Scottish visitor attractions bounce back strongly post-Covid
Tourist attractions across Scotland had a welcome boost in visitor numbers last year despite the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures, figures have shown.
Attractions recorded 48,635,638 visits in 2023, an increase of 7,133,336 since 2022 as the sector saw a return to the numbers enjoyed preCovid.
Data from the Moffat Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University and the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions shows free attractions racked up 30,605,269 visits, up 4,354,960 on the previous year. The overall number of visitors to paid-for attractions increased 19.2 per cent in 2023 to 18,080,369.
Edinburgh Castle remained the most popular paid for attraction in Scotland, with numbers increasing last year by 41.5 per cent to 1,904,723 since 2022.
The National Museum of Scotland remained the number one free attraction with numbers increasing 10.8 per cent to 2,186,841.
The National Galleries of Scotland recorded a 43.8 per cent increase to 1,836,057, while St Giles’ Cathedral’s number was up 37.6 per cent to 1,473,211. The Royal Yacht Britannia welcomed 361,175 visitors in 2023, up 51.1 per cent.
A total of 616 attractions across Scotland provided data for this year’s monitor report.
48.6m
Scotland’s visitor attractions recorded 48,635,638 visits in 2023, an increase of 7,133,336 since 2022
30.6m
Free visitor attractions racked up 30,605,269 visits, up 4,354,960 on the previous year
18m
The overall number of visitors to paid-for attractions increased 19.2 per cent in 2023 to 18,080,369
616
A total of 616 visitor attractions across Scotland provided data for this year’s monitor report
41.5%
Edinburgh Castle remained the most popular paid-for attraction in Scotland, with numbers increasing last year by 41.5 per cent to 1,904,723
51.1%
The Royal Yacht Britannia, above, welcomed 361,175 visitors in 2023, up 51.1 per cent on 2022
1.83m
The National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) recorded a total of 1,836,057 visitors in 2023
43.8%
This was a 43.8 per cent increase on NGS visitors in the previous year
1.47m
St Giles’ Cathedral welcomed 1,473,211 visitors through its doors in 2023
37.6%
St Giles’ visitor numbers were up 37.6 per cent on 2022