VisitScotland eUpdate - December 2007
Welcome to the last eUpdate of 2007.
On behalf of everyone at VisitScotland I wish you a happy and successful Festive Season.
Feel free to pass the newsletter onto your business contacts by using the forward to a friend link. Please use the contact us link, if you have any comments or suggestions for future editions.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
14/12/2007
This year for the first time VisitScotland's Annual Report is totally online. The new annual report gives an insight into VisitScotland's activities, with TV adverts and examples of domestic and international marketing campaigns. More...17/12/2007
A round-up of helpful links to new information published on www.visitscotland.org - VisitScotland's Industry Website, during the November and December. More...17/12/2007
Three companies beat off stiff competition from companies across Scotland to be crowned National Winners at the Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards 2007. More...12/12/2007
Conference and events facilities in Aberdeen City and Shire were highlighted in the EIBTM’s annual global meetings and incentive travel exhibition last month which took place from 27 - 29 November in Barcelona. More...12/12/2007
Aberdeen Entrepreneurs are inviting businesses to get their year off to a flying start in 2008 with their annual speed networking event. More...11/12/2007
VisitScotland Expo, Scotland’s only business to business event for the travel trade, returns to Aberdeen in 2008, taking place on the 16th-17th April at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. More...10/12/2007
The Falconer Museum on Tolbooth Street in Forres has re-opened, following a £650,000 refurbishment. More...10/12/2007
The winners of the 2007 Northern Lights Tourism Awards were announced in November at the North East Scotland Tourism Conference at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa. More...12/12/2007
A number of festive events will be kicking off across the region this month. Read on for details on some of the area’s major events. More...12/12/2007
Are you interested in receiving expert advice, free of charge, on your rights and responsibilities under the new fire safety law? More...12/12/2007
The Croftweit and St Ninian’s self catering apartments in Crieff have become the first self catering properties in Perthshire to go live with the visitscotland.com Web in a Box product. More...12/12/2007
Piperdam Golf & Leisure resort is set to more than double in size as The Blacklaw Hill is purchased. More...12/12/2007
Park House Bed & Breakfast has claimed its place as one of the top B&Bs in Angus, and indeed Scotland, with the revelation of a VisitScotland five star award. More...12/12/2007
Former Miss Scotland Asiling Friel brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to the area recently in a bid to bring visitors to the area this winter and encourage them to explore all things white over the coming months. More...05/12/2007
A new DVD for visitors to Falkirk turns the clock back to paint a portrait of the area through its centuries of fascinating history, right through to the modern town’s evolution as a tourism hot spot. More...12/12/2007
An ambitious marketing project to attract winter leisure breaks to the Isle of Islay has taken its first step with the launch of a promotional web site for the island, DiscoverIslay.com More...12/12/2007
A rare opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses operating in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park area has arisen as a result of an innovative project which has recently been launched in the area. More...11/12/2007
As golf in Ayrshire & Arran plays such an important role in tourism for the area, VisitScotland Ayrshire & Arran have invested in the information provided for potential and existing golfers to the area. More...11/12/2007
VisitScotland Ayrshire & Arran marketing department are sending out two direct mails after the Christmas period. One highlights the excellent short breaks available on the Ayrshire & Arran website. The second is a ‘golf in winter’ mailer, promoting the wonderful links courses available in the area. More...12/12/2007
Golf legend Sam Torrance has shared his top 5 ‘hidden gem’ golf courses in Scotland, and Ayrshire has two of the five entries. More...11/12/2007
VisitScotland Ayrshire & Arran are attending the London Boat Show. The team will be taking a place on a massive Sail Scotland Stand to promote sailing in the region. More...11/12/2007
The Barony ‘A’ Frame Trust’s Pitheid Patter project won the most public votes for their project in the STV People’s Millions contest on Monday night. The project will now receive £80,000 of lottery funding. More...11/12/2007
Fencebay have won the Scottish regional final of UKTV food awards coming third in the United Kingdom Final. Bernard and Jill Thain have developed their Farm at Fencebay over the last 20 years to revive the fish smoking industry which brought fame to the village of Fairlie in the past. More...11/12/2007
The burns an’ a’ that! Festival have appointed a new Festival Director and management company. In a further boost to the Festival, the 2008 event has been extended to run for eight days from Saturday May 17 until Sunday May 25. More...11/12/2007
Stay ahead of what’s happening in Ayrshire & Arran and you can pass on information to your visitors about events they can experience. There’s a cultural feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds! More...11/12/2007
Using VisitScotland.com wisely can give great benefits to your business. It is therefore extremely important that accommodation providers remember to update your availability and pricing on your visitscotland.com entries. More...11/12/2007
Under the new Fire Regulations which came into force October 2006, self-caterers have to undertake a Fire Risk Assessment on their property. Following lobbying by the ASSC and other tourism organisations, there is now a 3hour workshop about what you have to do to comply. More...11/12/2007
This annual event has been confirmed as Tuesday 4 March 2008. Planning for the event is underway and the Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership will be sending out invitations mid January. The Tourism Xchange will combine the events previously known as The Area Tourism Forum and the Information Exchange Day. More...11/12/2007
The Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership recently met on 5 December at Traquair House to discuss the Visitor Attraction Autumn Campaign, SBTP reps, and Action Plan updates. But when is their next meeting? More...11/12/2007
Rory Changleng from Kingsland Primary School in Peebles proved he is the ultimate Brain of the Borders, beating his fellow ‘whiz kids’ at the Grand Final of the VisitScotland Junior Brain of the Borders, sponsored by Historic Scotland. More...11/12/2007
Many accommodation providers are asked by their visitors where they can eat out while in the area – a list of information has been complied to try and help service these enquiries. More...11/12/2007
Officials and representatives from participating clubs, and VisitScotland Borders attended the end of season meeting at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in St Boswells. Prices and the Friendliest Golf Courses were determined. More...11/12/2007
Two groups of 5th and 6th form pupils from Earlston High School visited Melrose Tourist Information Centre. They are studying an SVQ in Travel and Tourism and as part of this course were visiting Melrose to map the area and its tourist attractions. More...12/12/2007
Golf legend Sam Torrance has shared his top 5 ‘hidden gem’ golf courses in Scotland, and selected the Roxburghe Golf Course in Kelso as his number one. More...11/12/2007
Stay ahead of what’s happening in the Scottish Borders and you can pass on information to your visitors about events they can experience. There’s a cultural feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds! More...11/12/2007
Building on successful attendance at the China International Travel Mart last year, the first ever Scotland-only trade mission to China visited Shanghai recently and the Gretna Green Group were part of it. More...11/12/2007
VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway Marketing Executive Karen Wilson is in the driver’s seat for the latest drive to attract visitors to the area with the launch of the Winter White Campaign. And there's still time to be listed on the late availability or winter webpages which are live until end march 2008. More...11/12/2007
A cross-border invasion in the form of a tart from a tiny Scottish town you may recognise called Ecclefechan looks set this Christmas to outflank the mighty mince pie, loyal favourite of the English for generations. More...11/12/2007
At a recent Dumfries & Galloway Local Economic Forum meeting key discussions were around tourism across Dumfries & Galloway. VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway presented an outline of VisitScotland’s “Going For Growth” Strategy, highlighting the year-on-year increase in tourist numbers experienced across Dumfries & Galloway in the past five years. More...12/12/2007
The lead publications for 2008 holidays to Dumfries & Galloway are out now and are being distributed to potential visitors for next season. More...11/12/2007
Stay ahead of what’s happening in Dumfries & Galloway and you can pass on information to your visitors about events they can experience. There’s a cultural feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds! More...12/12/2007
The Edinburgh Tourism Action group is proud to announce the launch of the Edinburgh Tourism Passport web site where you are invited to attend one of three training dates for the pilot of this inspiring customer care programme. More...12/12/2007
Dine Around Edinburgh is back for 2008; offering great dining deals in some of the region’s best restaurants throughout January and February. More...12/12/2007
Five-star mini-coach tour operator Timberbush Tours has recently launched a new, integrated online booking system. More...12/12/2007
Edinburgh tour company, Mercat Tours, have been awarded 5 stars from VisitScotland making it the only 5 star walking tour company in Scotland. More...12/12/2007
Trike Tours Scotland Ltd is one of Scotland’s most exciting young tourism companies offering a unique and hip way of touring Scotland. More...12/12/2007
Earlier this month the Tourist Information Centre in Linlithgow’s Burgh Halls reopened its doors as a Visitor Awareness Centre. More...12/12/2007
In a thrillingly close competition, Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange, Midlothian, has won a public vote to find Scotland’s most Treasured Place, as represented by an archive image from RCAHMS’ national collection. More...13/12/2007
It’s full steam ahead for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, with a number of landmark developments in the recent weeks. More...12/12/2007
Glasgow’s restaurants have enjoyed one of their best ever Augusts this year, thanks to the huge success of the city’s third Dine Around Glasgow £15 menu promotion, which has raked in almost a quarter of a million pounds. More...17/12/2007
Plus, there’s an extra-special 20% DISCOUNT on Thursday 20th December & Friday 21st December, when you can pop in, browse in our shop and have a chat over some coffee & shortbread. More...12/12/2007
Gourock Highland Games has received a financial boost of £10,000 for next year through EventScotland's Regional Events Programme. More...12/12/2007
Kelvingrove is ending another remarkable year by welcoming its four millionth visitor since its reopening in July 2006 and winning an award its top-class interpretation. More...12/12/2007
Scotland’s original icon, the Loch Ness Monster, delighted New Yorkers last week, as VisitScotland hosted a preview screening of Sony’s new movie, The Water Horse – Legend of The Deep. More...12/12/2007
Fort William has unveiled a Mountain Festival programme that will put the Outdoor Capital of the UK at the centre of Scotland's events programme in 2008. More...12/12/2007
The Highland Council recently hosted their 6th annual tourism seminar with this year’s theme being community tourism. More...12/12/2007
A free exhibition celebrating the work of Highland craft makers will open at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 6 December and run until Sunday 6 January 2008. More...12/12/2007
Newly-opened Loch Ness Lodge, which has been awarded five stars by VisitScotland, offers exclusive-use accommodation and service to its guests who will command a view of the loch from each of its seven bedrooms and have access to the Lodge’s private Loch Ness shoreline. More...12/12/2007
The Highlands and Islands’ top tourism businesses were announced during a glittering awards ceremony at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Friday, 16th November. More...12/12/2007
A famous Inverness hotel is going back to its roots in a £10million deal which will have significant spin offs for local businesses. The Inverness Marriott Hotel is reverting to its former Kingsmills name following its purchase by Aberdeen-based independent Patio Hotels. More...12/12/2007
On Saturday 12 January 2008, “An t-Seann Bliadhn’ Ùr” (The Old New Year), join with the people of Inverness for Highland Lights - Solais na Gaidhealtachd, the grand finale of the city’s winter festival. More...12/12/2007
Lochaber will be at the forefront of the illustrious adventure tourism market with the launch of the 2007/2008 Adventure Passport. This year the passport will have its very own website, www.visitscotland.com/adventurepassport, which will allow potential visitors to download an adventure passport and also help inspire visitors with things to do and places to stay. More...12/12/2007
JCrew, a US clothing designer and retailer, filmed their current winter catalogue in Skye, using the Island’s mysterious mountains to show off their winter clothing range. More...12/12/2007
VisitScotland were delighted to host a group of meeting and incentive planners from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen on a ‘New in the North’ trip around the Highlands in November. More...12/12/2007
The Fife Tourism Alliance is the area tourism partnership for Fife comprising representatives of tourism sectors, public sector agencies, Fife Chamber of Commerce, FSB and the colleges. More...12/12/2007
Since spring 2006, George Street Research has been undertaking the Tourism Barometer on behalf of VisitScotland. This is a survey of tourism businesses throughout Scotland on a seasonal basis with strong emphasis on performance monitoring, assessing past and present trends in the market place, future prospects and general market confidence. More...12/12/2007
Eight dedicated employees from businesses in Fife have recently signed up as potential “ambassadors” for the local tourism, hospitality and leisure industry – a vital component of the Fife economy. More...12/12/2007
Scottish Enterprise Fife is delighted to announce the launch of the Fife Business Excellence Awards 2008. These are firmly established in the local business calendar as a means of giving recognition to the achievements of Fife’s most enterprising organisations. This year there are nine award categories and companies can enter as many categories as they wish. More...12/12/2007
The St Andrews World Class Initiative in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Fife is delighted to launch the Business Improvement Programme (BIP), which has been designed to support small to medium sized businesses operating across the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors in Fife. More...12/12/2007
Following this year’s hugely successful conference, Fife tourism businesses will be coming together again on Tuesday 26 February 2008 at Balbirnie House Hotel, Markinch to explore how tourism is developing and how each business fits into the overall plan for Fife. More...14/12/2007
In January 2008 VisitOrkney will be sending out a NEW daily ‘breakfast bulletin’ to the tourism industry, to help them provide information to their guests and visitors. More...14/12/2007
The 2008 Orkney brochure is now online at www.visitorkney.com. More...10/12/2007
VisitOrkney is reporting a great response to their new online marketing opportunities for accommodation providers. More...12/12/2007
The Skye & Lochalsh Marketing Group are offering you the chance to win a holiday to Skye amongst other goodies. More...12/12/2007
VisitScotland’s Chairman Peter Lederer met a wide range of public and private sector representatives during his two day tour of the Outer Hebrides in November, including the Outer Hebrides Tourism Industry Association and the Winter Harris Marketing Group. More...12/12/2007
VisitScotland has launched the latest brochure for the Outer Hebrides. Aimed at a worldwide market, it forms the backbone of the marketing activity for the area in 2008. More...10/12/2007
The Shetland Museum and Archives, run by the Shetland Amenity Trust, has gained five stars, the highest grading possible, through VisitScotland's Quality Assurance Scheme. More...17/12/2007
The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT), with the support of The Moffat Charitable Trust has entered into a three-year partnership with VisitScotland to create a new category in the annual Scottish Thistle Awards. More...17/12/2007
Training for Tourism (TfT) is an online resource which guides participants through a range of modules, including motivation skills, work-life balance, customer care, financial management, e-marketing and managing change. More...17/12/2007
The Scottish tourism industry's conference, Scotland United, returns next year as the highlight of Scottish Tourism Week 2008 (4– 11 March). Jim Mather, Minister of Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, will open the event, which has a theme of 'Invest in Scottish Tourism,' on Wednesday 5 March at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. More...17/12/2007
With advances in digital, mobile and business technology, no tourism organisation can afford to miss the 2008 Tourism Innovation Day (TiD), 28 February 2008 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. The theme, "Tourism and Technology", reflects the dependence that the tourism sector has on using technology to achieve success. More...17/12/2007
Why not take the opportunity to complete an online course FREE of charge by enhancing your product knowledge of Scotland, or taking a virtual learning journey around Cairngorms National Park. More...17/12/2007
VisitScotland is revamping its city break website, www.visitscotland.com/citybreaks, to help show winter holidaymakers all the fantastic things to do and see in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling during the winter months. More...17/12/2007
Women are being asked which Scottish celebrity they would most like to receive a diamond from in their Christmas stocking this year as part of a nationwide campaign to attract winter visitors to Scotland. More...17/12/2007
Married couples are being given help finding some of the best locations and things to do in Scotland to mark individual anniversaries depending on how long they have been married on a new section of VisitScotland's weddings website www.visitscotland.com/scottishwedding More...17/12/2007
Three snowdrop gardens are hosting special events during the Scottish Snowdrop Festival to help visitors enjoy the sparkling white stars of Scotland’s clear winter skies. More... | 
