About STGA

THE ONLY PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP BODY FOR

FULLY TRAINED ACCREDITED TOURIST GUIDES  IN SCOTLAND

recognised as such by VisitScotland, our industry partners in Scotland and the UK, the Federation of European guides and the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations.

The STGA Coat of Arms guarantees quality - the Lord Lyon King of Arms and his court protect its use.

STGA Branches in Aberdeen and North East Scotland,  East and Central Highlands,  Edinburgh and South East Scotland,  Glasgow and South West Scotland are part of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association, and are not independent.

The STGA has almost 500 members.

BLUE BADGE GUIDES 

or Ordinary National Members, are fully trained and insured to guide throughout the whole of Scotland  

GREEN BADGE GUIDES

or Regional Affiliates, are trained, accredited and insured to guide within particular regions of Scotland

YELLOW BADGE GUIDES

or Site Affiliates, are accredited to STGA standards for specific local routes, visitor sites or attractions

THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

The STGA,  in association with Mercat Tours Ltd., has provided guiding services since 2004, explaining how the Parliament works, what MSPs do and its history, as well as highlighting the art-works on display, to visitors from Scotland and abroad.  To book your Parliament guided tour call 0131 348 5200 or visit www.scottish.parliament.uk 

HOMECOMING 2009

The STGA is proud to be in partnership with Homecoming 2009 - a celebration of Scottishness, the Scottish world Diaspora and the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national bard, Robert Burns.

WFTGA

The STGA is the Scottish representative as part of the UK delegation in the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations. Almost 50 countries worldwide belong to this body to work towards high standards of professionalism in tourist guiding.  In 2003 we hosted the WFTGA Convention in Dunblane. An STGA delegate will attend the Convention in Bali in January 2009. The current president of the WFTGA is also a Scottish Blue Badge guide.

FEG

The STGA belongs to the Federation of European Guides and has been a player in recent developments in Europe regarding the new CEN (Comite Europeen de Normalisation) rulings on European standards relating to tourist guiding and the training of tourist guides.

For more information about the STGA contact us online, call 01786 44 77 84 or email  info@stga.co.uk.

Whatever your interest we have the guide for you

Our collective interests and individual expertise reflects a wide range of special interests which include:

Scottish Architecture
Gardens
Archaeology
Art & Music
Folklore
Outdoor Pursuits
Football

Castles
Agriculture & Land Use
Local & Family History
Literature
Golf
Hill Walking & Snow Sports
Whisky

To find out more about guides own particular interests please look for more details on the Find A Guide pages on this website or consult the STGA Guide List.

See Scotland with an expert! Book a professionally trained guide!