Wild Scotland

Your chance to make sure your voice is heard!

Thank you to all of our delegates and exhibitors who joined us in Pitlochry on Wednesday for our Autumn Conference. It was fantastic to catch up with everyone in person, hear so much noise coming from your conversations during the break periods and really interesting to hear from such a diverse range of speakers on how we can work together, Scotland's unique offering and attracting overseas guests. Thank you to VisitScotland for supporting our conference and thank you to our speakers - The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Patrick O'Shaughnessy from VisitScotland, Clyde & Co in regards to the Package Travel Regulations, wildlife and nature author Rebecca Gibson, Pete Creech from Heart of Argyll Wildlife, Andy Bateman of Scot Mountain Holidays and Kirstin Uhlenbrock of Starfish Travel. Our exhibitors: Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers, Mara Adventures, Activities Industry Mutual (AIM), Water Safety Scotland, VisitScotland, Birlinn Limited, Speyside Wildlife, Geowalks, Clyde & Co and Scottish Odyssey.

Still time to book yourself into Wild Scotland' conference 20/11/2024 10-17 hrs at Fisher's Hotel, Pitlochry!

Just 2 weeks until our Autumn Conference and AGM in Pitlochry. This is our opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. Our Conference is more than just a gathering – it's a chance to reignite your passion, gain invaluable insights and forge lasting connections with like-minded professionals. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a rising star! Join us for a day filled with exciting discussions, networking opportunities and insights into Scotland's diverse wildlife, culture and our guests. Patrick O'Shaughnessy from Visit Scotland will start us off sharing the latest ways to ensure you are visible online, including modern booking systems, working with Online Travel Agents and Google Things to Do. As a large theme of our day will be collaboration and working together, the team from Clyde & Co will be joining us to discuss and answer your questions on the Package Travel and Linked Arrangements Regulations (2018). David Symes of the Adventure Travel Trade Association with guide us through an interactive session as we discuss our guests, international trade, packages and marketing. We’ll also be joined by Rebecca Gibson, Scottish-based outdoor writer and photographer and author of the recent Bradt Guide on Slow Travel in North East Scotland. Pete Creech from the Wild Scotland Board and Heart of Argyll Wildlife will update us the work being undertaken by the 'Lynx Focus Group' and the series of cross-sector workshops he has taken part in. The aim of this group is to explore objectively the concerns and barriers to a trial reintroduction of lynx to Scotland. As this is our first conference since 2019, we are also conscious we all need some valuable networking time - we’ve allowed a healthy amount of time for this too! Our Trade Stands include Visit Scotland, Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers, Water Safety Scotland, Speyside Wildlife - Identification Courses, Activities Industry Mutual (AIM), Geowalks, Mara Adventures, Scottish Odyssey and Birlinn Limited / Alba Books. Members and non-members welcome. Supported by VisitScotland For timings and bookings click here https://lnkd.in/dkRHv6Fb

It was a pleasure to attend the Nature of Scotland Awards Parliamentary Reception tonight to hear who has been short-listed for the 2024 awards. Wild Scotland were asked to be part of one of the judging panels and the quality and volume of applications was incredible. Apparently also record breaking attendance for a reception! RSPB Suntory Global Spirits NatureScot

Listening to Vicki Miller as she presents at the The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) AGM today. As she prepares to take over as CEO next week we’re hearing where focus will be for VisitScotland with an overarching theme of increasing the profile of the visitor economy and a sector that is innovative, inclusive, community minded, attracting investment and investing.

Just a reminder to sign up for our autumn conference taking place in Pitlochry, 20 November - the first since 2019! We are nearly fully-booked for exhibitor stand which include VisitScotland, Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers, Activities Industry Mutual (AIM) plus more. This will be a really nice chance to come together, learn, share our experiences and celebrate our sector! As part of our programme, more to come but already confirmed are: David Symes from the Adventure Travel Trade Association who will be hosting an interactive session on ‘Developing Adventure Tourism for the International Market’. The session will be audience led and topics will include, who is your customer, working with the international travel trade and policies and procedure. Patrick O'Shaughnessy from VisitScotland will share the latest ways to ensure you are visible online, including modern booking systems, working with Online Travel Agents and Google Things to Do. Rebecca Gibson, Scottish-based outdoor writer and photographer and author of the recent Bradt Guide on Slow Travel in North East Scotland. More info: https://lnkd.in/eMnKpSj4

This might be of interest to some of our followers. "The Abolition of Furnished Holiday Tax Let Regime (FHL): What it Means for the Self-Catering Sector." The Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers are hosting a talk via Zoom - sign up details below:

Congratulations to Wild Scottish Sauna for being shortlisted as a finalist of the Central and East Scotland Thistle Awards. 🎉 Their luxury sauna experience located on the award-winning Kingsbarns Beach in St Andrews is a must for anybody visiting the area to relax and benefit from the physical and mental benefits offered by a unique hot/ cold wellness experience. All whilst embracing Scotland’s natural resources and local landscapes. 🌊 Wishing you the very best of luck. Read more here 👉https://bit.ly/4fbOe0b VisitScotland #award #outdoors #experience #adventure