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and we developed successful Alexander ‘Greek’ Thompson coach tours, visiting Holmwood House and St Vincent Street church.’
In recent times the cruise ship industry has brought thousands of visitors to the city with nearby Greenock becoming a key port. A highlight was the return of the QE2 in 2008 which had been built and launched in Glasgow 41 years earlier. Jan became a firm fixture as an organiser of guides for cruise ships in Scotland for many years.
The Glasgow branch has published its own excellent newsletter Branchlines for many years which is currently edited by Blue Badge guide Bruce Cochran who qualified in 2006. Margaret McCann and Bruce developed a coach and walking tour to celebrate the 20th Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow in 2014. The specific focus was on Glasgow’s sporting heritage and the sports venues being used within the city. ‘We incorporated the new sports facilities and athletes village in the East End,’ said Maggie. ‘We attended the Games launch at Holyrood with Clyde aka ‘Thistle heid’! (photo attached). The Sporting Heritage walking tour on the Glasgow Green was led by Sheila May and celebrated the extensive sporting history and events relating to this area. We offered free tours on the Green during the Games,’ Maggie said. ‘Over 50 guides were trained over a two-day course and accredited by the STGA to deliver both tours. Due to the voluntary/non- profit making aspect of the Games, we did not receive the backing and promotion we had anticipated from the ‘Glasgow 2014’ organisers. However the course was a success and the information was well used by the guides during their Glasgow tours in 2014. Bruce and I led the Sporting Heritage walk as an ITGD event for the students at Glasgow College (photo attached) and also as a CPD for some of the newer guides in 2018.’
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