City celebrated for musical connections over the years
GLASGOW has been dubbed a UNESCO city of music as part of a newly launched trail across Scotland’s most culturally significant sites.
It joins 19 cities across Europe who are celebrated for their legendary music scenes.
The trail encourages people to visit the city’s iconic venues such as the Barrowlands where many acts yearn to play and the unique OVO Hydro which has a huge 14,500 capacity. As well as that, participants can also visit King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut where Oasis were discovered in the 1990s.
The scheme has been put together to promote tourism in Scotland and make it a world-class destination.
Scotland is the first country in the world to create a UNESCO trail.
Glasgow Provan MSP and Tourism Minister, Ivan McKee, officially launched the initiative yesterday. He said: “Scotland has always been a pioneering nation and I’m pleased to see we’re leading the way with the world’s first UNESCO digital trail. Tourism is key to Scotland’s economy and as we begin to recover from the pandemic, this collaboration between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, NatureScot and UNESCO could not be more timely.
“Supported by £360,000 of Scottish Government funding, the UNESCO Trail will help to attract and welcome both domestic and international visitors again, by showcasing Scotland’s unique cultural heritage and many UNESCO sites. As we approach COP26, I’m pleased to see that the UNESCO trail has sustainability at its core and will help visitors make responsible and sustainable choices by highlighting green accredited businesses and promoting environmentally friendly travel.”
Susan Deighan, deputy CEO of Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow has a legendary music scene that stretches across the whole spectrum from contemporary and classical, to Celtic and country. Its venues are equally varied and the city hosts an average 130 music events each week. Glasgow is the musical capital of Scotland, and the largest music economy in the UK after London. Historically, music has played a key role in attracting visitors and continues to be a vibrant part of city life, reflected in the excellence of its home-grown musicians and practitioners. The enthusiasm of Glasgow audiences has been well-reported by musicians who often cite their love for the city’s music fans! In Glasgow, music is both an art form to be enjoyed and experienced, as well as a tool of education and social integration.”
Rob Dickson, VisitScotland director of industry, destination and development, said: “There is no other journey like Scotland’s UNESCO Trail and we want to inspire visitors to take a once-in-a-lifetime experience across the country, delving into its history and heritage, experiencing the wonder of its natural assets and the magic that inspires art, music and literature. The innovative trail not only highlights the breadth of culturally astounding UNESCO designations we have across Scotland, but also the exceptional visitor experiences this trail creates.”