Fife Council
Transportation and Environmental Services
Tourist Signing Policy
1. General Strategy
The tourist signing policy has been developed and based upon the key tourist routes through
Fife to facilitate co-ordinated and quality signing to communities with tourist information
facilities, visitor attractions and other tourist services.
In developing the policy the following key issues have been considered.

Road Safety

The needs of tourists, through the provision of co-ordinated, consistent and clear directional
signing to qualifying tourist attractions and facilities.

Protection of the environment through the control of commercial advertising and the
avoidance of unnecessary and/or superfluous signs.
To be eligible for tourist signing, all tourist destinations must be a member of a Quality
Assurance Scheme, accredited by VisitScotland or an equivalent approved organisation. This
accreditation must be retained for as long as the signs are in place.
If a tourist destination operator subsequently withdraws from the Quality Assurance Scheme
they automatically forfeit eligibility for signing and any existing signs will be removed by Fife
Council at the expense of the destination.
2. Definitions
National tourist routes were originally promoted to allow visitors an alternative to busy through
routes between major tourist destinations. These routes incorporate a significant number of
tourist attractions, services and tourist facilities along their length. These tourist routes are
intended to encourage a wider spread of tourism to areas that may otherwise be bypassed by
through routes.
The Fife tourist routes currently comprise of the Fife Coastal Route and North Fife Tourist Trail.
For towns as much signing as possible should be based on the principle of directing visitors to a
suitable car park and from there provide clear directions to specific attractions and/or directions
to the nearest tourist information centre. The number of tourist information centres has seen a
national decline in recent times with five centres remaining in Fife at Anstruther (Seasonal), Crail
(Seasonal), Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and St Andrews.
Tourist signing will also be considered from the National Cycle Network although it is likely that
such signing would be “pedestrian style signing” that would be less expensive and less obtrusive
than road signing.
3. Policy for Signposting
A visitor attraction is defined (for signing purposes) as a permanently established destination or
facility that attracts or is used by visitors to an area and is recognised Quality Assurance Scheme.
These include historic properties and castles, wildlife centres, leisure complexes, museums,
ancient monuments, theatres, concert venues and so on.
All recognised visitor attractions will be considered for signing from the nearest point on the “A”
Class road network or tourist route. Where appropriate, follow on signing may be required
closer to the establishment. Suitable parking facilities should be available for any signed
destination to the satisfaction of Fife Council.
Other tourist facilities such as hotels, hostels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, cinemas, caravan &
camping sites can be considered for signing except where tourist information centres are
nearby.
Due to the seasonal nature of many tourist attractions it is important that signs convey accurate
information about opening times. Tourist facilities should be available to visitors without the
need to pre-book.
4. Application Procedures
Applications for VisitScotland membership and accreditation should be made to:
Tourist Signposting Co-ordinator
VisitScotland
Thistle House
Beechwood Park North
INVERNESS
IV2 3ED
e-mail signposting@visitscotland.com
Accreditation is also available from other organisations. Details can be obtained by contacting
Fife Council at the address below.
If accreditation is awarded the operator should then apply for signing through:
Fife Council
Transportation and Environmental Services
Bankhead Central
Bankhead Park
Glenrothes
Fife
KY7 6GH
or email the requisite contact on Fife Council’s web site www.fifedirect.org.uk/touristsigns
5. Approval
Transportation and Environmental Services (TES) will assess the suitability of proposed signing
locations with regard to road safety and any other environmental or site specific issues.
TES will approve all sign layouts and content to ensure they meet the requirements of the
current Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.
Where a number of tourist establishments are in close proximity the use of composite signs may
need to be considered to avoid unsightly sign clutter.
The full cost of manufacture, erection and maintenance of signs will be borne by the applicant.
TES will provide a cost estimate for signing and will arrange for the manufacture and erection of
the signs upon agreement with the applicant. The cost of tourist signing can vary greatly
depending upon a variety of factors such as size of sign, whether existing poles are available,
whether new poles are required, number of signs and what temporary road safety traffic
management arrangements are required for construction.
The cost of non-routine maintenance or replacement will then be the responsibility of the
applicant, although the ownership of the sign will remain with Fife Council.
A standard “Form of Agreement” will need to be entered into before signing will be progressed.
Dr Bob McLelan
Head of Transportation and Environmental Services