I've been around martial arts and self defense, in one form or another, for over 20 years. During that time I've been privileged enough to train with some fantastic instructors. I add Marcus Houston to that list with complete confidence. If you want to know what works - train with Marcus.

Marcus is an exceptional instructor, instilling students with the highest level of practical skill and confidence. You cannot help but leave a class feeling better prepared than when you went in. His teaching is clear and precise and his classes provide ample time for participants to really understand the skills they are acquiring. He is also that rare thing, a teacher who performs at the highest level.
There are many coaches who choose to rest on past achievements. Marcus on the other hand seems to revel in adding to his knowledge base and in the best sense "absorbs what is useful". This non-dogmatic approach is as rare as it is refreshing.

Also, don't underestimate the "fun" element. Marcus encourages people to play with their new skills. No fighting by numbers here!

Young, old, male, female, experienced or a "newbie", I can't think of a better environment in which to get out of the "comfort zone".

Rannoch Donald
Kettbells Scotland Instructor

Marcus' commitment to learn and develop efficient self-defense techniques seems obvious, as does his enthusiasm for transferring this to his classes. I've been attending for a year and classes have always been welcoming and filled with people willing to help each other learn.

Alasdair Menzies

I've trained at Krav Maga Edinburgh since September 2007, and in that time have found Marcus to be a thorough, patient, and conscientious instructor. He's sincerely dedicated to teaching what he knows to others, and highly responsive to what his students want and what they hope to get out of their training. He keeps classes varied and challenging, and in addition to regular instruction has arranged a number of interesting seminars in just the last few months. The club is informal and the atmosphere is welcoming, and I've really enjoyed having the opportunity to train there.

Liz Richardson

Going to the classes has been a great way of boosting my personal confidence and feel I am developing practical self defence skills. Whatever your strength and fitness levels, it does not effect your ability to develop your defence skills. The classes give everyone the opportunity to train against people of all abilities allowing skills to be shared continuously.

Rachel Goulding

I have been practicing Krav Maga for the last year and find it that it takes a no-nonsense approach to self-defence and safety in general. All the techniques we practice could be applied in real life one day, if the need arose. Training at KM Edinburgh has proved to be informative, enjoyable and fun. The level and style of instruction from Marcus, the Chief Instructor, is ideal for any level of student. Each class is always different, providing an innovative atmosphere, and their is a huge amount of enthusiasm from the teacher and students. Classes are conducted in a serious, but friendly atmosphere and I would definitely recommend anyone, regardless of age, gender or social/ professional background to consider taking up Krav Maga as a form of self-defence and fitness training.

Madhav Nalla

Marcus provides a relaxed and friendly environment for private training sessions. He uses the syllabus from his regular club classes as a guide and also provides the flexibility to respond and adapt to my own personal martial arts interests teaching the best parts from krav maga, kick boxing and other less well known martial arts and combat systems. The sessions are always well thought out and the training is delivered very clearly with fun and humour thrown in. I would really recommend these sessions on their own to develop very effective self-defence techniques or to super charge any regular martial arts training.

Sean Robertson

What can I say about Tactical Edge - it will totally revolutionise the way you think about self defence. The expert tuition from both Marcus Houston and Mark Davies is invaluable to anyone at any stage in their self development and will blow you away. It’s worth pointing out that Tactical Edge does not cater for prima donnas or bullsh*tters its the real deal in self defence and respect is always given to all students at whatever level in their development. If you want to improve your game or indeed start on the road to self defence, Tactical Edge is something I highly recommend

Stephen Jackson

I have recently started training in Krav Maga under Marcus's tuition and have no previous martial arts experience. There are a lot of clubs in the area offering instruction in a large variety of disciplines. As a novice, my decision to go with Marcus's classes was based on the professional layout of the website and the testimonials already given therein. It was immediately apparent from my first training session that everything I had read was entirely justified. I wanted to begin training in a martial art primarily as a form of fitness training that would also provide a higher level of mental engagement and commitment compared with other sports. I was also looking for something that would allow me to switch off completely from a demanding job and reduce my stress levels. Furthermore, I wanted to choose a martial art that would be practically applicable as a self-defence technique. Marcus's Krav Maga classes have fulfilled all of these expectations. I have been extremely impressed by his tuition and would recommend the classes to anybody with no reservations whatsoever. As an instructor, the obvious prerequisite of a high level of expertise is matched by his friendly and unassuming manner and a reassuringly constructive attention to detail. The strongest recommendation I can probably give is that I would attend every class if I could. For anybody else like me with no previous experience, starting up is probably the hardest thing to do. Having started, I now wish I had done so ten years ago. There are many benefits to martial arts training beyond learning self-defence techniques, in terms of fitness, confidence in general, mental well-being and sharpness, and most importantly, simple enjoyment. Marcus's classes provide all of these and I would wholeheartedly encourage you to sign up and find out for yourself.

Dan Cookson

Since starting my Tactical Edge training with Marcus Houston in 2007 I have found it to be the best self defence system I have come across and Marcus to be one of the best instructors that I have trained under.

As an instructor he has a deep understanding of the system he is teaching and is always bringing something new to the class by constantly developing the techniques in which we train so that they are the best they can be and
unlike most martial arts can be applied effectively in a real life situation.

I would highly recommend KM Edinburgh and Marcus to anyone interested in learning how to defend themselves and their loved ones properly. Or if you're simply interested in learning something new that actually works in the
real world then this is definitely the club for you.

Scott Mellia

I started training with Marcus several months ago. The kettlebell training is fantastic and great fun, a powerful workout great for all the wobbly bits that us women struggle with! Bingo wings are obsolete after a few weeks! I’ve been involved with Martial Arts for several years and the class allows me to enjoy something new and also combine previous Martial Arts skills. No matter what your fitness level is or experience, each person can suit the training to their own ability. The self defence part of the class is very useful and practical – combining speed with skill. Additionally, the class is short so suits everyone, you train hard quickly and get out so it can suit all lifestyles. The trainers are fantastic too, any questions or difficulty with any part of the class and they are very patient which gives the whole class confidence.

Fiona Collins

I attended the Women’s Conditioning and Self Defence class at Krav Maga Edinburgh for the first time in November last year as I wanted to learn self defence skills. I went to my first class as a complete beginner with no previous training or experience in self defence and I was instantly hooked. After 4 months I am still really enjoying the classes. They’re always a lot of fun and offer plenty of variety by covering both fitness conditioning and self defence. The instructors are very supportive, helpful and are excellent at demonstrating new techniques. They can easily cater for any level of fitness and experience. 

I highly recommend the Women’s Conditioning and Self Defence class to any woman wishing to improve fitness levels and gain useful self defence skills. I have seen positive improvements since commencing with these classes as not only have I learnt valuable self defence techniques but my fitness levels have improved greatly and I am feeling much more toned as a result.

Hannah Lloyd

I started krav maga in Sep. 2008 when my brother suggested trying something outside my comfort zone and just going for it. In this time I’ve seen how it is that people who do krav are so fond of it and respect it so much. I see how it has the potential to change you by making you fitter, stronger and faster. It will develop your endurance and co-ordination. You will most certainly tone up and lose weight fast. I myself have gone down 4 trouser sizes.

You will leave your class with a big high that will last for days BUT the most beneficial thing of all is that you will learn how to protect yourself against people trying to harm you or take your life.

The moves you are taught become instinctive and when you see yourself actually being able to defend yourself against an attacker by blocking, attacking, taking down and disarming or even by avoidance you will gain confidence and get a bit of self-esteem into the bargain. What could be more invaluable than that?


I had had absolutely no experience in any martial art, boxing or combat before I took up krav and I have to say that the instructors Marcus, Lee and Rannoch are guys you will respect for their professionalism, support, encouragement and drive.

They make each week challenging and exciting and also bring professional instructors from outside for additional and inspirational training.  The thing to note, and this is important, is that although you will be pushed to develop yourself and achieve standards (there is a clear progression) you will not in any way be made to feel intimidated or be put off and then give up. The club should be respected in equal parts for support and encouragement, achievement and grading, getting you fit and giving you the opportunity to train up into a fighter

John Lamont

I started training with Krav Maga Edinburgh in March 2008,I had tried some traditional arts and alough I found
the training and conditioning to be good I really felt there was a massive gap between Dojo fighting, sparring,kata,etc and
actual confrontation.

I then started to look for a more 'no nonsense' approach to the Martial systems and quickly came across Krav Maga which  lead me to Marcus Houston and Krav Maga Edinburgh.

Marcus really makes the effort to welcome 'newbies' and I found the classes easy to get into. One of the main difference's I found with Marcus oppose to other instructors is he encourages you pursue your own path,a lot of my past instructors thought there particular style was superior to others but Marcus emphasises how each strike,block,movement,
takedown can be adapted to different style,situation,opponent and how having previous experience integrates into your current training.

The club also has 'Big' Lee and Rannoch Donald of kettlebells Scotland to get you into shape,I had never heard of kettlebell training
until I met Rannoch but its hands down the best way to train for combat, every movement mimics fighting and really helps you to
focus on your body mechanics.  

Krav Maga Edinburgh have a fantastic team to instruct you and a great bunch of guys to train with,and there's not a ego insight
which is rare. 

Michael Carnie

II have spent three months in Edinburgh to improve my English, when I discovered my interests for combat sports. Through a friend, who already practised Krav Maga at my home in Switzerland I heard about „Krav Maga Edinburgh“. So I decided to have a glance at a lesson and went there on a Thursday to attend the women’s class. Of course I was a bit nervous, because I didn’t know anybody, had never practised a combat sport before and on the top of that I was concerned not to understand everything, but there was absolutely no reason to worry about these things. I experienced a very warm and uncomplicated welcome and could immediately and without any complicated application practise the class. I really liked the good mixture between some fitness exercises and self defence techniques. However, I never felt uncomfortable, everybody was really friendly, and Lee took his time to go round and gave tips how to improve. I really enjoyed this class and there was no doubt that I m going to be back for other classes.

Therefore I went back there to attend the regular classes as well and it was a good decision. Training with the guys was surely bit more of a challenge, but also a great chance to learn. I never had the feeling of being overstrained or not welcome. Far from it! I really felt comfortable there and regretted it when I had to go back home.

Attending the classes was a great experience and I can highly recommend this place. Thanks again to everybody!

Stephanie Frei