I’ve been to Edinburgh 3 times. But this time I hired a blue badge guide and finally really saw and understood the city. Granted, the previous two trips were in my budget conscious youth, but at this point I am convinced this is the only real way to see it especially if you are like me and want to feel like you really got an education about the place you visited. Our guide met us at our hotel at 9am and dropped us off at 5pm. And in total we walked probably 4 miles. But he made it fun, gave us options depending on walking ability and interest levels, and stopped to show us things I would have never found on my own.
I had originally tried the list of tour guides in the Rick Steve’s book. But one of those guides, who was already booked, recommended the guide I used named Robert Keightley at [email protected]. He was awesome. A+. Friendly, easy to get along with, and accommodating. Just an all around pleasant person.
I’ll be doing a more elongated trip report upon my return (I’m still in Scotland), but this was my big takeaway from the trip so far. Hope this is helpful to others trying to decide if the guide is worth the expense.
If you ask me, it is.
Bob