Scottish Lavender Oils, Perthshire. © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam |
Building Scotland’s tourism future together |
We work with tourism sector groups across Scotland to support growth and development in line with national priorities. This helps us identify Scotland’s product strengths and opportunities for growth.
Agritourism is one such sector. The sector’s continued growth offers significant opportunities for both agriculture and tourism. To ensure agritourism flourishes sustainably, it’s essential to build a clear understanding of its growth and impact. That’s why we’re conducting Scotland’s Agritourism Survey 2025 on behalf of Scotland’s National Agritourism Strategy Board. The survey will help guide future support, ensuring the economic, cultural, and social benefits of agritourism are fully recognised and protected.
Together, we can ensure that all parts of our visitor economy, and all sectors, are supported, valued, and able to contribute to sustainable growth for years to come. On the subject of support, we’ll soon be kicking off an email advice programme for those subscribed to the business support enewsletter. It’ll cover three topics: digital, travel distribution and events. Read more on this, plus our latest activity and wider industry news within this month’s Tourism Insider.
Kind regards
Vicki Miller
Chief Executive, VisitScotland |
|
|
Place and destination development |
|
|
Lennox of Lomond Farm Tours. © Go Rural / Craig Stephen |
Scotland's agritourism counts |
Scotland’s Agritourism Survey 2025 is now open to all farms, crofts, estates, smallholdings currently operating (or considering operating) and farm retail. All responses are anonymous. The sector is hailed as a significant driver of Scotland’s rural economy, creating jobs, and sustaining vital family employment. Have your say. Closing date is 15 September. |
|
|
© Eat Sleep Ride, Scottish Borders |
| Case study | Eat Sleep Ride |
What do horses Copper, Stitch and Mr Ben have to do with the visitor economy? When visitors stay and enjoy the experiences on offer at Eat Sleep Ride in the Scottish Borders, they're contributing to the charity’s work, supporting rescued horses and vulnerable young people in the community. Scotland's visitor economy is much more than just visitor spend.
Hear from Eat Sleep Ride |
|
|
Pittenweem Cottages, Fife. © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam |
| Behind the scenes | Pittenweem Arts Festival |
The Pittenweem Arts Festival brings over 180 artists to 90 village venues. We spoke with Festival Chair, Julie Arbuthnott, about the impact of this community-led event, supported by our EventScotland National Events Programme.
Hear from Julie |
|
|
Celebrating the Orkney Island Games |
A month has passed since Orkney brought the curtain down on the 20th International Island Games. Against a backdrop of stunning scenery and glorious sunshine, Orkney delivered a world-class celebration of sport, community, and culture. We look back on an unforgettable week with key stats and insights. |
|
|
Business and experience development |
|
|
A business at work. © VisitScotland / Connor Mollison |
Business Support Programme activity |
From September to February, our new Business Support Programme will offer targeted advice in three areas: improving digital channels, understanding travel distribution, and delivering dynamic, resilient, and responsible events. Subscribers to our business support enewsletter will receive these emails soon. If you work with businesses, please share this opportunity. We’ve created content to help you spread the word and ensure more businesses benefit. |
|
|
Business support enewsletter – don’t miss out |
Subscribe to our Business Support enewsletter for helpful tools and resources designed to support your business.
|
|
|
People at the British Golf Museum, St Andrews. © VisitScotland / Peter Dibdin |
| Inclusive Tourism Destination Programme |
Targeting tourism and events businesses across the Tay and Fife region, we’re working with four local authorities to raise the profile of Tay Country as an inclusive tourism destination. Read more on the programme and how to sign up.
The programme |
|
|
A family driving the South West 300 driving route. © VisitScotland / Cutmedia |
Creating inspirational and informative storytelling |
We want our visitors to enjoy all that’s unique about Scotland. It’s also important to make them aware of practical advice and information that’s crucial for their enjoyment and safety while in Scotland. Read more on how we create informative yet inspirational content to share with our audiences. |
|
|
Exploring Scotland in new ways on YouTube |
We’re building a community of storytellers to share real experiences and bring Scotland to life for visitors. Our new YouTube series follows locals with insider knowledge as they showcase favourite places. The first two episodes feature our two biggest cities, with more regions coming soon. |
|
|
|
Meet the team | Kathryn Macdonald |
Discover life at VisitScotland in our Meet the Team series, featuring Kathryn Macdonald, Senior Global Marketing Manager, sharing autumn and winter plans plus her favourite family adventure spots.
Meet Kathryn... |
|
|
Scottish Thistle Awards national shortlist announced |
We’ve announced the shortlists for the national-only categories for the Scottish Thistle Awards 2025. The three national-only categories are Best Business Event, Best Luxury Experience and Outstanding Sporting Event, winners will be announced at the National Final ceremony this November. Congratulations to everyone on the shortlist! |
|
|
And finally, read the latest regional and industry news for Scottish tourism and events – you might have missed: |
-
Wizz Air announces new routes from Glasgow to Italy
- New community assets for Perth
- Gleneagles to host 2026 Senior Open
- Stirling launches new tourism campaign
|
|
|
VisitScotland, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG |
|
|
|
