Gains

Your Local Historian

  • I live in Edinburgh
  • I speak English
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 30 hours

Hi there! Nice to meet you

Gains

Ever since I was a small boy, growing up in south-west Scotland, Gains has been fascinated by his country's history, landscape and culture. In 2016, I completed a PhD in Scottish history at the University of Aberdeen and since then have been leading walking tours through Edinburgh. My thesis concerned how Scots during the eighteenth century viewed the British Empire. It has been a constant pleasure for him to show off the most beautiful city of the United Kingdom to new arrivals and reveal just some of its charms, secrets and unbelievable stories. Other interests include rugby (mostly watching these days), hiking, creative writing and occasional games of dnd. Car and bus tours are all very well for getting a sense of Edinburgh but it's only through walking that travelers can really feel like they've fully experienced this truly unique city. I'm a keen traveler (I've spent a lot of time in the United States, Canada and continental Europe especially), therefore I understand the desire to make sure you make the most of your time while in a new place.

  • I live in Edinburgh
  • I speak English
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 30 hours

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Reviews

Emily
15 July 2025
Gains is extreamly knowledgable about scottish history. He helped us to orient ourselves in the city especially around the royal mile. Wether it was identifying the inspiration for Hogwarts and the validity as such, to the square by the writers museum which holds quotes of Scottish authors, he showed us hidden areas that would be easily missed by the casual visitor. If you have a love of history and want to engage with a likeminded individual Gains is your ideal tour guide.Great tour!
Alesia
2 July 2025
Edinburgh is a wonderful city to visit-rich with history. People were very friendly and it was very convenient to get around the city by tram or bus. We did a walking tour with Gains because we love history. Gains was fabulous-very intelligent and knowledgeable about the history of Edinburgh and Scotland. He fixed the tour around our interests and was very amenable to any changes. We learned so much from him and had a very memorable tour!Edinburgh
Tom
9 June 2025
Ki Jin
24 April 2025
We had a wonderful walking tour of Edinburgh with Gains. He took us to interesting places within the city which are not popularly visited. He was patient, kind and understanding and adapted the tour according to our interests Interesting and informative tout
Judy
2 April 2025
We really enjoyed Gaines’s discussion of Scottish history and being shown various historical sites. If you want to nerd out about history and its relevance to the world today, Gains is your guy!A real historian’s tour!
James
16 March 2025
We had a tremendous experience with Gains. He was so knowledgeable and accommodating. It was a tremendous experience. We highly recommend booking him for a tour. He’s a true professional!Old Town Edinburgh w/Gains
Saskia
5 March 2025
Gains waited for us at the hotel lobby in the new city and took us for a two hour walk, through the new city to the old city and the castle for another hour. We experienced an outstanding three hours of historic lecture, learned a lot and heard a lot of fun facts too. Gains knows a great deal about the city and it's history and we probably could have spent another three hours to learn even more about the city. Highly recommended! Very knowledgable sympathetic guide

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