Oxford University 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.
Celebrating the end of Finals.
Batchelor of Arts (BA) at last.
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 very easy and not at all what you might expect.
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.
Under the Bridge of Sighs with Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre in the background
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.
