Oxford Tour Guide Iain
Oxford University Graduate
I’m a former student here, I read Modern Languages at Jesus College, taking final examinations (“Finals”) in the long, hot summer of 1976.
I was at school in Oxford too, so it’s very much home to me, and I now live in the centre, truly a local.
The photo below perfectly captures the moment of celebration after the end of Finals.
Students today still wear the same formal “uniform” for University exams, it’s called sub fusc, meaning “dark”.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The photo above was taken in front of the Sheldonian Theatre, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece, where I’d just formally received my BA degree in the magnificent Oxford graduation ceremony.
I am proudly wearing my Bachelor of Arts gown and hood (the white ermine – it probably was in those days, today it’s faux fur).
Qualified Professional Guide
After a career including time spent abroad in the Middle East and Spain, I returned to Oxford and qualified as a professional, official Green Badge Guide for the City of Oxford.
I’m also a member of the venerable Oxford Guild of Tour Guides and the prestigious Institute of Tourist Guiding, the governing body of our profession in England.
Later I became an MA, Master of Arts, which means I can officially designate myself as MA (Oxon).
How exactly you qualify for an MA at Oxford is not at all what you might expect.
And this is the current Oxford Tour Guide Iain.
Less hair, and no moustache.
Please go to the Reviews page to find out what visitors think of my Oxford walking tours.
If you like radio and podcasts here’s a recording of a live interview I did on Marlow FM radio recently, all about Oxford. It lasts 40 minutes or so.
I’ve edited out the music.
The conversation ranges from Harold Wilson to Harry Potter, Prosecco to Punting, as well as Literature, Religion, Architecture, History, and of course Oxford University and its colleges.
“Very informative, really fun…I’ve learnt an awful lot”, said Carla the interviewer afterwards.
