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

Edinburgh Tartan Parade 2026

Photo Credit: Alistair Hector Members of the STGA joined the Edinburgh Tartan Parade on Saturday, 9 May 2026. Inspired by the NYC Tartan Day Parade, the event returned for its second year as a joyful celebration in the heart of the city.  … Continued

Welcoming Our Newly Qualified Blue Badge Guides

This month, we at the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) have welcomed 26 newly qualified members after they completed our intensive 18 month training programme. Their addition brings the total number of our Blue Badge guides, who are qualified to lead tours … Continued

Celebrating Our Newly Qualified Blue Badge Guides

We’re delighted to congratulate our newest Blue Badge Guides on achieving their qualification! While not all could attend the graduation, we wish them lots of luck on their journey as qualified professional tourist guides. Pictured here at their graduation on … 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