Tourism

Sector prepares for return to business.

Further measures have been announced by Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing to support Scotland’s vital tourism industry.

Along with many other events, Scotland’s first Seaweed Festival, due to take place this September 5-6th as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 programme has been postponed due to the Coronavirus restrictions.

Rural Economy and Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing has pledged financial support following the closure of businesses including cafes, pubs, restaurants, cinemas and leisure centres.

A £2.2 billion package of measures to help business from 1 April has already been announced by the Economy Secretary.

In line with recent advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) announced by the First Minister, campsites, caravan and holiday parks in Scotland are to close immediately to new arrivals, including tourers, other transient visitors and holiday lets. 

The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns has been awarded 5-Star status by VisitScotland, the first museum in the Scottish Borders to receive the accolade.

Following a £1.6 million partnership project the museum opened to the public on 11 July 2019 and welcomed 13,000 visitors in its first six months. 

Funding to develop tourism in North Ayrshire.

North Ayrshire Council has been awarded £400,000 from the Scottish Government to develop tourism across Ayrshire’s island and coastal destinations.

The Coig (Scots Gaelic for five) touring route initiative will provide the west coast of Scotland, the Firth of Clyde and islands with a new opportunity to brand and promote itself to national and international visitors.

Tourism businesses in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian are embarking on a new marketing campaign designed to revolutionise the area’s visitor economy.

Scotland Starts Here, a travel inspiration website has been created to raise the area’s profile as a year-round tourism destination as well as encouraging more visitors to the Scottish Borders and Midlothian. The website will be supported by a digital marketing campaign including mobile app, podcasts, eBooks, videos, blogs and social media advertising.

There is still time to submit a proposal to take forward the Scottish Wild Food Festival from 2021. 

Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER developed and funded the first-ever Scottish Wild Food Festival, with the first event being held at Cardross Estate on 14 September 2019. The second festival will run on 9 May at the same venue. The festival is an opportunity to celebrate all that foraging and wild food has to offer the region, and they hope it will continue to grow and prosper in the future. 

The Scottish Government has started early engagement on the development of Scotland's fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

The National Planning Framework is a long term plan for development and investment across Scotland.

An upcoming Scottish Rural Action conference will kick start a 'rural movement' to make rural Scotland's voice heard.

Representatives from rural Scotland's communities, businesses and organisations are invited to attend the free event taking place from 26 to 27 February at New Lanark Visitor Centre, the renowned world heritage site.

Pages