VACANCIES

We always aim to be the best we can be.

We’re a 5-star family business who have been giving history a ‘damn good telling’ since 1985. We give visitors a warm welcome and unique, memorable experiences as we share the sights and stories of Edinburgh on 18 different tours per day. Our multiple awards and reputation recognise our hard work and commitment to high-quality experiences – for visitors and the team.

We'd love to hear from you if you'd like to join our team
please send your CV to shirley@mercattours.com.

Storyteller Tour Guides

Mercat Tours are looking for enthusiastic and energetic Storytellers to join our team. 

We’re a 5 star family business who have been giving history a ‘damn good telling’ since 1985.  We give visitors a warm welcome and unique, memorable experiences as we share the sights and stories of Edinburgh on 18 different tours per day.  Our multiple awards and reputation recognise our hard work and commitment to high quality experiences – for visitors and the team.

We always aim to be the best we can be, and we have plans to grow.

Can you help us create fantastic memories for visitors?

Would you like to join our vibrant team?

We want those who have a flair for presentation, passion for history, pleasure in welcoming visitors to our beautiful city and will thrive working with our great team. 

Purpose and Objectives;

• To give history a damn good telling
• Deliver an authentic, high quality, visitor-centred experience of Scottish history
• Represent Mercat Tours, and our city, in a positive, professional manner
• Share ideas on how to improve Mercat’s service and develop new business
• Help drive the growth of Mercat in a positive, sustainable future as part of our dynamic team

Main Duties and Responsibilities;

Storytelling;

• Deliver walking tours of the Royal Mile, Blair Street Underground Vaults, Edinburgh Castle and National Museum of Scotland
• Make meaningful connections between visitors, locations, stories and tour theme to ensure a unique and memorable experience
• Share your own passion through engaging and entertaining storytelling
• Involve the audience to increase impact and effect of tour
• Thorough knowledge of Edinburgh, and Scottish, history required

 

Visitor care & focus;

• Welcome and interact with visitors pre-tour
• Prioritise visitors’ needs at all times
• Assess suitability of tour route and adjust accordingly
• Manage and support any unwell visitors
• Ensure aware of fire evacuation procedures
• Up to date First Aid training
• Communicate, support and work with Visitor Services team to ensure a first class, visitor focused experience

 

Requirements;

• Thorough knowledge of Edinburgh and Scottish history
• People focussed
• Positive and proactive approach to problem solving
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Passion for history
• Positive, supportive team member
• Flexible and resourceful
• Ability to use initiative
• Organised and punctual
• Calm under pressure
• Commitment to help us be the best we can be
• Passion for high quality product and visitor experience
• Commitment to be the best you can be

 

Audition Process;

Stage 1: Successful applicants will be invited for a 40min interview and audition

Stage 2: Successful interviewees will be called for a second audition and storytelling workshop (approximate duration 2.5 hours) date to be confirmed after audition stage.

Stage 3: Successful candidates will be offered a fixed term contract with a three-month probationary period.  You will receive our award-winning, accredited training to deliver language tours.

 

Employment Details;

• Part time and full time roles available (5 - 30hrs)
• Shifts vary in length from 4.5 to 7hrs per day
• Working hours 10am – 11pm
• Working week Monday to Sunday
• 3 month probationary period
• Completion of our accredited training programme results in a Tour Guide Qualification (SCQF Level 10), external verified by Edinburgh Napier University.

We are a Living Wage employer offering £10pr/hr starting rate, moving to £13pr/hr on completion of training.

The team share an annual discretionary bonus and company holiday home.

To Apply;

Please send your application form and CV to shirley@mercattours.com

Visitor Services Assistants

Mercat Tours are looking for lively, confident Visitor Services Assistants to join our team. 

We’re a 5 star family business who have been giving history a ‘damn good telling’ since 1985.  We give visitors a warm welcome and unique, memorable experiences as we share the sights and stories of Edinburgh on 18 different tours per day.  Our multiple awards and reputation recognise our hard work and commitment to high quality experiences – for visitors and the team.

We always aim to be the best we can be.

Can you help us grow?

Would you like to join our vibrant team?

We’re inviting people who care about visitors first and last, are passionate about our beautiful city, relish a challenge and will thrive working with our great team.

Purpose and Objectives;

• Provide visitors a 5 star warm welcome and farewell
• Represent Mercat Tours in a positive, professional manner offsite at the Mercat Cross and onsite at 28 Blair Street
• Promote and process visitor and trade sales
• Ensure high quality experience delivered consistently for visitors and trade partners
• Share ideas on how to improve Mercat’s service and develop new business
• Help drive the growth of Mercat in a positive, sustainable future as part of our dynamic team

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities;

• Advise and assist visitor’s choice of tour
• Efficient sales conversion
• Excellent product knowledge
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Maintain site ensuring 5 star experience throughout
• Positive and proactive approach to problem solving
• Attention to detail, cash handling and record keeping
• Communicate, support and work with Storytelling team to ensure a first class, visitor focused experience
• Collaborate and support Operations team to maximise efficiencies

 

Special Requirements;

• Thrives working in a team
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Positive and effective communicator
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent written skills
• Work independently and take responsibility
• Ability to use initiative
• Positive attitude
• Calm under pressure
• Think creatively
• Excellent negotiating and people management skills
• Passion for high quality product and visitor experience
• Commitment to be the best you can be

 

Details;

• Part time and full time roles available (15 - 35hrs)
• Shifts vary in length from 4.5 to 7hrs per day
• Working hours 8am – 11pm
• Working week Monday to Sunday
• 3 month probationary period

We are a Living Wage employer offering £9per hour. 

The team share an annual discretionary bonus and company holiday home.

 

To Apply;

Please send your application form and CV to shirley@mercattours.com