Brown tourist signs are widely recognised around Scotland. They provide visitors with clear and consistent directions to their destination. Our remit is to approve your eligibility before you can submit your application to your local authority roads department. Please follow our quick step-by-step guide to walk you through the process.
A tourist destination is defined in traffic sign legislation* as a permanently established attraction or facility that:
*As defined by The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016
Before you apply for a brown tourist sign, you will need an official accreditation letter. To ask for one, eligible businesses should contact signposting@visitscotland.com
Please note that we are responsible for approving eligibility to apply for signage. Our remit does not include responsibility for approving signage.
Once you have your accreditation letter you can make your application. Your first point of contact should be your local authority roads department. They manage all requests and can progress your application on local roads. Approval is their decision.
Where applicable, you may asked to liaise with Transport Scotland or one of its operating companies. This is the case for signage requests on trunk roads or motorways.
The purpose of tourist signs is to provide clear directions to enable visitors to reach quality tourist destinations safely by vehicle. The following are some examples of tourist destinations.
| Eligible tourist attractions include | Eligible tourist facilities include |
|
|
Establishments acting as retail outlets are only eligible for tourist signs if they meet either of these criteria:
A single, independent retail unit that showcases merchandise produced in Scotland, for example:
Where products are not produced in Scotland, the range should be curated to highlight typically Scottish themes such as:
Tourist Shops would be expected to have a visitor experience offering on a regular basis. This can include, but is not limited to, a production element as part of the experience either through:
A large retail outlet featuring multiple concessions or individual retail units featuring a range of local or national brands. The outlet will offer:
| Ineligible tourist destinations include |
|
The information shown on a tourist sign must conform to the designs prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD). Find out more on legislation.gov.
Effective signs provide clear information allowing visitors to reach a destination safely. A tourist sign will show the name of the business, distance to the business (where appropriate), and the VisitScotland thistle logo. Further information on this can be obtained from your local authority.
If eligible, we can issue the accreditation letter within five working days.
If you take over a business that has a tourist sign then you need to meet the criteria to be eligible. This includes continued acceptance of our terms and conditions. Browse the working with us terms and conditions.
If you sell your business and have a tourist sign, remember to pass the details to the new owner. It will become their responsibility, and they will need to apply for accreditation to retain the sign(s).
It is advisable to have a realistic understanding of the likely costs. Costs are influenced by the type of road as well as the distance to the destination.
Prices can start from several hundred pounds for signs on local roads.
Prices can escalate to many thousands of pounds for motorway or trunk road signing.
You should have appropriate funding identified before proceeding with an application.
Tourist signs take time to be installed. The process includes approval, agreement on location and number of signs, manufacture of the signs, and setting them up.
The majority of applications are usually concluded within six months. Occasionally the process can take significantly longer depending on the complexity involved.
To be eligible for signs on the motorway network, your establishment should receive at least 50,000 visitors each year or more than 10,000 visitors in the peak month. In either case, these thresholds should have been met in each of the previous three years.
Please note that these visitor number thresholds apply only to motorways. There is no visitor number requirement for non-motorway trunk roads (A class roads).
Adequate car parking to accommodate the volume of vehicles expected to visit is also taken into consideration.
Find more tourist signposting guidance on transport.gov.scot.
