Monster hunting tips

VisitBritain launches a six-week digital marketing campaign, which gets underway this week in France and Germany and The Netherlands, uses images and videos to showcase the incredible experiences that can only be had in the Inverness and Loch Ness area.

Tips include ‘cover as much ground as possible’ by exploring the area in a campervan, ‘listen to the locals’ on a guided kayak tour and ‘stay as quiet as possible’ while amongst deer and other wildlife in the countryside.

VisitBritain Director of Marketing Robin Johnson said:

“Steeped in history and culture and surrounded by breath-taking scenery, the #Inverness and #LochNess area offers an unbeatable holiday experience year-round. By inspiring visitors to book a trip now to come and explore this stunning part of the Highlands – and maybe even spot Nessie – we can spread the economic benefits of tourism throughout the year.”

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Picture Credit: David McKelvey 94735786@N00/9513682116 Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness via photopin.com

BA revives Inverness-London route

BRITISH AIRWAYS has launched direct flights between Inverness and London Heathrow. The daily service re-connects the capital of the Highlands to London Heathrow for the first time in almost a decade.

Economic analysis released by Heathrow predicts the route will have a significant positive impact on the Inverness economy with benefits for regional industries such as life sciences, food and drink, and tourism. The research found that for in-bound tourism alone, the link will could generate up to £8 million a year in additional growth.

Whisky and Salmon are the biggest contributors to the value of Scotland’s international exports of food and drink and are key sectors in the area around Inverness and the Highlands.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: ‘The Inverness-Heathrow route offers so much potential for the businesses and people of the north west of Scotland who for too long have been let down by the indecision on airport expansion. The new route means more growth and a more secure economic future for the Highlands.’

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Loch Ness pushed in Scottish Highlands ad campaign

TIPS help holidaymakers track down the #LochNess #Monster, is at the heart of a new campaign to inspire international visitors to book a trip to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands outside the busy summer months. 

The Inverness Loch Ness digital marketing campaign, run by national tourism agency VisitBritain, stars in the Netherlands, France, and the US.

One tip encourages visitors to ‘build up your courage’ by visiting the Glen Ord whisky distillery, another recommends that monster hunters ‘step into camouflage’ by putting on a Scottish kilt and hiding out at The Dores Inn, Inverness, while another advises hunters to ‘patrol the area’ by taking to a kayak on Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin.

VisitBritain director of marketing Joss Croft said: ‘The Loch Ness and Inverness area is a fantastic destination to be enjoyed all year round. From exploring the majestic lochs and soaring highlands to soaking up the atmosphere of the cosy pubs and traditional inns, we want to inspire visitors to book a trip and come and visit right now so the economic benefits of tourism are spread throughout more of the year.’

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Picture Credit: Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom - travel photography</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

Story time in Edinburgh

THE Scottish International Storytelling Festival (October 23-November 1) is the world’s largest celebration of live, traditional storytelling. Last year’s festival attracted more than 25,000 visitors. 

With more than 70 events in Edinburgh and 20 throughout Scotland (including mini-festivals in Orkney, Portskerra, and Inverness), this year’s theme is ‘Stories without Borders’, with local traditions intertwining with tales from Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

The programme includes events for adults and children, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and for those with their own tales to tell, there will be sessions designed to help keen storytellers develop their skills.

www.tracscotland.org/festivals/scottish-international-storytelling-festival

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61713553@N00/5985849505">At the foot of the storytellers chair</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

'Nessy' at heart of UK inbound campaign

AN extra £2 million in government money will be used to promote Loch Ness in Scotland as part of an inbound tourism initiative.

The four-year VisitBritain campaign featuring the Loch Ness monster will see extensive advertising, digital, and business-to-business activity launched in key tourism markets.

The activity could, says VisitBritain, generate an extra £3.5 million a year for Inverness businesses.

The Loch Ness initiative will be part of VisitBritain’s GREAT Britain campaign, which has boosted inbound tourism to the UK from around the world.

Inverness regularly attracts more than 200,000 overseas visits a year.

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Picture Credit:  "LochNess2". Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons

Europcar expands in Inverness

EUROPCAR has opened a branch in Inverness, known as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. The branch is close to Inverness railway station.

Says Ken McCall, managing director, Europcar UK Group: ‘We already have branches at Inverness Airport, Inverness Thistle Hotel and Wick Airport forming the Highland network, and now we’re bringing the same quality service and convenience to rail passengers, as well as people picking up rental vehicles in the centre of the city.’

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Lose some, win some

FLYBE has changed its flight schedules from London City following months of operating from the airport. 

The airline is to cut the number of flights between the London airport and Inverness from February 22 due to lower than anticipated passenger numbers, and its services between London and Exeter will be reduced from three to twice a day.

But other routes will be increased due to popular demand. Six flights will operate daily between London and Edinburgh from February while Belfast will be served four times a day.

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