Private tour in Edinburgh Toby W
5.0
(14) reviews
8 hours
1
8 hours
1
Toby W.
4.9
Guide rating
330
Reviews
Tours delivered
5 hrs
Avg. response time
I am Edinburgh born bred and educated. I am passionate about Edinburgh and love showing it to people and revealing its hidden secrets. I have always been fascinated by history landscape and architecture. I gradually became aware of how crucially such culture has shaped our understanding and the world we live in. This led to a further MA later in life from Edinburgh University in History of Art and Architectural History. I have now just completed an MSc. in Architectural Conservation. I try to make my guiding informative but lighthearted, interesting and fun with many photo opportunities. I love meeting international people, have many overseas friends and often find guiding a mutual learning opportunity. I live in the city center and can meet you at central hotels or a convenient landmark for walking tours tailored to your own schedule and needs or interests. My Edinburgh driving tours are a very good way to orientate yourself and see highlights to explore later at your own pace. Edinburgh is surrounded by lovely countryside with so many interesting places that I love taking people to visit. I was brought up rambling round ancient castles and listening to stories of old. I have lived in Edinburgh all my life and know virtually every corner of it. I am a qualified tour guide and used to guiding in historic houses. I was often previously asked to lead tours in Edinburgh. I have taken many specialist courses on art, history and architecture related subjects in addition to four different university degrees. More importantly, I am eager to share these interests and show people fascinating places.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Toby W.
The four Border abbeys were an inspiration to Sir Walter Scott and many others. The quality and sophistication of these buildings testify to Scotland's extensive Abbey system with European connections part of the untold story of Scotland. It is easy to be drawn into the past amongst these impossibly romantic ruins nestling under soft rolling hills by rippling rivers. Possibly visit a fascinating ancient house before Abbotsford Sir Walter Scott's home then onto Melrose Abbey where Robert The Bruce heart's interred. South to majestic ruins of Jedburgh Abbey then over the hills to perfectly peaceful Dryburgh Abbey by the river Tweed. Drive back on ancient route following the Romans road of "Deer Street". Tour is about 100 miles over about 8/10 hours but this can be adjusted.
We had a delightful and informative time with Toby, exploring the medieval abbeys to the south of Edinburgh, as well as Sir Walter Scott's home. Toby was a wealth of knowledge. The tour was everything we expected and hoped it would be. We highly recommend Toby.
Toby was absolutely fantastic! His knowledge of Scottish history is incredible, as is his enthusiasm for his chosen vocation and ability to provide guidance on just about any destination in Scotland you might ask him about. Plus he's a true gentleman. Do yourself a favor and book Toby if you want to have the best possible guided tour experience. It likely will be one of the best decisions you'll ever make.
Day 3 of our tours with Toby was custom designed to visit the abbeys meaningful to us. Toby's advice on taking self guiding tour, listening to the docent or just walking through were right on. He's a pro at sharing knowledge about each stop and suggesting delicious pub lunches and stopping for great photo ops.
We had Toby for 4 days; met us at the hotel at 10:00, back no later than 4-4:45pm. Covered Edinburgh and toured outside the city in a very comfortable car. He knows his subjects extremely well and has a pleasant personality. Toby was very amenable to customizing, so if there's something you want, that you do not see described in the tour, just ask. I have placed this same review for all four tours because we saw so much and loved every bit of it. This was a trip of a lifetime.
We enjoyed seeing the beautiful Scottish countryside with Toby, a knowledgeable and relaxed guide who adjusted his itinerary to avoid crowds and to show us some less touristy places that were charming. He was also a great source of information for the best restaurants near our hotel.
Toby's knowledge of the Abbeys is amazing. We really appreciated the drive around Edinburgh but the drive through to countryside was perfect to the abbeys. The stop for lunch in Melrose was great way to spend a rainy afternoon, before going out again. Thank you.
Pick up from hotel with brief driving tour of Edinburgh. Possible stop at Chriton Castle. Optional visit to Thirelstane Castle or Traquiar House. Abbotsford House. Melrose Abbey. Jedburgh Abbey. Scotts View. Dryburgh Abbey. Back to Edinburgh.
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Land Rover Discovery SUV. Large comfortable luxury car. Custom tours for up to 6 people available by separate arrangement.
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Edinburgh city centre hotel. This tour is not available to cruise ships that must be booked on a Shore Excursion.
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8 hours
1
8 hours
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
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