Meet Alan, your guide to the art and history of London.
Growing up in Edinburgh, Alan’s early fascination with history and heritage was inspired by Scotland’s unrivaled wealth of castles, abbeys and stately homes. He studied at Glasgow University, completing an MA in History of Art which incorporated everything from classical sculpture to medieval architecture and modernist design. This led him into a career in the London art world. After working as both an antique dealer and an auctioneer, he ended up as a senior specialist in Contemporary Art at an international auction house.

A return to academia in 2010 set him on a new course – reviving his love of history, he completed a master’s degree in Classical Civilisation at Birkbeck, University of London which focused on the art, culture, and society of ancient Greece and Rome. This was followed by a Ph.D. at the same institution during which he researched eighteenth-century attitudes towards the classical world. He continues to write on both Contemporary Art and history, and his first book, Classical Caledonia, will be published by Edinburgh University Press in 2020. Much of his recent research has focused on how the ancient world has been interpreted, emulated and collected over the last three centuries.

As well as showing visitors around London’s biggest and best-known museums, such as the British Museum, Tate Modern and the Victoria and Albert, Alan loves exploring the Square Mile, the oldest part of the city where fascinating evidence of Roman and Medieval London can still be found amongst the stunning modern skyscrapers if you know where to look! Some of his favorite spots in London are those off the regular tourist trail, like Southwark, Greenwich, Eltham Palace, the Roman temple of Mithras or the Newport Street Gallery, places packed with history, art and architecture which are often overlooked by visitors to the city. His professional experience has inspired his tours of the auction houses and commercial galleries in Mayfair and St James’s, which offer an insider’s view of the international market as well as a rare chance to see important privately-owned works of art which are rarely on public display. 

When not reading, writing or talking about art and history, Alan enjoys walking in the English countryside and holidaying in Scotland. He is also a regular visitor to France, where he spends his time rooting round in antique shops and sampling the local cuisine. He is a music fan with a particular interest in early and baroque music, and he relaxes by playing the piano and the harpsichord.

Cost details will vary based on the exact itinerary, but all of our Private Guide itineraries include the cost of your time with your private guide. In many cases, vehicle/transportation costs, select meals, and site entrances may also be included. Your Context planning specialist will confirm exactly what is included in your personal itinerary before charging your credit card. Accommodation is not included.

Our planning experts will be in touch to help you build your perfect itinerary, but in general, try to include the following pieces of information in your request form: 

Pricing will vary by itinerary. Your planning expert will provide an itinerary and pricing proposal for your trip before confirming your itinerary and charging your credit card.

How does a Private Guide booking process work? 

Once you submit your private guide request, we’ll get in touch via email or phone to review your ideas and finalize an itinerary. We only charge your credit card once all details have been confirmed.

Yes. We can adapt the itinerary based on the ages, needs, and interests of travelers in your party.