Tourism

Scotland’s agritourism sector is celebrating after winning a bid to host the World Agritourism Conference in 2026. The announcement was made in Bolzano, Italy on Friday 17th May, at a gathering of world leaders in agritourism, who represent the recently formed Global Agritourism Network.

More than 7,000 meetings took place between Scottish tourism businesses and travel intermediaries - including tour operators, travel advisors and Destination Management Companies representing Scotland’s most important visitor markets – at an event held in Aberdeen.

VisitScotland have published a handy Food Tourism Industry Guide to support rural and island businesses. 

Businesses can learn what food tourism is, how it can benefit their business and how to develop quality food tourism experiences.

As summer approaches and the weather improves, more and more people will head to the countryside to take advantage of Scotland's wonderful natural heritage. With the increased risk of of interaction with ticks and the risk of catching Lyme disease, NHS Scotland have higlighted how to identify the syptoms and take appropriate action. 

A Scottish Government-backed deep-water terminal which will support future renewable energy developments and cruise ship opportunities on the Western Isles has been officially handed over to operators by Deputy First Minister Shona Robison. 

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.

Tickets are now on sale for the event, which will take place from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July at Perthshire’s heritage location, set in parkland alongside the River Tay.

Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust (AGCT) is to take over the Glenmore Visitor Centre and Car Park after a successful application to Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS). 

The scheme empowers community organisations to ask to take over publicly owned land or buildings that they feel they can make better use of for local people. 

Looking for a new job? Check out some of the latest vacancies from across rural Scotland.

Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands - Woodland ACTION Officer

Scotland’s wildlife will benefit from increased protection thanks to a new law  passed by the Scottish Parliament.

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill includes a range of measures that will help tackle raptor persecution, and ensure that the management of species on grouse moors is done so sustainably and with animal welfare as a priority.

A review of Community Rights to Buy will begin this summer to look at how effective the current powers are.

Community Right to Buy has now been in use for 20 years. During that time, there have been several additions and amendments to the original rights in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, and various reports and recommendations on how to improve and amend them further.