VisitScotland tour in Oban
VisitScotland chiefs were in Oban this week at the start of Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, writes Kathie Griffiths.
Its chief executive Malcolm Roughead and regional director David Adams McGilp stopped off at Dunbeg’s Ocean Explorer Centre as part of a listening tour of the area, finding out more about what the area’s opportunities and challenges are for tourism.
The marine environment discovery centre, rated fourstar by VisitScotland, recorded 5,000 visitors last year, not including school groups, and hopes 2020’s water theme will bring it even more tourists
Another family-friendly Festival of the Sea is planned and the centre will also be hosting a number of large conferences.
Talks with Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative and Argyll and Bute Council were also on the VisitScotland pair’s agenda on Tuesday, as well as a visit to Oban’s tourist iCentre on the North Pier.
‘I don’t think you could find a better themed year for Oban than coasts and waters,’ said Mr Roughead, who added the economic benefits for the area would be far-reaching to the whole community, even those not directly linked to tourism.
‘Tourism is such a powerful economic driver. Everyone will benefit from it,’ he said.
Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 has a full programme running right through to December including a RowAroundScotland bid and the Easdale Rib Rendezvous organised by Seil-based Seafari Adventures.
A series of events are set to make a huge splash in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.
From canal carnivals to coastal-inspired opera and art, seaweed festivals and science events to thrill-seeking endurance activities and coastal rowing voyages, Scotland’s celebratory themed year will shine a light on a far-reaching programme of events throughout 2020.
Setting sail across spring 2020 (March to May), events supported through the Round 2 Year of Coasts and Waters event fund include: Canal Festival Time Machine will bring to life the tales of the Forth and Clyde Canal through art, music, and performance from the Kelpies to the Falkirk Wheel, and Sea Tamagotchi, part of the year-long programme for Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture is a linguistic art project that will seek out and celebrate endangered maritime words and place names in coastal regions, with a focus on the Western Isles.
Splashing into the summer months (June to August): An t-sruthair – a spectacular summer seaside festival, and the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival’s Portsoy Ahoy! will offer an expanded programme with an added focus on our marine environment; the Skye Festival returns with an exciting programme highlighting the distinctiveness of Scotland’s coasts and waters while raising awareness of the need to protect them for future generations.
Steòrnabhagh air a’ Chuan (Stornoway on the Ocean) will celebrate the opening of Stornoway’s new marina with sailing events, workshops, races, ceilidhs offering a vibrant Hebridean cultural experience.
Rowaround Scotland will see at least 1,000 coastal rowers travel 1,000 miles between Scottish Coastal Rowing Association clubs in a multi-staged voyage.
Nevis Water Stories, presented by Nevis Ensemble, will work with coastal communities to create new orchestral music to be performed across a range of locations including beaches, harbours, castles and schools.
Launch on the Sea with Scotland’s Lifeboats is organised by Screen Argyll Limited. Launch! is an immersive live film performance opening up the RNLI’s archive to international composer, sound artist and beatboxer Jason Singh and award-winning film curator Shona Thomson.
Launch! is presented by Screen Argyll and A Kind of Seeing. It is supported by Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, and by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network and funded by BFI and Screen Scotland.
Travelling Gallery, Coasts and Waters Tour from March 1 to May 1 is a contemporary art gallery in a bus and is unique to Scotland. Its function and core mission is to take its exciting and experimental programme to every part of Scotland, allowing access and learning for all.
Ferry Tales in March/April by the
National Theatre of Scotland will deliver an imaginative and impactful performance and community project, with the support of CalMac and their ferries, celebrating the waters surrounding Scotland and the journeys over them made by thousands of residents and visitors. Locations are still to be confirmed but will be taking place in Argyll and Bute.
The Scottish Islands Peaks Race from May 15 to 18 is an adventure race for teams of sailors and fell runners starting in Oban and sailing through the likes of Arran, Jura and Troon.
Easdale RIB Rendezvous from
May 1 to 3 is a rigid inflatable boat adventure weekend on one of the most stunning areas in the UK for boaters due to the fantastic scenery, myriad islands, pristine waters and amazing wildlife. RIBers from all over the UK meet on Easdale Island, 25 minutes south of Oban for a weekend of hardcore boating. This is a free event organised by volunteers. Registration is essential. http://www.easdaleribrendezvous. org.uk/
Loch Long Adventure Challenge May 2 is a new sporting event to celebrate the Year of Coasts and Waters in Arrochar which is surrounded by stunning scenery. You will compete in teams of two and each of you have to do a 3.5km kayak, a 24km fairly gruelling cycle on good forestry tracks away from public traffic and a 5km run to finish with. https:// www.lochlongevents.com/
The Tiree Wave Classic from
‘Argyll and the Isles can aptly be described as the land of coasts and waters.’ ‘Everyone in Oban should make the most of this superb opportunity.’
‘This is an opportunity for Argyll to showcase its fantastic offering.’
October 10 to 17 is a world-renowned windsurf wave-sailing competition that is the longest standing wave-sailing event ever. The Tiree Wave Classic 2020 hosts the wave-sailing battle for the Tiree Throne and coveted Broad Sword trophy. David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland regional director, said: ‘The Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have on our country and inspire visitors, locals, and the tourism and events sector to get involved and enjoy everything the year has to offer.
‘The year will celebrate all aspects of Scotland’s visitor experience in relation to coasts and waters, with a focus on unique, authentic experiences and sustainable tourism.
‘The visitor opportunity in terms of experiences and events will focus on our natural environment and wildlife, our historic environment and cultural heritage, activities and adventure and food and drink.
‘Home to 23 inhabited islands, several long sea lochs and a stunning coastline, Argyll and the Isles can aptly be described as the land of coasts and waters.
‘The region boasts a range of tranquil beaches, beautiful scenery, fascinating history and a vibrant culture. Combine this with exciting activities, top attractions, some fantastic restaurants and world-famous distilleries, and you can clearly see that Argyll and the Isles is perfectly poised to make the most of the next themed year.
‘Partnership and collaboration is at the heart of Scottish tourism and I urge every business, group and community in Oban to come together and make the most of this superb opportunity to raise the profile of the town and Scotland on the global stage.
‘YCW2020 is an excellent opportunity for Argyll and the Isles to showcase its fantastic offering and bring in visitors which are a major benefit to the region. Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is the heart of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change.’
For more information about the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 go to www.visitscotland. org/supporting-your-business/marketing-toolkits/ themed-years-toolkits
For more information visitscotland.com/ycw2020.