2016 Photos - Edinburgh Tours with Christine

Saturday 31st December 2016 Hogmanay

Last day of the year and what a lot to pack in. This group from the Philippines arrived in Edinburgh just before 11am having had a brief tour of Glasgow with another guide. Straight away we were off to The Scotch Whisky Experience before lunch at the Amarone Restaurant in the New Town - food was very good. Then off to The Palace of Holyrood House coming out as they were closing and then last entrance into Edinburgh Castle. I really didn't think we would make it but with a fantastic driver in Stephen, every box was ticked. Only after this very busy packed day, we went to their hotel to book in. Fully booked and not a room to spare. Not sure what they will do tonight - probably decide after they have eaten. With any energy they may take a bus into town but without tickets to the main events they might just stay at their hotel and enjoy the fire works which I think they will see from their hotel and and will be set off at midnight. Tomorrow they're off to Perth.

30th December 2016

Courier Lorraine and driver Joe brought their passengers for a tour around the city. A quick stop off at Leith Mills for a cuppa and shopping then a coach tour around the busy city Old and New, getting ready for tomorrows Hogmanay. Tonight there will be a torchnight procession of thousands from the castle up to Calton Hill. In Princes Street Gardens a concert.

24th Dec ember 2016

Pity I seemed to shake the photos today . Nothing to do with being stopped by the police! I'd only just got on at Waterloo Place and within a minute we were stoped on a quick spot check - how strange was that. Of course everything OK , so quick photo with coach driver Marty before our tour and trip up to Edinburgh Castle.

Monday 28th November 2016

What a fabulous morning and such lovely people. My group today came from Vietnam with Luke. A tour around the city, visits to the Castle and Scotch Whisky Experience, lunch with a Scottish taste at Romanes and Patersons and a seafood dinner at Fishers. Good food and happy tours.Todays favourite? - definately The Scotch Whisky Experience. I've never seen so much whisky being purchased - this group were connoisseurs extraordinaire.

Thursday 17th November 2016

Saturday 12th November 2016

Kevin brought this group to Edinburgh from Hong Kong. A tour around the castle and then a whisky tasting and tour in a whisky barrel at the Scotch Whisky Experience before walking down to Princes Street for lunch at The Mercure.

Sunday 23rd October 2016

Today, secondary school pupils from Thailand. An early start and off we went for a coach tour around the city before spending time at the castle. Next stop to the mobile phone shop for sim cards to report home the great time that they are having here. Bit of shopping and then off for lunch at a lovely Thai restaurant in the New Town.

Saturday 15th October 2016

Today visitors from Hong Kong - our morning spent in Edinburgh Castle and a wee aperitif at the Scotch Whisky Experience before lunch.

Sunday 25th September 2016

A warm friendly coach of Chinese Canadians arrived in Edinburgh this morning from North Berwick where they had been staying. Lovely people - our time was too short. Full steam ahead - a quick stop off at Holyrood Palace before a drive by tour and up to Edinburgh Castle, then a quick walk down the top part of the Royal Mile and GeorgeIV Bridge heading for lunch off Candlemaker Row at the Merchant Restaurant. I hope they'll be back - so much more to see.

Monday 12th September 2016

Cruise ship Nautica, arived at Rosyth today. So off I trundled, early morning across the Firth of Forth. I've done this journey many times but somehow I missed my turn off and found myself heading further north..... as soon as I could I turned back via Inverkeithing and a wee bit of panic to meet up with an eager group of passengers to have a Leisurely tour around Edinburgh. 20 degrees today - some late summer weather for us. In the afternoon I returned with a second group for a walk down The Royal Mile and visit to The Palace of Holyrood House - Her Majesty the Queen's official residence here in Scotland.

Sunday 4th September 2016

Eldrin brought his Indian group for a visit to Edinburgh for the day. We started with a coach tour around the city. Free time and shopping on the Royal Mile before a tour of the castle.

Friday 26th August

Pasengers from the cruise ship Pacific Princess docked in at Rosyth on the oher side of the Firth of Forth. A tour round the city with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland. In the evening many came back to the city for a fantastic evening at the Royal Edinbrgh Military Tattoo on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle - a superb way to finish their visit.

Thursday 18th August 2016

Helped out another guiding pal by taking a walking tour from the Old Town to the New. Starting at Greyfriars Churchyard and remnants of the Flodden Wall, I explained some of the backround of Edinburgh and it's beginings. Showing off where the likes of J K Rowling got her inspiration from ( by the way I don't know her personally but she's a friend of a friend of mine.........and I know someone who sat next to her and chatted at a wedding reception last year! ) We then moved through the grassmarket, up to the top of the Royal Mile and down to the New Town by way of 'The Mound' - one of the first joining points between the Old and the New. Time just disappeared......

Wednesday 17th August 2016

Today cruise ship RSS Voyager from Rosyth. A Leisurely morning coach tour around the city and then with a different group in the afternoon. A walk down the busy Royal Mile and a visit to Holyrood Palace. In the evening I met up with passengers from the cruise ship Koningsdam at the Port of South Queensferry to take them to the Royal Military Tattoo.

Saturday 13th August 2016

Today Walt brought visitors from the Midlands of England and Birmingham to the city. They've been staying up in Kingussie (pronounced 'kin you see') and came down to Edinburgh for the day to be followed with a fab evening at the Tattoo. Spent a couple of hours with them, 'showing off' the delights of Edinburgh touring around in their coach and of course a wee breather and photo stop in Holyrood Park.

Wednesday 10th August 2016

Today I travelled across the Firth of Forth to Rosyth, to collect passengers from the Cruise Ship Pacific Princess. It seemed like the busiest day of the year, the city was crowded with tourists all eager to see this wonderful city. First stop Edinburgh Castle then a tour of the Old Town passing over George IV Bridge, Greyfriars Bobby, some of the haunts of J K Rowling then down past the Grassmarket and under the bridges into the Cowgate and the Flodden Wall built in 1511, Holyrood Palace, The Scottish Parliament, the Royal Mile then to lunch at Jury's Inn. A lovely lunch at Jury's, much complimented by the passengers - I will go there again. Then free time - some were desperate to find authentic Scottish souvenirs and followed me to Princes Street, to my favourite shop Romanes and Paterson and weren't disappointed. Back to the coach and a wee tour down to The Royal Yacht Britannia. We could easily have extended our day but some had to get back quickly to Rosyth to get ready for their evening back in Edinburgh for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - a fabulous treat. So competing with the traffic we made our way back. Lots of lovely compliments. I wasn't part of the evening but after I got back to Edinburgh and did some paper work, I ventured into town and despite the rain I could hear the excited roar of cheers coming from the Tattoo on the castle esplanade.

Tuesday 9th August 2016

Double tours today from South Queensferry and cruise ship Carobbean Princess. A visit to Edinburgh Castle and coach tour around the city before returning to their ship. Great fun and lovely people.

6Saturday 7th August 2016

A manic time of year. Edinburgh is incredibly busy with visitors to Edinburgh from all over the world. Today's group, which included 12 children, flew into Edinburgh from China and packed in as much as possible, visiting The Scotch Whisky and Edinburgh Castle, a bit of shopping, something to eat and zooming off to Glasgow for the evening.

Wednesday 3rd August 2016

A busy day today. Starting with a four hour walking tour and a group of eight ladies while their husbands and partners were at a conference. Pity no photos, but we walked our socks off - a great morning.

This afternoon - well little did I expect to be doing another walking tour in same day! My group from Hong Kong arrived by coach and we took a wee tour along Princes Street, and circled round to the Grassmarket and into Holyrood Park. When we got out of Holyrood the traffic was so busy that Sydney their group leader asked if we could walk from their - so we did! Royal Mile through some of the Festival Street theatre and then down to the New Town. A bit of rain near the end, so popped into the shops for 20 minutes before making their way to their evening meal at Waterloo Place.

Saturday 30th July 2016

Daniel brought his group of thirty from Hong Kong for a tour of Edinburgh with a visit to the Castle and the Scotch Whisky Experience. We had a great time starting with Holyrood Park, a brief stop for photos at the Palace and then up the Royal Mile, round by NIcolson Square and Potterow passing some of J K Rowling's haunts when first writing her Harry Potter books.

Thursday 28th July 2016

Cruise ship Caribbean Princess arrived at South Queensferry with visitors eager to see Edinburgh. We boarded our coach with driver Paddy and saw the sights taking advantage of the lovely views in Holyrood Park and then up to Edinburgh Castle.

Wednesday 27th July 2016

Passengers from the cruise ship Costa Neoromantica docked in the Firth of Forth and sailed into Newhaven by tender. A day of sightseeing by coach and then freetime and shopping before returning to their ship.

Sunday 17th July 2016

A super day but an early start. I travelled through to Greenock on the west coast of Scotland with another 3 guides to pick up passengers and bring them back with the help of driver Hugh, through to Edinburgh. We had a a wee tour of the city we visited Edinburgh Castle and had free time. Today was the day of the Edinburgh Carnival marking the begining of the Summer festivals - so I was really pleased that we managed to cover many of the streets in the morning that were closed in the afternoon for the fesivities. A lovely warm day and music and fun in every direction. As always, the visits to Edinburgh are never long enough - a lot of people are going to be coming back!

Monday 11th July 2016

Today I met Arief and his group from Indonesia at their lunch break in the Old Town. From there we walked up to the castle then down in to the New Town for some serious shopping!

Sunday 10th July 2016

A lovely young tour leader Cynthia brought her group from Indonesia. A very brave young lady, yesterday she dislocated her knee and was in hospital! Don't know how I would have managed without her as only some of her group spoke English - a real trouper. We had a great day, touring the city with coach driver Douglas and then visiting Edinburgh Castle, lunch break, stop off at Edinburgh's Hard Rock Cafe then free time and probably a lot of shopping!

Wednesday 22nd June 2016

The Caribbean Princess arrived at South Quensferry today. A tour of the city and visit to Edinburgh Castle. Good weather and good company. Visitors from America, Canada, Australia and England. Super day - pity such a short one their ship sails tonight at 7pm next stop Le Havre in France and pity too that I don't get to tag along!

Sunday 19th June 2016

Today's group from Indonesia came to Edinburgh with Rudy. Lots of children, Mums , Dads , cousins, Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents. This was the first day of their travels in Britain without rain - so lots of energy to burn off.. First up, Calton Hill with lots and lots of photos. Then quick 5 minute stop at the palace for more photos and comfort break. Up the Royal Mile and to the castle with once again - lots and lots of photos.

Saturday 18th June 2016

Today, Danny brought visitors from Tiawan. Met up at 08.30 so took a tour around Holyrood Park before a little bit of shopping and a walk in the Royal Mile. Next, the Palace of Holyrood House and a visit up to Edinburgh Castle before a lunch stop at Amarone in St Andrews Square. A wee bit talk of whisky as a gift for a husband left behind in Tiawan, so as I had one or two things to do in town anyway, I met this party again briefly and took them round to Romanes and Paterson where I'm sure resident expert Kevin would give super advice.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

Great morning with visitors from the Lochs and Glens holidays. Started off in Charlotte Square and worked our way around the city. A wee tour around Holyrood Park, Brian our driver parked up for a short photo stop - no hesitation - passengers leapt off the coach like Parisian Paparazzi to take in the wonderful views before moving off.

Saturday 11th June 2016

I have just had the best day - and yet, I'm not sure that I was looking forward to it! Why? I had to get up at 4 o-clock this morning in order to catch transport through to Greenock (a two hour drive from Edinburgh) at 5.45am. Then, passengers collected, we left Greenock at 8.00am to bring passengers back through to Edinburgh for a tour and visits to The Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle. But these weren't just any passengers - these were passengers from the Disney Cruise Liner and what a fabulous day we had. I just wished that I could have joined them on their cruise. We arrived to Edinburgh from the West passing the Murrayfield International Rugby Stadium then over the river known as, Water of Leith, at Roseburn, into the New Town and a wee stop in Charlotte Square parking briefly outside Scotland's Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland - can't do that at 10 Downing St in London, but then these passengers now know just how magic and special Edinburgh is! A bit of drive-by sightseeing and down to the Royal Yacht Britannia, the once floating palace of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and now based at the Port of Leith. As I moved around between the passengers I came across some sailors' uniforms left out for visitors to 'play with' - no hesitation. One gentleman even tried out a fake glass of beer and somehow his officers hat turned sideways! I think his wife intends putting that photo on 'facebook'! Bit more drive-by sightseeing, passed the Palace and Holyrood Park, the peak of the high hill, Arthurs' Seat, in the middle of the park shrouded in a "Scotch Mist" , then we parked up for freetime, shopping and lunch. 'Romanes and Paterson' , a must for souvenirs and to check out the tartans for those who have Scottish backgrounds and lunch. Back to the coach, a wee bit more drive-by sightseeing and up to Edinburgh Castle. The time was flying by. This was where I was supposed to say goodbye and wish them well on their journey but couldn't resist and showed off a bit more of my lovely city, finally bidding farewell at Drum Brae as they left for their return journey to Greenock.

Thursday 9th June 2016

Seven Seas Voyager sailed into the Forth and using a Tender came into Newhaven Harbour. A lovely morning spent touring the city with a visit to Edinburgh Castle.

Thursday 3rd June 2016

Alan(from New Zealand) brought his Hong Group to Edinburgh today. A visit to the castle where we saw them changing the guard in readiness for the 21 gun salute marking the anniversary of the Queen's Coronation. Ship enthusiasts on board - so a quick a 'wee detour', to the Port of Leith where the Royal Yacht is berthed- nowadays it's a tourist attraction, then back to the city centre and the Royal Mile from where we walked round to their lunch time venue.

Wednesday 1st June 2016

Secondary School students from Buenos Aires with a walking tour around the old town. A bit of exitement when I mentioned J K Rowling - but then she did go to Moray House Teachers Trainging College here in Edinburgh with a friend of mine - so that makes her 'a friend of a friend of mine'

Tuesday 31st May 2016

Surinder brought his group to visit Edinburgh today. Beautiful weather again, 17/18 degrees,and though perhaps not an Indian summer - hot enough for me. They tell me they can have it as much as 45 and 50 degrees in India - phew! We started with a wee bit of a tour and then up to Edinburgh Castle - there just in tme to see the One O clock gun. Then a wee tour down to the New Town where I left them for free time and lunch. But not before I had introduced them to Whisky Expert Kevin at Romanes & Paterson - lunch put on temporary hold.....

29th May 2016

A great time today. Picked up passengers at South Queensferry from the cruise ship Caribbean Princess along with driver Paul from Ladywell Coaches. A brilliant day, the sunshine was magic - made Edinburgh look even better than it already does ....but then I'm biast!. A visit to Edinburgh Castle and a drive around the city.

Saturday 28th May 2016

Relatives and Friends of the Shah family. A very exited and happy group. Sadly not enough time to fit in all the places that they would like to have visited while they're here. Hopefully they'll be back for more. We had time for some brief touring around the city before and after visiting Edinburgh Castle and then they were off to a Whisky Tasting at Glenkinchie distillery, about an hours journey south of Edinburgh. After that, heading down to the Lake District in England. - Busy people 'Haste Ye Back'

Monday 23rd May 2016

A lovely morning spent with the Ladies and Gentlemen of Banff and Moray, NTS. and a great driver in Alan, a pleasure to work with. We started out at Waterloo Place and cruised along Princes St, Lothian Road through the Grassmarket and around Holyrood Park Stopping off at 'The cafe at the Palace' where we had morning coffee and mini pastries - Royalty indeed. The Palace is currently closed to the public during the Assembly of the Church of Scotland so NO PARKING - except for us - head of security made special provision. This group were obviously special. Then we went into the New Town, passed Bute House, the officicial residence of the First Minister of Scotland before I finally left them to enjoy the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Sunday 8th May 2016

A late afternoon with passengers from Mumbai. It was pretty warm for Edinburgh today, must have been about 15 degrees. However these visitors are used to twice that and more and asked me if I ever felt cold! A happy group of mixed ages with their tour leader Cyrus and Driver Angela.

Monday 25th April 2016

Great time today with a ladies group from Kilwinnning or as our special driver Bill says 'His girls'! I didn't know what age group I was going out with, but then , who wants to grow up? - I don't! Lots of good humour and banter. Did I really work in an office in the old days! However, I was having such a good time that I forgot to take photographs - a real shame because I would love to have shown you a piccy of 'Bill's girls' But, did manage to find an archive photo working with Bill on a previous tour.

Tuesday 12th April 2016

Todays Group from Taiwan, spending their day in Edinburgh. A visit to Holyrod Palace and to Edinburgh Castle then shopping.

Saturday 9th April 2016

Student musicians from Brussels on tour in Scotland. Taking a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh between their concerts. This afternoon they will play at St Cuthberts at the West End.

Thursday 31st March 2016

Coach tour today with passengers from the Midlands with a tour around the Old Town and into Holyrood Park.

Friday 25th March 2016 Afternoon

American students on their walking tour. Fans of J.k.Rowling.

Friday 25th March 2016 Morning

Visitors from The Philippenes. A coach tour around the city and visit to Edinburgh Castle.

Monday 29th Feb 2016

What a day. It was really cold. And though I don't normally take groups up Calton Hill - we did it twice! But it was great - fantastic views - but Oh, bitterly cold on Monday. Might wait til it's warmer before I go up again...

I was one of seven guides, looking after a huge group of visitors from Indonesia on an 'Incentive Tour'. Early morning, starting at Edinburgh Airport waiting for the first flight which came in at 07.36 from Abu Dhabi and again later having dropped my first group off for lunch in town, other arrivals via Istanbul.

Saturday 20th February 2016

O we were drouchit, it was chuckin' it, we were wet! But it didn't dampen the spirits, fun and laughter of this American group of students. I said 'let's go' and we were off - no hanging about and we covered a lot. They've been staying in Dublin in Ireland and Robyn, one of their Irish chaperones (not leprechauns) came too. We had a great time. Quite a few Harry Potter fans amongst them so before braving the castle they had a coffee stop at The Elephant House, one of the cafes where J K Rowling is said to have sat and penned her works, before she became famous.

Thursday 18th February 2016

Tam brought his coach with visitors from Kent in England for a day trip to Edinburgh, from the lovely area of Loch Tummel in Pitlochryshire where they're staying.

10th February 2016

First Walking Tour of the year. Argentinian students aged 14 to 18 staying in Edinburgh for a few days.