Talking-up Scotland

(c) scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk

For the first time ever the footfall in Scotland’s castles, abbeys, palaces and other historical sites has passed the 4 million mark and this in only 11 months of the 2016-17 financial year. Historic Environment Scotland announced this 13% increase on 17^th February 2017.

The figure for 2015-16 was also a record at 3.8 million so the trend is very positive news for tourism in Scotland.  St Andrews Cathedral was the location for the 4 millionth visitor.

http://nen.press/2017/02/17/four-million-welcomes/

A number of reasons have been offered for the surge despite the poor weather over the summer of 2016. Accord to eTN Global Travel Industry News, Brexit and terrorism have been two of, but the not the only major factors for Scottish tourism generally:

‘Tourism in Scotland has enjoyed a bumper year mostly due to a combination of Brexit and terrorist incidents in traditional holiday hotspots. Some areas of the country experienced their best summer season in more than a decade, with improved flight connections and the publicity created by films and TV shows such as Outlander adding to the boost.’

http://www.eturbonews.com/74508/bumper-year-scotlands-tourism-booming-thanks-terrorism-and-brexi

One particular record high has been a very large spending increase by American tourists, up 28% to £633 million in the 12 months ending September 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-38678980

That they are coming here in increasing numbers does cannot necessarily depend on perceptions of low terrorism risk, visits to the UK as a whole are also up and there is a wide choice of alternative and sunnier locations largely free of terrorism threat. The appeal of the sights and the sites is what we have. I you doubt this have a look at this gallery:

http://www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/who-needs-holiday-abroad-you-3860247.

Historic Environment Scotland manages 300 sites from Shetland to the Borders. Edinburgh is the best city in the UK and has been for three years running.

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/edinburgh-voted-best-city-in-the-uk-for-third-year-running-1-4104729

And, we have no meanie plans to make tourists pay for medical treatment which, by the way, is the best in the UK.

Oil and gas are on a third wave of profitability, the financial sector is betting heavily on its recovery. Our food and drinks sector is surging in profitability. Investment in renewables is strong with 100% reliability of supply imminent and job growth beginning. The integration of health and social care is well underway with bed blocking and mortality rates falling. Our NHS has been crisis-free over the winter. Scottish Government help for small businesses and investment in housing is also increasing significantly. I’ve proved all of these in earlier posts. We’re leaving the British Empire. Everybody else has and nobody wants back in. It’s the natural thing to do.

Now there is something bad, what is it? Oh yes our mainstream media. It’ll make you ill:

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/apr/12/news-is-bad-rolf-dobelli

Don’t watch or read any of it. Use your trusted online sources like Indyref2 and Wings although they might make you depressed too. If you just want facts try these two:

https://www.snp.org/updates

http://www.gov.scot/Home