FAQs

Q. Can I contact you to book a guide?

A. Sorry, no - please contact the individual guides directly through their own pages

Q. What information should I supply when contacting a guide?

A. Please supply as much information as possible - at least the date(s) of your tour, whether a half or full day or extended tour is required, the number in your party, and any special interests you may have.

Q. I don't know what there is to see in Orkney - what should I do?

A. Don't worry - your guide is an expert and will be happy to advise you. Many of our guides will be happy to plan a detailed itinerary for you.

Q. How much does it cost to hire a guide?

A. We do not set guiding fees - these should be negotiated directly with the individual guide. Please remember you are engaging the services of a highly trained professional.

Q. Do I have to pay in advance and what happens if I cancel my tour?

A. Each guide has their own payment and cancellation policy. As a general rule most guides will require payment in advance and operate a sliding scale of cancellation fees, and the closer to your tour date you cancel the more of your tour fee is forfeit. You should check with the individual guide who will advise you of their own policy.

Q. I've come across someone calling themselves an Orkney Guide but they're not listed on your website - are they qualified?

A. Only someone who has completed the Orkney Regional Affiliate course of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) and been awarded the Green Badge is a qualified Orkney Tourist Guide and eligible to be a member of OTGA. Membership is also open to Blue Badge Guides, who hold the national qualification for the whole of Scotland, awarded by the STGA.

Some STGA Green Badge holders are not members of OTGA, but are nevertheless qualified Orkney guides. If in doubt ask to see their Green Badge, inscribed with their name, and their STGA membership card. All current STGA members should be also listed on the STGA website

If they cannot produce these items they are NOT a qualified Orkney Tourist Guide and should not describe themselves as such - and you have no guarantee of their professional competence.

There is currently no legal requirement in this country that a guide should be either trained, properly qualified or insured - hence there is nothing to stop anyone calling themselves a guide and offering tours of Orkney or anywhere else. We would therefore, for your own protection and to ensure a high quality experience, urge you to choose only properly qualified, accredited and insured members of OTGA or the STGA as your Orkney Guide.

Promoting the highest standards of guiding within Orkney

Disclaimer

Whilst we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on our website, the Orkney Tourist Guides Association (OTGA) cannot be held responsible for any loss consequential or otherwise as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on our part.

OTGA guides possess an official STGA membership card - possession of a valid card proves public liability and professional indemnity insurance - however it is your responsibility to satisfy yourself as to the insurance status of your guide at the time of booking.

Driver-guides and their vehicles are licensed by the Orkney Islands Council or the Department of Transport depending on the size of the vehicle, and whilst we believe that all our driver-guides are suitably insured and licensed it is your responsibility to satisfy yourself regarding this at the time of booking.

We are not responsible for the content of any third party website that you may reach via a link on this website.

All material contained herein is either © OTGA or © our individual members and may not be reproduced without permission