Page 17 - Microsoft Word - Guiding light final version 1855 1306.doc

worked as a shipping and despatch clerk for woollen goods exporter, C R McRitchie. George later suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and was confined to a wheelchair.
Blue Badge guide Ros Newlands who was later to become a major figure in the STGA recalls: ‘George Cochran lived in the Thistle Foundation, and was disabled. Nobody was allowed to meet him. Mr Cochran had to go through the list methodically, this was just Edinburgh, and employ the guides in strict order. You didn’t give your availability or anything, he just phoned you up and hoped that you were available. And if you could speak a foreign language, you were not allowed to guide in English, even if you were British. You were not, for Mr Cochran, anyway. That was a source of a lot of resentment by a lot of guides, as I'm sure you can imagine. But it was done with the best of intentions, because there wasn’t nearly as much work then. So, the idea was to make sure the English-speaking guides would also get work.’
The newsletter also reflected that many changes had taken place over the years in the way groups have been escorted at Edinburgh Castle. ‘Originally the Precincts were free, with a small charge made for visiting the Apartments,’ it said.
‘(English speaking) guides were never permitted to lecture inside the Apartments, but gave the lecture outside each of the rooms in turn and waited for the return of the groups from one room before continuing to the next,’ it said.
‘The exception were foreign language guides who always guided in the castle and the palace. In 1973 this system changed to one way with a chain across Crown Square where tickets had to be produced and where no guide entered.
The full-time permits were reduced from 28 to 20 with 10 floating permits and guides had to sign a book on each visit with a group. The following year a directive was given from the Information Officer at the Castle that guides had to inform the Area Superintendent when they were bringing a group to the Castle, so that a Castle Guide would be ready to conduct the party around.
In 1975 all guides were asked to fill in papers at home about their knowledge of the castle and 25 permits would be given for a year to the guides who visited the castle most frequently and who passed the written test. Guides were advised to read Grants Old and New Edinburgh volume one.
The newsletter reported: ‘Before this was carried out a Special Meeting of members was held when it was decided not to co-operate until counsel’s opinion was sought on the legal position of members of the Association having freedom to conduct touring parties round the castle precincts. All were advised not to return completed test papers.’
Below is the controversial test paper.
Edinburgh Castle Test Paper
1. How would you introduce the Castle to indicate its peculiar importance and range of interest? (Quote in full what you might actually say to a party of visitors).
2. List the historical events which, in your judgement, deserve the most emphasis in the course of the Castle tour.
3. List the buildings to which you would draw particular attention.
4. Quote in full what you might actually say about:
(a) Three of these events.
(b) Three of the buildings
5. Write a brief essay(one side of foolscap) on one of the following:
Either (a) It is difficult to present to visitors the dramatic story of the Castle in the Middle Ages because the appearance of all the buildings and defences has subsequently been so completely altered. Discuss.
(b) After the Act of Union the Ancient Royal Fortress and Residence dwindled to the
status of a mere garrison; the Victorians, however, tried to recreate some of its ancient splendour. This long process of change is illustrated by the Castle we see today. Discuss.
6. Write a short critical review (no more than one side of foolscap) of the Edinburgh Castle section of Old and New Edinburgh*: what are its virtues and faults.
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