Stuart Usher

Stuart is our Founder and Senior Guide. His family is famous in Edinburgh; His great-great uncle introduced blended whisky to the world and amassed a fortune from which he gifted the amazing Usher Hall to the City of Edinburgh. Stuart’s old-world charm and knowledge of Edinburgh and its marvellous history is absolutely unparalleled. His renown made him the subject of a Channel Four ‘Cutting Edge’ documentary…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTJllkd2ASs

Dr Alison Duncan

Alison is a professional historian and a former University Lecturer in History. She will make the wonders of Scottish History come alive in front of your eyes as she takes you on a tour. Her professional reputation is such that she was chosen to be interviewed by Channel Four’s Professor Alice Roberts as part of their episode covering Edinburgh, on the hit TV series, ‘Britain’s Most Historic Towns’…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NywhmJE0Q4&t=1s

David Forsyth

David is a professional historian and was Head of the Scottish History Department of the National Museum of Scotland, prior to his recent retirement. David will absolutely delight you with his stories about the city and its history. He was recently chosen to be featured on the BBC’s ‘Art that made us’ and is shown here talking to the BBC’s Shaun Leane…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P_xez5lAOo

Prof. John Frank

John held a Personal Chair in Public Health Research and Policy in the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh from 2017 to 2021. He was born in Canada but has lived and worked in Edinburgh for 20 years. He is a keen history devotee and has steeped himself in Edinburgh’s history (particularly medical history) and loves to showcase that knowledge to our guests.

Douglas Graham

After training for three years as a stage actor, Douglas read Theology at the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Oxford. He is a keen student of History and a tremendously gifted storyteller. He may even regale you with a traditional Scottish folk song. The combination of his thespian talents and his encyclopaedic knowledge of Scottish History will both amaze and enthral you!

Ex-Dentist Craig is a Scot who has a lifelong passion for history. As a Dentist, his professional life took him to England and to Germany. Eventually, the pull of home brought him back to Scotland and his proximity to Edinburgh reignited his passion, not just to further expand his knowledge of its history, but to unfold to others the historical riches this wonderful city holds. Craig also takes our German Speaking Tours (Deutschsprachige Touren).

Ex-Ship's Captain, Steuart Watkins is an Edinburgh native who travelled the world with the Royal Navy before working on merchant-fleets and yachts. Steuart subsequently returned to Scotland and has spent several years as a tour guide. He has always taken an avid interest in Scotland’s history and he will spin you some fabulous yarns as he walks you around our beautiful city and he may even entertain you with a Scottish folk song!

After a distinguished career in government and universities, culminating in him becoming the Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair is now hosting tours that unveil the secrets of this historic city. He is also a writer and performer who has had novels published and has performed in many theatre productions, following in the footsteps of his great uncle and namesake, the world-famous British actor Alastair Sim. Alastair is yet another of our guides who can be persuaded to burst into a rendition of Scottish folk song.

Oxford-educated Fiona combines her love of history and storytelling to bring the past to life. Fiona vividly shares the hopes and dreams of the city and its people, whilst walking you through the iconic treasures of Edinburgh. Leave the guidebook at home and join Fiona to explore the sights, secrets and unforgettable history of our beautiful city.

James studied History at the University of Sheffield and has worked in both Local and National

Government in the United Kingdom. He was an associate of Professor Frank’s from the Usher Institute,

he lives in the New Town of Edinburgh and loves exploring the Old Town of our phenomenal capital city.