Scotch Whisky distilleries attract more than 2 million visitors

Scotch Whisky distilleries attracted more than 2 million visitors in 2022, it has been revealed. A Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) survey found footfall more than doubled (114%) compared to 2021.  Total spend by tourists last year was up by 8.65%, with more than £85m spent in total at sites across Scotland’s five whisky regions, up…

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Outlander author reveals series was almost never published

Outlander author Diana Gabaldon has revealed how the fantasy fiction series was almost never published. The series is made up of nine instalments and tells the tale of a post-Second World War nurse who accidentally time travels to Jacobite Scotland. Outlander has now become one of the bestselling book series of all time and spawned…

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Historic steamship Sir Walter Scott returns

Historic steamship Sir Walter Scott will return to the water following major renovations. The steamship, which was built by Denny’s of Dumbarton in 1899, is due to be resume sailing this weekend on Loch Katrine. It comes after the completion of a £750,000 restoration project which involved replacing the two steam boilers and decking as…

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Cairngorms star in new Markus Stitz bike film

A NEW film about a 165-mile bike journey through the Cairngorms has been released online for free. The film, made by biking veteran and author Markus Stitz, documents the connection between the environment of the national park and its residents, along with the businesses they run. “Home Is Where The Trails Take You” captures a…

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‘Monster meets mountain’ as Cobbs runs Nevis Range cafés

LOCH NESS-BASED hospitality group Cobbs is taking over the eateries at Nevis Range. Cobbs will run the Snowgoose and Pinemarten cafés, a gift shop, and the hotel being built at the moutain’s base station. The 26-bedroom hotel – along with a bar and restaurant, bike shop, gift shop, and a covered courtyard with events space…

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Tourism bookings hit by cost-of-living crisis

HALF of Scottish tourism businesses are reporting fewer bookings and lower spending by customers, according to a new surey. The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) found 50% of members have fewer bookings between June and August this year than during the same period in 2019. The same proportion reported a fall in consumer spending this year…

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New tourism body wants visitors to back Scots communities

A new national tourism body is urging visitors to support community owned tourism enterprises across Scotland and deliver a boost for local jobs and services as the sector rebuilds after Covid-19. Scottish Community Tourism (SCOTO) is a new network of around 100 community owned tourism organisations and enterprises. Its aim is to promote and represent…

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VisitScotland unveils plans to support recovery of tourism

A multi-million pound global marketing campaign is set to bolster the recovery of Scotland’s valuable tourism and events industry by encouraging younger visitors to make Scotland their top travel choice this year. With 16-34 year olds expected to be among the first to travel this year, and global insights suggesting this age range will lead…

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Outlander Effect will support Scottish tourism recovery

Scots star Sam Heughan is back in his most famous role this weekend. Hit TV series Outlander returns for is sixth season this weekend, with Sam as Jamie Fraser, and national tourism body, VisitScotland has published new research on the Outlander Effect during the pandemic. Droughtlander – the nickname for the period between Outlander seasons…

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Fife tourism bids to turn challenge into opportunity

A conference to boost tourism in Fife is set to take place in the area next month. The spotlight will be on the visitor economy in Fife this March, with the return of the Fife Tourism Conference. With the theme Turning Challenge Into Opportunity, the conference is being held on Thursday, March 10, at the…

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