Edinburgh Black Cab Tours

Today we had the pleasure of touring with Sue, Francis , Eileen and Diane from the USA 🇺🇸. After picking the family up at the Airport we headed into the Old Town/ New Town to explore all the Top attractions Edinburgh has to offer and gave them a glimpse of what Edinburgh was really like over the centuries. We had lots of opportunity’s to stop for photos, thankfully the rain stayed away.
It was fantastic meeting you all and we wish you all the best on your vacation and look forward to seeing you all again when you return .

Braemar Gathering today üè¥ÛÝÅßÛÝÅ¢ÛÝÅ≥ÛÝÅ£ÛÝÅ¥ÛÝÅøüè¥ÛÝÅßÛÝÅ¢Û ÝÅ≥ÛÝÅ£ÛÝÅ¥ÛÝÅø

Yesterday I had the pleasure of showing around Malhi and Sobi from Pakistan, They wanted to take a tour up to Glencoe, First stop was Doune Castle as Malhi is a Game of Thrones fan. It has also been used as a filming location for Outlander and Monty python and the holy grail, Ivanhoe and The Bruce. Next stop was kilmahog to see Hamish the Highland Cow and friends. Again a great place for a photo opportunity . We stopped of at Killin on route to see the Falls of Dochart whic...h are stunning and a must see if your visiting Scotland . On the way we stopped many times for photos as the scenery is breathtaking. No trip to Glencoe would be complete without a stop of at Glen Etive to recreate that famous scene from the James Bond movie Skyfall. The narrow one track road to get there was worth it , the weather was just like it was when they shot the movie. We eventually reached ballachulish where the couple were staying for the night before heading on to the Isle of Skye. It was a fantastic trip with great company.
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The Grand Finale to another fantastic Edinburgh Festival.

Sir William Wallace (1270-1305)
On this day 1305 Scottish Patriot üè¥ÛÝÅßÛÝÅ¢ÛÝÅ≥ÛÝÅ£ÛÝÅ¥ÛÝÅø Sir William Wallace was murdered.
... Born in Elderslie, Renfrewshire in 1270
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish Knight who was one of the main Leaders during the first war of Scottish Independence.
He defeated the English army at Stirling bridge in 1297.
He was involved in many bloody battles during the Scottish independence wars including battles at Lanark and Falkirk.
He was defeated at the battle of Falkirk in July 1298.
In August 1305 Wallace was captured near Glasgow and handed over to King Edward the 1st of England.
He was tried and found guilty of high treason and crimes against English civilians.
Sir William Wallace was dragged through the streets of london to Smithfield where he was hanged.
He was cut from his neck to his groin ,disemboweled , castrated then his heart was cut out whilst he was still alive.
His body was cut into quarters and displayed as a warning to anyone who dared to cross King Edward the 1st. Wallace’s head was tarred and displayed on London Bridge .
The Slaughter Of Wallace didn’t have the desired effect King Edward had hoped for, instead it ignited the hearts and souls of the Scottish people to continue to fight for the cause.
The murder of Sir William Wallace also resulted in Robert The Bruce joining the cause.
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The A-listed building was designed by Thomas Hamilton and erected for the Royal High School between 1826 and 1829 on the south face of Calton Hill as part of Edinburgh's Acropolis, at a cost to the Town Council Of £34,000.
The Old Royal High School, also known as New Parliament House, is a 19th-century neoclassical building on Calton Hill in the city of Edinburgh. After the Old Royal High School was vacated in 1968, the building became available and was refurbished to accom...modate a new Parliament Building for Scotland.
However, the 1979 devolution referendum failed to provide enough backing for a devolved assembly.
More recently the building has been used as offices for departments of Edinburgh City Council.
The Old Royal High School was looked at as a potential home for the new Scottish Parliament. Eventually, however, the Scotland Office decided to site the new Scottish Parliament in a purpose-built structure in the Canongate.
A number of uses have been suggested for the building, including a home for a Scottish National Photography Centre , Music School and also a luxury hotel.
Hopefully a use can be found for this fantastic building.
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A MUST see if visiting Edinburgh!!

Donaldson Building
The Donaldson building is one of the most iconic buildings in Edinburgh located at West Coates in the west end of the City.
Sir James Donaldson, a well-known publisher and bookseller, bequeathed the money for the building’s construction. ... The site was specifically intended to educate and care for children from poor backgrounds.
The Donaldson's building was designed by architect William Henry Playfair, who also designed the Scottish National Gallery And the National Monument on Calton Hill.
The Gothic style building is inspired by Elizabethan manor houses ,it is built round a quadrangle in Tudor architecture style with large corner towers which consist of 4 smaller towers.
Queen Victoria opened the building in 1850 and was reputed to have said that the building was more impressive than her Royal Palaces.
In 1938, the Royal Institute for Deaf and Dumb, Edinburgh was merged into Donaldson's School.
It remained open as a school until 2008 but was sold to developers when it was decided it was no longer fit for purpose. It was to expensive to remain as a viable option as a school.
It has now been redeveloped and has been transformed into luxury Apartments which has also seen a new crescent with modern luxury apartments built around it also.
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This week seen us on a uk tour with the Wong family from Hong Kong, Our adventure started last Friday when we picked up the family at Manchester Airport then made our way to Alnwick Castle And Gardens for the afternoon before heading back to Edinburgh for the night. Over the next few days we visited Edinburgh/ Loch Lomond/ Windermere/ Birmingham / Bristol / Bath / Stonehenge and 2 days touring around London before saying our goodbyes at Heathrow. We crammed in lots of sights... and attractions over the 7 days. The weather was great although typically it rained on the last day but that didn’t dampen our spirits . The family had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed their time with us.
Some pictures of our travels
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Ruthven Barracks
Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie are the best preserved of the four barracks built in 1719 after the 1715 during the Jacobite rising.They were built to Police the Highlands. Set on an old castle mound, the complex comprises two large three-storey blocks occupying two sides of the enclosure, each with two rooms per floor. The barracks and enclosing walls were built with loopholes for musket firing, and bastion towers were built at opposite corners. Destroyed b...y Jacobites following their retreat after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Once you visit you will see why they chose to built the Barracks there, it commands a fantastic vantage point from attacking forces. Although it is a ruin now it’s definitely worth a visit , the views are stunning.
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Visiting Edinburgh ?? üè¥ÛÝÅßÛÝÅ¢ÛÝÅ≥ÛÝÅ£ÛÝÅ¥ÛÝÅøüè¥ÛÝÅßÛÝÅ¢Û ÝÅ≥ÛÝÅ£ÛÝÅ¥ÛÝÅø
Come and explore our Fascinating City and beyond with your own personal Qualified Taxi Tour Guide.
We offer something a bit different than the normal bus tours.
... Visit our website for details (link: http://www.edinburghblackcabtours.co.uk) edinburghblackcabtours.co.uk
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Canongate Tolbooth
The tower of the Canongate Tolbooth was built in 1591, whilst the building to the east of it slightly later. The large clock face is dated 1820 and replaced an earlier clock from the 17th Century. It was the former courthouse, Burgh jail and meeting place of the town council of the then separate Burgh of the Canongate, which was located outside the City town walls.... It was also a place where public dues or tolls were collected.
It’s now home to the People’s story Museum ,which tells the story’s of the people of Edinburgh from the late 18th Century to present day.
The Latin inscription on the front of the building reads:
The place of the seal of the Burgh. For one's country and one's successors, 1591.
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Today saw us on a tour up to Stirling Castle with Richard Mahan and friends from the USA 🇺🇸 . Stirling castle has to be one of our most requested Castles that clients ask to visit.
The weather was great today , We visited South Queensferry and the 3 bridges on the way back to Edinburgh.... Another great day with great company.
It was a pleasure touring with you all today.
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Fantastic day touring with Mark and Richard from Texas. City tour including Craigmillar Castle and Rosslyn Chapel. But the highlight for Marj was being able to get up close and personal with the Highland Coo’s , after a 30 minute hike up the hills we reached the Highland Coo’s have to admit it was well worth the trek !! The views were spectacular!! An absolute pleasure touring with Marj and Richard .
... Safe journey home .
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Today saw us on a tour to Stirling Castle picking up clients from Edinburgh,although the weather wasn‚Äôt as nice as it has been at least the rain stayed away. We managed to snap some nice photos. The Castle is a must see on a trip to Scotland üè¥ÛÝÅßÛÝÅ¢ÛÝÅ≥ÛÝÅ£ÛÝÅ¥ÛÝÅø

Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is a Gothic Monument Built in 1840 to honour Scottish Author Sir Walter Scott. On the death of Sir Walter Scott in 1832, it was agreed that a fitting monument to this outstanding Scottish literary figure should be constructed. In 1836, an architectural competition was launched, inviting designs for an appropriate memorial. ... Two years later, the trustees approved the design submitted by George Meikle Kemp, and construction began in 1840. It is located in princes street gardens opposite Jenner’s department store and beside Waverley station which is named after Scott’s Waverley novels. John Steell was commissioned to design a monumental statue of Scott to rest in the space between the tower's four columns. Steell's statue, made from white Carrara marble, shows Scott seated, resting from writing one of his works with a quill pen and his dog Maida by his side. There are 64 figures taken from Scott’s novels carved into the stonework around the Monument.It also has some impressive stained glass windows inside the monuments museum located inside. The tower was completed in 1844 at the cost of around £16,000. Unfortunately George Meikle Kemp never got to see his completed Monument , one foggy evening he apparently lost his way when walking home along the union canal fell in and drowned. The Monument is 200 feet 6 inches (61.11 m) high, and has a series of viewing platforms reached by a series of narrow spiral staircases giving panoramic views of central Edinburgh, although if you want to access the top platform you will need to squeeze up the very narrow staircase !!
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Duddingston Village
Hidden away behind Arthur’s Seat lies the small Village of Duddingston. There has been a settlement in Duddingston Village since around the 12th Century. It was once a busy weaving centre which produced a coarse linen called “Duddingston Hardings”.... Duddingston Kirk dates back to around the 12th Century and is located beside Duddingston loch. If you look closely in the picture’s you will see a small mound of stone , this is called the Loupin-On-Stane which was used as a way for Horsemen to get on their horses. To the left of the same picture you will see a black collar attached to a chain hanging from the wall , this was known as the “Jougs”. It was put on as a form of punishment, they would put the collar around the neck of the offender and padlock it. Time spent in the “Jougs “ was ment to shame them publicly. Also in the Village lies Prince Charlie’s cottage which was an early 18th century building which has been restored.It was here Prince Charles Edward Stuart held his council of war before the battle of Prestonpans in 1745. The Sheeps Heid Inn is said to be one of the oldest Remaining Inn’s.Since the 16th century an Inn has stood on the site. In 1580 King James IV gave the owner an embellished Rams head , hence where it got its name. There is also a skittle alley attached and is well known for its quality food and whisky selection. Well worth a visit when in Edinburgh.
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Come and see what your missing !!!üè¥ÛÝÅßÛÝÅ¢ÛÝÅ≥ÛÝÅ£ÛÝÅ¥ÛÝÅøüè¥ÛÝÅßÛÝ Å¢ÛÝÅ≥ÛÝÅ£ÛÝÅ¥ÛÝÅø