MEET THE GUIDES
MARY BIRCH
Mary
BIRCH
Hello, I’m Mary – born in Ireland, educated in England and settled in Scotland.
After a successful career teaching in Aberdeen, I spent a number of years working and travelling in North America. On my return to Scotland I settled in its wonderful capital of Edinburgh.
Always keen to learn something new I embarked on the intense Scottish Tourist Guide Association course extending my knowledge, understanding and appreciation of my beautiful adopted homeland. The course gave me a fantastic opportunity to travel all over Scotland and get to know its regional history and customs as well as collaborating with some skilled fellow guides.
I love Scotland – its history, its culture, both traditional and contemporary. I have a broad variety of interests which I would love to share with you. Come and explore the literary haunts old and new in Edinburgh or marvel at the public monuments and statues and see the little doggie whose statue is Edinburgh’s smallest listed building. Let’s travel to St. Andrews where we can walk across the Royal and Ancient golf course but where we can also see the café where Prince William and Kate Middleton enjoyed a coffee, perhaps comparing lecture notes. Let’s go and experience the fabulous sculptures that are the Kelpies and the fabulous architecture that is the V&A in Dundee… and I haven’t even started on that shining metropolis which is Glasgow nor the fantastic Highlands and Islands…
Mary gave us a wonderful tour of the Royal Mile. Great background stories and interesting historical facts. It brought the history of Edinburgh alive. Thank you, Mary.
Duckers Family – October 2021
Mary, we are all so grateful to you for your kindness, your expert knowledge of Scottish history, of flora and fauna and just the comfort of your calm, steady presence. Thank you, thank you …we won’t forget.
The Mull Gang – Sept 2022
WHAT MAKES ME SPECIAL
My energy and downright enthusiasm!
tour with me because
I’ll be able to tailor your tour to your interests. You’ll learn lots whilst having a lot of fun!
WHAT I’M LIKE
I regard myself as a pretty open, friendly person and I am able to engage with many people irrespective of age or background. I am definitely a life-long learner so I enjoy researching for tours but sometimes I have to stop myself spending too many hours following leads and get back to the real world.
FAVOURITE SCOTTISH FOOD
I love haggis and every time I have it at a Burns Supper I wonder why I don’t eat it more often. I also love ‘skirlie’ (so called because of the ‘skirl’ sound it makes when the pinhead oats are fried together with fat in a pan). This delicacy dates from my time living in Aberdeen. Very unhealthy. Very delicious.
AN OBSCURE FACT
I met the musician, Sting, five years ago when he performed in the Leith Dockers Club in Edinburgh.
FAVOURITE SCOTTISH SONG
I really like the singing duo, The Proclaimers, and particularly their song Sunshine on Leith has special memories for me. A few years ago I took part in a ‘Moonwalk’ Charity walk with my daughter. This involved walking 26 miles overnight from one side of Edinburgh to another. After trudging through the Edinburgh streets in an Edinburgh ‘summer’ it was quite magical – and uplifting – to actually see sunshine on Leith as it rose over the water.
FAVOURITE PLACE
The East Neuk of Fife. I have spent many happy weeks watching the waves crashing over the rocks in a house situated right on the shore. I have also been lucky enough on a calmer day to see pods of dolphins swimming in the sea beyond, the sunlight catching their leaping, silvery bodies.