About Lesley

Founder and Lead Travel Planner at Wander Scotland.

Lesley from Wander Scotland with camera in a small hotel

Fàilte!

I'm Lesley - founder, lead travel planner, and the person behind every itinerary at Wander Scotland.

Wander Scotland started as a hobby: a personal corner of the internet to share favourite Scottish finds. Over time it grew into something much bigger - and today it's my full-time work, helping travellers from around the world explore Scotland in a way that feels genuinely local.

Before launching Wander Scotland, I worked as a travel advisor at VisitScotland, which gave me a deep grounding in what makes Scottish travel tick, from the logistics of remote Highland routes to the hidden gems that never make the mainstream lists. That professional foundation, combined with years of living between Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, shapes every custom itinerary I create.

My particular passion is for the slower, more considered side of Scotland: boutique hotels, owner-run cafes, independent stays, authentic cultural experiences, and the kind of outdoor adventures you won't find on a package tour.

I've travelled extensively across the country, always chasing the best hidden viewpoints, design-forward places to stay, and the detours that turn a good trip into an unforgettable one.

That first-hand knowledge is what I bring to every travel plan I build for you.

Lesley’s favourite things:

  • road trips

  • boutique hotels

  • flaky pastries & pistachio cheesecake

  • island hopping

  • sherry cask single malts

  • patting dogs

  • flat whites

  • all things brunch

  • getting outdoors: coastal walks, mountain hikes, and muddy boots

Experience

  • Having spent more than 15 years travelling across her native Scotland, Lesley launched her travel blog in 2019.

  • Today, Wander Scotland reaches a global audience of over 2 million readers annually and has generated more than £350,000 in revenue for partner brands.

  • She frequently works with tourism and hospitality brands, including Links House at Royal Dornoch, Perle Hotels, Jet2Holidays, Secret Escapes, and Conde Nast Traveller.

  • Her social channel “Lesley Wanders Scotland” is a growing platform for connecting with and inspiring like-minded travellers.

Ethos

  • She advocates for small, independent, boutique businesses through Wander Scotland and her freelance writing.

Expertise

  • Lesley’s expertise is in travel writing, specifically on slow getaways and stylish road trips.

  • Through thoughtful partnerships, Lesley also shares her expertise and audience with like-minded hotels, restaurants, cafes, and experiences

Education