Going the extra mile
If your business caters to visitors with specific needs or interests, then you might be interested in applying to one of our Welcome Schemes, which can guide those visitors to your door. They cover an array of visitor demographics from golfers to cyclists or those travelling with children for example. Basically anyone who may require special efforts and attention during their visit.
All our Welcome Schemes have been developed by us in close consultation with experts in each individual field and are designed to complement our other Quality Assurance schemes. That’s organisations such as Mountaineering Scotland, Cycle Tourism Forum, and St Andrews Links Trust to name a few.
You don’t have to take part in our Quality Assurance Schemes to apply, but we do ask that all applicants come equipped with a genuine desire to have a flexible and inclusive approach to accommodate their visitors’ diverse needs.
How to applyÂ
To apply to any of the VisitScotland Welcome Schemes, simply complete the application.
- Quality Assured businesses online form.
- Non-Quality Assured businesses online form.
Ancestral
The Ancestral Welcome Scheme is available to accommodation providers, restaurants and visitor attractions who are knowledgeable, passionate and committed to meeting and exceeding, the needs of the ancestral visitors.
- Quality Assured businesses online form.
- Non-Quality Assured businesses online form.
The scheme is also open to professionals in the industry who provide family history or genealogy services. To apply for the Ancestral Welcome simply complete the online application form: genealogy support services.
Ancestral Welcome criteria - all sectors
Published August 2019
Ancestral Welcome criteria - genealogy support services
Published August 2019
Anglers
The Anglers Welcome Scheme is open to serviced, self catering, hostel, caravan and camping accommodation providers. The scheme recognises the special efforts made by businesses to provide for anglers.
Anglers Welcome criteria - serviced, self catering and hostel accommodation
Published March 2016
Anglers Welcome criteria - caravan and camping accommodation
Published March 2016
Bikers
The Bikers Welcome Scheme recognises the special efforts made by accommodation providers and visitor attractions to provide for motorcyclists.
Bikers Welcome criteria - serviced, self catering and hostel accommodation
Published March 2016
Bikers Welcome criteria - caravan and camping accommodation
Published March 2016
Bikers Welcome criteria - visitor attractions
Published March 2016
Children
The Children Welcome Scheme recognises the special efforts made by accommodation providers, visitor attractions and cafes/restaurants to provide for children and their families.
Children Welcome criteria - serviced, self catering and hostel accommodation
Published September 2016
Children Welcome criteria - caravan and camping accommodation
Published September 2016
Children Welcome criteria - visitor attractions
Published September 2016
Children Welcome criteria - cafes and restaurants
Published September 2016
Classic cars
The Classic cars Welcome Scheme is for self catering and serviced accommodation providers as well as visitor attractions and garages who make additional effort to provide for visitors with classic cars.
Classic cars Welcome criteria - self catering and serviced accommodation, visitor attractions and garages
Published February 2017
Cyclists
The Cyclists Welcome Scheme recognises the special efforts made by accommodation providers, visitor attractions and cafes/restaurants to provide for visitors arriving with bikes.
Cyclists Welcome criteria - serviced, self catering and hostel accommodation
Published March 2016
Cyclists Welcome criteria - caravan and camping accommodation
Published March 2016
Cyclists Welcome criteria - visitor attractions
Published March 2016
Cyclists Welcome criteria - cafes and restaurants
Published March 2016
Experiencing Gaelic
The Experiencing Gaelic Scheme/Fiosraich GĂ idhlig recognises accommodation providers, visitor attractions and cafes/restaurants who make a special effort for visitors wanting to experience the Gaelic language and culture.
Experiencing Gaelic criteria - all sectors
Published April 2016
Field sports
The Field sports Welcome Scheme recognises the special efforts made by serviced and self catering accommodation providers to welcome visitors with an interest in field sports.
Field sports Welcome criteria - serviced and self catering accommodation
Published March 2016
Golfers and visiting golfers
The Golfers Welcome Scheme is open to serviced, self catering, hostel, caravan and camping accommodation providers who provide for visitors with golf equipment.
The Visiting Golfers Welcome Scheme is for golf clubs who accommodate visiting golfers.
Golfers Welcome criteria - serviced, self catering and hostel accommodation
Published March 2016
Golfers Welcome criteria - caravan and camping accommodation
Published March 2016
Visiting golfers Welcome criteria - golf clubs
Published April 2016
Groups
The Groups Welcome Scheme is available to serviced, self catering and hostel accommodation providers who take special efforts to support groups of visitors.
Groups Welcome criteria - serviced, self catering and hostel accommodation
Published February 2015
Pets
The Pets Welcome Scheme recognises accommodation providers, visitor attractions and cafes/restaurants who make additional efforts to welcome visitors and their pets.
Pets Welcome criteria - all sectors
Published September 2016
Walkers
The Walkers Welcome Scheme is available to accommodation providers, visitors attractions and cafes/restaurants who make special efforts to provide for walkers.
Walkers Welcome criteria - serviced, self catering and hostel accommodation
Published March 2016
Walkers Welcome criteria - caravan and camping accommodation
Published March 2016
Walkers Welcome criteria - visitor attractions
Published March 2016
Walkers Welcome criteria - cafes and restaurants
Published March 2016