Tourism
Cert HE Highland Heritage for Tourism
Start an exciting new journey this September! Enrol in our HE Cert in Highland Heritage for Tourism course and explore the rich world of Scottish Highland heritage.
Whether you’re already involved in the museum, tourism, or heritage sectors or looking to break in, this course is designed just for you. With a flexible online format, you can learn from anywhere with internet access.
Online course study from anywhere in the world
Within Scotland there exists a great variety of cultures - Glaswegian, Borders, Doric, Hebridean, Orcadian, Shetlandic, Scots - each with their own distinctive languages, dialects and often their own customs. How then, given this diversity within our country can we talk about a single ‘Scottish brand’? Is there such a thing?’ Is Scottish culture distinct from other cultures? How? What makes it distinctive? Does it have any basis in reality? These questions are bound up with notions of identity, that is, how we see ourselves, how we think others will see us, and how we see others.
What you will Study
- Embarking on your journey with UHI, you’ll explore the fascinating history, archaeology, language, literature, environment, and governance of our beautiful region!
- You'll gain practical presentation skills, learn to engage with stakeholders, and master client communication.
- Plus, you'll discover how to carve out a rewarding career, whether as an entrepreneur or within a larger organisation, all while celebrating the unique spirit of the Highlands and Islands. Exciting opportunities await you!
The course is made up of three modules.
Modules
Module One: Scotland the Brand
- Within Scotland there exists a great variety of cultures, each with their own distinctive languages, dialects and often their own customs. How then, given this diversity within our country can we talk about a single ‘Scottish brand’? Is there such a thing?’ Is Scottish culture distinct from other cultures? How? What makes it distinctive? Does it have any basis in reality? These questions are bound up with notions of identity, i.e. how we see ourselves, how we think others will see us, and how we see others. What we see today is in large part an invented culture, which is the image that Scotland presents to the world.
- Scotland presents a Highland face to the world, albeit in distorted/fictionalised form, having little similarity to actual historical customs and traditions. Hence, if many of our customs and much of our heritage is fabricated, shouldn’t history and facts be preferred? The fact is that there is a demand from many visitors (and perhaps many Scots) for the believable over the actual. Interested to learn more?
- 20 credits, September-December. This is a mostly self-directed module with no weekly classes. You are given the materials and will work through them on a weekly basis.
Module Two: Step into the Highlands
- This module emphasises the importance of employability and graduate skills, enabling a seamless transition from academic study to the professional world.
- Even if tour guiding isn't your primary interest, this module will furnish you with vital transferable skills, knowledge, and theoretical training. These assets will allow you to easily deploy your expertise effectively across Scotland's varied tourism, heritage, cultural, or hospitality industries, thanks to their invaluable versatility.
- 60 credits, September-April. Classes run on Wednesday mornings throughout the year and offer introductory lectures to topics as diverse as Scotland’s larder to its natural environment; from history to literature; myths and legends to archaeology.
Module Three: Och Aye the Noo: Introduction to Highlands and Islands Tourism
- This module introduces key theories within tourism with a particular focus on Scotland, as well as broader international contexts. It explores the growing opportunities and employment prospects within the vital tourism sector of the Highlands and Islands and examines the unique and diverse tourism offerings of the region, incorporating specific case studies and considering global perceptions of its appeal.
- It includes guest lectures from a range of tourism practitioners across the Highlands and Islands, allowing you to experience real-life situations and develop useful networks.
- 40 credits, September-April. Classes run on Thursday mornings throughout the academic year.
We are working in partnership with HOST Guides, if you would like practical hands-on tour guide training within the
Highlands contact them directly for more information.