Where are They Now? PAUL- EDINBURGH

In this new series of blog posts, we catch up with our former guides to hear how about what they are up to now and how they are using their experience at Invisible Cities.

Paul, who led tours of Leith and so much more in Edinburgh, left the organisation in 2022 to pursue his dream: working as a Tour Leader and guide for a wider audience. Today we catch up with him to see how he is doing:

“I am actually writing these words sitting under the winter sun on the Costa Del Sol, Spain. After several years with Invisible Cities, I decided to leave in June 2022 . To say my time there has played a big part in my life would be an understatement.

After completing my training with Invisible Cities, I went to Edinburgh College to continue my Tour Guide training and was able to do coach tours of Edinburgh and tours of Edinburgh Castle.

I regained my confidence during my time with the organisation and because of this, decided to set up my own walking Tour Company called, Edinburgh Street Tours, and utilised all the contacts I made over the years to enquire about opprotunities. In the summer 2022 I was offered a full-time job as a Tour Leader taking American tourists on 14 day itineraries around Scotland. This is truly dream come true for me!

Without the training, opportunities and encouragement and support from Invisible Cities I don’t think I would be in this position and so in July I took my first tour group around Scotland for 14 days. I was so lucky with my first group, I couldn’t have asked for a nicer bunch of people! I did a further 3 tours before the season ended and I have been asked back next year (we finish up in November).

One of my dreams was to spend the winter in Spain where I have previously
lived, and guess what? I managed to do it!

Looking back on my time with Invisible Cities I am very proud of myself, when I first started I used to physically shake when speaking in public, I had no confidence at all! I then ended up helping to train others to become Tour Guides!

My next goal is to work as a coach Tour Guide in Spain in the winter months,
watch this space! “

We will catch up with Paul again in the future to keep you all posted about his Spanish adventures.