Professional Tourist Guides in Edinburgh Links page

Edinburgh Tourist Guides Association

Links and Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked QuestionsAre your guides insured?
Yes. We are insured for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity either through the Association or by their own insurance. Please check with the guide to confirm their insurance cover.

Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes. To confirm a booking we require a £25.00 deposit with the balance payable 28 days before the tour date, or as agreed with your guide. This deposit is non-refundable.

Do you accept cash?
Most guides prefer to be paid by PayPal, cheque (GBP) or bank transfer. They will accept cash if a booking is made at short notice or agreed at the time of booking.

If I miss the meeting time with the guide or the tour start time will I receive a refund?
No. If you miss the tour or meeting time with the guide you will not receive a refund. We suggest you take travel insurance to cover the cost of losses due to transportation delays, illness etc.

Can we visit Edinburgh Castle with a guide?
Yes. Most of our guides are fully trained to guide within Edinburgh Castle by Edinburgh Tour Guides. We can also arrange admissions to the Castle for you as part of your booking.

Are you Blue Badge guides?
No. We are not members of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association STGA. We are specialist guides who guide in Edinburgh. Scotland has no governing body for tourist guides. Our guides are professional, trained, experienced tourist guides. Our guides also commit to ongoing assessment and training.

How do I become a tourist guide for Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Tour Guides and Stevenson College Enterprise offer a Tour Guide Training Course for Edinburgh. This course is designed to provide the essential skills and knowledge for guiding in Edinburgh. Course Information.

How can you say you are a professional guide if you are not a member of the STGA?
The Scottish Tourist Guides Association is an association for tourist guide who want to guide in the whole of Scotland. We are highly trained guides who specialise in Edinburgh. The ETGA is an independent tourist guides association for guides who focus on guiding in Edinburgh. Our guides also have to attend courses run buy the University of Edinburgh and other organisations. Every guide who works for us is assessed on a regular basis and is continually updating their knowledge.

If I book a guide for an extended tour what other expenses are involved?
If a guide is booked for an extended tour you will have to pay for overnight accommodation plus meals or provide a meal allowance. Please contact us to discuss requirements.

Will the guide join our group for lunch/dinner?
If you would like the guide to eat with you then the guide can join you for lunch/dinner. If you would prefer to eat alone then the guide will dine separately. Please remember the guide will need a lunch/dinner allowance if booked for more than 5 hours. To be agreed with your guide at the time of booking.

Edinburgh Castle website

Edinburgh Castle is perched on an extinct volcano, this instantly recognisable fortress is a powerful national symbol. Its story is Scotland's story.

Tourist Information Edinburgh

VisitScotland.com The Official Site of Scotland's National Tourist Board.

Edinburgh Accommodation website

Offers a range of holiday accommodation.

Jewellery hand made in Edinburgh

Hand made jewellery by an Edinburgh silversmith.

Scotch Whisky Experience

An unique insight into the world of Scotch Whisky. Discover the secrets of the “water of life” as our guided tour takes you through the differences between Malt, Grain and Blended Scotch Whisky.

Edinburgh Tour Guides

Book an Edinburgh tour guide for one hour to a full day. Edinburgh Tour Guides offer bespoke tours of Edinburgh.

EDINBURGH ROYAL-MILE.COM

This site celebrates everything On, Off and About Edinburgh's famous and historic Royal Mile. Every Place of Interest, Business, Shop, Bar, Restaurant, Hotel, Hostel, Tour Guide, Cafe & Close is featured here and more.

THE-GRASSMARKET.COM

This site celebrates everything On, Off and About Edinburgh's historic Grassmarket area.
including; West Port, The Grassmarket, Candlemaker Row, The Cowgare & Victoria Street. Every Place of interest, Business, Shop, Bar, Restaurant, Hotel, Hostel, Tour Guide, Café & Close is featured here and more.

Royal Yacht Britannia

This magnificent ship has played host to some of the most famous people in the world. But, above all, she was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family. Now you are welcome on board to discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residences.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Founded as a monastery in 1128, the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is The Queen's official residence in Scotland.

Edinburgh Tourist Guides Association is here to help you make the most of your time in Edinburgh.