Scotland: Historic Dunoon Burgh Hall is now a tourist info centre

Dunoon (TAN): A historic building in this small town has been turned into a tourist information centre.

Dunoon Burgh Hall, an Historic Environment Scotland Category B listed building, has joined the group of over 140 VisitScotland iKnow Partners across Argyll & the Isles, the country’s national tourism organisation said in a statement.

The iKnow Partner programme harnesses the local knowledge to make varied choices available to visitors so that they can make the most of their trip to Scotland.

Built in 1874, Dunoon Burgh Hall hall was the first theatre in Argyll, but had fallen into disrepair and lay unused for decades. In 2008, the property was purchased by the John McAslan Family Trust and restored.

Reopened in 2017, the building is now a fully accessible venue for exhibitions, performances and gatherings. Alongside a gallery and theatre, the venue offers creative workshop space, a garden and a cafe.

VisitScotland’s iKnow partner programme has over 2000 accommodation providers, visitor attractions and social enterprises joining up to ensure visitors receive all the information they need for their trip.

In Argyll & the Isles, Dunoon Burgh Hall joins Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village and Benmore Botanic Gardens, as well as a host of other tourism businesses across the region, VisitScotland said in a statement.

“Everyone at Dunoon Burgh Hall is committed to supporting the local community and protecting the town’s rich heritage. Many of the staff here are volunteers who give up their time to make sure this venue is available to local residents as well as visitors from across the world,” Cory MacRae, volunteer co-ordinator at Dunoon Burgh Hall, said.

VisitScotland industry relationship manager Donald Hoy said: “Dunoon Burgh Hall is a fantastic venue and an excellent example of what a community can achieve when they come together.”

“The iKnow Partner programme celebrates and supports tourism businesses as they act as local ambassadors and help provide information, assistance and advice on all there is to see and do here. This follows a growing trend among consumers to use online resources to plan their trips and we now have partners throughout the country providing high quality information and advice to visitors with whom they interact,” he added.