� IN FOCUS l SCOTLAND VisitScotland bridges the gap NEWS IN BRIEF


w Caledonian Sleeper introduces new trains


Investigate the history of Holmes VisitScotland is highlighting


Sherlock Holmes-themed events and tours, as October 14 marks the 125th anniversary of the publication of the first collection of Sherlock stories.


Being the birthplace of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Scotland is the ideal location for following in the famous detective’s footsteps. Conan Doyle was born in


Edinburgh in 1859, and visitors to the Scottish capital can take a walking tour of sites associated with the author and his famous fictional detective, or join a literary pub tour. Other sites with links to


different authors include the Scott Monument in Edinburgh, built after the death of Sir Walter Scott in 1832; JM Barrie’s Birthplace, Dundee and Angus; and Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Ayrshire. realsherlockholmes.com literarydundee.co.uk


Rough Guides’ most beautiful destination


Travel publisher Rough Guides says Scotland is the world’s most beautiful country, thanks to its “wild beaches, deep lochs and craggy castles”. Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland


chief executive, said: “From awe-inspiring landscapes to our remarkable historic attractions, Scotland takes people’s breath away. Our latest campaign, the


16 TravelGBI | October 2017


The Jacobite steam train passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct at the head of Loch Shiel, Lochaber


Spirit of Scotland, was based on feedback from visitors that they get a special feeling while in the country. There is something


different about Scotland that can’t be experienced anywhere else in the world.” roughguides.com


A website has been launched giving details of the new £150 million Caledonian Sleeper fleet launching in spring 2018. The trains will offer more accessible rooms, ‘comfort seats’ for long journeys, upgraded panels for phone


Scottish businesses are being encouraged to capitalise on the tourism opportunities presented by the Queensferry Crossing, which opened in August. VisitScotland has a free industry toolkit to help accommodation providers, tour companies and visitor attractions use the newest Forth bridge in their marketing. visitscotland.org


Icy adventures for festive Edinburgh


Edinburgh promises its Christmas entertainment programme this year will be the “biggest, brightest and best” yet. There are two new features this


year: The Ice Adventure – a walk- through attraction with sculptures made of snow and ice (pictured) – and Edinburgh’s Giant Advent Calendar, with images of the city’s winters in years gone by projected onto General Register House. Running from November 17 to January 6, the festival showcases Scotland on an international stage. Visitors to attractions on George Street can also enjoy rides, market


and gadget charging, and WiFi. newtrains.sleeper.scot


w Butterfly House adds more to menagerie


The Butterfly House at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge, has had more than 140,000 visitors in its first year. It has recently added Asian quail chicks – the size of a bumblebee – and newly hatched Atlas Moths, the largest moth in the world


in terms of wing surface area. landmarkpark.co.uk


w Gin partnership marks Orkney connections


stalls and a light dome at the junction of George Street and Castle Street. There are shows for adults and kids at the Festival Square Spiegeltent. edinburghschristmas.com


Rosslyn Chapel has partnered with Orkney Distilling to produce a gin called The Prince of Orkney to celebrate the Midlothian chapel’s historic Orkney links. The gin is available from the visitor centre, and income supports


the conservation of the chapel. rosslynchapel.com


w Eastern Airways adds its flights to Flybe site


Eastern Airways’ flights are now on sale at flybe.com, ahead of the airlines’ five-year franchise partnership that starts on October 29. Bookings for travel on or after October 29 can be made directly via flybe.com and through travel agents via the GDS under the ‘BE’ code. Those booking for travel on October 28 or before will continue to book at


easternairways.com. flybe.com


travelgbi.com


©Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust


©VisitBritain/VisitScotland


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