Quality Assurance

VisitScotland works all year assessing standards for visitors.

Our Objective Assessment of accommodation gives you a clear indication of cleanliness, ambience, hospitality, service, accommodation standard and food.

Using a scale of 1-5 Stars, it provides the reassurance you need about what to expect before you arrive.

Based on visitor research, this Scheme allows you to distinguish between the quality of the accommodation, and the number of facilities on offer. The 5-Star Grading Scheme shows the full range of standards suitable for every budget and preference.

The variety of accommodation can be seen clearly, from hotels and B&B's, through to inns, lodges, restaurants with rooms and self-catering.

Simple and easy to understand, holiday parks, visitor attractions and hostels are also graded using 5 stars.

With these reliable Quality Assurance schemes, you can trust VisitScotland, knowing that our quality advisors have done all the research, so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday.

To be sure of standards choose accommodation and visitor attractions with VisitScotland star awards. Only with our awards can you benefit from our independent and impartial assessment of quality.

Please note, the name 'Scottish Tourist Board' will continue to be used for our Quality Assurance schemes.

Visitor Attractions
Using 1 to 5 Stars, Visitor Attractions are graded for the standard of customer care they provide for the visitor. The star awards focus on the standard of the welcome, hospitality and service, the attractions presentation as well as the standard of the toilets, shop and cafe, where provided. The wide range of attractions visited comprise of many types, these are: Castle, Museum, Historic House, Historic Attraction, Leisure Centre, Visitor Attraction, Activity Centre, Arts Venue, Tourist Shop, Garden and Tour.

Parks
Parks are assessed using 1 to 5 stars, for the standards they provide for visitors in all aspects of facilities, efficiency of service, the standard of pitches and groundsmanship, play areas and leisure facilities, where provided.

Caravan Holiday Homes
Caravan holiday homes for hire of a high standard are recognised by the Thistle Award. These are sited on parks with the top gradings under the park grading scheme. They are assessed every year to ensure they offer these standards for the coming holiday season. Individual caravan holiday homes are assessed to ensure they provide clean and comfortable accommodation.

Hostels
Hostels are assessed for their standard of cleanliness and provision for visitors on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. All aspects of a hostel stay are assessed with emphasis on the standard of service, level of comfort and provision of equipment.

Walkers and Cyclists
Properties which make specific provision for walkers and cyclists are acknowledged by our Walkers & Cyclists Welcome Schemes.

Green Tourism Business Scheme
Businesses with a concern for the enviroment can take part in our Green Tourism Business Scheme and their efforts to operate in an enviromentally friendly way are graded either Bronze, Silver or Gold.

Visitors With Mobility Impairment
Visitors with mobility impairments can be sure that an accommodation or attraction matches their requirements by looking for the VisitScotland assessment: