The founding members of the Argyll Islands Tourist Guide Association met officially
for the first time today (Thursday 10 July) in Oban.

The highlight of their gathering at the Dungallan Hotel was the presentation of their Scottish Tour Guide Association (SGTA) certificates following a series of heritage tourism training days run by the SGTA.

Twelve individuals from the Argyll Islands completed the SGTA course and as a result, established the Argyll Islands Tourist Guide Association enabling them to market themselves individually and collectively, as a group of professional tour guides.

Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) has provided £37,000 worth of funding over three years so that other islanders can access the training, allowing them to gain the necessary skills needed to deal with visitors to their Islands.  Match funding has also come from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The project is being delivered via the Nadair programme - a partnership initiative which aims to help the Argyll Islands capitalise on their outstanding natural, archaeological, historical and geological interest.  The programme consists of a range of projects which aim to develop the heritage of the Islands in a sustainable way whilst enhancing the economic, social and natural well being of the islands and their communities.