Page 72 - Microsoft Word - Guiding lights final version 0841 1007 big print.doc

‘VisitBritain also stated it was ‘pleased to recommend Blue Badge Guides, Britain’s official professional tourist Guides.’ Toni put her personal life on the back-burner’ Maggie continued, ‘and was always on hand to react to the latest crisis and give advice. She always put the STGA first and we owe her a great deal of gratitude for her dedication, endurance and patience in often very difficult circumstances.’
On March 6, 2006 the STGA held an event celebrating the tenth anniversary of the formation of the Company for MSPs and the travel trade in the Garden Lobby of The Scottish Parliament. A new corporate video on the STGA was launched at the event to demonstrate the diverse types of work guides could undertake.
The Association marked its 50th anniversary in 2009 with the commissioning of a bespoke STGA tartan from Kinloch Anderson, the Royal Kilt Makers, for exclusive use by the membership. The idea was born when STGA Vice Chair Maggie McLeod had a chance meeting with Deirdre Kinloch Anderson of the eponymous kilt making dynasty and asked if she could do something for the STGA on its limited budget.
‘At the time we had just appointed the Scots born broadcaster and archaeologist Neil Oliver as the STGA’s first Honorary President and we planned on giving him a kilt. The idea for inviting Neil Oliver came from Mary Kemp Clarke, at one AGM,’ Maggie explained. ‘Neil Oliver's appeal was then in the ascendance for some, and as he had excavated and worked with Mary when both were archaeologists, she approached him to ask if he would take on the role. Neil was on TV constantly at that time so it was good marketing for Kinloch Anderson too.’
‘By offering a quid pro quo arrangement to Kinloch Anderson, Deirdre who told the story in Guidelines was happy to deal with us,’ said Maggie. ‘In July Maggie McLeod approached us with a view to having an STGA tartan designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the STGA in 2009. At the first meeting we discussed the visual concept of and basis of the design. The STGA was founded in Edinburgh, so we chose the sett of the City of Edinburgh tartan. Historical background and an association with Scotland give the design meaning, relevance and added authenticity and, furthermore, allow a design story to accompany the merchandise.
‘At our next meeting, initial designs were produced with CAD design printouts, and reasons given for the choices of colour shades and combinations. A selection of designs was taken away for further consideration. We then received preference for one design but were asked to make a few amendments e.g. to lighten the shade of blue, put gold guard lines against the white, change the silver line to soft white in order to create the Saltire effect. New printouts were made and three designs created, each with a different shade of blue. From these a single
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