Page 119 - History of the STGA

were no emails, mobile phones or the internet which meant chatting on the phone to get to know customers and what their interests were and what they would like to see when in Scotland. visiting. In the 80s visitors would be led by my expertise and open to suggestions of what would suit them. They now have a much clearer idea of what they want to experience when visiting. Nowadays many emails can be exchanged and many visitors prefer email communication before they visit and they often have a clear idea of what they would like to see based on what they have researched on the internet, or seen in the cinema. Sometimes I need to clarify what is realistically achievable and deliver the news gently that the whole of Scotland can’t be visited in a day! Now there is also the added enjoyment of being challenged with facts from the internet - no match for 35 years experience !
‘Getting around, particularly in Edinburgh was certainly different. In the 80s and 90s we could drive right along Princes Street and all the way down the Royal Mile. We were even able to drive coaches straight onto the castle esplanade and park there while we escorted visitors around the castle. I have experienced in the last 10 years a significant increase in walking tours, as people become more conscious of both their own health and the health of the planet
‘Tourism in the 80s was certainly more seasonal with the summer accounting for around 80 per cent of business. Now we see tourists all year round and Christmas and New year draws its own crowds with the world famous celebrations - making those thermals a necessity for the walking to tours! The types of tourists I take round have changed as well. The majority of visitors taking tours in the summer in the 80s came from America. Now Asia and Europe makes up many of the numbers as well as many visitors from the Middle East.
‘The experience of guiding and showing visitors around the city continues to grow with the city. We have seen the opening of the Scottish Parliament and the Royal Yacht Britannia, both drawing interest due to their high profile and ensuring the experience for visitors continues to grow. My passion for my job certainly grows with it.’
Finding a saint
By Sue Casely
‘I took a small coach from Inverness to Aberdeen on an absolutely monsoon wet day. Luggage was in a back locker and we found on arrival that the door had been leaking and some people's clothes were wet in the suitcases. I asked about drying facilities at the hotel or where laundrettes were. No joy. The under manager took pity on me and took all the wet clothes home to dry in his own tumble dryer at no charge. It completely charmed a rather disgruntled group of passengers and I am eternally grateful.
A lucky break
By Helen Manning
‘One of our passengers stumbled and fell whilst taking a photo of the Skye bridge in a lay-by above Kyle of Lochalsh. He insisted he was OK but had great difficulty descending from the coach when we stopped for lunch in Portree. So I suggested our driver drop us both at Portree hospital to be checked over. It was Sunday and no X ray available but a doctor examined him and was pretty sure he had a broken leg. He recommended we go to Broadford Hospital whose X ray department was open.
‘However by this time our coach had already left with the rest of the group and was en route to the Clan Donald Centre. An extremely kind lady who overheard us speaking offered to take us to Broadford in her car. The visitor was immediately X rayed and his leg was encased in plaster. We called a taxi and finally caught up with the group as the coach was about to board the ferry to the mainland. Everyone was astonished to see him hobbling on crutches as he had previously insisted he did not need medical attention and would be fine!
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