Tag: Scotland
Scotland woos foodies with food & drink fortnight
August 23 (TravelAndy): Food & Drink Fortnight (1-16 September 2018) offers the ideal opportunity for a Scottish foodie adventure, with a variety of events taking place the length and breadth of the country for all, celebrating local produce and offering unique food and drink experiences.
Scotland is home to many food and drink favourites: from the west coast Seafood Trail and the famous Malt Whisky Trail; a variety of seasonal choices from Shetland lamb and fresh Perthshire strawberries; Scotland’s national dish, haggis; and a few unexpected surprises along the way, including over 50 gin distilleries, and seaweed, freshly caught on Scotland’s beaches.
Added to this, the new Hebridean Whisky Trail – launched in August 2018 – and the fact the Bay Fish and Chips in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire has been listed as the top UK food and drink experience by Lonely Planet*, there are plenty of foodie discoveries around every corner. Continue reading Scotland woos foodies with food & drink fortnight
Go on a storybook trail in Scotland
August 11 (TravelAndy): From Peter Rabbit to Peter Pan, Harry Potter to The Howlat, Scotland has inspired some of the world’s best-loved literary creations.
Whether it’s history, landscapes, wildlife or even architecture,for decades authors have used some of the country’s greatest assets to create characters that continue to delight readers of all ages.
In recognition of this, VisitScotland has launched, Scotland’s Storybook Trail, a collection of places with links to some of the most celebrated characters in children’s literature.
The trail, which comprises a colourful map hosted on visitscotland.com and will be available at selected VisitScotland iCentres , as well as bookshops and libraries across Scotland, will help bookworms embark on their own adventures across the country, learning more about their favourite stories and discovering new tales inspired by or written in Scotland. Continue reading Go on a storybook trail in Scotland
Scottish Clans inspire youth to celebrate local traditions
August 4 (TravelAndy): Over the summer months, Scottish Clans are putting the root of their very own definition front and centre by inviting young members, local young people and families to participate, engage and learn about Scottish history and heritage, as well as local traditions and culture.
The Clans, the name being derived from the Gaelic word ‘clann’ and meaning children,are joining the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018 with an exciting programme of activities at their international and national gatherings across the country.
Clan Hay will be hosting Tartan Ties 2018 from 3 to 5 August. On 3 August, they are inviting visitors to a highly anticipated Medieval Banquet in Ballater – a fantastic chance to savour the sounds, sights and music of medieval Scotland, including a delicious hog roast and top class music from Paul Anderson and Shona Donaldson. Young people are designing and crafting medieval items which will be on display at the banquet and will also participate in a challenging haggis hunt in Crathes Castle during the afternoon. Continue reading Scottish Clans inspire youth to celebrate local traditions
Record visitors to Scotland in 2017
July 25 (TravelAndy): Visits and spending by overseas tourists in Scotland rose to its highest level on record in 2017.
The ONS Travel Trends 2017 statistics showed the number of overseas tourists visiting Scotland rose by 16.9% to 3.2 million, while expenditure increased by 23% to £2.3 billion.
The record figures were driven by European visitors who made 1.9 million visits to Scotland, a 17% increase from 2016, with spending rising by 36% to £1.1 billion. Across the UK as a whole the number of European visitors increased by 1% and spending fell by 1%. Continue reading Record visitors to Scotland in 2017
Recommendations for your first Scotland trip
July 18 (TravelAndy): Breathtaking scenery and landscapes are the prime reasons for people to visit Scotland for the first time, VisitScotland has cited research as saying.
Twitter users, as part of a recent campaign to suggest places for former US First Lady Michelle Obama to visit in Scotland, have suggested several places and activities that could be perfect in the itinerary of a first-time visitor to Scotland.
Here’s a list of to-dos that could you help you plan your first Scottish getaway. Continue reading Recommendations for your first Scotland trip
Audio tour boost to tourism in Loch Earn, Scotland
July 14 (TravelAndy): A new audio tour is set to bring art and architecture to life in the Loch Earn region.
The unique BLiSS trail links the villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans through a series of art and architecture installations.
Developed by the Loch Earn Tourism Information (LETi) Group, the trail received the Innovation in Tourism award at the 2018 Scottish Thistle Awards National Final in March. LETi has worked in collaboration to develop the new audio trail with Geotourist, which sponsored the category. Continue reading Audio tour boost to tourism in Loch Earn, Scotland
V&A Dundee opening strengthens Japan & Scotland links
July 8 (TravelAndy): The eagerly anticipated opening of V&A Dundee was among the experiences highlighted to travel trade and airline contacts during a visit to Japan by Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop.
The renowned attraction, which will open on Dundee’s waterfront in September, marks a unique opportunity to position Scotland as a place to live and work, study, invest and visit to Japanese visitors, the Cabinet Secretary has said.
The stunning structure, designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma – who also designed the 2020 Olympic Stadium in Tokyo – is expected to attract 350,000 visitors each year. It is the first V&A museum to be created outside of London and has become a valuable addition of Scotland’s cultural offering. Continue reading V&A Dundee opening strengthens Japan & Scotland links
Scotland promotes camping opportunities
June 27 (TravelAndy): With plans being made to make the most of the summer months ahead, it’s the perfect opportunity to dust off the camping gear and set off on an adventure in Scotland.
What better way is there to unwind than escaping to this wonderful country for a night or two under the stars surrounded by breath-taking landscapes, beautiful beaches and wild woodlands?
Not sure where to set up camp? In terms of variety, Scotland has it covered from setting up camp on the coast to bedding down for the night in the depths of the forest, campsites from the Scottish Borders to Orkney have their own unique character making any camping trip to Scotland one to remember, meaning everyone’s a happy camper! Continue reading Scotland promotes camping opportunities
Sheep festival in Scotland seeks volunteers
June 14 (TravelAndy): The North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival is seeking volunteers for the event that will take place from July 29 to August 10, 2018.
North Ronaldsay is the northernmost island in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland.
The volunteers will help rebuild a historic structure which is essential to the conservation of the rare, seaweed-eating North Ronaldsay sheep. Continue reading Sheep festival in Scotland seeks volunteers
Hainan Airlines operates first direct China-Scotland flight
June 13 (TravelAndy): The first ever direct flight between Scotland and China has landed at Edinburgh Airport.
The four-weekly, year-round service with Hainan Airlines from Beijing Capital International Airport is Scotland’s first connection to the Far East.
It is a major boost for tourism in Scotland and increases business links with the Far East, both of which will benefit the Scottish economy. Continue reading Hainan Airlines operates first direct China-Scotland flight
Year of Young People events to kick-start Scottish summer
June 4 (TravelAndy): From brass band competitions, film screenings and poetry slams to music festivals, graphic novel exhibitions and carnival parades, a wealth of events, co-designed by Scotland’s young people, is set to celebrate the Year of Young People 2018, capturing the spirit of summertime, as well as the interest of parents for school-holiday inspiration throughout June and July.
Kicking off the events in June is the North-East’s largest food and drink showcase, Taste of Grampian which returns to the Thainstone Centre in Inverurie on 2 June. In addition to a wide range of high-quality food and drink produce from the area, masterclasses and cookery demonstrations by celebrity chefs, you will also be able to get a taste of Grampian’s best young bands, singers and musicians on the brand new Year of Young People Stage. Fun for your ears and taste buds is guaranteed!
On 3 June, Custom House Quay in Greenock will be transformed by Evolve Fest 2018, a vibrant summer festival with fun for all, planned by Inverclyde’s young people. Try your hands at arts, crafts and upcycling during pop-up workshops, see two unique films created by young filmmakers, dance along to brand-new music composed by young musicians working with ‘Love and Money’ frontman James Grant, enjoy specially choreographed performances by the Beacon Youth Dance Club and Clydeview Academy students and be inspired by a visual art exhibition created by local high school students from St Columba’s High School, Gourock. Continue reading Year of Young People events to kick-start Scottish summer
2017: Great year for Scotland tourism
February 26 (TravelAndy): The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) has announced that visits to its member sites rose dramatically in 2017, the fourth year running that an increase in numbers has been recorded.
ASVA, which represents the interests of the key visitor attractions sector in Scotland, has over 450 members comprising some of Scotland’s most popular and iconic castles, galleries, museums, historic houses, heritage sites, wildlife parks, gardens and leisure attractions.
Analysis of statistics submitted by 232 of the organisation’s member sites for its annual ‘Visitor Trends Report’ confirms that over 30 million visits were made to those sites in Scotland in 2017, a rise of 9.7% over 2016 figures. The increase comes on top of a 6% rise in 2016, which itself followed a 3.4% rise in 2015, confirming once again that visitor attractions in Scotland are enjoying a period of sustained growth. Continue reading 2017: Great year for Scotland tourism