Great news just in! Jill McKean, of Scottish Highland Trails, has passed her exams with flying colours and, as well as being awarded a Certificate in Scottish Studies, is now a fully accredited “Blue Badge” tourist guide and member of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA), qualified to guide all over Scotland in both English and French. The Blue Badge course lasts 18 months and covers a wide variety of topics including Scottish history, geology, architecture, literature, art, folklore and much more…. as well as professional guiding skills.
The Scottish Tourist Guides Association was established over 50 years ago and is the only professional membership body for full trained and accredited guides in Scotland, and is endorsed by VisitScotland and VisitBritain.
“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”
Jill is particularly interested in Scottish history, including early Scotland, pilgrimage and sixteenth century Scotland including the Reformation and Mary, Queen of Scots. Another great passion is whisky! But whatever your interests, a guided tour is a superb way to discover more about Scotland. Contact us if you have any questions or if you would like to hear more about our guided tour services.
Jill’s profile on the STGA website can be found here
Pour les francophones, Jill serait ravie de vous guider en francais et de vous montrer l’Ecosse!
“Une guide formidable” – Mme Hauser, Juin 2016
I use all of these, all the time! My granny used to tell me I was “as thrawn as a bag o’ weasels” when I was a wee girl 😂💙🏴The Scots language has words for things no other language bothered to name.
Dreich — that specific grey, damp, miserable weather that isn't quite rain but isn't quite not rain either. The English say "overcast." The Scots say dreich, which sounds exactly like it feels.
Thrawn — stubborn in a particular way. Not just obstinate. Twisted, contrary, determined to do it the wrong way on purpose. There is no English equivalent because English speakers apparently gave up trying to describe this personality type.
Glaikit — vacant. Dopey. The expression on someone's face when the lights are on but nobody is home.
Couthie — warm, friendly, comfortable in a homely way. The feeling of a kitchen that smells like baking and has a dog asleep by the fire.
Wheesht — be quiet. But with feeling. Haud yer wheesht is the full version, and it means be quiet right now and I mean it.
Scunnered — utterly fed up. Beyond tired of something. A level of exasperation English doesn't have a single word for.
Every language reveals the priorities of the people who speak it.
Scottish priorities, apparently, include very specific weather, very specific stubbornness, and very specific silence.
Which one is your favorite? 👇
#ScottishHistory #ScottishHeritage #ScotsLanguage #ScottishWords
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Hope everyone has been enjoying the antics of the Tartan Army over in Boston for the World Cup! Glad to see the Glasgow tradition of putting cones on statues is alive and well across the pond 😂⚽️🏴The Scottish fans didn't just bring bagpipes and beer to Boston.
They brought traffic cones for the statues too.
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