What's In A Driver's Name? Meet Walter Rowat

Since we began our 'What's In A Name?' series to find a little bit out about our fantastic coach drivers, we've been inundated by friends on our Facebook page asking for their favourite driver to be featured next!

So, without wanting to disappoint, we tracked down one of our 'most-wanted' - long-serving drivers Walter Rowat. A much-loved member of the team who doesn't only get our passengers from their departure point to their hotel and ensure they're safely escorted on all their excursions, but he truly entertains - making sure our customers enjoy many laughs and raise many smiles along the way. (See the photos if you don't believe us!)

So...let's meet Walter...

Why?  What made you want to become a coach driver?
I became a coach driver to keep myself working. I was a welder and it was becoming more difficult to get work at my trade. I've now had my coach licence for forty years and remember my first tour was to Peterhead to the hotel that Caledonian Travel still use. So, next June 10th 2025 it'll be thirty years doing tour work on the coaches.

All around the country: Where does your job take you, and where is your favourite destination?
I'm very fortunate in that I've toured around most of Europe and seen the most beautiful architecture from castles to cathedrals. But it's natural beauty that ticks all my boxes and therefore it's Scotland and especially the outer hebrides and I've been there over seventy times. It's been moulded from fire and ice and beaches that takes my breath away added to this is the most warm and welcoming people of our country.

Dirty washing in Liverpool...

Laughter: What’s your favourite joke?
As we pass Gretna Green...! I kid! I've been married 9 times and tell them a funny anecdote about each one of my wives. Number 3..we had our wedding reception in McDonald's...and that was the last Happy Meal I had with that one! 

Turn around!  Have you ever had to go back anywhere because you’ve either forgotten something (or someone!) – or any other embarrassing reason?
Yes! On loading up to return to our destinations, I left my own luggage in the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool! Luckily I was heading to Southport the next Monday so after dropping my passengers at the Prince of Wales I took the fifty minutes to run through to Liverpool to get my dirty washing!

Eat, sleep and drink: When you’re taking our passengers on their holiday, what’s your favourite place to eat, your favourite hotel to stay in, and what’s your refreshment of choice when you get a bit of down time?
I love Italian food and luckily this ties in with my favourite hotel we use The International Hotel in Canary Wharf as I treat myself now and again in their Italian restaurant..as for a small libation it took me many visits to Ireland to get the taste for Guinness but I got there and amazingly, their alcohol free version is as good as the real thing! 

Rain or shine:  Tell us about a time where the weather has been unexpectedly different, and what effect did it have on your journey?
Of course, over the decades I've had a few issues with weather! From cancelled ferries going to Ireland and staying overnight in Portpatrick, to dropping anchor a mile from Dover and riding it out for five hours, and to being stuck in our hotel in Aberdeen on departure day due to snow!

Radio: Tell us some good tunes to listen to while you’re at the wheel, and why you like them?
Not so long ago I'd taken a group of people to Abba Voyage in London, and the passengers were up for a wee dance to ABBA before we left! And everyone loved the incredible Abba Voyage show as well...!

Outrageous! Tell us about a zany episode with your passengers – either a group of them or an individual.
See above!

"Thank you for the decades of memories and laughter"

Where?  Is there anywhere we don’t travel to that you wish we did?

I used to do a tour called the four countries. Based in the Tyrol area of Austria, we'd go on visits to Vipitino in Italy, Lichtenstein and Switzerland. That was a fantastic tour, and I also added another two in for good measure!

Affection: What do you love most about driving for Caledonian Travel?
It's the great variety of destinations and passengers that keeps thing's fresh for me. And each person has an incredible life story...from old soldiers and their stories of WW2. Unfortunately, most are gone now but I tell their stories now and again so Lest we forget to great stories of there coach holidays over the years. Most of the situations are hilarious!

The fantastic last question: What question do you wish we’d asked you today that we haven’t, and what would your answer be?
The question I wish you'd asked is: "Would you do it again?" And the answer is YES! It's been a very rewarding career as I've always been interested in travel and history so it's a perfect combo in one job. As my career is slowly coming to an end, I love passing on helpful information and hints about the tours to the younger Caledonian drivers. That will enhance our passengers experience with what I know is one of Britain's best tour companies from our top management to the staff in our shops. They pull out all the stops to give people the best holiday possible.

So...to all my passengers, past and present, thank you for the decades of memories and laughter that will keep me smiling for years to come!

A huge thank you to Walter for speaking to us, and telling us a little bit about what life is like on and off the road with Caledonian Travel.  Who do you want to see next in our What's In A Name...? series? Let us know on our Facebook page...