Tourism will mean bumper end to year
Perth and Kinross Council has said it is hoping for a bumper end to the year through the tourism market.
A key driver of the local economy, the council estimates tourism to be worth around £500 million to the area.
Already this year the region has seen Perth’s riverside twinkling with the light nights, the Scottish Game Fair, Etape Caledonia cycle event, The BBC Biggest Weekend and Rewind, while Gleneagles played its part in last week’s European Championships.
Still to come are many Highland Games held around the area including Crieff on Sunday, August 19 and Blairgowrie on Sunday, September 2.
Blair Castle’s renowned International Horse Trials take place in late August, as will a boat race and associated entertainment on Loch Leven to mark the 450th anniversary of Mary Queen of Scots’ escape from the loch’s castle.
Also during August, Perth is hosting an exclusive chance to see professional rugby union team Glasgow Warriors take on English Premiership team Harlequins on the North Inch.
The pre-season match will be held Saturday 18 August, with a 7000 capacity arena constructed on the Inch – which will then be used for the annual City of Perth Salute the following day, featuring international performers from around the globe.
The Perth Festival of Yarn returns in September for its third year, bringing together independent dyers, farmers, small-holders, knitters, spinners, felters and weavers from around Scotland and further afield, together with classes and lectures to inspire.
Also in September is the Great Perthshire Picnic, offering opportunities all month to try the wares of local producers, restaurants and more around the area, as well as the Taste of Perthshire Food and Drink Festival in Perth itself from September 14-16.
A new endurance race - The Spartan Race - takes place in Perth on September 15 and 16 and finally, as the nights draw in, a diverse spread of winter entertainment will be on offer, from the Enchanted Forest’s appealing light and sound show near Pitlochry in October to Perth’s multi-event Winter Festival.
Cllr Angus Forbes, convener of environment and infrastructure, said: “As a council we play a dual role in supporting the events sector in Perth and Kinross.
“Firstly, we provide advice, guidance and assistance to organisers so they can deliver successful events, including undertaking our regulatory and licensing obligations on key areas, from public safety and traffic management to alcohol licensing. The Winter Fest gets underway in October
“The other aspect is our contribution to what is already a diverse portfolio locally, through events which the council organises such as the Winter Festival. There is wide acknowledgement of the value of events in bringing visitors into an area, and what they add to its vibrancy and vitality.
“Strategically, this is addressed in key documents like the Perth City Plan, with events tourism also attracting people to rural communities around the area.
“It’s very clear that we have a rich array of things to see, do and enjoy
The Great Perthshire Picnic takes place next month
here in Perth and Kinross and we want to encourage more people to come and experience what we have to offer.
“While we look forward to welcoming major events like the Solheim Cup in 2019, the key challenges for the future are attracting new events, sustaining current events, and meeting visitor needs in terms of accommodation and associated services during busy periods.
“We will continue to look for new ways to support the tourism and events sector locally together with operators and national organisations like VisitScotland and EventScotland.”