2020 VISION


� The Moray Firth is one of the best places in Europe to see dolphins in the wild.


� The Outer Hebrides have their own artistic culture, plus Harris Tweed, sandy white beaches and dramatic coastlines.


� Argyll is where ‘the Highlands meet the Lowlands and both meet the sea’. The Inner Hebrides include Mull, Islay, Coll, Colonsay and Tiree, home to the annual Tiree Wave Classic surfing championships.


£500K campaign puts spotlight on southern Scotland


VisitScotland has been granted an extra £500,000 from the Scottish government to launch a two-year campaign to promote the south of Scotland. Paula Ward, VisitScotland


regional leadership director, said it was “an exciting time for tourism in Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders”. “This additional funding will be


� TS Queen Mary, the last Clyde-built turbine steamer, will take up a permanent berth by Glasgow Science Centre in 2019 to become one of the UK’s largest interactive maritime exhibits.


� The star attraction in the


� Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine are perhaps the


coastal city of Dundee is the V&A Museum of Design, which opened in September 2018.


� The Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, tells the story of Scottish fishing.


best known, but Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park has other lochs including Loch Lubnaig, Loch Achray and the Lake of Menteith, the only ‘lake’ in Scotland.


� South West Coastal 300 is a 300-mile circular route in Dumfries & Galloway.


� Falkirk Wheel is the world’s first revolving boat lift, linking the Union and the Forth & Clyde canals.


� Events to look out for include The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival; Crail Food Festival; Shetland Boat Week; Edinburgh Hogmanay Loony Dook; and Orkney Nature Festival.


travelgbi.com


used by VisitScotland to develop and deliver an ambitious, targeted and coordinated marketing programme that promotes the wealth of fantastic experiences on offer across the south of Scotland,” she said. “From the dark skies to the


dramatic coastline, not forgetting some of the world’s best walking and cycling routes on our doorstep, the See South Scotland campaign will bring to life the abundance of activities, rich experiences and stunning scenery on offer right across this region. “We have the opportunity to


The Man by Andrew Brown, a sculpture at the harbour, Port William, Dumfries and Galloway


shine the spotlight onto this region and bring visitors from across the world to experience it for themselves.” Tourism secretary Fiona


Hyslop said: “This fantastic new campaign will help to promote the wide range of exciting attractions the area has to offer to domestic


£2.5m visitor centre to open at Loch Ness


Restoration work has begun at the site of a new multimillion- pound visitor destination on the banks of Loch Ness. Housed within a former village hall, the building will open in May 2019 with a café, visitor centre and craft shop with Highland produce. The development, which


overlooks the Caledonian Canal and Dochgarroch Locks, is the brain-child of Freda Newton, managing director of boat tour specialist Loch Ness by Jacobite. She said: “Our new visitor experience will be a place for visitors and locals alike to gather,


and international markets. “This support is in addition to


our funding for Forest Enterprise Scotland to develop its offering to visitors in the region and our work to establish a south of Scotland economy agency which will help to drive forward this agenda.” visitscotland.org


Government backs


share stories, and learn about Loch Ness and the historic Dochfour Estate.


“Visitors will experience a new


retail offer showcasing the best of what Scotland has to offer within a unique and eclectic environment. “We’re extremely passionate about promoting incredible local produce, committed local suppliers and the Highland way of life to all visitors, made all the more fitting by the building itself which has been a community hub for almost a hundred years.” jacobite.co.uk


forest development The Scottish government will invest £1 million in a new forest attraction that also has the financial support of Forest Enterprise Scotland and Forest Holidays. The £11.75 million tourism plan includes mountain-biking trails and multi-use paths that form part of a wider 56 eco-cabin development at Glentress Forest in the Tweed Valley close to the Scottish Borders. The investment is believed to


have the potential to generate an extra £1 million for the local economy each year, and increase annual visitors to Glentress Forest from 300,000 to 330,000 by 2022. First minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This project highlights the potential of private and public sectors working together. This fantastic new forest attraction will increase tourism and potential for overnight stays, create new jobs and boost the local economy.” scotland.forestry.gov.uk


November 2018 | TravelGBI 45


©VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett


©VisitBritain/VisitScotland


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