Blue Badge CPD

Qualified to Guide:

All of Scotland

Languages:

English

Driver Guide:

No

About Me

• A fun, friendly and enthusiastic tourism professional with experience in tour organising, directing and guiding along with excellent logistical skills • Outgoing personality, well-developed interpersonal skills, capability to engage different sets of audience • Positive attitude, good sense of humour and the ability to entertain • Delivers a high level of customer service – focus on solutions, not problems • Good time keeping, used to working under pressure, flexible, not a “nine-to-fiver” In 1984, I started my career in the Scottish Tourism Industry managing a Tourist Information Centre in the Scottish Borders. From there, I enjoyed 13 years working for a very progressive DMC promoting Scotland as a visitor destination working in the leisure and business tourism sectors which provided me an invaluable insight into tour logistics and customer care.

Since 1999, I have been mainly self-employed working in various tourism sectors and successfully operated my own holiday rental property. In 2006, I decided to apply my skills and train as an English Speaking Tourist Guide to see me through to retirement, taking a back seat from event planning and a front seat in a coach! I have had great fun taking on guiding work covering all types of visitor tour groups in both the leisure, special interest and corporate markets to build up a ‘hands-on’ understanding of the different skills required, ensuring all needs of the clients are addressed. With a passion for promoting Scotland, combined with an eagerness to enhance my historical knowledge and industry background, I have worked for tour operators, DMC’s, corporate clients’ world-wide, attaining the all-round skills to assist you in delivering a memorable visitor experience. I can escort your guests on a walking tour of Edinburgh or as far as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Endorsements: Sandra took care of our group with exceptional passion. I believe in life that you can train a person to do a certain job, but you can never train a person to be passionate and dedicated, they must come that way. The preparation that she had with her at all times was incredible …… She made sure that every person was comfortable, any personal needs were taken care off. I know for a fact that a tour leader can make or break a tour and in our case, Sandra was greatly appreciated. Annette MacGillivra, Travel Consultant

I thought you were awesome and think the world of you! What a fabulous guide you were and how your knowledge, energy and expertise, greatly enhanced the trip. You rock! Katherine Domzalski, USA

On Social Media


Tour Types

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

Qualifications

•	Professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide training in all regions of Scotland accredited by Edinburgh University
•	MBA certificate stage - University of Paisley   
•	Post Graduate Diploma in Design - Edinburgh College of Art 
•	BA Hons (2.1) in Art & Design 
•	Art Foundation 
•	Travel & Tourism courses related to industry topics: Incentive travel, Business Tourism and Hospitality. Sales, Marketing, Finance, People Development, Presentation Skills
•	RSA Certificate for Professional Competence in National Road Transport Operations 
•	Tour Guiding CPD studies: Guiding those with Special Needs; Cruise Guiding Services; Whisky; Beer; Story Telling; Listening to your Visitors. Mercat Tour training – Royal Mile History walks, Historical Coach tours, Ghost walks.

Contact Sandra

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Additional Information

  • Guide Type: Blue Badge
  • Months Available: All Year
  • Year Qualified: 2008

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