A lifetime of knowledge and 5 star management experience in Highland Heritage & Culture
Highland Historian
Heritage and Management Consultancy
Having managed the biggest period of economic growth, development of conservation awareness, and a hugely successful Visitor Experience delivery at the world-famous Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre; Andrew is well-placed to assist the development of Historical Research, Heritage Management, Conservation Awareness and Audience Engagement for your project.
Bespoke Tour Guiding
Andrew is a Highland Historian in the truest sense. Highland history is best preserved when it is shared by a passionate orator with knowledge of the connecting culture between the 'big' events. Visit the Highlands with a guide who will bring you to the conclusion that Victorian Romanticism is unnecessary when the real culture is so awe-inspiring and fruitful - whatever the weather!
Researching Your Cultural Identity
Andrew has been involved in cultural and genealogical research professionally since 2008. Here is your chance to make use of his knowledge, expertise and private collection of research materials by involving him in your search for an ancestral link to the Highlands. If you are starting the search, or have been researching your genealogy for many years; Andrew will be happy to help you on the next step of your journey.
Andrew Grant McKenzie
I have been surrounded by Highland Culture from an early age. Despite this and my family's Highland roots, I grew up in Darlington where one of two formally recognised Gaelic Societies in England was formed. Combined with this, my Granda McKenzie's stories and regular family holidays to the Highlands; I developed a life-long interest in Highland Culture and History, as well as toursim practices. This led to my graduation with a Master of Arts Degree in Scottish Historical Studies from the University of Dundee.
It was in Dundee that I worked in the University Archives, assisting with the cataloguing of the Glamis Muniments before moving to Culloden Battlefield in 2008. Before becoming manager of the site for the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), I worked extensively as a researcher, advisor and consultant to various groups. This included working as a guide at St Andrews Castle and Cathedral for Historic Scotland (HS), Castle Leod, and the Clan MacKenzie International Gatherings, 2010 and 2015. I am also a Trustee of Castle Leod for the Cromartie Estate.
In 2014 I became the Property Manager of Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre, taking charge of a 5 star visitor attraction which is known worldwide due to its intensely strong connections with the development of the Highlands during the early-modern period. My aims in that role were clear - to ensure the whole battle site's survival for future generations and to balance commercialism and conservationism to ensure the best management of the NTS owned battle site and the battle site at large. This led to my continuing efforts against the developments planned at the site, but also led to me creating and implementing management strategies which boosted turnover above £2million for the first time and reduced expenditure to create a balanced business model at the same time as growing visitor numbers, satisfaction, online audiences and conservation awareness to record levels. Conservation successes also included the vital purchase of the Blunderbuss captured during the battle and letters written by Charles Edward Stuart, as well as instigating a LiDAR scan of the entire battle site and advising the Highland Council on the creation of the Culloden Muir Conservation Area (2015). I am now the Watchman for Culloden Battlefield for the Scottish Battlefields Trust (SBT).
In my final year with the NTS (2017-18) I was seconded to support the new North West Area Manager with historical research and to re-catalogue and organise the North West and Highlands and Islands archive at Balnain House. The success of this also led to me being the Interim Office Manager at Balnain House, the area office for the organisation in the Highlands. Upon leaving the NTS I moved to Cawdor Castle to work as a tour guide, assisting with a huge increase in private guided tours and training colleagues which led to the advertisement of private tours with "Expert Guides".
With this and much more experience in Historical research, archive work and Heritage management; I am now available to assist with your project or to give you the best tour experience in the Highlands.
Andrew Grant McKenzie
I have been surrounded by Highland Culture from an early age. Despite this and my family's Highland roots, I grew up in Darlington where one of two formally recognised Gaelic Societies in England was formed. Combined with this, my Granda McKenzie's stories and regular family holidays to the Highlands; I developed a life-long interest in Highland Culture and History, as well as tourism practices. This led to my graduation with a Master of Arts Degree in Scottish Historical Studies from the University of Dundee.
It was in Dundee that I worked in the University Archives, assisting with the cataloguing of the Glamis Muniments before moving to Culloden Battlefield in 2008. Before becoming manager of the site for the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), I worked extensively as a researcher, advisor and consultant to various groups. This included working as a guide at St Andrews Castle and Cathedral for Historic Scotland (HS), Castle Leod, and the Clan MacKenzie International Gatherings, 2010 and 2015.
In 2014 I became the Property Manager of Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre, taking charge of a 5 star visitor attraction which is known worldwide due to its intensely strong connections with the development of the Highlands during the early-modern period. My aims in that role were clear - to ensure the whole battle site's survival for future generations and to balance commercialism and conservationism to ensure the best management of the NTS owned battle site and the battle site at large. This led to my continuing efforts against the developments planned at the site, but also led to me creating and implementing management strategies which boosted turnover above £2million for the first time and reduced expenditure to create a balanced business model at the same time as growing visitor numbers, satisfaction, online audiences and conservation awareness to record levels. Conservation successes also included the vital purchase of the Blunderbuss captured during the battle and letters written by Charles Edward Stuart, as well as instigating a LiDAR scan of the entire battle site and advising the Highland Council on the creation of the Culloden Muir Conservation Area (2015).
In my final year with the NTS (2017-18) I was seconded to support the new North West Area Manager with historical research and to re-catalogue and organise the North West and Highlands and Islands archive at Balnain House. The success of this also led to me being the Interim Office Manager at Balnain House, the area office for the organisation in the Highlands. Upon leaving the NTS I moved to Cawdor Castle to work as a tour guide, assisting with a huge increase in private guided tours and training colleagues which led to the advertisement of private tours with "Expert Guides". I am now the historical guide for Belmond Royal Scotsman and a Trustee of Museums and Heritage Highland.
With this and much more experience in Historical research, archive work and Heritage management; I am now available to assist with your project or to give you the best tour experience in the Highlands.