Travel Kat Tours

03/07/2025

It's Royal Week here in Edinburgh. 👑

Very mixed opinions on the monarchy here on the streets.
I spoke to a police officer who was guarding the gates into Holyrood Palace, she said the King has already left (after his garden party) and that Prince Edward and Princess Anne are still in residence.

Funnily enough I had a Royal history tour this afternoon, talking all about past Scottish Kings & Queens.
I always mention Mary Queen of Scots of course, but make a point of mentioning her son, King James 6th. I always feel he gets overlooked.

Do you have a favourite monarch from history? ⚔️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

02/07/2025

Some recent reviews from guests who came on tour.

A mix of Edinburgh history, witchcraft, graveyard tours and some Harry Potter. This month the stats show the majority were from the USA, however I did get some German and Danish guests too.
All in all a great June I'd say! ☺️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

To book your tour contact me below 👇🏻
📧 [email protected]

30/06/2025

Oh boy is it warm here in Edinburgh today. ☀️

Reaching 25°c and climbing, I really wish I had put on some sun lotion before I left the house this morning. 🙉

Edinburgh is gearing up for Royal Week this week, King Charles will be in town for his annual garden party at Holyrood Palace. If you are visiting this week, note that Holyrood is closed to visitors until the weekend.

28/06/2025

I have started guiding in Edinburgh Castle, pre-opening to the public. It's the best way to experience the castle without the crowds and waiting in line. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚔️
It's a new territory for me, learning about a fortress that dates back to the 1300's, but it's just another string to my bow as they say.
Did you know that on average 8000 people everyday visit Edinburgh Castle?

20/06/2025

One of my favourite beaches in Scotland.
📍Garry Beach, near Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis.

Scotland is blessed with such a beautiful coastline, the weather might not always be ideal but they are usually quieter and cleaner.
I've written a wee post on my favourite beaches across the country.
Check it out below 👇🏻
https://www.travelkattours.com/blog/scotlands-best-beaches

20/06/2025

The Floral Clock is in full bloom at the moment in Edinburgh.🌼🌸

First commissioned in 1903 by John McHattie who was the Superintendent of Parks in Edinburgh who wanted to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII. Initially the clock had one hour hand and then the year later the additional minute and was added.

The clock officially began ticking in June 1903. Since then every year over 35,000 flowers and plants are used to create the time piece.

This year the clock design is in honour of the 200th anniversary of the creation of Braille and the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

📍You can find the Floral Clock on the corner steps leading into West Princes Street Gardens from the Mound. They will be in bloom until October.

11/06/2025

📍 St.Nicholas, Aberdeen

https://www.travelkattours.com/blog/history-of-st-nicholas-kirkyard-aberdeen

St Nicholas Kirk in the centre of Aberdeen has such a long history dating back to 1151.
I have written a wee guide on the history of the kirk and the kirkyard (don't worry it is a very brief history).
If like me, you love exploring the old graveyards in Scotland, this one does have some notable burials, one that links to world famous illusionist Harry Houdini. I love how higgledy-piggledy the tombstones are in this one.

The kirk itself is undergoing extensive archaeological work and an exciting redevelopment is in the works with arts charity, Scot Arts.
You can visit the kirkyard daily until 4pm. Access is via Union Street or Schoolhill gates.
Scot Art

04/06/2025

Out for an evening tour down Edinburgh's Royal Mile tonight. It was a windy one!
Starting at the majestic Edinburgh Castle and finishing outside the gates of Holyrood Palace.
This tour weaves in and out of the many closes - the Scots word for alleyway.

#

03/06/2025

📍Inverness
I have created a wee mini guide on Inverness.
Where to stay, what to see and of course where to eat and drink.

I have tried to include independent businesses where possible. Personally, I would recommend two days to fully explore the city itself.

Inverness is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands but the city itself has lots to see and do. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚔️

https://www.travelkattours.com/blog/inverness-guide

Caths Inverness Tours

A mini guide on what to see in Inverness, where to eat and how long to stay.

30/05/2025

Do you have plans this weekend?

I've written up a post about the best seafood you can find on the east coast of Scotland. 🐟🍽️

Whether you're looking for the best fish and chips or perhaps the best Cullen Skink soup you'll find something good on this list. 👇🏻

https://www.travelkattours.com/blog/the-best-seafood-in-scotland-east-coast

A list of the best fish and chips shops, seafood restaurants and fishmongers across the east coast of Scotland.

20/02/2025

📍The Scottish Parliament need your help 👇🏻

On the side of the Scottish Parliament is the Canongate Wall. It is at the foot of Edinburgh's Royal Mile on your right.

You can spot the Edinburgh skyline inscription on the stone along side different cuts of stone from all around Scotland. You'll find some Aberdeenshire granite, Bressay sandstone from Shetland,and Iona Marble to name a few.
At the moment there are 26 quotations, of relevance to Scotland and the Parliament, range from well-loved pieces of poetry to proverbs and psalms.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament building, the parliament are adding three new quotations to the wall. Each option is embedded in the link below.

I'm glad to see that three creative women have been chosen - Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay, and Kathleen Jamie.
All three have been the Scots Makar, or National Poet for Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Now it's your turn to get involved and help vote for the final choice. All of the quotes can be found at the link below. There is also a video one each option you can listen to.

My favourite quote was
"The dead don't go till you do, loved ones. The dead are still here, holding our hands." By Jackie Kay.

Personally, I must add that it is a pity that none of these six options are in the Scots language or Gaelic - however these were the ones that have been shortlisted with help from the Scottish Poetry library. 📚

Link to vote here: https://www.parliament.scot/get-involved/canongate-wall-vote?fbclid=PAY2xjawIkncpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpj_AlzWc2hNyYZJl4BhlcGB4qaX8De48LDY9L5URMCRQBrFXI7oUG4xEow_aem_zxHBApwt2vZKlEwyMt8nZg

17/02/2025

Happy Monday folks. 👋🏻

I have a new blog post up on my website about some of the haunted castles and historic homes in Scotland.

Over hundreds of years, eerie haunting sights have been encountered, even by the most sceptical of unbelievers.

We are blessed with many beautiful historical homes and castles, however some may also have a paranormal aura around them. This article will tell you about some of Scotland’s most haunted Castles that you can visit… enter if you dare.

https://www.travelkattours.com/blog/haunted-castles-in-scotland

Scotland is blessed with some beautiful castles and historic homes. However, some of them seem to have a haunted past... This post will detail the ghostly visitors, sinister tales and dark history behind some of these historic homes.