The idea of creating a new Edinburgh tour company had been bouncing around the office for a while. The questions were always the same: Is it something we want to do? Is there room for another tour company? And what sort of tours would we actually want to run?
By 2026, the timing felt right. After speaking with other businesses in the area, the answer to the first question became clearer - yes, there is room for another company. And as for the type of tour…why limit ourselves?
So, the wheels were set in motion, and a tour company began to take shape. No name yet, but at least a vision. Things like registering a business, securing licences, and arranging insurance were all second nature to the team.
Once that foundation was in place, the first big decision arrived: the name. Plenty of ideas were thrown around, but it needed purpose. It had to clearly express who we are while also conveying a sense of quality and prestige - something that not only reflected the standard we wanted to set for what we offered but also set the bar for what we expect of ourselves. A bit much, you might say, but if you’re going to do it, do it right.
Eventually, we landed on Experience Edinburgh Tours & Events. It says exactly what we want people to do when they join us, while also avoiding any limits on what we might become. It leaves the door open - not just for tours, but for a whole range of future possibilities when the time is right.
So, we have a name. The team will come on time. Right now, we need a product - one tour to start with, one experience to build the brand around.
That’s what I’m working on now: writing the script.
From the outset, I knew I didn’t want a tour that walks from place to place, stopping to point out what something is or explain a bit of history. I want every stop to have a purpose - each one naturally leading into the next, with the city’s story unfolding as you go.
Easier said than done, you might think, but you’d be surprised. Edinburgh has a million stories, and every one of them - at least the ones that have survived - has left its mark on the city or was shaped by it. All you have to do is join the dots.
And truthfully, I’m looking forward to seeing where that story leads, and what tales we end up telling along the way.