Contact us
We're always happy to help you plan your dream escape – get in touch and turn your dreams into reality.
Who we are
David Tobin
Founder & Owner
David started Dream Escape in 2005. The vision was to create once in a lifetime trips and events for a select group of well travelled clients.
David's previous marketing career included roles at ITV, Saatchi & Saatchi and Carat where he worked across a wide range of clients. Prior to starting Dream Escape he was a Board Director at MediaCom London & Scotland responsible for Audi UK & The Scottish Executive.
david@dreamescape.co.uk
Holly Mackie
New Business Development
Holly started her career at Carlson Marketing in Singapore after completing her Business & Psychology MA in Edinburgh.
After a few years in London working at various agencies including TBWA GGT she moved to Edinburgh to look after the Visit Scotland account at the agency 1576. Holly is passionate about travel and has a wealth of knowledge having travelled extensively around the world.
holly@dreamescape.co.uk
Lesley Scott
Creative Planner
Lesley joined Dream Escape in February 2011 as Creative Planner. Lesley brings over 15 years experience working in the corporate and incentive market. Her previous employment includes 5 years for a DMC in Edinburgh, creating and operating bespoke programmes throughout Scotland.
Before this Lesley spent 5 years in London working for Anton Mosimann, Royal Warrant holder for catering to HRH Prince of Wales as an Event Planner. Her job entailed working with top end suppliers throughout England, including many Historic Royal Palaces.
lesley@dreamescape.co.uk
Michael Davies
Creative Planner
Michael joined Dream Escape in 2012 as a Creative Planner. He brings a wealth of experience with him having worked for Abercrombie and Kent for over 10 years. Prior to this Michael worked as a tour guide taking clients around the UK – this was an ideal outlet for his interest and academic background in the history and culture of the British Isles.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys the countryside by walking, visiting historic properties and art galleries, and sampling the local food and drink.
michael@dreamescape.co.uk
Eleanor Milner
Head of sales and marketing
Eleanor has more than 14 years experience working in the Travel Industry. Her career began at Swan Hellenic cruises from where she moved to Cox & Kings Travel where she worked for 10 years - firstly in marketing for the UK Tour Operator in London and then as Head of European Sales & Marketing (working remotely from Edinburgh) for the Indian Destination Management Company.
Before joining Dream Escape, Eleanor worked in the International Marketing Department of VisitScotland and as Marketing Manager for Pandaw cruises.
eleanor@dreamescape.co.uk
Mel Iacobbe
Creative Planning Assistant
Mel joined Dream Escape in July 2011 as Creative Planning Assistant. Before joining us Mel worked for a number of years in a Destination Management Company. She gained considerable experience developing bespoke programmes for both the leisure and incentive markets and well as spending a year planning and operating conferences.
Mel will be working closely with Lesley and David to create the bespoke itineraries we offer our worldwide clients.
Rosie Peattie
Curator & Guide
Rosie is a Blue Badge Member of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association and Member of the Scottish Borders Ambassadors Club with a Certificate of Scottish Studies (University of Edinburgh) and is qualified to act as a tourist guide throughout Scotland.
Rosie, through Dream Escape, provides guided tours customised to suit individual travellers or groups of any size - presented in a professional but friendly and informative style.
rosie@dreamescape.co.uk
Jim Wotherspoon
Chauffeur & Guide
Jim has been a chauffeur/guide over the past 21 years. Travelling extensively with clients throughout Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. He has a masterful knowledge of routes, scenery, places of interest and of course how to make you as comfortable as possible.
Jim has worked with a long list of our discerning clients, many of which return again and again because of his care and great attention to detail.
Jan Dane
Curator
Jan has lived in the Highlands of Scotland for over 35 years. This has enabled her to explore Scotlands beauty, history, culture and wildlife.
Since 1994 Jan has worked as a Host for a prestigious Members' Only Club in the Highlands and takes great pleasure in discussing with our clients their particular interests and then arranging expeditions tailor-made to their requirements.
Catriona McKellar
Genealogist
Catriona has over 32 years experience in genealogy and has done many commissions, including recently the history of Mount Hamilton House in Ayrshire, of which there was no written history.
Catriona frequently presents at civic & historical societies. She helps our clients to find out about their Scottish history from a very topline insight right through to an extensive research project. Her approach makes it fun and engaging for Grand parents & Grand children alike.
John Grieve
Pilot
Captain John Grieve works with Dream Escape to create once in a lifetime fixed-wing itineraries around Scotland and the outer islands. He is a very experienced pilot having worked in VIP charter, air taxi, aerial surveying, pilot instruction & gliding during his career.
John has a UK issued ATPL(A), and an Australian ATPL with an Advanced Diploma of Aviation. He also has an M.A. in Electrical and Information Engineering from Cambridge.
Peter Swales
Country Sports Specialist
Peter has lived in the Highlands of Scotland since 1972 and organised shooting and stalking since 1976. First with "Sport in Scotland" and then with "Holland & Holland", the renowned gun makers.
Peter is an expert at organising & guiding hunting events in Scotland and he works tirelessly to create the best sporting experiences for our clients.
Glyn Satterley
Professional Photographer
Glyn's reputation was built on his evocative black and white images of Scotland, and several have been purchased by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.
His two favourite places to work are the Scottish Highlands or on a golf course. He produced two major documentary projects - Life in Caithness and Sutherland, and Life on Highland Sporting Estates, both of which resulted in books and exhibitions. Glyn travels with many of our clients and captures their amazing experiences on film.
Adrian Hallgarth
Falconry Expert
Adrian is a veteran falconer of some 30 years in the sport; he has trained and educated many of today’s professionals as well as being a respected author on falconry subjects.
He has traveled extensively in his profession throughout the world, and is always happy to share stories and experiences that only someone of his standing could. Author Of "Hawking and Falconry for Beginners" and Chairman of "the Federation of Professional Falconers" - you're in very capable hands.