Businesses join up to new tourism network
Stirling district businesses have joined a new network promoting community-run tourism ventures across Scotland.
Scottish Community Tourism (SCOTO) made up of around 100 community-owned tourism organisations and enterprises.
In Stirling they include Callanderyouth Project Trust (CYP) which acquired The Bridgend Hotel, now a four-star hostel accommodation provider and a source of jobs and apprenticeships for young people.
Other members include Callander Visitor Information Centre – the subject of a successful acquisition by a consortium led by Callander Community Development Trust in 2019 –and the Black Bull pub in Gartmore, which was bought by the community in 2019 and featured in a BBC Two series with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.
Callander Youth Project Trust Patricia Kent said:“it’s great to see the SCOTO network being established as it’s very easy to be very inward looking and not know there are others out there trying to do very similar things.
“Our model is simple – by owning and managing the hostel and now our four glamping pods, we are able to provide employment and training for young people in our community and give them a great stepping stone in their future lives.
“The pods will be key to our future sustainability in delivering youth services in Callander.”
SCOTO is urging visitors to support community-owned tourism enterprises across Scotland and deliver a boost for local jobs and services as the sector rebuilds after Covid-19.
It wants tourists to make a conscious choice to seek out accommodation, activities, and food and drink services offered by businesses that are owned and managed by community bodies, where every pound spent is reinvested in local priorities, from the environment to jobs for young people, housing to wellbeing services.
The body formally launched on Monday (April 25).
A new interactive website has been designed to showcase Scotland’s wide range of independent, community owned cafes, community pubs, distilleries, accommodation providers, shops, cultural centres, outdoor attractions, festivals and other service providers including toilets and ATMS.
CYP trustee and facilitator for SCOTO Carron Tobin said:“i’ve been working with CYP as a case study for community led tourism since 2019 and knowing it was the inspiration for setting up SCOTO speaks volumes.
“Community tourism isn’t a new thing, but is growing at a fast pace as communities across Scotland are taking ownership of local assets and realising real local benefits from visitor spend and support.
“The formation of SCOTO is so timely in being able to support all that is happening and specifically help conscious visitors seek out these incredibly entrepreneurial ventures each offering a real taste of local life”.
The new organisation has received funding from the Scottish Government Tourism Leadership & Recovery Grant and has been supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and the Social Enterprise Academy.
For more information, visit scoto.co.uk