Tour rival sings out in protest over musician's guided walk

TOUR groups embarking on a journey to discover Edinburgh's secrets and mysterious past are a regular sight on the Royal Mile.

But for the Capital's best-known tour company, the arrival of a new upstart with his own guided walk was a step too far.

Mercat Tours, which operates walks around the Old Town, has complained to the council after pub entertainer Graeme Pearson launched plans for a musical tour of the city's alleys and wynds.

Mr Pearson's preferred starting point for his afternoon tour – at the Mercat Cross where Mercat Tours operate from – is at the centre of the dispute. City councillors are due to meet this week to discuss Mr Pearson's application for a street trader's licence, but the 42-year-old musician today said he was willing to negotiate, and would propose a new meeting point at the blue police box next to Tron Kirk. Local councillor Charles Dundas today "commended" his willingness to switch location, but said competition for the larger, more-established companies should be welcomed.

In his letter of objection to the council, Mercat Tours director Des Brogan wrote: "To permit another trader to operate from the exact same venue would cause considerable difficulties, and lead to confusion of products and disruption to the already-crowded footpaths. The reputation of this company and, no doubt, (neighbouring firm) City of the Dead Tours would be jeopardised if other companies were permitted to capitalise on existing and well-established trading sites, and lead to considerable inconvenience for the visitors to Edinburgh on whose satisfactory experience we all depend."

Mr Pearson, from South Queensferry, has amassed a cult following throughout the country for his unique style and range of Scottish songs and rhymes.

He said: "Originally I wanted to start at the three red telephone boxes outside the Fringe office on the Royal Mile, but the Fringe is responsible for managing this section of the street during the Festival between 11am and 9pm.

"The 9.30pm tour would still start there, but I looked at the Mercat Cross for the afternoon tour, and wanted to start at 2pm, because the Mercat Tours begin at 2.15pm. But I do understand their point of view."

Mr Pearson said he could not compete with larger companies, adding his Oor Tours walk would offer "something different" and that stories with songs and entertainment were an effective way of leaving a lasting impression.

Mr Dundas said today: "We have to do everything we can to support small, independent businesses, like the boutique shops on Victoria Street or in the West End. The same principle applies here.

"It's understandable why the big company wants to protect itself, but there is more than enough room for healthy competition, to keep big companies on their toes."

He added that if the tour was to start at the Mercat Cross, he did not believe that an extra A-board would cause over-crowding. Mr Brogan was unavailable for comment.