The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife businessman Alan Santry’s Harry Potter scarf is proving a hit with shoppers - and Leah Murphy, 4, thinks it’s magic, too.
Accessory worn in film flying off shelves in VisitScotland centres as tourism body expands retail initiative nationwide
As if by magic, a Harry Potter scarf is flying off the shelves.
And its creator, Kirkcaldy-based Alan Santry, is helping conjure up a taste of Scotland’s produce as well.
The scarf worn by Hermione Granger in Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince has become a best-selling success in VisitScotland iCentres across the country.
Originally only stocked in the St Andrews iCentre, the national tourism organisation is now selling the famous Fair Isle scarf in centres across the country to keep up with demand from visiting Potter fans.
The news comes as VisitScotland launched its new retail initiative, Shop Local, at the St Andrews iCentre yesterday.
Initially launched as a pilot in 2016, Shop Local is now being rolled out across the country, offering the opportunity for communities, local businesses, craft makers, artists, designers and others to promote and sell their products to visitors via the VisitScotland iCentre network.
Alan was one of the first suppliers on board during the pilot.
Alan’s range was initially only stocked in St Andrews, but is now countrywide due to its popularity with the Harry Potter scarf accounting for 50% of Alan’s sales.
Feedback from a recent VisitScotland survey suggested that film tourism was one of the key factors in influencing international tourists to visit Scotland.
First published 20 years ago next month, Harry Potter has a number of connections to Scotland.
Not only does author JK Rowling live in Edinburgh, where she wrote the original books, but Scotland features prominently in one of the biggest film franchises of all time.
Among the locations featured are the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is seen carrying the Hogwarts Express, Loch Shiel, which doubles for the Black Lake, and Glen Coe, the site of Hagrid’s hut.
VisitScotland’s Lynn Jack said: “Shop Local has been developed to provide a unique sales channel for small businesses producing Made in Scotland products, offering visitors the chance to take an authentic, locally-produced piece of Scotland home with them.
“The iCentre in St Andrews has seen great growth in recent times thanks in part to some of the amazing Shop Local suppliers on show, such as Alan Santry’s Harry Potter scarf.”
Alan said: “Born in St Andrews, it gives me great pride to sell our goods not only in my home town, but Scotland wide.”
The iCentre in St Andrews has seen great growth in recent times thanks in part to some of the amazing Shop Local suppliers on show, such as Alan Santry’s Harry Potter scarf. LYNN JACK, OF VISITSCOTLAND
Abid to conjure up interest in Scottish products is proving popular, thanks to a dash of celebrity appeal. The success of the project, being rolled out from a base in Fife is thanks in no small part to a scarf similar to the one worn by Hermione Grainger in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
Originally only available in St Andrews, the scarf is now selling nationwide.
A magic result and no mistake.