The aim of Year of Natural Scotland 2013 is to promote Scotland’s stunning natural beauty and biodiversity, and promote ways in which visitors can enjoy our beautiful landscapes, wildlife and heritage responsibly. Eight key themes have been developed to cover Scotland’s vast wealth of natural product: Natural Landscapes, Natural Built Hertiage, Natural Larder, Sustainable Tourism, Natural Playground, Flora & Fauna, Art in Nature, and Nature in Cities. Information about the Year of Natural Scotland 2013 is available on VisitScotland website and the Scottish Natural Heritage Website.
The Programme of the Highland Council for 2012 - 17 commits the Council to supporting Highland tourism - "Working with the Scottish Government, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and private sector partners, the Council will maximise the tourism potential of the Highland area."
The Council has a small tourism section, whose work is overseen by the Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee but many other Council services and Highlife Highland (who deliver community learning and leisure services for The Highland Council) also support the development of tourism including:-
- Countryside rangers
- Access officers
- Long distance routes
- Paths and trails
- Cycle routes
- Car Parks
- Picnic areas
- Visitor centres
- Libraries
- Archive and Genealogical research service
- Leisure centres and Swimming pools
- Museums and galleries
- Arts and events
- Parks and gardens
- Tourism signposting
- Public toilets
- Sailing
- Street cleaning
- Licensing services
- Transport services and information
The Council's tourism section helps develop tourism projects, works to attract cruise liner business to the Highlands, provides financial assistance to VisitScotland for general tourism promotion and can provide discretionary financial assistance to tourism groups for tourism development projects. Details of this scheme and an application form are available here). The Council also organises an annual tourism seminar.
Information about the volume and value of tourism in the Highlands is also compiled annually for the Council through the Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor (STEAM). A copy of the most recent report may be downloaded from the current documents section to the right.
For further information about the Council's tourism work please contact Colin Simpson, Tourism Co-ordinator on colin.simpson@highland.gov.uk or 01463 702957.
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