Tourism

This year's Stranraer Oyster Festival has been hailed a 'phenomenal success' by organisers.

Attendance at the event was up 25% on last year, with around 17-18,000 people thought to have attended the three-day event.

The community-run festival is organised by the Stranraer Development Trust and takes place next to Loch Ryan, which contains Scotland's last remaining wild, native oyster fishery.

Ten community ownership projects have been awarded funding from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF). 

The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. 

A project to redevelop the Johnston School in Kirkcudbright is now getting underway, following the formal appointment of a contractor.

The exciting project will convert the empty and unused site into a multi-use building, including the conversion of the former gymnasium into a Dark Skies Visitor Centre.

To celebrate funders and project leaders met at the site this week, with Galloway Glens Administrator Jude Crooks boldly donning a spacesuit on loan from the Glasgow Science Centre.

A new exhibition telling the story of the Cairngorms has been opened by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy Fergus Ewing. 

'The Cairngorm Story' is Cairngorm Mountain's newest visitor attraction, located at the base station of the mountain. 

The exhibition tells the story of the Cairngorms -- its wildlife, mountains, unique natural environment -- and highlights the achievements of mountaineers, Olympians, photographers, writers and artists from the area.

Organisers of the Forth Valley Food Festival want to hear from anyone who is interested in taking part in the event.

The festival launched last year and is back for 2019, showcasing the region's diverse larder. The event will take place from 11 to 20 October and is already shaping up, with a range of activities on offer from wild cocktail making to farm tours.

A new festival focusing on Scotland's myths, legends and dark history will launch in Upper Nithsdale in the autumn.

Award-winning tour creators and guides, Mostly Ghostly are behind the Festival of Folklore, which will run from 27-29 September 2019. The festival will feature storytelling, art, tours and trails with festival locations including Crawick Multiverse, A’ the Airts, Wanlockhead Museum of Lead Mining, the dramatic Kirkconnel hills and historic streets of Sanquhar. 

With thanks to funding from the Lanarkshire LEADER programme, Lowther Hills Ski Club has achieved a key milestone in its development that will allow the social enterprise to grow visitor capacity and meet the recreational needs of local inhabitants both in winter and throughout the year.

A new campaign will promote the Forth Valley as an accessible visitor destination.

The Forth Valley Accessibility Tourism Promotion will create a suite of downloadable and print itineraries as wellas three films highlighting the full range of accessible attractions and accommodation providers in the area. The itineraries will be tailored for visitors with Autism, Dementia and Mobility issues and will cover three themes: Family Fun, Heritage and Outdoor activity.

A new passport for the 134-mile John Muir Way has been launched to coincide with the route's fifth anniversary.

Walkers and cyclers undertaking the John Muir Way can not get the official passport stamped at 'Stamping Stations' along the route, which has been split into ten sections to complete.

Do you know a small or medium-sized business in Scotland that deserves special recognition?

​The Scottish Rural Awards 2020 are now open for entries and nominations in a number of categories including a new category: Best Countryside Digital Innovator. The winner of this category will be crowned for successfully championing digital projects and products across the agricultural, rural and tourism sectors in Scotland. 

​The award categories are: