One of my favourite things about living in Scotland is the rich cultural diversity and history that each of our towns and cities has to offer.
While Glasgow and Edinburgh jump to mind as the immediate go-to places for both domestic and international visitors, our country offers an array of places that are bursting at the seams with popular tourist attractions all year round.
Scotland comes to life during the summer, with events like The Edinburgh International Festival and The Fringe boosting the economy not just in the capital, but also in the surrounding towns.
But what happens during the winter months, when businesses aren’t welcoming swathes of customers? How can Scotland’s smaller towns make themselves an attractive place to visit during the off season?
These are questions that many entrepreneurs outside of the major cities continue to ask themselves, and unsurprisingly it continues to cause concern among those in the business community.
In fact, a recent report by the Scottish Tourism Alliance found that Scotland’s tourism and hospitality businesses are on a “financial knife-edge”, with some struggling to make profits due to – in part – a decrease in visitors.
It’s a trend that continues to be felt widely and it can be a tricky position to navigate from, particularly for those businesses in smaller towns.
So, with that said, I was delighted to hear that some entrepreneurs have decided to tackle the challenge head on and take matters into their own hands in a bid to boost tourism numbers in their own area during the off season.
The team at the Oban Bay Hotel on Scotland’s west coast is a great example. General manager Marc Gardner and his crew have pulled together a comprehensive programme of events from now until March 2025 designed to attract domestic tourists to not just the hotel, but the area as a whole.
One such is their ‘Winter Wellness Weekend’, that leans on the town’s attractive wild swimming spots and features collaborations with other local business owners to give guests a rounded experience which samples a little of everything Oban has to offer.
Gardner argues that attracting visitors in the off season isn’t just about reducing stay prices to entice additional custom, but about offering “value-added experiences” that highlight the unique charm of smaller towns such as Oban and beyond.
He says it’s about adopting a “holistic approach to economic development”, and I couldn’t agree more. By diversifying and collaborating across sectors, businesses in small towns can work together to make places like Oban thrive as a winter destination, as well as a summer hotspot.
Over on the other side of the country, another of Scotland’s largest hospitality operators has taken steps to entice visitors into one of the country’s smallest, yet most historic, towns.
Crieff Hydro Hotel has opened its hugely popular Winter Wonderland to the public for another year, with more than 20,000 visitors expected to make the trip to rural Perthshire to experience the festivities as a result.
The wonderland is purposefully designed to rival those on offer in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the promise of an equally festive family day-out.
It’s a genius move that will undoubtedly bring a much-needed boost to Crieff’s local economy during what would typically be a quieter time for the town, and certainly helps to tackle the question of making it a more attractive place to visit outside of peak season.
While there is no quick fix to the problem, it’s great to see businesses in smaller towns starting to work together to entice visitors out with of the summer months.
There is a real need for stakeholders to work together to build Scotland’s year-round appeal, and supporting winter tourism requires a collaborative approach across businesses, councils and tourism bodies in each area.
Ultimately, it’s about thinking outside the box. Everyone in the business community has a role to play in creating dynamic, unforgettable experiences for visitors, and Scotland certainly has lots to offer – whatever time of the year.
Aberdeen at the Heart of Green Energy Growth
Diversifying and future-proofing Scotland’s energy expertise is of huge importance to achieving economic growth.
That’s why I was delighted to read the arrival of Great British Energy in Aberdeen will signal development opportunities for the city’s workers, and also allow Aberdeen to continue to be an attractive destination for skilled labour.
A £1.6 million wind farm worker training centre is due to open in the Granite City next year, providing staff for the UK Government’s new clean energy company, GB Energy, and continuing to push our energy sector towards net zero targets.
The development also means 25 new jobs will be created at the Altens Industrial Estate, where GB Energy will be based, providing locals with skills and security to grow careers right on their doorstep.
With renewable energy, it feels like Scotland is returning to its industrial roots and leading the rest of the country in this sector.
And that is no bad position to be in, as it is hoped Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone will be open and ready for operation in 2025.
The direction of travel for the North East sees it moving from oil and gas to green energy, and puts Scotland at the forefront of innovation is this increasingly vital industry.
While this news is minor in comparison, the overall picture is a hugely positive one for the prospects of our nation.
It will, of course, for this reason, be the subject of much scrutiny. For now, though, they have my seal of approval.
It Made Me Laugh
Walking to the Euros… Like a True Scot
While his gargantuan efforts must be lauded, I couldn’t help but raise a wry smile at the exploits of Scotland fan Craig Ferguson.
The Paisley lad, who walked to Germany for the Euros, has been nominated for FIFA’s Best Fan Award.
Raising over £77,000 for charity Brothers in Arms, young Craig showed incredible determination to complete his epic 37-day, thousand-mile trek.
Not only this, he also demonstrated savvy and modern business acumen, utilising social media to document his journey and bolster his fundraising pot.
I had to laugh though, as – once again – Scotland fans led the way where our team failed.
If only Steve Clarke’s team could’ve matched Craig’s energy, and we may well have been celebrating silverware on two fronts.
On second thoughts, maybe that’s a step too far!
It Made Me Weep
Young Enterprise Cutbacks Hit Home
I was left reeling this week as my worst fears for Young Enterprise Scotland were realised.
I recently wrote about the charity, which has delivered enterprise education to young people for three decades, having its funding pulled by the Scottish Government.
Now, to add insult to injury, the organisation has confirmed 17 members of staff have been made redundant.
Not only was the decision to pull the funding a huge backwards step for the future of enterprise in this country, but the impact on people’s livelihoods also leaves many in an uncertain position in the run up to Christmas.
The saving grace is the charity will continue to operate in a reduced fashion. I truly hope they can bounce back.
