Who I Am

 

Hello there. I’m Joshua Bussell, founder of Hearth & Compass.

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In August 2024, I planned and led a 12-adult, multi-generational journey through Scotland. It was the kind of trip that could have easily become chaotic, but it didn’t. It was smooth, well paced, and deeply enjoyable.

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As with all trips that I've planned before, it has always been focused around, "Where are we eating?" first, followed by, "What are we doing in-between meals?" second.  And because I was in charge of the planning for Scotland, I made sure to schedule in what interested me the most - Scotch whisky (or just 'whisky' as it's known locally).
 

I intentionally built the itinerary around whisky; not just fitting tastings in, but choosing experiences that felt immersive, personal, and rooted in place.

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That trip reframed how I experience whisky — and how I design travel.

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It was easy to fall in love with Scotland’s landscapes, deep-rooted culture, and the kindness of its people. But what truly anchored the experience was the whisky: intentional tastings, meaningful conversations, and a growing appreciation for the craft behind every dram.

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From Edinburgh to the Highlands to Skye and Raasay, I began to understand Scotland not just as a destination, but as a place best experienced slowly.

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That’s when it clicked: this is the kind of travel I want to design for others - intentional, flavor-driven, structured enough to feel effortless, and paced so it never feels like work.

 

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What Makes Me Different

 

I design rest-forward Scotland whisky and food journeys—expertly curated, thoughtfully paced, and built around meaningful experiences.

 

Within my own family, neurodiversity is part of our everyday life. That perspective has shaped how I approach travel: with structure, clarity, and intentional breathing room. I understand how easily trips can become overpacked or overwhelming.

 

My role is to remove that friction.

 

Every itinerary I design balances cultural depth with time to reflect, explore, and simply enjoy. I handle the logistics so you can arrive curious, grounded, and fully present.

 

 

Specialty Focus

 

Today, my work centers on whisky-led Scotland journeys, elevated by local food and thoughtful pacing.

 

While whisky often anchors the itinerary, food, setting, and pacing matter just as much. A distillery visit is only part of the experience. The café the next morning. The quiet drive through the Highlands. The unhurried dinner in Edinburgh. Those moments create the texture of the trip.

 

As my continuing study takes me deeper into regions like Speyside, and future explorations expand into places like Islay and the Hebrides, my approach remains consistent: firsthand experience, thoughtful pacing, and respect for what makes each region distinct.

 

If I had to describe my planning simply:

Whisky-forward. Culinary-rich. Rest-conscious.

 

 

Credentials & Continuing Education

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• Certificate in Scotch Whisky – Edinburgh Whisky Academy
   

• Enrolled in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School (April 2026)
   

• Attending the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (April/May 2026)
   

• Affiliated with WorldVia and Travel Leaders Network
   

I believe expertise should be ongoing. My upcoming study in Speyside will deepen my understanding of regional production, blending, and distillery traditions—knowledge I bring directly into the journeys I design.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Before launching Hearth & Compass, I spent several years in project management and operations leadership at Amazon, where I designed systems that helped thousands of people transition into new roles with clarity and confidence.

 

I also spent seven years as an educator.

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Years in operations leadership taught me how to design complex systems that feel seamless to the people using them. Travel should work that way too; not just itineraries that look good on paper, but experiences built around real personalities, energy levels, and the unexpected.

 

I’ve planned complex, multi-generational journeys with moving parts, varied preferences, and different budgets, and made them feel cohesive and calm.

 

That same balance of structure and flexibility is what I bring to every Scotland whisky and food journey I design.

 

Because rest shouldn’t feel like work.