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 anywhere in Scotland to 309, alongside 189 Green Badge guides, who specialise in regions such as the North East, the North Highlands, Skye, Shetland and Orkney, areas experiencing increasing cruise‑ship traffic.
Our course is accredited by the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations and remains the only programme of its kind in Scotland. Trainees study subjects ranging from art and archaeology to geology, film, TV and sport. They also undertake regional fieldwork, travel across the country, and learn to guide on coaches, at historic sites and on walking tours.
Our Chair Fergus Halliday said:
“We are delighted to welcome our latest group of qualified tourist guides. The fact that 16 of the 26 were already working as guides says a lot about the course and the boost it can give to established careers.
Anybody booking a guide trained by the Scottish Tourist Guides Association know they will have someone properly equipped to look after visitors. Not only will our visitors be informed and entertained but they will have someone in charge who is subject to clear professional guidelines.”
