Well firstly, not for my looks! I do try, I always wear a kilt when I'm working but let's face it, I'm not going to improve your Instagram feed.
As I've stated earlier I am a Blue Badge member of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association. This means , like all other members, I have gone through a training course, lasting around 18 months, which covers all aspects of guiding. It doesn't just concentrate on history as many think but on a variety of subjects concerning Scotland (from geology to religion, to the arts and to its music) as well as practical guiding lessons on controlling groups, presentation of subjects and audience engagement. Successful completion of the course results in a qualification and the permission to guide round the whole country.
I like a laugh and try and find stories about locations and events to tell rather than bombarding you with dates and figures. On driving tours I won't talk all the time, just when I've something worth saying or to answer queries.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, if you book me you'll be booking a professional guide who has proven his abilities. I'm insured in terms of public liability. Unlike many other "guides" my vehicle is insured appropriately and maintained to a high standard. If you book me you get me, not some other person covering for me as I've got busy and am trying to make much money as possible.
I'll actually guide you, I'll not drive you somewhere and leave you to fend for yourself (my pet hate is walking through the car park of Stirling Castle and observing all the "guides" in their cars on their phones whilst their guests are wandering around the complex wondering what it's all about). I won't be able to answer all your questions but if I can't I'll find out the answer. I'm not an expert in all aspects of Scotland, as I usually tell people "I know a fair bit about a lot of stuff but not everything".
Price wise I'm not as cheap as some. I base my prices on the recommended STGA rates
https://www.stga.co.uk/stga-guide-rates-fees
taking into account my experience and standards. Feel free to go cheaper, it may be fine but there may be a reason for other "guides" costing less. Regarding insurance, that's probably not important to some at the initial stage of searching for a guide but it will be if something goes wrong.
So that's really what I wanted to make clear, I'm heading I not my fifth year of guiding, I'm getting better all the time and I think I'm worth it. Please feel free contact me to ask questions or just tell me to put my knees away...