoes, Milano salami, buffalo mozzarella, soft Italian burrata, fresh basil leaves, glazed with balsamic vinegar of Modena. I’m literally living in hotels, every week of my life, so if I see another roast beef hotel dinner (which I know are delicious!), I’ll start crying. Sometimes it’s healthier to create a simple alternative in the hotel room.

Claim to fame: What’s your secret (or not-so-secret) talent?
Perhaps the previous answer was a giveaway. I was trained as a professional chef by Scottish celebrity chef Nick Nairn during my teenage years. Working alongside the likes of Ainsley Harriott and cooking in Australia at Sydney’s award-winning ODEON restaurant for celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Russell Crow, Jeffery Rush and the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard.

Hits: If you could have your playlist blaring out on your coach, what tunes and artists would you include?
I must admit, I’m more of a current affairs or sports radio listener as opposed a music enthusiast. For example, when driving home from the depot on a Friday evening in my red Italian sports car (a.k.a my used ex-Glasgow private hire white Seat Toledo), I will generally tune into BBC News Radio or Talk Sport. With that said, my son Frankie was proudly named, following a short weekend break in Hoboken New Jersey in New York, where Ol' Blue Eyes Sinatra hailed from.

Inspiration: If someone came up to you and asked what the best part of your job was, what would you tell them?
Simple answer. My boss, Martin Macphail. And I’m being serious about that. The level of value, respect, support, loyalty and understanding from Martin and his team back at base, allows me to have the ability to concentrate and focus on my passengers, guests and the plan to deliver another successful Caledonian experience for everyone.

Excellent last question: What one question do you wish we’d asked you today (but didn’t!) and what would your answer have been…?
So, the question would have to be: What ability does a Caledonian Tour Driver have, to ensure guests expectations go from above to beyond…?

And my answer: With 22 years personal experience, Caledonian drivers are managing regular tours on a weekly basis, all across the UK & Europe on a daily routine. We truly understand what makes any holiday more memorable, through previous passenger experiences. Us drivers have an ability to offer guests, the opportunity to travel further and beyond to gain so much more than they would have otherwise expected by offering extra experiences like informative commentary guided city tours, market day trips, and extra excursions to nearby attractions and popular places. Trust in your drivers. We take sincere pride in the smiles on passenger's faces, following an opportunity to embark on a memorable additional trip & experience during their holiday!

Have you travelled with Paul? Or is there another driver you'd like to get to know a bit better?  Why not drop us a message over on our Facebook Group and tell us all about them...!