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I’ve had some super holidays this year and done some great things. I thought it might be to help you get to know me better, to begin to post some of my adventures abroad and at home. You can also find out about me on Facebook. Recently I found it was great to get to know Kim and Jerry from Indiana and we had a whale of a time when they visited Edinburgh. I recently returned from South Africa where I was visiting my son and we took a 6 day road trip through some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Along the way we did some whale watching, wine tasting , backpacking and some more unusual and thrilling stuff one of the things I did can be seen by clicking on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ellGla4CSS8 Enjoy, there’s…

My aim always is to get my friends to feel at the end of the tour that a friend has shared his home town with them and recently, that aim was achieved in spectacular fashion when in the company of Doug and his lovely wife, Daphne from El Paso, Texas. Warmth, gentleness courtesy, grace, generosity…

Its been a very busy Summer so my blog has been a bit neglected of late. The Festival is over now though and the pressure is easing, so I thought it was time to tell of my latest experience of how Facebook can be used as a means of helping to get potential clients (friends) to get to know me before we meet, having booked a tour.

I’ve had so many great days with super friends this year, so thanks to you all (you know who you are) To cap it all, I returned from a lovely day with Kathy Kolker and friends from Indiana yesterday and discovered an E mail from a leading international travel company, advising me that they had given me a highly recommended award in their annual awards for excellence scheme. My web designer Jackie and I are the greatest duo since Mork and Mindy LOL: http://www.iglucruise.com/igluawards2011/categories/winners/edinburgh.htm 

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has now started and there is lots to see without charge, particularly in pubs which offer free live music. One that I never miss is at the Guildford Arms with its 2 weeks of Jazz and folk music. The Folk week is hosted by friends of mine who have a band called Yard of Ale. For more details go to: http://www.mcdougald.btinternet.co.uk/

Bill, Deb and I finally arrived home yesterday and awoke this morning to a fog bank the likes only seen in Scotland! It brought smiles to our faces remembering the nice visit with had with you and to your lovely country. Thank you again for you expert conversation as we walked the Royal Mile, partaked in serious Scotch and enjoyed some Italian treats at Al Dentes. We were very pleased to have introduced you to one of our favorite after dinner drinks, Limoncello. We often enjoy some after a dinner with friends while sitting around an outdoor fire in the spring and fall. (which is similar to your summer weather) We did pass your information on to a couple of Aussie women who were due to arrive Edinburgh this past Saturday. Hope they looked you up. If you are once…

I’d often heard of Californians being laid back and I had a full day experience of it in the company of the Moskowitz family from New Orleans yesterday. We walked up to and into the Castle and did Greyfriars Bobby then threw away the plan, had some great Indian food, lots of laughs and farewell drams in the Guildford Arms. Great fun!

Most of my tours involve small numbers, a family or group of friends and this really gives the opportunity for close relationships to be formed very quickly. I always want my clients (friends) to feel at the end of the experience that a friend has shown them around his home town. As a result, many…

In 2009, I spent a day with Jessica and Tony, who were in Scotland to visit relations in Peebles. The trip, as I recall it was also to celebrate their engagement. Its always a great thrill to meet again, friends that I have worked with before. So imasgine my delight to get a message from…

Yesterday was spent in the company of Leanne and John Tiberio, and Leanne’s mum and dad, both retired. Dad, Ray was in the RCMP and the family hail from Calgary, Alberta. I have made a practice of building up my knowledge of the part played in the history of other countries so I can make the tours more focussed and customised and the contribution that Scots made to Canada is prodigious. When I got to their apartment block I could not believe my luck when I looked at the placque above the door heralding that Alexander Bain had had his workshop there. It was a portent that the day would go well. Alexander Bain invented the Telegraph and the Electric Clock, although he carelessly allowed an English inventor by the name of Wheatstone to steal the Idea before he could…

The initial E mail said ‘ We are 10 happy Norwegian Women (40ish) and looking to have a fun day with you.’ Gosh I thought, I wonder how much I’ll have to pay to join in? Well, from the moment of meeting the Valkyries, an instant rapport was established and many Viking hugs given. The…

Ceilidh’s are becoming increasingly popular, particularly with visitors, They are an informal way to connect with th traditional music and dance of scotland as well as an opportunity to meet and interact with real Scots as well as other people from all over the world. The Ceilidh ‘kaylee’ has its origins in Highland culture as…