About STGA STGA guides cover the whole of Scotland

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We Step on Your Coach

If you have a coach or other vehicle arranged, our guides will join you to conduct your tour.

You Step in Our Vehicle

Join our guide in their vehicle for your tour. We also provide coaches for large groups.

We Step Out Together

Book one of our guides for a walking tour of a city, castle, museum... the choice is yours!

Latest News

Remembering Brian Hay

We are sorry to announce the death of Blue Badge Guide, Brian Hay, who passed away peacefully on Thursday 19th October after a long illness. Brian was not only a long-serving guide, but a member of the STGA training team … Continued

New Honorary President for the STGA

We are pleased to announce that Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, the current Centre Director of The Great Tapestry of Scotland, has been appointed as the new Honorary President of the STGA. Sandy has been serving as the Centre Director at The Great … Continued

Welcoming Our New Board Members

The STGA are thrilled to welcome our newly appointed board members! Meet: Fergus Halliday (Blue Badge Guide) Robert Bowles (Blue Badge Guide) Wendy Newton (Green Badge Guide, North Highlands) Helen Woodsford-Dean (Green Badge Guide, Orkney) Joining the Chairperson Lyn Brown, Vice-Chair Mariangela Du Chaliot and fellow … Continued

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About Our Guides

  • Our Mission

    Established in 1959, the aim of Scottish Tourist Guides Association is simple: to provide clients with professional tourist guides who will inspire, educate and entertain. The STGA is the only professional membership body for fully trained and accredited guides in Scotland and is endorsed by both VisitScotland and VisitBritain.

  • How to Spot an STGA Guide

    • Blue, Green, or Yellow STGA Badge
    • STGA Membership Card
    • STGA Tartan
    • STGA Member Coat of Arms on guide's personal website
    • All STGA Guides listed on our website

  • Group Safety

    Your safety is our primary concern. Our guides are expertly trained and assessed in group management and safety skills.

  • World Class Training

    • Our training courses are accredited by the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WFTGA).
    • Blue Badge Guides undergo a rigorous training course in the classroom and out on the road, completing in excess of 1,300 hours of study.
    • Assessments take place at regular intervals throughout the course leading to the final STGA accreditation exam.

  • Insurance

    Blue and green badge guides are all covered by our Public liability and Professional Indemnity insurance.

  • Accuracy of Information & Quality of Presentation

    Our training courses, assessment procedures, and accreditation exams ensure that our guides are experts in delivering engaging and factually correct information.

  • Language Assessments

    Non-native speaking guides are assessed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Scale for Level C1 and C2.

  • Code of Conduct

    As a condition of membership all of our guides must adhere to the STGA’s Standards of Performance and Code of Conduct.

Clients' Testimonials

  • VisitScotland is delighted to recognise the Scottish Tourist Guides Association as the professional membership body for fully trained and accredited tourist guides in Scotland. STGA accredited guides are passionate ambassadors for Scotland and in providing our visitors with information and inspiration, help deliver a memorable experience for them.

  • Visit Scotland

    National Tourism Organisation for Scotland