About Me
A former Scottish archaeologist, Mary has been guiding in Scotland since 1994. She completed the Blue Badge qualification from the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) in 1999. FULLY BILINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH Mary is part of the Scottish Diaspora, having grown up and lived in Buenos Aires for 20 years, nurturing both Latin and Celtic roots.
Her expertise covers package tours, walking tours, coach tours, special needs tours, incentive and conference tours, walking tours, and shore excursions from cruise ships. Mary can interpret most aspects of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage, from archaeology to whisky!
Tourist Guide Training
Mary is an accredited Lead International Trainer for the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations since 2007, an accredited Trainer for the European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG) and a member of their Training Consultative Group. This work, at times in partnership with the UNWTO, UNESCO and the World Bank, has seen her deliver training courses and talks in Cyprus, Serbia, Estonia, India, Brunei, Tanzania, Portugal, Spain, Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Macau. In Scotland she has trained tourist guides towards professional qualifications since 2001 and is a former Course Director for the Scottish Blue Badge courses. She has also trained people in Communication and Presentation skills, Voice skills and Cultural Awareness beyond the tourism sector. Mary is an accredited Cruise Guide Trainer through the WFTGA and Progress International.
Client Testimonials
More Testimonials
Dear Mary, on behalf of the participants and myself I would like to thank you again and to emphasize that it is due to your positive attitude and great contribution that the training course was a great success and all participants had a great experience. Lia Bakhshinyan, President of Armenian Guild Guides (March 2015)
Thank you for all your work as Director of the course, and for working so closely with us in OLL; I’m sure the successor course will be a great success, with your input; and thanks for everything you did over the years of involvement in many other ways, i really do appreciate your contribution. Con Gillen, Director Office of Lifelong Learning University of Edinburgh (22 March 2014)
You’ve been the guide we’d so hoped to have on this Kelman clan grand tour. You are amazingly knowledgeable, thoroughly attentive to our needs/ wants and always in good humor. I’m thrilled Noteworthy called you for our trip, and that you said ‘yes’. You will last in our memories for a lifetime. Sharyl Davis (September 2013)
Thank you very much again for the well conducted training courses in Baku and thank you for the comprehensive report. Ilgar Umudov, GIZ (June 2013
Thank you so much for organising a wonderful week’s Summer School and for being a friend as well as a mentor to us. Class of 2012 STGA Trainee guide (July 2012)
The course was yet again a great success so thank you again. Diane Crichton, Walter Scott & Partners Limited (Aug 2011)
Thanks once again for your support of visitscotland Expo with the guiding of the Spanish fam trip ‘The Mysteries and Legends of the North’. All of the Spanish delegates were very impressed with the warm welcome they received. Everyone agreed that the fam trip provided a lot of inspiration for new Scotland programme ideas. Sandy Harrison / VisitScotland (April 2011)
Just a line to thank you so much for all your input to the Summer school. You always say kind things about us – well mostly! – we certainly don’t always deserve them! S Porteous, trainee Scottish tourist guide (July 2009)
And huge thanks for all your hard work on the trip (Summer School). J Laurie, trainee Scottish tourist guide (July 2009)
You have proved yourself a valuable member of the WFTGA training division. from President of the WFTGA when notified of my WFTGA Lead Trainer appointment (February 2009)
Outstanding performance in all categories. Highly articulate, strong voice but what shines through is the tremendous enthusiasm in her narrative and in her use of gesture… A fantastic tour. Even made enjoyable for someone who has heard it all many times before. A real ambassador for the Parliament. comments from Parliament Secret visitor (2008)
The clients enjoyed their trip to Scotland & were very happy with your services (please see email below)! Thank you! Judith Prentis from Premium Uk for Cavestany Group (2008)
Thanks again for your fantastic assistance with this group. Rachel Meldrum from Travel Scot World for J&B Spain (2008)
To Mary the Marvelous Mentor with heartfelt thanks lots of love and much appreciation, Your class of 06/08 Blue Badge Trainees April (2008)
Mary is an excellent tourist guide and trainer and is developing her training skills. She has worked as a lecturer and mentor in the past for tourist guide training. This weekend was the first time she had led a whole training weekend, working with other guide trainers and tutors. She made the requirements clear to all tutors who were briefed and knew exactly what they were to do. Mary’s own presentations were clear and effective. Ros Newlands, WFTGA President (2007)
This is just a quick note to say thank you so much for all your hard work last week – I always know I am leaving the group in good hands when I am working with you – I had much more fun than I thought I was going to have in the end, mostly due to having a great team to work with. So once again thanks for all your excellent guiding and support (at times much needed and very much appreciated!) The group was a great success! Sascha Ritchie from Travel Connection for Groupama (2007)
Because Mary’s tour was so wonderful, and with no obvious problems that jarred, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour! It was a real pleasure, and I am certain that the other customers on the tour felt the same. There is no doubt that Mary’s tour is extremely good value for money… I don’t think I need to wax-lyrical any more! Aside to say that you are clearly an excellent guide, and a credit to the Scottish Parliament. I think what really makes the tour special is that you really seem to enjoy the tour yourself! comments from Parliament Secret visitor (2007)
… a very big thank you and round of applause to Mary and … . Your easy charm, positiveness, presentational skills and clarity of thought in the impromptu situations were masterly. You are both certainly the Professionals and a role model for all Blue Badge guides. Well done and thank you once again. participant in professional CPD for Blue Badge Tourist Guides (2007)
This Guide is simply the best I’ve seen. Her warm, enthusiastic and entertaining delivery invites all members of the Group to participate in the experience of visiting the Scottish Parliament. Visitors couldn’t fail to take away a positive image of what they have been shown, and a real insight into the history, current context and responsibilities of C21st government in Scotland.
This is the only Guide I’ve come across who has received a spontaneous round of applause at the close of the tour – which says it all. I hope she will be involved (if she’s not already!) in training guides of the future! comments from Parliament Secret visitor (2006)
I received this e-mail from the tour-leader of the Askus Group this morning. It is not so often we get feedback from the client direct so I thought I would pass this on to you – I think an excellent result all round! Thank you so much for help with this group – we really do appreciate all your hard work. Carol Neave KUDOS Scotland
“Dear Carol…our guide, Mary, impressed us a lot with her great knowledge, personality and dedication. We learnt a lot from her…” Gunnar Backlund, ASKUS (2007)
Excellent storytelling! Very professional and enjoyable performance. You are a wonderful ghost tour guide. Fabulous! Lynsay Cargill for Mercat Tours (2006)
- We couldn’t stop laughing as the stories were being narrated. An excellent tour, just to know a different side of the city.
- Original, unpredictable, something new … I would include it in my budgets!!!!
- Really great. .. and a very good experience.
VisitScotland visitor survey for Spanish agents on Mary’s Ghost Tour with Mercat (2006)
I would just like to say thank you as the Familia Martin De Mejico were delighted with their tour and mentioned in their email that they had an excellent tour of Edinburgh. I look forward to working with you again in the near future. Michelle Larkin from Scotland Tours, Dunfermline
Thank you so much for everything, the group were really, really happy with everything, especially you, so huge pat on the back to both of us I reckon. You did a great job as always… Sascha Ritchie from Travel Connection for Skandia Group
Thank-you so much for a fantastic tour. I think that Mary Ann Anderson thoroughly enjoyed it, and I did too! I am very grateful to you for coming in at such short notice. Hannah Dolby for the USA journalist Mary Ann Anderson at Museum of Scotland
The Feedback was great!… It was lovely to work with you again and I do hope it is not too long until the next time… Hedda Clark from Premium UK for MBA Spain (2007)
Thanks to you all for a wonderful effort at Leith today. I know it went well, because Martin Bidgood reported back to Aragon head office in Stevenage full of enthusiasm for the part each of you played in this — and head office came on the phone suggesting we should pass this on. I am delighted to do so! Jan Philip for Aragon Tours (June 2006)
Thank you all so much for you help and patience over the weekend with the Audi group. I spoke with Noemi yesterday at the airport and she said Edith from Audi was very happy with your guiding assistance. I really appreciate how patient everyone was considering the amount of “stand-by” we were all working with. Fiona Pengelly for TravelScot World for for Audi Spain (2004)
I just wanted to write and let you know how much I appreciated all your hard work, help and flexibility during the group’s visit to Scotland. Your professionalism, knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to relate to the group certainly helped make this a memorable visit to Scotland for everyone. Helen Versloot from Gullivers for Citibank Argentina
