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Brown tourist signs
Brown tourist signs show visitors how to get to tourist destinations across Scotland. They provide clear and safe directions for those travelling by personal or hired vehicles.
VisitScotland can approve your eligibility for a tourist sign, which you need before applying to your local authority roads department.
Find out if you’re eligible for a brown tourist sign, and how to apply for proof with this quick step-by-step guide.
How to apply for a Brown Tourist Sign
Check that you qualify as a tourist destination
A tourist destination is defined in traffic sign legislation* as a permanently established attraction or facility that:
- attracts or is used by visitors to an area
- is open to the public without prior booking during its normal opening hours
- is recognised by us
*As defined by The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016
Request your letter of accreditation
If you meet the criteria, email signposting@visitscotland.com for your official accreditation letter.
Our remit
Please note that we are responsible for approving eligibility to apply for signage. Our remit does not include responsibility for approving signage.
Apply to local authority roads department
Once you have your accreditation letter, you can make your application to your local authority roads department. They manage all requests for local roads and decide whether to approve your application.
If you’re applying for trunk roads or motorways, you may be asked to liaise with Transport Scotland (or one of its operating companies).
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for a Brown Tourist Sign?
Experiences
- ancient monuments
- arts venues
- garden centres
- golf courses
- historic buildings and properties
- leisure, sport and activity centres
- museums
- natural attractions (such as nature reserves)
- parks and gardens
- restaurants
- theme parks
- tourist shops**
- visitor centres
- zoos
Accommodation
- bed & breakfasts
- caravan and camping
- guesthouses
- holiday parks
- hotels
Who isn't eligible for a Brown Tourist Sign?
- Exclusive use venues
- Accommodation used exclusively by groups
- Self-catering or glamping accommodation, except:
- where multiple units have a staffed reception area and have on-spec accommodation available on a nightly basis
- where the accommodation is eligible for traffic management and / or road safety issues in certain circumstances
- Tours, except:
- where the tour operator has a staffed reception area and has on-spec tours available
- worshipping churches or places of active worship, except:
- where the property is open to the public outwith scheduled times of worship
- where the property has a formal, regular visitor proposition
What retail outlets are eligible for a Brown Tourist Sign?
Retail outlets are only eligible:
A single independent retail unit
An outlet that showcases merchandise produced in Scotland, for example:
- arts and crafts (including galleries)
- food and drink (including farm shops)
- tweed and textiles
Where products are not produced in Scotland, the range should be curated to highlight typically Scottish themes such as:
- fishing
- golfing
- outdoor pursuits
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:
- events allowing visitors to participate in the process
- live demonstrations
- static information
- tasting opportunities
A large retail outlet
An outlet featuring multiple concessions or individual retail units featuring a range of local or national brands. The outlet will offer:
- activities (children’s play area, ten-pin bowling, mini-golf, cinema, etc.)
- dining options
- dedicated parking for cars and coaches
- events
What information do tourist signs include?
Effective signs provide clear information allowing visitors to reach their 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.
The information shown on a tourist sign must follow the designs of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD). Find out more on legislation.gov.
When will I hear back about my accreditation letter?
If eligible, we can issue the accreditation letter within 5 working days.
What happens if I buy or sell a business with a brown sign?
Buying a business
If you take over a business that has a tourist sign, then you need to continue to meet the criteria to be eligible. This includes continued acceptance of our terms and conditions. Browse the working with us terms and conditions.
Selling a business
If you sell your business and have a tourist sign, remember to pass the details onto the new owner. It will become their responsibility, and they will need to apply for accreditation to retain the sign(s).
How much do tourist signs cost?
You will be responsible for the cost of the sign.
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 rise to many thousands of pounds for motorway or trunk road signing.
You should have identified the appropriate money before proceeding with an application.
How long will it take to for my tourist signposting to be installed?
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.
Can I apply for motorway signing for my visitor attraction?
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. You must have met either of those thresholds for the last 3 years.
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
Contact us with your signposting enquiry
Our team can help answer any signage queries you may have, as well as review and approve your request for an accreditation letter.
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