Mercat Tours Ltd

Mercat Tours is an award-winning walking tour company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1985 by a history teacher, the company has grown into a family business that offers a wide range of history and ghost tours, including exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Mercat Tours is known for its commitment to high-quality storytelling, small group sizes, and guaranteed departures. They pride themselves on being a responsible and ethical business, paying their team a Real Living Wage and striving for environmental sustainability.

Mercat Tours is dedicated to making meaningful connections between people, places, and the past. They are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all visitors, and have been recognized for their efforts through a variety of awards and accreditations. The company also supports local charities and social organizations, and is a Certified B Corporation.

Mercat Tours prioritizes employee wellbeing and offers a range of flexible working options to accommodate individual needs. They provide permanent contracts with guaranteed annualized pay, flexible hours, job-share possibilities, and access to various work-life balance benefits like the Bike to Work scheme, interest-free travel loans, and an employee assistance program with 24/7 confidential support. This commitment to fair work practices ensures employees have a fulfilling and secure work environment while promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Mercat Tours offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes employee well-being and financial security. Employees receive a Real Living Wage plus, flexible working hours, permanent contracts with guaranteed annual pay, and access to various benefits including a bike-to-work scheme, interest-free travel loans, mental health first aiders, an employee assistance program, income protection insurance, and a profit-share bonus. The company also provides opportunities for personal and professional development, as well as access to a company holiday home in Birnam, Perthshire.

Mercat Tours is a family-run business committed to providing award-winning, small-group history and ghost tours in Edinburgh. They aim to craft history into compelling stories that connect people, places, and the past in a meaningful way. Their passionate storytellers bring Edinburgh's history to life, revealing hidden secrets and unique perspectives of the city. They also prioritize ethical practices, including paying the Real Living Wage, promoting sustainability with a Green Tourism GOLD award, and reconnecting vulnerable community members with their city through the "Our Stories, Your City" project.

Mercat Tours cultivates a culture that values family, community, and storytelling. They are a local, independent, 5-star family business that prioritizes a warm welcome and a memorable experience for their visitors, all while fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity within their team. Their commitment to ethical practices and a focus on sustainability are ingrained in their company culture, as evidenced by their Living Wage, Fair Work, and Green Tourism GOLD accreditations.

Mercat Tours prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its operations, striving to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for its employees, visitors, and the wider community. This commitment is reflected in their commitment to Living Wage jobs, their promotion of fair work practices, and their dedication to ensuring that their team represents the diversity of their visitors. They are also actively working to review and improve their practices to ensure a sense of belonging for everyone at Mercat.