2017 Photos - Edinburgh Tours with Christine

t30th December 2017

Last Tour of the year with visitors from the Midlands. Today's visitors have been staying in Dunfermline across the Firth of Forth to celebrate Hogmanay. A wee visit to Edinburgh and off to do some shopping.

Saturday 9th December 2017

Minus 2 degrees. Todays group from Cyprus probaby about 20 degrees there - gosh that's hot!! Super group, some translation going on while I spoke which really immpresed me. Those that were able came off the coach with me for a view in Holyrood Park, even our driver Terry came too for a wee look - definately worthwhile.

4th November 2017

It was incredibly cold today. A family of 12 visting from Indonesia. Tour around the city and such and views from Holyrood Park. We were only out of the coach for maybe 10 minutes but whoa and brrr. Still it was worth it and they got to take lots of good photos overlooking Edinburgh from high up.

Sunday 15th October 2017

Had no plans for today until a late phonecall yesterday from a guiding friend to cover one of their tours. So glad I did - a lovely morning spent walking around the city with Susie and Bob from America and the weather was with us all the way. I left them in Romanes and Paterson to do some shopping and have lunch before going up to Edinburgh Castle. Me thinks Bob had his eye on buying a kilt!

Friday 13th October 2017

So much to pack in to too short a time - but we did it - they'll be back for more! Pick up at the Holiday Inn beside Edinburgh Zoo, Coach tour of the city and then around Edinburgh Castle, followed by a walk down to the New Town for a visit and purchases at the Hard Rock Cafe and then more shopping for family and friends at Romanes and Paterson. Quick charge back to the Old Town for Prayers at the Mosqque and Lunch and packed back on their coach by 14.30 to begin their 5 and half hour journey to Liverpool, Busy busy day but lovely folk - communication workers from Indonesia.

Monday 9th October 2017

Vietnamese group his morning with a tour around the city visits to the Palace of Holyrood House, Edinburgh Castle and the Scotch Whisky Experience.

Sunday 1st October 2017

An Incentive Group from Vietnam. Visit to the castle tour, around the city and shopping.

Sunday 24th September 2017

Sunday's group from Hong Kong. Can you guess the 'Harry Potter' fan?

<Saturday 16th September 2017

Sunday 10th September 2017

An incentive group from Vietnam. Posing for their picture in Princes St Gardens.

Friday 8th September 2017

Today was a group from Australia, Canada, America and Ayrshire - yes Ayrshire from a British Rail tour around Britain for a mornings walking tour in Edinburgh. 2 hours to pack a lot in. We started at their base in the Royal Mile, Radisson Blu Hotel and took a stroll up to the castle, through some closes and wynds, down to the Grassmarket and into Greyfriars Graveyard. I thought it would be nice to take a photo of the group and we all assembled for our photo. Asked a man in the graveyard if he would oblige - not sure if I should be spooked because after four attempts of taking a picture of his thumb! this is what we got - a wee bit shoogley........... But for all that, we had a lovely time.

Thursday 7th September 2017

Met up with passengers from the Caribbean Princess at South Queensferyy today. The morning group had a wonderful time on the Royal Yacht Britannia and the afternoon group to Edinburgh Castle and both with a wee coach tour 'aroon the toon'.

Tuesday 5th September 2017

How did it get to be September already? And yet still the cruise liners keep coming - my best year yet. today's visitors arrived at the Port of Rosyth on the Prinsendam. Varioius nationalities and all raring to see the Britannia and the Best of Edinburgh. We had a fab day,. First off we started at the Royal Yacht, some even ventured to the Royal Tearoom for the 'must have' freshly baked scones (they were still hot when we arrived) jam and cream washed down with tea in a chna cup poured from a silver tea pot - what a start to the day. After spending time on the yacht, we had a wee coach tour around the city then lunch at Jury's Inn, a visit to the castle, a short time for shopping and somehow the day had just dissapeared and we had to make our way back across the Forth to Rosyth. A good day.

Monday 28th August 2018

A busy morning with visitors from Canada. Today marks the end of the Edinburgh Festival. The traffic was very busy and we got stuck in a couple of jams on our way. A few frayed tempers from other road users but our group just smiled through, likewise in the castle. Fabulous driver Kelvin from Parnhams took it all in his stride.

,Sunday 27th August 2017

Cruise ship Marco Polo arrived this morning at the Port of Leith. Had such a lovely tour this morning. A visit to the castle and around the town. I took out coach number 2. Kicking myself because I only managed to get photos of the ground staff and wait for it..... the ship's photogragher, who just happended to be on my tour! Look at the camera - serious stuff. I'll maybe write to the cruise line and see if I can get an odd copy for my blog.

Saturday 26th August 2017

Visitors today from the cruise ship Caribbean Princess arrived at South Queensferry. Lovely warm day, so having a wee bit fresh air in Holyrood Park. Not the country side but the centre of Edinburgh - aren't we lucky

Tuesday 22nd August

Fun with a CIE tour today. Tour around the city and a wee bit of fresh air and a photo shoot in Holyrood Park.

Friday 18th August 2017

Rain and smiles all the way. CIE brought visitors from America and Australia. Weather wasn't very sure neither were the gremlins in the Palace's booking service. The group were easy going so a wee blether in the rain about all things Edinburgh while we waited for it to get sorted out. Young lady in the party even made an appointment to have a tattoo of thistles at the Tribal Art shop in the Royal Mile tomorrow.

Monday 14th August 2017

Cruise ship Celebrity Silhouette arrived in at the Port of Newhaven. tour round the city with a daytime visit to the castle and later to the to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Sunday 13th August 2017

Visitors from Hong Kong for a tour around the city.

Wednesday 9th August 2017

Cairngorm Travel came into Edinburgh for an early evening tour for visitors from Birmingham and surrounding areas before going to the wonderful Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Monday 7th August 2017

Visitors from Australia and New Zealand.

Wednesday 2nd August 2017

Another visit from Cruise passengers at South Queensferry from the Caribbean Princess. A morning tour to the Royal Yacht Britannia - sadly no photos but the weather and company were both warm and sunny.

The afternoon with a different group and very different weather. For all that lots of good humour and patience as they stood in the rain while I organised our tickets to the castle and return coach journey.

Tuesday 1st August 2017

Helping out a guiding pal today by covering their half day walking tour. So pleased I did. Met part of a lovely American family - father, daughter and granddaughter. Collected them from Piccardy Place first thing - just after an almightly downpour of rain which made me feel as if I had just sat in a bath of water! soon as I met them the sun came out and walking around I quickly dried out. Thoroughly enjoyed my time. Up through the New Town, skipping corners into Princes St Gardens, through St Cuthberts Graveyard and onto Lothian Road, a road so busy that unbelievably was once a country lane ...... We then headed for the Grassmarket and spent some time in Greyfriars churchyard, a must for all Harry Potter fans and then a much needed cuppa before fininshing up at Edinburgh Castle..

Thursday 27th July 2017

Visitors from Thailand today. Lots of 'selfies' and fun.

Friday 21st July 2017

Cruise liner Caribbean Princess docked at South Queensferry today. Lovely passengers from all over the world for a tour to Royal Yacht Britannia where some ventured to the beautiful tea room aboard. Me too - fruit scones with clotted cream and jam and tea from a silver tea pot and china cups - luxury - my favourite. Followed with lunch at Jury's Inn, a visit to the castle and some shopping in the New Town. By the end - Happy Tired and I think an early bed for more than a few - me too!

Thursday 20th July 2017 Today's group from India

Tuesday 19th July 2019

Great fun today with EF Students and families from America.

Saturday 15th July 2017

Some of today's group from Taiwan.

Tuesday 11th July 2017

EF Group

Sunday 9th July 2017

Cruise Ship, Caribbean Princess today at South Queensferry. Passengers came with me for their 'Best of Edinburgh' tour, with a visit to ; Ednburgh Castle and The Royal Yacht Britannia with lunch at the Mercure Hotel and freetime which resulted in lots of plastic bags from shopping on Princes Street.

Tuesday 4th July 2017

My Indian group had an afternoon tour around the Royal Yacht Britannia then we took their coach around the city before stopping off for their evening meal.

Monday 3rd July 2017

Touring with American EF students around the city with a photo stop in Holyrood Park and then up to the castle. The Palace of Holyrood House is closed today for Royal Week. The ceremony of the keys took place this afternoon.

Sunday 2nd July 2017

Todays visitors from Vietnam.

1st July 2017

Today had a fun time with front line crew from the Cruise ship Zuiderdam, touring around the city.

Thursday 29th June 2017

This afternoon I met up with two Indian families, desperate to keep out of the rain! So after a wee coach tour we spent the afternoon in the Scotch Whisky Experience learning about whisky.

Thursday 29th June 2017

The weather today was awful. Raining heavily from early morning right into the evening.. this group of EF students braved it well, that is once they woke up after a late late night, I was told.( a few sleepy heads on the coach), couldn't help but take some photos. The weather was so bad when we went up to the castle that they were soaked through. Not sure that being told it was whisky in the makeing really cut it... But all good humour - a great bunch.

Wednesday 28th June 2017

Monday 26th June 2017

Sunday 25th June 2017

Friday 23rd June 2017

Wednesday 21st June 2017

EF day today though not quite as many as I had expected. Weather conditions in America meant that only the group from Houston in Texas who took a wee detour to avoid the problem, actually made it , albeit minus their luggage which should have arrrived later today.The rest of the group from the US hopefully arriving tomorrow. Well the small group were lovely. Tour around the city and photoshoot in Holyrood Park and taking advantage of our small size, was able to take them down some of the old closes that we otherwise wouldn't have had time to, on the way up to the castle. Did my homework, the flower that we found is the Foxglove.

Tuesday 20th June 2017

EF students from Louisiana,Tennessee,Georgia,Kentucky and Illinois. Starting in Charlotte Square, a coach ride around the city with photos in Holyrood Park before finishing at the castle.

Saturday 17th June

Today's group from Indonesia. Ine big Happy Family. I met their coach and after a briefintro we drove up to the castle. At this point I didn't realise how many young childrenthere wee. My resume was simply 18 adults and 2 children. In fact we had 10 children aged between 2 and 8 and they were lovely. The group was made up of 2 Grandparents 4 of their children and spouses and their children. After a tour and photos around the castle we went to a shop near to the castle to dress up in Highland wear from around the 17th century and a professionnal photo shoot - it was wonderful. It was a pity I couldn't take a phone photo for my blog here but it was a professional shoot after all... Just have to comit to memory. Time wasn't on our side so next was to get everyone back on the coach and off to their evening meal. Wonderful afternoon.

Wednesday 14th June 2017

My Indian group today for a morning tour and they had a lot to pack in. Arriving an hour late to Charlotte Square - I joined their coach and we were off. The weather was with us and we managed both Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House and a lovely walk through the Palace Gardens before rejoining their coach and then to lunch.

Sunday 11th June 2017

Today's visitors from Singapore. Unfortunately the weather wasn't quite with us today but we still managed to tour around the city of Edinburgh and then up to the castle.

Monday 5th June 2017

Today a large group of student, teachers, parents and grandparents traveling with EF. Brilliant day - started at the South Bridge with a coach tour around the city, a beautiful mid morning stop in Holyrood Park continuing into the Georgian New Town and then up to Edinburgh Castle followed by free time. A great day.

Thursday 1st June 2017

Again a group of visitors from India and used to much warmer temperatures but hey 20 degrees isn't bad for us! I was in my shirt sleeves and asked if I might be cold - no. Though some in the group were wearing jumpers and coats. For all that, a stop in Holyrood Park for a photo shoot was welcomed. In fact those distant figures in the photos were from our group. A visit to Edinburgh Castle and then off to Romanes and Paterson for souvenir, whisky and lunch.

Sunday 28th May 2017

Today's visitors were from India. Started off with a wee coach tour then up to the castle followed by some serious shopping at Romanes and Paterson and for some Vegetarian Haggis on the top floor.They tell me that they are used to having temperatures of 45!! Here we're having an exceptional 28%. I reckon 20% to be hot here so when the temperatures drop next week - we'll notice,,,,

Thursday 25th May 2017

A second day of cruise passengers from the Silver Whisper at Leith. A beautiful day. A morning visit to Edinburgh Castle where they saw the changing of the guard. In the afternoon relaxed Edinburgh Panoramic Drive around the city with a wee photo stop in Holyrood Park. Romance is in the air? A delightful gentleman plonked a kiss on my cheek. Don't tell my other half!

Wednesday 24th May 2017

Cruise ship Silver Whisper at the port of Leith today. Fabulous weather - I think it's Scotland! 18% Centigrade - a heat wave - well it is to me!!

A super day. Up to the castle and a tour around the city. Wee bit time to spare so had a lovely photo shoot in Holyrood Park. Princess Anne is in residence at Holyrood Palace this week in her official role as the Lord High Commissionair (the Queen's Representative) at the Assembly of the Church of Scotland and we saw her arrive by helecopter next to the Palace on our way in. Unfortunately we weren't able to get a photo - but we were there.

Monday 22nd May

Cruise ship Caribbean Princess arrived at the port of South Queensferry. spent an enjoyable day bringing passengers into Edinburgh with tours of the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Castle and as much of Edinburgh as we could pack in before they had to go back to their ship.

Thursday 17th May 2017

This afternoons group from India. Used to much warmer temperatures than our measly 16/17 degrees. 35 and 40 more their nor, But we had a good time touring round the city with a photo stop in Holyrood Park looking across the Edinburgh, followed by a visit to the Castle and then a walk down to the New Town for shopping before meeting up with their coach again and off to dinner.

Sunday 14th May 2017

Today's group - from Singapore. Met this lovely group at Charlotte Square and was able to explain a little about Bute House at 6 Charlotte Square - the official residence to the current !st Minister of Scotland and to remind them that whilst I speak English, I am Scottish and British and that Her Majesty the Queen is my Queen too.We had a lovely tour around the citywith a visit to the castle. After that they were on their way to Gretna Green in the Scottish Borders. Their leader asked if I could tell them a little about Gretna Green. Well basically prior the th 17 c in England marraige had to be permitted by the parents of anyone under the age of 21 whilst in Scotland it could be 12 for a girl and 14 for a boy. Many sweethearts came across the border to Scotland to be wed there, where only 2 witnesses were requrired. Often in Gretna the local blacksmiths were the first they met and thus became known as the Anvil Priests. Nowadays in England the age is 18 and Scotland 16. Still romantically linked many of all ages are wed at Gretna. Curiously our driver was single and had an uncanny resemblance to George Clooney and the girls on the tour had noticed this too - I can only wonder what happened once they got there?

Thursday 11th May 2017

This morning Hoshang brought his Indian group to Edinburgh. We spent some time touring around by coach, stopping off for photographs at Dynamic Earth, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace and Park, 6 Charlote Square - official residence to the First Minister of Scotand and then to Edinburgh Castle before free time. I think some had a bit of shopping in mind, perhaps even the purchase of a kilt?

Wednesday 10th May 2017

The Cruise Ship Caribbean Princess pulled into South Queensferry today and we had a lovely day. Tours into the city of Edinburgh with a visit to the Castle. Couldn't have asked for a better day. Lots of different nationalities - Brazilian, French, Mexican,American, Canadian and British, some hopeful of a Scottish background. Great to see, 'All Jock Tamson's Bairns together.

Sunday 7th May 2017

Today's tour started from the Port of Rosyth on the other side of the Firth of Forth. I met with passengers from the cruise ship Marco Polo. We took a tour back over the Forth Road Bridge to the Port of Leith to spend the morning at the infamous Royal Yacht Britannia. The once floating palace that has travelled all over the world and hosted Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers and all sorts of dignitaries and today's tour passengers. Many of today's visitors were in awe of its splendour and some even had refreshments in the restaurant on board,

6th May 2017

Visitors today from Hong Kong. I collected them from their hotel and our coach took us into town where we visited Edinburgh Castle and then their favourite The Scotch Whisky Experience. Not sure that they liked the taste but they loved learnilng about the process. I was most impressed that they were given their tour in Cantonese their native language whereas most attractions only do Manderin. Well done to the Scotch Whisky Experiance Centre.

5th May 2017

Today's group arrived on the cruise ship Seabourn Quest at the Port of Leith. Up to Edinburgh Castle then a tour around the city and Holyrood Park. Holyrood Park is a large area of land belonging to Her Majesty the Queen but open to the publlic.

Tuesday 25th May 2017

A great day with a group of Obstreticians from Indonesia. So obviously we went past Sir James Young Simpson's home on Queen Street. James Simpson who introduced the use of chloroform in childbirth. See, there's another famous Scot! We had a coach tour around the city, visit to the castle, a wee walk down the famous Royal Mile and then off to lunch at the Merchants Hall, just off Candlemaker Row. Afternoon shopping on Princes St. - they liked to shop.

Sunday 5th February 2017

Good fun this afternoon. Malcolm and Mark brought their group to Edinburgh today on a coach holiday staying at Melrose. Good company with a tour around the city.

Sunday 29th January 2017

Today we had a super Polish driver called Justine who having lived in Cardiff (Wales) for a year had an incredible Welsh accent.( A couple of days in Edinburgh and I wonder?) The group today was from Hong Kong along with their tour leader Mary. A wee bit chilly but a good day - a coach tour around the city and a visit to Edinburgh Castle.

Wednesday 18th January 2017

What a great morning. Driver Paul brought his Mancurian passengers (from Manchester and surrounds) for a coach tour around Edinburgh. Or as one of my late friends decribed my tours as 'aroon the toon'. Great company and definately on my wavelength. I joined the coach at the the East End of Princes Street and off we went. Showing off the sights of Edinburgh is easy - biast as I am, there is nowhere else is quite like it. Some had been before and I'm sure they'll be back again.