Scotland’s Tour Guides Fund

The Scotland’s Tour Guides Fund is intended to support tour guides in Scotland who are facing financial hardship due to the impact of COVID-19.

The £3 million fund is being delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government by VisitScotland.

Who is this for?

You will be eligible if you can confirm that:

• at least 75% of your business’s guided tours, activities and experiences take place within Scotland

• you have a permanent place of business in Scotland (a registered business address or premises)

• your business activities meet the definition of ‘tour guiding’ as defined in the ‘Definition of a Tour Guide’ section of the guidance document on VisitScotland.org.

• your business has been negatively impacted by COVID-19, which has resulted in your business turnover being at least 50% less than as recorded in your last set of annual accounts

• your business intends to trade in 2021 when restrictions allow

• your business was not in financial difficulty as at 31 December 2019

The fund is not open to:

• any business that offers guided activities serving wholly or mainly a local market

• tour operators and experience providers that do not deliver guided activities

• registered taxi license holders, chauffeur companies or private hire vehicle licensed operators, unless they can demonstrate that they offer guided tours

• riding schools for lessons

• indoor and outdoor sports activities, e.g. football, golf, tennis, netball etc; Outdoor/ indoor activity/ sports clubs, leisure and training centres

• dry ski slopes

• karting centres

You should read the full guidance on eligibility on the VisitScotland website before making an application.

How do I apply?

The guidance document is available now.

https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/tour-guide-fund/guidance

Fund applications will go live at 12pm on Wednesday 3 March and close at 5pm on Wednesday 10 March 2021.  Applicants can apply via an online application form on VisitScotland.org.

Applications WILL NOT be assessed on a first come first serve basis and will be limited to one application per business.

There will be an application assessment process before the final decision is made. If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision.

How much will the grant be?

It is anticipated that there will be a high demand for this fund across the sector. The amount awarded to each applicant will therefore be determined by the eligibility criteria and supporting information provided. 

https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/scotlands-tour-guides-fund

https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/tour-guide-fund

The information in this blog provides only an overview of Scottish Government guidance and legislation in force at the date of publication and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed Scottish Government guidance and legislation or seeking professional advice.  Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this blog can be accepted by the firm.

Photo by Levi Jones on Unsplash