In October, VisitScotland were gold sponsors at the Society of Amercian Travel writers Conference, held in Manchester. A total of 500 participants came over from North America to take part in the conference. Many approached VisitScotland to discuss potential new story angles on Scotland.

Post-conference VisitScotland facilitated 2 group press trips for forty of the writers and photographers to see Scotland first-hand. One group took part in a Highlands tour, with the other immersing themselves in Scotland’s Food & Drink.

The trips took in sights such as the Cairngorm funicular railway, Blair Castle, the new golf and spa extensions at De Vere Cameron House, food sampling at The Peat Inn and a VIP tasting at Dewar’s World of Whisky. The Highlands group were also presented with a commemorative stone during their visit to the new Culloden Battlefield visitor centre, which will be laid at the entrance to the centre prior to its opening later this year.

Feedback from both groups was that this was the best post-conference tour they had ever done and went home with lots of ideas for Scotland features.

For more information on this activity or to find out more about working with the North America, Asia/Pacific press team, please contact either Susan Russell, susan.russell@visitscotland.com or Fiona Stewart, fiona.stewart@visitscotland.com .