Tour Guiding

This course will only run if minimum numbers are reached.

This course is to train only those wishing to work with cruise ships as step-on guides.

Those wishing to quality for the alternative STGA green badge qualification should consider Island Tourism and Tourist Guiding at SCQF Level 6 instead.

Tour guiding is hugely rewarding but it has its own challenges. You will need to be highly organised, willing to work hard, and as a self-employed guide, will need to keep strict financial records and submit a tax return each year.

Tour guiding can be an incredibly rewarding profession that combines elements of fun and challenge, working within Orkney's vibrant cruise industry.

• Interacting with people: tour guides get to meet and interact with people from widely differing backgrounds and cultures, allowing them to share knowledge, stories, and experiences. Interacting with diverse groups requires good communication and interpersonal skills. Guides must adapt to different personalities and needs, which can be challenging but also enriching.
• Sharing Knowledge: sharing interesting facts, historical anecdotes, and local insights can be enjoyable. Many people are eager to learn about the places they visit, making the guide's role incredibly fulfilling. Ensuring that information is accurate, engaging, and tailored to the audience's interests can be a challenge. Guides need to be well-prepared and adaptable.
• Problem Solving: Overcoming unexpected challenges, such as changes in weather, transportation issues, or unforeseen events, can be satisfying. Dealing with unexpected situations requires quick thinking and problem-solving skills. Guides must be able to handle disruptions while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of their clients.
• Building Connections: Creating positive connections with travellers can lead to lasting friendships and memorable experiences. Building connections also involves managing different personalities and addressing diverse needs. Guides must strike a balance to ensure everyone in the group feels valued.

Tour guiding is a multifaceted profession that combines the joy of exploration, the satisfaction of sharing knowledge, and the challenge of managing diverse groups. A successful tour guide can find fulfilment in creating memorable experiences for travellers while navigating the complexities of the job.

Expectation from you as a student

Students must be sufficiently computer literate to cope with the online resources, and must be able to allocate sufficient time for their studies.

1. Computer Literacy:
   • Almost all the resources for this course are online and are available using the university’s virtual learning environment, called Brightspace. Students must be able to successfully access and navigate this learning environment, and full training and advice will be given. Tour guides are self-employed, therefore a level of computer literacy is essential in communication with tour companies, managing a calendar, invoicing, book keeping and tax returns in future work.
2. Sufficient Time for Studies:
   • You will be expected to spend a lot of time in self-directed studies, as well as attending classes and practical on-site or on-bus training and completing assignments. Balancing your time effectively is a key skill for tour guiding.
   • This course will demand a lot of your time and resources, and you must be prepared for the large amount of work you will have to do every week. However, we recognise that you may have varying schedules and commitments, so we provide support to help you manage your time effectively.
3. Considerations:
   • Clear communication is crucial. If computer literacy or time management skills may be a problem for you, you must communicate that to the team who will give you help and advice.

Overall, being able to use online resources and having enough time for your studies are crucial for this course. Learning to be a tour guide is hard work, and it demands a lot of time, energy and effort from you. This may not be the course for you if you do not think you can provide the sufficient time and energy it will demand of you.