About Us

 

Ceud mile failte - a hundred thousand welcomesWe are the Edinburgh branch of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association, founded in 1959, the only body of guides in Scotland professionally trained by Edinburgh University. We maintain a high standard of continuing professional development and training.

After almost 50 years of guiding our testimonials are numerous!

See below for a choice selection.

stga.jpgOur Guarantee of Quality

The Coat of Arms on our badge is our guarantee of quality and only our members are permitted to wear it. Its use is protected for us by the Lord Lyon, King at Arms and his court.

Our Blue Badge guides are qualified to guide all over Scotland and only our guides and affiliates are officially entitled to guide in:

  • Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle
  • The Palace of Holyrood House, HM the Queen's official residence in Scotland
  • The National Trust for Scotland properties

Scottish Parliament buildingThe Scottish Tourist Guides Association together with Mercat Tours Ltd have been providing guiding services at the Scottish Parliament since 2004, introducing the people of Scotland and other visitors to how it works, its Members and current business, whilst touring the Holyrood building.

To book your Parliament guided tour call 0131 348 5200 or go to www.scottish.parliament.uk

We can offer tours all over Scotland in 19 different languages.

We are:

  • Recognised by Visit Scotland as the best industry standard.
  • Internationally recognised professional tourist guides.
  • The only university-trained tourist guides in Scotland.
  • Ambassadors for Scotland.
World Association of Tourist Guide Associations European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations Scottish Tourist Guides Asociation

We are 'quite simply the best'

Follow Us and Discover Our Special Heritage
We stand for standards and quality in tourist guides
We are the professionals!
We promote training and qualifications for tourist guides
We are the professionals!
We support codes of practice and quality charters for tourist guides
We are the professionals!

Testimonials

Holyrood Palace from Salisbury Crags"...but there is absolutely no doubt that the personality of the guide was the singularly most important feature in making the tour so special."
S Campbell

"Come and stay with us in Italy! Can't promise such a high standard of guiding as yours but we'll try. Thanks for a superb tour."
Ken and Janet Hobbs, Montepulciano, Italy

"Thanks for all your invaluable assistance. Everyone truly appreciated your amazing knowledge and your enthusiastic guiding."
P.D., Ontario

Cheeky Squirrel"Your knowledge, your love of Scotland, your good humour, your helpfulness and your beautiful voice made our trip unforgettable."
R.L., Liège

"...the driver and the guide were outstanding and gave us much information about Edinburgh and its history, and were also able to answer all of our questions."
HP, Sweden

"Thank you very much for a lovely tour, my Welsh group enjoyed it as did I..."
Cathy Kelly, Altamount Hotel, Blairgowrie

"I wanted to tell you what a wonderful time we had and how much we enjoyed meeting you. You were a terrific guide all around Scotland and good company. I'll give your name and contact information to all my writer friends." ...
Roberta October 2006

Guides updating skills"Gail and I wish to express our deep thanks for your guiding us on a wonderful tour of the Highlands. Thanks to your vast knowledge of Scottish history and culture we were able to learn a great deal. We will be recommending you to any of our friends who may be travelling to Scotland." ...
Stephen Wood September 2005

"Just wanted to thank you for your hospitality and help, for arranging everything on the trip and for being such a good guide and good spirit, if I ever had friends coming to Edinburgh I'll definitely tell them to hire you." ...
Ethan Gilsdorf November 2006

"Thought I would pass on the rave reviews from Alex, he says he and Mary not only had a superb knowledgeable guide but they both feel they have a friend in Edinburgh." ...
Muriel Gellatly November 2004

"The Blue Badge Guide was the personification of Scottish Hospitality"...
Sandy Katz December 2006

Friendly locals".... besides being an excellent professional you were an absolutely marvellous travelling companion, we found your company most rewarding." ...
John and Patricia Lyall October 2007

"Thank you for providing my clients the Messinger family with such a wonderful experience in Edinburgh!"
Bobby Zur, Travel Artistry, September 2007

"Thank you for a wonderful three days... the tour exceeded our high expectations!!! "
Keith and Pat Perry, July 2007

"The French agent and clients were delighted with their trip - they also gave high praise for your excellent French speaking driver/guiding services."
Brigitte McLay, FIT manager, Edinburgh.

Team building exercise"Thank you for our most enjoyable tour of Edinburgh last night...your knowledge was superb and our Irish customers thoroughly enjoyed themselves."
Liz Murray, Surafti UK

"I wanted to thank you for such a wonderful tour...your love for your country is so evident in the way you share it with your guests, so genuine and informative."
David Orgain, June 2006

"We will certainly recommend your services to anyone wishing to visit Scotland. "
Laurent and Isabelle, June 2006

"Our visit was most enjoyable and fun while at the same time being able to see and learn new things about your native land, a country we love and have found to be the very best."
John and Patricia Lyall, October 2007