3.3
I =
Interviewer K = Kirsty
I: So, how did you get the job?
K: Well, IÕm really interested in history,
and well É I found out about this company. You donÕt have to have any special
qualifications, but I think an interest in history is important, and you have
to have a good memory. I can remember dates and other facts easily, so itÕs not
a problem for me.
I: What other qualities do you think
are useful?
K: I think you have to be a good story-teller É and a good actor. I mean,
you have to try and bring the history alive. I donÕt just talk about it –
I try to get the visitors to become part of the history, and really believe it.
I: So do you have to wear a uniform or special clothes?
K: Er É well, no,
I donÕt have to wear a uniform but I wear special clothes from that period of
history. Again, itÕs part of the acting to make it all as real as possible.
I: WhatÕs your favourite tour?
K: Well, I think my favourite is the tour we
do at night. ItÕs especially scary at night, because there are some parts of
the tour where we turn out all the lights. ItÕs completely dark É you canÕt see
anything at all! There are all sorts of noises. Some visitors get very scared É
but they all love it. ItÕs very exciting É
I: What kind
of visitors generally come on these ghost tours?
K: All kinds of people É a lot of children
and young people obviously, but lots of older people, too. Local
people É and also a lot of foreign visitors, from Europe, America, Asia É all
over the world really.
I: Can you speak any other
languages, apart from English?
K: Yes, I can speak French and Spanish, so
sometimes I translate parts of my tour for visitors who speak those languages,
but mostly itÕs in English. Unfortunately I canÕt speak Japanese É that would
be very useful, as a lot of our visitors are from Japan!
I: And, finally, are there any
real ghosts? I mean, have you ever seen one?
K: Well, no, I havenÕt seen a ghost,
but I think IÕve heard one É
I: Really? YouÕve heard a ghost?
Who? Which one?
K: Well, itÕs a dog É a famous dog in
Edinburgh, called Greyfriars Bobby. He died in 1872
after sitting by his ownerÕs grave for 14 years. After his owner died, the dog
sat by the grave every day, for 14 years É IÕm sure I heard the ghost of that dog!
I: ThatÕs amazing! Your job
sounds fascinating! Thank you so much.