Businesses advised on how to bring in more tourists

Highlighting the importance of the rural tourism economy was the focus of a recent seminar. Organised by VisitScotland, it was attended by around 70 representatives from businesses in the east of Aberdeenshire. The imposing 800-year-old fortress of Fyvie Castle was the backdrop to the agri-tourism event, at which delegates had the opportunity to hear from…

Read More

Youngsters to mark Year of Young People

Aberdeenshire’s biggest event for the Year of Young People is taking place next weekend. The free Mash Up Festival will take place at Haddo House and Country Park on Saturday, 29 September, open to all. 400 young people will be bussed in from every corner of Aberdeenshire to enjoy their very own cultural festival including…

Read More

Hospitality comes first for Scots businesses

Scots are known throughout the world for their friendliness and hospitality. It’s a certain thing that no matter where you go in Scotland, visitors will be given a warm welcome. And that’s exactly what the Scottish Rural Awards are looking to mark, through the Rural Hospitality category. Scotland’s booming hospitality industry is continually growing and…

Read More

20 years of cult Bollywood film shot in Scotland

Fans of the iconic Bollywood film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai will get the chance to follow in the ‘dance steps’ of their on-screen heroes in a new guide. Produced by VisitScotland, it comes as new figures reveal the total amount of spend by visitors from India has risen by 60% in the past 10 years…

Read More

Warm weather has seen a rise in staycations

This summer’s warm spell has been a boon to the hospitality industry in Scotland. Scotland’s long hot summer resulted in a surge in staycations, with the Isle of Skye and the West Coast benefiting from this trend, according to Cottages & Castles, which offers self-catering holiday properties in Scotland. Figures for the first seven months…

Read More

Honouring those in the Scottish farming industry

Scotland’s traditional industry of working the land is still alive and kicking in the 21st century. The Scottish Rural Awards is looking to reward those who put in the hours in the agricultural sector. Open to all agricultural businesses, the agriculture category aims to highlight the importance of farming and associated industries in rural Scotland.…

Read More

It will be all light on the night on Scottish mountains

A special charity fundraising involving Scottish mountains is returning this month. The National Trust for Scotland has opened registrations for one of its most unique fundraising events, the Torchlight Challenge. Taking place on Saturday 15 September, the Torchlight Challenge invites those with a passion for Scotland’s mountains to climb one of three of Scotland’s most…

Read More

Scottish castle takes spot in UK Hidden Gems survey

An Argyll castle is on the wish-lists for many travellers, with the open-air theatre securing top spot in a new Hidden Gems survey. McCarthy & Stone’s Hidden Gems survey had over 1400 participants and a selection of Hidden Gems to choose from, took place earlier this year and garnered exciting results. With an aim to…

Read More

Special event held ahead of V&A Dundee opening

A special event ahead of the opening of the V&A Dundee, Scotland’s new design museum, was held last week. Perthshire’s Blair Castle opened its doors when it hosted a Founding Patrons Reception. Over 60 guests travelled to the historic venue for the event, hosted by Philip Long, director of V&A Dundee, and Blair Castle head…

Read More

Search our castles to find marching butterflies

Scottish history aficionados are being asked to take a closer look at castles this summer. It’s part of a bid to track the changing fortunes of one of the UK’s most striking and overlooked butterflies. The Small Copper is in long-term decline, with almost half of the UK’s population being lost over the last 40…

Read More