Blue Badge CPD

Qualified to Guide:

All of Scotland

Languages:

English, Russian

Driver Guide:

Yes

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About Me

I have been guiding for more than twelve years as a Blue Badge Guide in English and Russian. I love guiding and travelling around Scotland. Scotland has a uniquely rich historical heritage and tremendous scenery which you won't see anywhere else. It's great to meet people from all over the world and I'm always learning something new. Please check out my reviews on TripAdvisor.


I am a driver guide as well as doing coach and walking tours, my standard vehicle, new for 2022, is an eight seat Citroen Spacetourer XL. This has good passenger friendly features: seperate air conditioning for the second and third rows, panoramic sunroof, power operated sliding doors,and leather seats which adjust for rake and leg room. I can provide a different vehicle if required. I have thirty years experience working in driver testing and training for the Department of Transport. Up to eitght hours fully insured driver guiding for a maximum of seven passengers would be around £600.This doies not include any entrance costs, ferry tickets or overnight accomodation, if required.This is not signifrcantly more than taxi hire for the same period would be. I will provide a tailor made itinerary for you.



I am also fascinated by Russian language and culture, so it wonderful to be able to combine my enthusiasm for both cultures when guiding in Russian. I am the only native English speaker qualified to guide in Russian, I also speak Gaelic but not to the same standard of fluency.


To make your trip safer I am double vaccinated against Covid and will test myself prior to guiding. and I will provide any PPE required. I am also qualified in emergency First Aid although this is not a requirement of the STGA.




I am an accredited STGA guide trainer, I worked as mentor on the last two Blue Badge training courses and I am a support mentor on the current course. I am also a World Federation of Tourist Guides Association qualified international trainer. I have provided training for UNESCO in Russian for their Silk Road project.


I am a former chairman of the Glasgow and West Branch of the STGA and a member of the committee. and have provided CPD training for Branch members.


Clients' Testimonials: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186570-d8638275-Reviews-Robert_Bowles_Scottish_Tourist_Guide-Paisley_Renfrewshire_Scotland.html Two week Tour of Scotland Scotland is an incredibly beautiful and interesting place with a history that is hard to beat. Were it not for our excellent tour guide, Robert Bowles, we would not have had the superb family experience that we enjoyed. Robert is extremely well-versed in Scottish history and lore, and his guidance and knowledge are unsurpassed. I would highly recommend Robert to anyone interested in an extended tour of this magnificent country. May 2019 Great day out with family to see Scotland! Robert suggested an itinerary and took us to see a castle and a lake on a day out of Edinburgh. We were a group of 3 adults and 3 kids - 11, 10 and 7 years old. Robert was fantastically fun and calm with kids. He was wearing a Scottish national costume and inspired our enthusiasm from the first sight. The kids were following him everywhere listening to everything he says. Robert was very knowledgeable and informative for the adults too. He speaks good Russian, which was a bonus for us too. Days after the trip the kids still repeat his jokes and our youngest demands to wear a kilt at home! May 2019 Group from Minsk: Thanks so much for guiding us today. Everyone was very impressed with your charm and expertise. I wasn't sure what to expect having never used a guide before. This went way beyond my wildest expectations! We enjoyed every moment of the last fours days and your expositions on the history of Scotland were absolutely fascinating. Thanks for a wonderful holiday! Rick Behr It is difficult to find words that express our appreciation to you for making this Scottish Adventure so perfect for both of us. Let us count some of the ways. You are a superb driver, knowledgeable concerning Scottish history, geology, art and even cooking - languages too. You are interested in learning more about everything, even Angus Cattle… Thanks for your patience on long days and those early mornings. You will remain in our memories and in our hearts…for all you did to make this trip to Scotland the experience of a lifetime. Mike and Peggy Роберт, добрый день Был рад познакомится с Вами и провести несколько дней в вашей потрясающе красивой стране. Возможно, еще увидимся когда-нибудь. С Новым годом! С уважением, Алексей и Николай. we arrived safely in Germany. Due to storms in Frankfurt our flight had only a delay of a half hour. We would like to thank you for the wonderful eight day Scotland trip. Due to your good and detailed information, the trip was very very interesting. We are really impressed of scotland and your in-depth knowledge in Scottish history. Thank you very much for the impressive week. Best regards Matthias, Joachim, Leonhard und Rudolf While watching the wedding on Saturday, I realised I recognised one of the visitors to the Cathedral. It was my dentist, Terry Slevin, last seen a few days before when he was giving me a couple of fillings! He didn\\\'t know I worked in the Cathedral. It turned out you had given him and his friend a tour and they were delighted with it, I am pleased to say. You may remember them - his friend was hard of hearing and praised the way you ensured he had heard what you had to say. I was so glad they had a satisfactory tour - thank you very much! They both also filled in complimentary Visitor Survey forms. Ailene. Thank you very much for working with us last week. The group sent me very enthusiastic feedback this morning as you can see below so thank you very much for doing such a wonderful job. Everything was fantastic!!! Everybody were very surprised to see such a wonderful guide. Thank you VERY MUCH FOR YOUR FANTASTIKKKKKKK TOUR TO Edinburg. Hpefully we will work together again soon. Kind regards, Louise Louise Woodburn Marketing Manager The Travel Company Edinburgh & In2Scotland Фото из Эдинбурга. Хотел бы Вас поблагодарить за проведённую экскурсию по Эдинбургу. Очень понравился город и хочется вернуться и попутешествовать по вашей замечательной стране. Сучилов Илья Journey through Scotland My mother in law linked up with Robert online. They planned a guided tour from Edinburgh, through Loch Ness, and up to Tongue and the Cave of Smoo. We were actually a family of 8 including 2 grandparents, 2 parents, 2 teenagers, and 2 little ones (ages 9 and 6). Robert was friendly and very informative. It was the small touches that I appreciated. He provided headsets so we could all hear in the van, stopped so we could take pictures of scenery, added new stops to see the tallest mountain in Scotland and the war memorial, remembered our names, even the names of our little ones, told silly jokes, and greeted us with a smile. I would highly recommend Robert as your tour guide! Thanks for the trip, Marcia and I really enjoyed it. Now back at work. Rocco.

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Tour Types

  • Coach Tour
  • Conferences & Incentives
  • Driver Guided Tour
  • Shore Excursion
  • Walking Tour

Qualifications

M.A. Russian Language and Literature
STGA Blue Badge Guide 
Accredited STGA Guide Trainer and Assessor
Accredited World Federation of Tourist Guides  International Guide Trainer 
Certificate of English Teaching Ability
Trained First Aider
Winter Mountain Skills Proficiency

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Additional Information

  • Guide Type: Blue Badge
  • Months Available: All year
  • Type of car: Citroen Spactourer XL
  • Year Qualified: 2010

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