The Forth Valley Tourism Partnership Update
It’s hard to believe, it’s nearly Christmas! A busy winter period lies ahead in the Forth Valley; there’s loads going on. Have a look below at the latest news and follow the links to our tourism partners for more information.
Get ready for the Year of Creative Scotland 2012
The Year of Creative Scotland will encourage collaborations between national agencies working in the arts, events and tourism. To make sure you're ready for 2012, take a look at some of the remaining funding opportunities and events VisitScotland and Creative Scotland are offering.
Funding opportunities
Creative Scotland has invested £6.5 million into a programme to support activity. Although some deadlines have now passed, the following opportunities are still available until the end of January:
• Culture and Tourism - a total of £1 million is available to support cultural or creative organisations in developing partnerships with tourism sector operators. Deadline: 31 January 2012
• First in a Lifetime - a total of £2.5 million is available to help artists and creative people and organisations of quality to increase ‘first in a lifetime’ opportunities for those who don’t usually get the chance.
Deadline: 31 January 2012
For full details on how to apply for funding, and to find out more about the opportunities available to your business through the Year of Creative Scotland, go to www.creativescotland.com
Year of Creative Scotland Toolkit
A toolkit is being prepared to use in promotion of the year. It will allow media, trade and other stakeholders to access and download relevant information to help them engage with Year of Creative Scotland. The toolkit will be available on www.visitscotland.org throughout 2012.
Industry event - 5 December
If you can't wait for the New Year, get a head start on the 5 December with the first major event co-designed by VisitScotland and Creative Scotland. The event, which will take place at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, will help facilitate relationship building between the tourism sector, and the cultural and creative sectors.
Businesses will have hands-on opportunities to explore how to develop cultural visitor markets through:
• Enhancing existing activity and developing new product ideas
• New approaches to networking across different sectors
• Responding to opportunities around Year of Creative (London 2012 Cultural Olympiad; Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games).
For more information and to register to go to www.eventbrite.com/event/2332219732
Looking for guidance on how to use technology to develop your business?
If the latest technology developments leave you completely baffled or you’re unsure how developments in social media or mobile web technology could work for your business, Tourism Intelligence Scotland’s comprehensive new online Technology Resource will be for you! This great new interactive guide features practical ‘how to’ guides and hints, tips, ideas and case studies on making the most of the latest technology including social media, and is an absolute must for tourism businesses large and small.
Do I need to be contactable 24 hours?
How often should I send out a newsletter?
Can I take bookings in Euros?
How often should I tweet?
Do I need a mobile website?
How do I know how my competition is doing?
How do I make myself more accessible?
Is Facebook not a waste of time and resource?
Find out the answers to these questions and lots more with step-by-step factsheets to guide you through the process, all written in plain English and without any of the usual mindboggling jargon!
Register now at to access the guide.
Stirling Update
History for Free!
Celebrate St Andrews Day and visit Stirling Castle, Doune Castle and the National Wallace Monument for free on Saturday the 26th and Sunday 27th November.
The National Wallace Monument
Explore this iconic attraction. This is a place where history is something you can touch and feel, as you follow the story of Sir William Wallace, patriot, martyr, and Guardian of Scotland. For more information see www.nationalwallacemonument.com
Stirling & Doune Castles
Historic Scotland is giving away free passes for over 40 of its winter opening attractions on 26th and 27th November including Stirling Castle and Doune Castle.
Why not take this chance to explore the stunning refurbished Renaissance Palace at Stirling Castle? You need to register to in advance to get your FREE passes, which are for two adults and up to three children.
For more information see http://www.ticketgiveaway.co.uk/
New Owners for The Ardeonaig Hotel
The Stirling based Adamo Hotel Group have announced their latest acquisition, the fabulous Ardeonaig Hotel on the banks of Loch Tay.
The former 16th-century inn, previously owned by South African born Pete Gottgens, opened its doors in late September. It boasts 25 elegant bedrooms all with en suite bedrooms, a contemporary restaurant ,five individual thatched Shieling lodges and two cottage suites.
What is likely to become the flagship of the Adamo Hotel Group, The Ardeonaig will boast an impressive management team, headed up by Rodney Doig, Adamo’s Director of Operations.
For more info see http://www.adamohotels.com/ardeonaig
Clackmannanshire Update
Missing Link Completed on Route 76
Cyclists can now enjoy a smoother, more direct journey on the Route 76 Cycle Network with the completion of the cycle path between Tullibody and Cambus. This completes the final section of the route through Clackmannanshire linking Stirling - Alloa - Dunfermline. This pleasant riverside route along the Forth allows visitors further opportunity to explore new countryside not normally accessed. Work continues on the wider long distance network which eventually will provide a continuous cycle route from Berwick Upon Tweed to Edinburgh, taking in both sides of the Forth.
For further information visit: www.sustrans.org.uk
Time to re-read Kidnapped!
The Stevenson Way, a new, and unique wilderness walking route will be launched in Spring 2012. Based on the popular classic 'Kidnapped' by Robert Louis Stevenson, the route will commence in Mull, and travel through both Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire on the final Balquhidder to Edinburgh stretch, which charts the route and the many adventures of the books protagonist, David Balfour as he made his way to Scotland's capital city. This route is expected to attract both keen walker and literary fans alike.
For further information visit: www.stevensonway.org.uk
Air Spirit
'Air Spirit', one of Clackmannanshire's collection of sculptures by International Artist Andy Scott, is now as good as new, and will be restored to it's position on the Muirside Roundabout, during November 2011. The statue sustained considerable damage following a traffic incident earlier this year, and has been undergoing extensive repairs at the artists studio in Glasgow. Alloa Town Centre BIDS, have recently produced an Andy Scott Public Art brochure, which takes visitors on a self guided tour of the public art collection, copies can be obtained by contacting the Alloa Town Centre BID office on 01259 727 313 /
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Discover Clackmannanshire AGM
Discover Clackmannanshire will hold their first AGM on 2nd December. A busy first year has seen the tourist association for Clackmannanshire hold a successful exhibition of local visitor attractions at Scotfest and put plans in place for a Music Festival in 2012. Full information can be found at www.discoverclackmannanshire.com
Falkirk Update
The Park Gallery in Callendar House is presenting a celebration of the work of Falkirk-born Dame Elizabeth Blackadder, marking her 80th birthday and her position as one of Britain's pre-eminent artists. The exhibition runs 12th November 2011 to 25th February 2011, http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/callendarhouse
Also on a Christmas theme, Falkirk's Festive Farmers' Market is on Friday 2nd December in the High Street. For producers and future dates in 2012, visit www.falkirkdelivers.com Falkirk's Continental Christmas Market takes place 6th - 10th December at the East End of Falkirk High Street.
In 2012, the beautifully restored Hippodrome in Bo'ness, Scotland's first purpose built cinema, celebrates its 100th anniversary. There will be a party on 11th March and special screenings throughout the year, including a second annual Festival of Silent Cinema 16th - 18th March 2012. www.falkirk.gov.uk/hippodrome
Falkirk Council and British Waterways have developed a website to profile the 58 acre canal-side development opportunity between the Falkirk Wheel and Lock 16, www.portdownie.com. The site masterplan has outline planning permission for mixed use residential, tourism, leisure and retail development.
'The Helix is Happening' is a new film on the Helix website www.thehelix.co.uk which shows what the site will offer when the new parkland and visitor attraction open in 2013.
The Employment and Training Unit of Falkirk Council is currently running a Customer Services and Tourism pre-employment support programme with a group of young people aged 16-18 years, who are seeking employment in this industry area. Employers who are interested in finding out more about the programme should contact Alberta Greer, Employment and Training Co-Coordinator, on 01324-504479, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
