8 February 2013
Rather than with sadness, it is with admiration and gratitude for her life that I must announce that Christine passed away on Friday 1st February in the evening at St Columba's Hospice, Gogarburn, Edinburgh with close family present.
27 November 2012
Neil Oliver, Honorary President of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) was guest of honour at the 2012 Graduation Ceremony, held at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh on 14th November 2012.
Welcomed to the industry by Scottish Tourism Alliance’s Chair, Stephen Leckie, 21 new Blue Badge graduates proudly received their diplomas, as they begin work in this booming sector after 2 years of world-class study at the University of Edinburgh.
Besides English, the latest graduates speak a range of languages – French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Hungarian and Spanish. Using their skills, interests and talent for communication, STGA accredited guides cover Scotland, welcoming visitors from near and far, younger or older, who come for business or leisure.
This is a career for dynamic, entrepreneurial ambassadors for Scotland from all over the world, especially if they speak 2 (or more) languages! No two days are the same for an STGA accredited guide: a helicopter tour of the highlands, a cruise liner trip round the coasts, accompanying AC Milan in Scotland for the Champions League or helping a family find its long-lost ancestral roots... As self-employed professionals, being a guide combines a varied clientele with an ever-changing backdrop of city, town and countryside – not your average 9-5 job!
The STGA membership organisation represents its members within the Scottish tourism industry and works to raise the profile of guiding on the world stage. The latest recruits join the STGA’s already 450 strong membership and are proud to be part of an increasingly vital part of the Scottish economy. For details on becoming a guide contact info@stga.co.uk.
19 July 2012
The European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations [FEG] has launched two new tourism awards this year in order to promote tours that offer a fair deal. Members of the public - from the up market ‘discerning traveller’ to the ‘Lonely Planet-hugging’ back packer – have until the end of September to nominate their favorite candidate based on a memorable personal experience.
30 May 2012
It is with great pleasure we welcome new Blue Badge guides to full membership of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association, after they successfully completed their Blue Badge exam. Our new colleagues are Linda Arthur, Ruth Bartram (GERMAN, English), Ann Boa, Joe Clifford, Robin Dempsey, John Duncan, Elizabeth Everett, Jane Henderson, Andrew Hill, David Ireland, Ian Linn, Liz Lister, Noreen Lyon, Colin Mairs (French, Portuguese), Iris Marhencke (GERMAN, English), Linda McKay, Mike O'Rourke, Andras Peter (HUNGARIAN, English), Christine Ross (French), John de Winter Shaw and Susan Shedden (Spanish).
18 May 2012
Congratulations are in order for Blue Badge Guides Shonagh Toulouse and Marion Maudsley who recently passed their language assessments for new languages.
Edinburgh based guide Shonagh is now qualified to guide in French, whilst Glasgow based guide, Marion adds Italian to her repertoire. We wish them every success in guiding in their new languages for the upcoming season.