A group of eight tourism representatives from northern Norway visited Aberdeen and Grampian earlier this month to sample the region’s impressive network of tourist trails with a view to setting up something similar in their home country.  More...

An international golfing competition with a difference comes to Newmachar Golf Club this week, as two teams of blind players from England and Scotland arrive for the annual ‘Auld Enemies Cup’. More...

The new VisitScotland Aberdeen City Guide 2007 is now available for visitors to the North East of Scotland.  More...

A number of Moray tourism businesses have been praised on testimonials websites which provide forums for people to write about places where they’ve received fantastic service.  More...

Scottish Development International, Moscow, is proposing to bring a group of Russian buyers from major distributors in Russia to Scotland. More...

Entries are being sought for the fifth Northern Lights Tourism Awards, which seek to recognise excellence and innovation in tourism businesses across Aberdeen and Grampian.  More...

Two estates in the North East of Scotland are celebrating after making it onto the shortlist of this year’s tourism Oscars, the Scottish Thistle Awards.  More...

Now in its fourteenth year, The Doric Festival returns to Aberdeenshire from Friday 28 September to Sunday 14 October 2007.  More...

A group of boys from the 1st Maryculter Beavers Club have been putting Aberdeen & Grampian on the map as a way of completing their ‘Friendship Challenge’ badge.  More...

The 2007 NESTOUR conference will take place on Monday 26 November, 2007 at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, Aberdeen’s premier five star hotel.  More...

The Aberdeen Convention Bureau’s 2007/2008 Marketing Opportunities application form has been published and distributed to 100 existing and potential partners.  More...

A series of What's On listings have been produced in response to industry feedback, all of these are available for you to download from VisitScotland's website.  More...

Companies who have previously exhibited at Taste of Grampian are being given the opportunity to showcase their products at an evening reception at the Scottish Parliament in Spring 2008.  More...

The 14th Scottish Traditional Boat Festival enjoyed high visitor numbers again this year, despite very poor weather on the second day of the Festival, according to a recently compiled visitor survey.  More...

For the first time tourism businesses wanting to increase their product knowledge of the Cairngorms will be able to take part in a unique workshop on-line.
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Business Relationship Manager for VisitScotland Aberdeen and Grampian, Laura Philip, left her post on Friday 14 September to go on maternity leave for nine months.  More...

The third in a series of ambassadorial launches has officially taken place with the announcement of David Valentine as the Angus & Dundee Area Tourism Partnership (ATP) China ambassador. More...

The Carnoustie Open has been praised from golf fans around the world but none more so than the Angus & Dundee Area Tourism Partnership golf ambassador, Stuart French. More...

The Isle of Islay is set for a major new step in its growth as a tourism destination, as an ambitious marketing project undertaken by a group of local businesses has attracted a funding boost from VisitScotland's Challenge Fund. More...

Big events taking place locally can have a big effect on your business—and it’s good to keep your guests informed too. Downloadable What's On Guides are available on visitscotland.org for each month as well as the events earmarked coming up in October. More...

Cowal’s major arts and walking festival, Cowalfest, has opened their booking kiosk in Dunoon TIC to maximise ticket sales ahead of this year’s event, which kicks off on 5 October. More...

Watersports are big business for Scotland, and knowing a little about what enthusiasts need from you could be very profitable.  More...

For centuries, anglers have been coming to fish in Scotland, but many tourism operators still have little or no understanding of their very specific needs. This one-day course in Dumbarton will show how to reel in a whole new market. More...

There’s now only a couple of weeks before Tiree hosts the UK’s first ever PWA Wave World Cup (6-13 October), and the local community on this most beautiful of Hebridean islands is backing the event one hundred per cent. More...

The Western House Hotel and the Westin Turnberry are among 35 top tourism businesses which have made it through to the finals of this year’s prestigious VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Awards.

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The Tour of Britain has come to East Ayrshire. Residents of Muirkirk had the chance to cheer the teams on as they passed through the village on 15 September in the final stage of the race.  More...

VisitScotland Ayrshire & Arran is urging locals and visitors across the area to log on to a website to vote for their most memorable café experience.

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Stay ahead of what’s happening in Ayrshire & Arran and you can pass on information to your visitors about events they can experience.  More...

Don't miss out on the opportunity to get your business highlighted through our excellent local Guides... More...

Times and dates have been announced for Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire's Annual Public Meeting  More...

Planning is already under way for the 2008 burns an’ a’ that! Festival, that promises to be an exciting, dynamic and vibrant celebration of Robert Burns and Scottish traditional and contemporary culture.  More...

We have a new addition to the Challenge Fund team - Nicola Wallace - who will be based in the Selkirk office. Nicola is part of the Challenge Fund team and will cover the Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Ayrshire & Arran, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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An international campaign focusing on events and festivals has been launched this month to encourage visitors from across Europe to come to Edinburgh for a city break over the autumn and winter months. The theme is 6 festivals, 6 friends, 36 chances to celebrate.  More...

The 2007 Autumn Gold campaign has kicked off once again in an effort to boost tourism to Scotland in the slightly quieter shoulder season but more moarketing opportunities are on the way. More...

Images used to promote accommodation establishments play an important part in where visitors choose to stay and can therefore have an impact on your business. More...

East Lothian Food and Drink Festival
28 – 30 September 2007
The successful East Lothian Food & Drink Festival once again brings you a varied programme of events held in stunning venues.
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Edinburgh has been named among the top five cities in the UK in a prestigious travel poll for the third year in a row. More...

VisitScotland has joined forces with Guardian Unlimited (www.guardian.co.uk) to raise awareness of Edinburgh and Glasgow as a city break destinations by allowing consumers to generate their own movie guide to the cities.  More...

A record Edinburgh Festival helped to send passenger figures soaring at the capital’s airport last month by bringing additional overseas visitors to the city.  More...

Two of Fife’s top tourism businesses gathered at Edinburgh Castle last week to celebrate being shortlisted for a prestigious Scottish Thistle Award.  More...

A new resource, geared to help Scottish tourism businesses reap maximum economic benefit from Scotland’s larder, has been launched. More...

The St Andrews World Class initiative has received support from the Fife Strategic Tourism Development Fund. More...

If businesses are hosting events during the St Andrews Festival and would like these events included in the online festival program could they please contact Rob Murray Brown on 07914379320. More...

Raptor World is a Bird of Prey & Falconry Acitivity Company offering handling and flying sessions, field trips, demonstrations and courses.  More...

This major research project concluded its survey work in the summer and was the subject of a presentation to stakeholders in late August on the top level findings.  More...

A major review of tourism signposting, visitor orientation and interpretation in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy will shortly get underway.  More...

Scotland’s tennis ace Andy Murray has named two Fife businesses in his top ten things to do and see in Scotland.  More...

American airline US Airways has hailed the success of a summer marketing campaign with Scottish tourism partners that has seen a marked rise in sales for their daily flight from Philadelphia to Glasgow Airport. More...

Both Celtic and Rangers are competing in the Champions League for only the second time, which means a dramatic increase in both TV coverage and numbers of visiting fans. So, what do you know about our key football markets? More...

Big events in the city can have a big effect on your business. Make sure these are in your diary for the weeks ahead.  More...

Scotland’s natural heritage, on land and at sea, is one of its most important tourism assets, but visitors need high quality information and advice to help them enjoy it. This two-day course in Cumbernauld’s Palacerigg Country Park will open your eyes to what’s on your doorstep. More...

BigSmall Business Event is a new concept in business networking, combining selling with learning at one half-day event in the centre of Glasgow.  More...

The use of Scotland’s landscapes and built environment as film locations is big business for Scotland. But did you know that by taking a few practical steps, it could be big business for you? More...

A major new marketing campaign focusing on events and festivals has been launched this month to encourage visitors from across Europe to take a city break in Glasgow and Edinburgh this winter, with the theme of ‘6 festivals, 6 friends, 36 chances to celebrate’. More...

Two of Perthshire’s top tourism businesses gathered at Edinburgh Castle last week to celebrate being shortlisted for a prestigious Scottish Thistle Award this year.  More...

A group of influential travel and arts journalists were in Perthshire last week to see first hand the stunning landscapes which influenced one of the most important British painters of the 19th Century. More...

Scotland’s tennis ace Andy Murray has named Gleneagles in his top ten things to do and see in Scotland.  More...

In a first for Scotland, visitors with an interest in Field Sports will be able to find the perfect holiday accommodation, with the launch of the new Field Sports Welcome Scheme.  More...

Visitors to The Enchanted Forest, Scotland’s premier sound and light show at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry, are to be encouraged to stay longer and enjoy the area’s many attractions this Autumn courtesy of a new festival being organised by businesses in the town. More...

The VisitScotland Tourism Business of the Year Award in the 2007 National Business Awards for Scotland, has been announced. More...

Moffat and Lockerbie expect to see an influx of visitors thanks to the award of VisitScotland Challenge Funding to local groups.

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The Dumfries & Galloway Tour of Britain Steering Group – led by Dumfries & Galloway Council – is celebrating after making it onto the shortlist of this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards.

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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!

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VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway is urging locals and visitors across the area to log on to a website to vote for their most memorable café experience.

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Did you know that Cream o’Galloway recently hosted a local food event ‘Taste of Galloway’, or that they’ve been running a photo competition all summer, or that they now do storytelling for pre-school children?  More...

VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway has launched its autumn activity which sees it supporting the exciting Gaelforce festival with an innovative autumn marketing campaign.
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The Scottish Tourism Forum has joined forces with Scottish Enterprise to help tourism businesses get the most out of the internet with the help of a tourism e-business workshop at the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer on Thursday 1st November.  More...

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...

The Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership (SBTP) was recently treated to a tour of the soon be completed Heart of Hawick Project.  More...

Although Christmas may be at the back of your mind, overseas postal dates are looming... Don’t forget – to pop into your local Tourist Information Centre when considering presents to send overseas.  More...

VisitScotland Borders is urging locals and visitors across the area to log on to a website to vote for their most memorable café experience.  More...

Linda Herbst from VisitScotland Borders has been flying the flag for Scotland and the Borders whilst attending the French festival ‘Festival Interceltique de Lorient’.

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After a year of sustained effort, a group of dive tourism operators in Berwickshire has created a new Association aimed at developing and marketing dive tourism in this area.  More...

Hawick Museum has gone through some major changes in order to ensure that their attraction is available to all Scottish Borders visitors. More...

A series of unique events has been introduced, designed specifically for self-catering operators.  More...

VisitScotland Borders has been measuring the success of some of its activities this year and would like to share the results with you. Here you can see what marketing activities we have been involved in, how the Tourist Information Centres are doing and feedback from some tourism businesses. More...

If you are a listener to Real Radio you may have heard VisitScotland’s ‘Surprising Scotland’ Promotion earlier this month.  More...

Maerin Murray celebrated her graduation into the Junior Brain Hall of Fame at Jedburgh Abbey, as the 2007 competition kicks off. Junior Brain of the Borders aims to teach children more about the area’s history and heritage as well as encourage them to get out and about and explore the area. More...

Eden Court Theatre and Cinema has announced the opening programme for the venue. Beginning on 3 November 2007 a series of world class entertainers will appear at the Eden Court for a spectacular opening season. More...

5 Highland based businesses have made it through to the finals of this year’s prestigious VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Awards.

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Scotland’s tennis ace Andy Murray is helping to encourage more visitors to plan a trip to his home country by telling them about his top ten things to do and see there.  More...

Preparation for the move is well underway.
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The shores of Loch Ness were awash with celebrities from the world of sport, politics and television as hundreds of competitors took part in the inaugural First Monster Challenge on Sunday 2nd September.
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Approximately 10,000 spectators watched as eighteen year old Scot Ruaridh Cunningham became the first British man ever to win a World Championship title at the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships.  More...

On Friday 31st August US TV network CNBC featured Skye within their Power Lunch segment. This broadcast is in addition to the August “World’s Best Awards” issue of USA publication Travel + Leisure which highlighted Skye as a quintessential coastal drive in Europe.  More...

So what kinds of tourism businesses in Scotland are giving a good experience to visitors? This is the question that www.extramilescotland.co.uk is trying to answer.

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Tourism businesses will be able to improve the service they provide visitors thanks to a new free on-line training course.  More...

The MacDonald Aviemore Highland Resort has been recognised at a Highland and Islands’ business awards ceremony for the major contribution that its business conferences are making to the wider Highland economy.

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Top-rated restaurants can be found all across the in the Highlands. They serve the finest of local produce from the land and sea, distilleries and breweries. The really tricky part is having enough time to get around them all. So what better time to try them out than during the dine around Highlands promotion, when you can be assured of a great value fixed price meal?
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Some attractions in Orkney will be opening their doors to the public offering free tours this month.  More...

A great chance to spot migrating birds in Autumn. More...

The Orkney Blues Festival returns to Stromness from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 September, with a packed programme of both visiting and local performers. More...

September is Scottish Archaeology Month and as one of the world’s best locations for archaeology, boasting a host of well preserved Neolithic villages, burial tombs and stone circles, Orkney is playing a part. More...

Two important research studies on local produce have just been completed, and the results reported to the Outer Hebrides Branding Project Steering Group.

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The following training courses are being run in the Outer Hebrides over September and October.

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Look out over the coming months for two new websites being produced by VisitScotland Outer Hebrides as part of the niche suite of sites incorporated under www.visithebrides.com

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One of the most northerly confectioners has made the shortlist for the third time running. More...

Summer visitors can get a taste of this mid-winter extravaganza at the Up Helly Aa exhibition in Lerwick where the regalia, props, costumes and a replica longship are on display. More...

An exploration of design, colour, pattern and texture in fabric arts comes to Da Gadderie in The Shetland Museum and Archives this month. More...

Don't miss this opportunity to see and hear some amazing musical talents at this year's 'Peerie Willie Guitar Festival'.  More...

Education and Lifelong Learning Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the merger of Careers Scotland and Learndirect Scotland as part of a national focus on a single skills body. More...

Scotland lived up to its reputation as the number one mountain biking destination in Europe this month when the world’s top bikers descended on Fort William for the biggest event in the international mountain biking calendar. More...

VisitScotland is delighted to announce that Dobbies Garden Centres will sponsor the 2008 Scottish Snowdrop Festival.  More...

This Autumn, BBC Haymarket Exhibitions is bringing its highly successful BBC Good Food Show to Scotland for the very first time. Taking place at the SECC in Glasgow between 2 and 4 November, BBC Haymarket is confident that the show will be every bit as successful as its London and Birmingham counterparts.  More...

Moscow’s world famous Red Square turned tartan last week as Kremlin Zoria - Russia’s first ever international military tattoo - took place.  More...

Some of Scotland’s famous faces joined forces to entice thousands of Londoners to come to Scotland earlier this month. The London Gathering, which was sponsored by VisitScotland, was a two day cultural event showcasing the best of Scotland in the heart of London. More...

In an effort to inspire more children about Scotland’s wildlife, VisitScotland is working in partnership with BBC’s flagship ‘Learning is Fun’ magazine. This month over 65,000 packs of Scottish Wildlife Trumps cards will be distributed with the magazine, which is for children aged 5-8. More...

This update has news on Director Kevin MacGilivray and a new website focussing on Scotland's seasonal foods. More...

The 2007 Autumn Programme of Events is now well established with workshops being held throughout the Highlands, Islands and Lowlands of Scotland. More...

The theme is “Tourism and Technology” - reflecting the dependence that tourism has on applying technology to achieve growth and success. Whether you’re an early adopter or a technology laggard, come to Hampden Park in Glasgow to be inspired and informed.  More...

Paul Bush OBE has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency. More...

Pride & Passion has two exciting bits of news this month: a great new programme of theatre workshops and a new celebrity supporter.  More...

Scottish Enterprise have a number of events coming up soon, including the launch of the Online Foodkit and an update on 100K Welcomes. More...