Guided Tour

Guided Tour

What is it? 

A guided tour is the practice of an individual leading a group of people around a point of interest and giving them information about it, which can cover topics such as religious significance, cultural history and how it relates to other locations and events in history. 

What does it involve?

Attending a guided tour basically just involves paying attention! All the work is done for you in finding out the facts and presenting them in an interesting manner; the role of the participant just calls for a level of interest in your surroundings and an eagerness to learn!

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Tour guides can be extremely educational - physically interacting with the place while learning about its history will provide a different kind of academic experience to the classroom by giving the students something more tangible to focus on.

What equipment do we need?

You shouldn't need any equipment for a guided tour, but check beforehand to make sure; some tours involve their participants even further by getting them to write down their own thoughts, or make drawings - so you may need to ensure students have something to write on!

Who is it suitable for?

Guided Tours are suitable for pretty much anybody if you pick the right one - smaller children will find it harder to focus on more complex subjects and will need more visual aids, but if they are engaged correctly they will have a great time! Likewise, teenage students will get bored if the subject isn't engaging enough, so make sure to choose the tour appropriate for the age and interests of the group. 

Costs?

Around £20 or less per person, but it can vary greatly depending on the location of the tour - for example, a minibus tour around a park will cost more than a short walk around a country manor! Make sure to shop around to get an idea of the prices in your area. 

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

A guided tour should be suitable for all ages, but students with condtions such has ADHD may have trouble focusing for an extended period of time - make sure to be aware of the specific needs of your group. 

How do we include?

Many guided tours have disabled access for those with limited physical movement, but it would be wise to doublecheck beforehand. Those who are deaf and blind can also be included in guided tours but may need more specialist staff - again, you will need to check with the specific establishments. 

Doing it abroad?

There are points of public interest all around the world, so wherever you can find something well known chances are there will be a guided tour available! Foreign tours may be conducted in another language though, so make sure to confirm the specifications of the tour before booking it. 

Main website: 

This website gives a good overview of places where you can go for a tour guide, but you're best looking at the specific areas around you to find out details!

Venues with this Activity

The Grampian Transport Museum boasts an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots of the 1800's, to some of the fastest cars ever made.

The only Visit Scotland 5-Star Attraction in Aberdeen, the museum tells the extraordinary 200 year story of “the Finest Regiment in the World!”

At the Gordon Highlanders Museum you can re-live the dramatic story of one of Britain’s most famous regiments through the lives of its outstanding personalities and the soldiers of the north-east of Scotland who filled its ranks. Changing exhibition programme, interactive displays, guided tours, events and activities for all ages.

Relive the early days of the industrial revolution at Garlogie Mill. See the rare beam engine - the only one of its type to have survived intact on its original location - which powered the woollen Mill.

Materials related to the history of Garioch.

The charm of Fyvie ranges from its 13th-century origins to its stunning Edwardian interiors. The castle is home to a superb collection of arms, armour and paintings, including works by Raeburn and Gainsborough.

Step back in time through centuries of history at Fraserburgh Heritage Centre

Step back in time through centuries of history at Fraserburgh Heritage Centre. From the bustling quayside in the age of sail to the haute couture of dress designer Bill Gibb and the exciting adventure of Antarctic exploration, the 4 star visitor attraction offers a wealth of exhibits and a fascinating experience for all the family.

Discover the importance of the rural carpenter to the local community in the days before mass-produced goods, with displays of early tools and an audiovisual presentation. See a craftsman working in wood; relax in a Victorian-style garden; view early workshop machinery.

The Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust was set-up in 2007 to take over the remaining building of the former Ferryhill locomotive depot, restore it and transform the site into a working railway heritage site for the North East of Scotland. In this endeavor, the Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust has the active support of Aberdeen City Council and the Ferryhill Community Council.

Elgin Museum is owned and managed by The Moray Society and is Scotland’s oldest independent museum. It is housed in a Grade A listed building, designed as a museum by local architect Thomas Mackenzie, and built in the Italianate style in the golden local sandstone. It opened in 1843. 

The Museum of Scotland's Catholic Heritage

Blairs Museum contains spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years while the beauty of St. Mary’s Chapel never fails to make an impression.

Blairs Museum is home to a magnificent collection of paintings, church textiles, sacred and domestic silver and Jacobite memorabilia belonging to the Scottish Roman Catholic Church.

Schools

A local museum with material relating to the social and natural history of the town

A local museum with material relating to the social and natural history of the town and immediate district. Collections include scientific instruments which belonged to the astronomer James Ferguson and the natural history collection of Thomas Edward.

Gateway to Royal Deeside

Learn about the history of Banchory and its most famous son, musician and composer, J. Scott Skinner, the "Strathspey King".

In our permanent collection you will also see:

Discover the wealth of Peterhead's maritime history in one of Aberdeenshire's oldest museums. See models showing the development of Peterhead fishing boats and find out about:

Access Aberdeen's shipbuilding history through the collections of Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city's long relationship with the Sea. This award-winning museum is located on the historic Shiprow and incorporates Provost Ross's House, which was built in 1593. The Maritime Museum houses a unique collection covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history.

Inspiring Art and Music is a redevelopment project which will transform Aberdeen Art Gallery, Cowdray Hall and The Hall of Remembrance through significant investment in the fabric of the buildings, new exhibition and display galleries and improved facilities for visitors.

The majority of works are in the Pathfoot Building with sculpture on display all around the campus.

Sculpture Trail

Sculpture forms an important part of the University Art Collection.
It can be seen all around the scenic campus.

Nestling beneath Stirling Castle, in the King’s Park, the ancient hunting grounds of the Stuart monarchs, is the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum.

Museum relating to the history of the region. Includes geneaological resources, documentation on local issues, maps and information relating to the Ross of Mull.

Set in a renovated cottage next to a 17th Century corn mill in the village of Bunessan with parking for up to 6 cars and disabled access.

Oban War & Peace Museum contains a fascinating collection of artefacts and photographs depicting the rich cultural history of the busy port town and its people.

This award-winning museum is situated in the conservation village of Port Charlotte. The exhibitions illustrate life and work on the island from pre-historic times to the early part of the 20th century, together with items from the many shipwrecks found around Islay’s shores.

Small museum crammed with informtation about the history of Mull and its people – geology, standing stones, castles, Spanish Armada galleon, crofting emigrants, schools and World War II naval base. Open Easter to October. Library and archive by appointment. 

The Collection tells the story of working and domestic life in the Highlands and Islands

Miss Hope MacDougall, daughter, sister and aunt to three successive chiefs of the Clan MacDougall started her collection with a single wooden spoon in the 1950s and amassed thousands of items before her death in 1998.

A stunning ecologically friendly building, opened in March 2007, housing a museum charting island life throughout the ages

Experience Gaelic culture at the award winning Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre’s museum, library and historical archive.

Come visit our fascinating new exhibition about the Life and Work of the Women on Lismore throughout the ages, which opens on the 29th of March 2015.

We have a unique gift shop with local crafts & a café with beautiful panoramic views. Free WiFi.

Kinneil Museum is located in the 17th century stable block of Kinneil House and acts as an interpretative centre for Kinneil Estate.

The exhibition 2,000 Years of History tells the story of the park from Roman times to the present day.

Antoninus Pius, St Serf, Mary, Queen of Scots and James Watt are among the many historical characters associated with the estate.

Kilmartin Glen, in the heart of Mid Argyll, is one of Scotland’s richest prehistoric landscapes. Over 800 historic monuments, cairns, standing stones, stone circles and rock art dating back over 5000 years have been recorded within this area.

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