Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has announced that it will be offering its Biosphere Guide Training Course in 2022: four days of free training to be held over two weekends in March. Designed for individuals who live within the region and are passionate about Biosphere life, the course will develop participants’ local knowledge and equip them to deliver an accessible, sustainable and engaging visitor experience that explores the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere.
Topics to be covered include environmental awareness, wildlife watching, and sense of place, alongside essential business advice on health and safety, accreditation, and trends and challenges in Scottish tourism. The course will also feature as a new element for 2022 an evening ‘Darkness and Stars’ activity led by Elizabeth Tindal, local Dark Sky Ranger and trained Biosphere Guide. With Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere featured on Scotland’s UNESCO Trail and the nation’s Green Recovery underway, this course provides an exciting opportunity for local people to develop new skills and explore creative tourism-based careers.
Stef Lauer of Hands On Consulting is back to lead the course, having delivered the last guide training in 2019. Among the graduates that year was Craig Murray who now runs South West Scotland Tours. Commenting on the course Craig said, “I always felt there was scope for a small tour guiding business, but had no idea how to go about it, what the expectations of clients would be and how to do it with as little environmental impact as possible. The GSA Biosphere tour guide course has provided me with that information, and more. It has provided a way into local networks, huge amounts of information on the local area, support via becoming a Biosphere Proud Supporter and eventually work to the Biosphere Certification Mark.”
The four-day Biosphere Guide Training Course will take place on 12-13 and 26-27 March 2022 with Kirroughtree, Newton Stewart as its principal location. Anyone interested in applying is invited to email Marie McNulty, the Biosphere’s Business Development Officer, at [email protected] to request further information or schedule a chat. More information about the course and the region’s UNESCO designation is available at gsabiosphere.org.uk.
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