Wednesday March 11th 2026
Andrea Moretti during one of his tours
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
An Edinburgh-based tour operator is turning a personal storytelling project into a sustainable tourism activity, due to specially tailored guidance from Business Gateway.
Un Italiano ad Edimburgo, which in English means Italian in Edinburgh, was founded by Andrea Moretti and offers private walking tours of the capital, bespoke car tours and personalised itineraries, all delivered in Italian.
With Andrea’s passion for Scotland described as ‘infectious’, he moved to Scotland from Italy six years ago where he began to share his travels across the country on his Facebook page. Gradually building up a community of followers, he began to realise visitors were not only looking for a guide, but for help interpreting the country which then led him to formalise his travel project as a business.
Thanks to strong support, Andrea launched an official website for Un Italiano ad Edimburgo, building a strong online presence to support its social platforms. The business also became officially listed on VisitScotland.com and Forever Edinburgh as a registered tour operator, marking a significant achievement for a small independent business.
Since starting last year, Andrea has expanded his offering to include multi-day experiences and collaborations with local producers, giving Italian travellers a truly immersive Scottish journey. Tours are designed to be accessible for everyone, including families with children, travellers with pets, or those with mobility or sensory needs. Every experience is tailor-made, combining history, curiosity and local stories.
Business Gateway assisted Andrea heavily, helping him to structure and formalise his project as a recognised tourism activity. Adviser Lee Briggs provided one-to-one guidance through the early stages, from business planning and registration to defining clear offers for individual travellers, families and travel agencies.
Andrea Moretti explained:
“At the beginning, the project An Italian in Edinburgh was just a way to share my experiences with friends – a diary of photos, stories and tips born out of passion. Step by step, post by post, the community grew, and so did my role: from enthusiast to guide for many Italian travellers.
“As a new Scot, I’ve been amazed at the level of support available. Business Gateway helped me structure the idea, refine my offer and gain the confidence to make the project sustainable without losing its original purpose: helping visitors understand Scotland rather than simply see it. Lee’s guidance and support in accessing funding have made a real difference, giving me the foundation and tools to grow and show visitors a side of Scotland they might never see otherwise.”
Lee Briggs, Business Gateway adviser, added:
“Andrea’s passion for Scotland is infectious. Our guidance helped him take a personal idea and turn it into a real, sustainable business, with a clear identity and strong online presence.
“Supporting him as he brought Un Italiano ad Edimburgo to life has been a pleasure, and I look forward to seeing how he continues to grow his tours and expand his experiences in the years ahead.”
