Pakistan, April 21 -- On Calton Hill, in the heart of Edinburgh, a yowling sound thrums through the air: I am having my first ever bagpipes lesson. It's part of a Mystery Day that's been lined up for my family - and as I turn into a bright red tomato, the tourists flee and my two sons howl with laughter.

Of all the many things that might have happened on this Mystery Day, I'd never dreamed that one of Scotland's greatest pipers would be teaching us how to play.

Our day out has been organised by Make My Day, which was started last December by veteran travel writer Nick Boulos. The firm runs bespoke adventures in cities including New York, Hong Kong, Rome and Paris - and, of course, the most beautiful city in Britain, Edinburgh.

It offer...