SCOTO

19/12/2024

A Radical Shift in Mindset

Recently, Carron Tobin, SCOTO Executive Director, was invited to speak at the second of Scottish Community Alliance's digital learning exchange deep dives. Below, Carron shares some of her insights from the session and explains why we all need to shift our mindsets when it comes to tourism in Scotland.

https://scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/community-led-tourism/

RuralDimensions Scottish Tourism Alliance Scottish National Rural Network Fiona Drane Marketing VisitScotland Development Trusts Association Scotland

SCOTO BLOG SCOTO - Community Led Tourism and the need for a radical change in mindset... In the second of SCA’s digital learning exchange deep dives we heard from SCOTO – the Scottish Community Tourism Network which was set up in 2022. Here Carron Tobin, SCOTO’s Exec Director shares some of he...

27/11/2024

SCOTO Director David McCubbin was in Brora last week to meet Sarah and Alison from the Brora Development Trust.

Having completed SCOTO's Programme, Brora Development Trust is further developing The Otter's Couch Brora to maximise revenue-generating opportunities and help fund activities and projects that benefit the communities in Brora and the district of Clyne.

The Otter's Couch is an arts and crafts social enterprise located in Brora. It provides earning opportunities for over 40 local people and houses a Visitor Information Point.

A community exhibition at Brora Library presents the key findings from the Press Pause workshops and recommendations for the short and longer term. The full Brora Press Pause workshop report is available at Brora Library and online at: https://discoverbrora.com/about-brora-development-trust/

Read how Press Pause can help your community:
https://www.scoto.co.uk/resources/press-pause/

🐾 photo for cuteness






North Highland Initiative Scottish Tourism Alliance Richard Lochhead MSP Highlands and Islands Enterprise The Highland Council Clyne Heritage Society (Brora) Development Trusts Association Scotland RuralDimensions Scottish National Rural Network

26/11/2024

Following on from travel writer Robin McKelvie's Be Local Blog about The Grantown Society, Robin skilfully woven their story into a broader piece about the area in this month's Best of Scotland,The Herald

Thanks to Robin for championing the and shining a spotlight on the incredible work being done in the town.

AND Congratulations to The Grantown Society on launching their new visitor information point, The Grantown Hub—a fantastic resource for locals and visitors!



VisitScotland RuralDimensions Scottish Tourism Alliance Scottish National Rural Network Community Enterprise Cairngorms National Park Cairngorms Nature VisitCairngorms Speyside Visitor Centre

22/11/2024

Yesterday, SCOTO Executive Director Carron Tobin travelled to Dunfermline for Scotland’s Cruise Conference 2024 – What Works For Tourism. 🛳️

Carron shared the floor with speakers from Estonia, Iceland, and Cruise Europe. Her presentation focused on the community-run Girvan Tourist Information & Craft Shop, which has successfully partnered with Silversea Cruises to create a series of authentic, community-driven, “money-can’t-buy” experiences.

Suzanne Arbuckle from TIP said, “The community benefited economically, with increased sales for local businesses and significant donations to local organisations. Civic pride soared as international visitors left positive feedback, and social media reactions highlighted the town’s welcoming spirit.”

You can read more about their story in our latest case study:https://www.scoto.co.uk/media/1p2hys5t/girvan-cruise-visit-experience.pdf

SCOTO hopes to see more cruise operators partnering with local communities across Scotland, creating opportunities for tourism to deliver meaningful benefits for both visitors and locals alike.














VisitScotland The City of Edinburgh Council Fife Council Ambassador Cruise Line
Hebridean Island Cruises Aida Cruises - rejsy wycieczkowe Richard Lochhead MSP Carron Tobin Scotland's Cruise Centre
Cruise Forth Silversea Cruises Cruise Europe Scottish Tourism Alliance

22/11/2024

More success came to Loch Ness Hub & Travel, last night at Scottish 2024 when the team won the Innovation In Tourism Award.

The Hub is owned by a Community Benefit Society, which was established in 2020. It was formed after the local Development Trust, Glenurquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA), received a mandate from its members to take over the former Tourist Information Centre in the middle of the village. Visit Scotland had vacated the building, leaving a community reliant on tourism without any formal tourist information available for visitors to the area.

In addition to providing numerous services, from Baggage Transfer services to toilets, they also support the local community by delivering school meals, providing transport, and more!

Well done to the whole team!



Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards Visit Inverness Loch Ness The Highland Council Scottish Tourism Alliance Richard Lochhead MSP VisitScotland Development Trusts Association Scotland RuralDimensions Fiona Drane Marketing David McCubbin Catriona Waddington Natasha Hutchison

22/11/2024

And another excellent enterprise won last night at the 2024

Congratulations to Wigtown Book Festival for winning the Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival!

Many of our SCOTO Networkers will remember Anne Barclay from the Festival speaking at the SCOTO conference in February. Their story is truly inspirational and showcases the power of a community.

Congratulations all at the Wigtown Book Festival!










VisitScotland Scottish Tourism Alliance Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere RuralDimensions Fiona Drane Marketing Creative Scotland South of Scotland Destination Alliance South of Scotland Enterprise

22/11/2024

The good news kept coming last night at the Scottish 2024, with SCOTO Enterprise The Trimontium Trust & Museum winning the Inclusive Tourism Award.

It's terrific that so many organisations were recognised at these prestigious awards.

Well done also to Rising Star Finalist, Thania Meneses Flores, who led the way!





VisitScotland South of Scotland Destination Alliance South of Scotland Enterprise Scottish Tourism Alliance Scottish Borders Council Historic Environment Scotland RuralDimensions Loch Ness Hub & Travel Fiona Drane Marketing

22/11/2024

We're punch drunk happy to hear that our founder and Chair, Russell Fraser, was awarded the 2024 Scottish Tourism Individual of the Year at the last night. 🤩

SCOTO HQ is also thrilled that the 👑 remains within the SCOTO family, as Director Melanie Allen took home the title last year.

Russell is passionate and dedicated to growing and promoting community tourism. This enthusiasm inspired the creation of SCOTO and drove his impactful work with community-owned Loch Ness Hub & Travel. Seeing his efforts acknowledged by Scotland's top tourism awards is fantastic!

Congratulations, Russell.



VisitScotland Scottish Tourism Alliance Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards Loch Ness Hub & Travel Highlands and Islands Enterprise Visit Inverness Loch Ness Marc Crothall Richard Lochhead MSP RuralDimensions Fiona Drane Marketing Natasha Hutchison Norma Lyall Catriona Waddington David McCubbin Melanie Allen

22/11/2024

Congratulations to community-run Friends of Dundonald Castle & Visitor Centre, who have won the Celebrating Thriving Communities Award at the 2024

Our would love to hear your story!


VisitScotland

We are winners at the National Scottish for Celebrating Thriving Communities

We are in complete shock and cannot believe this achievement!

Without the amazing support of our team, community and stakeholders we wouldn't be where we are tonight 🥰

Thank you everyone for your amazing support ❤️

20/11/2024

Community stories are powerful - this grant might be helpful to tell yours 😀

📢 Destination Tweed Community Grants Scheme Round 3 is open!

Do you have a community project with a connection to the River Tweed and its nature, history and stories? If so, we want to hear from you!

The aim of the Community Grants Scheme is to support local groups and organisations in delivering projects that make the Tweed catchment a great place to live, work and visit.

🥾 Projects must be based within 2km of the River Tweed (or links to Biggar or Moffat – see map available online) and must align with our grant scheme outcomes.

🌿Examples of eligible projects include tree or native wildflower planting in a community space, the installation of bat boxes or wildlife cameras, community archaeology and heritage projects, outdoor pursuits, cultural projects or the installation of interpretation panels telling the Tweed’s stories.

🖊 We welcome applications from charities, constituted groups, CICs, non-profits and social enterprises.

💷 Grants are available from £1000 to £10,000 and can be used as 100% funding for your project, or as match funding.

Please share with your networks to let them know about this exciting funding opportunity!

Full details at https://destinationtweed.org/project/community-grants/ ✨

Deadline for this round of applications is Wednesday 12th February 2025 at 5pm so there is plenty time to get in touch with us at [email protected] if you have a project in mind.

This project was made possible by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

13/11/2024

⭐Introducing SCOTO Consulting ⭐

As the only network in the UK dedicated to supporting and growing community tourism, SCOTO Consulting has been established to provide professional advice, guidance, and tailored solutions.

Scotland’s policy landscape, with its focus on community empowerment and asset transfer, provides a powerful foundation for community-led tourism. With many projects and ideas involving varying levels of visitor engagement, it is essential that communities have access to specialist advice to maximise their potential.

SCOTO Consulting is our delivery arm, which provides various consultancy services using our team of specialist advisers and the best part is that 20% of all fees go towards the operation of the SCOTO Network. So, any community or partner engaging SCOTO Consulting is actively supporting the management and development of the SCOTO Network.

If you'd like to know more, please see our Consulting page on our website https://www.scoto.co.uk/scoto-consulting/ or contact [email protected]



VisitScotland Scottish Tourism Alliance Highlands and Islands Enterprise South of Scotland Enterprise Development Trusts Association Scotland Scottish National Rural Network Community Enterprise Scottish Community Heritage Alliance Social Enterprise Academy Social Enterprise Scotland Scotland's Churches Trust Scottish Enterprise RuralDimensions Fiona Drane Marketing

Scottish Communities Climate Action Network

13/11/2024

"The Trust recognises the importance of local people having the opportunity to be involved in shaping and managing tourism in their area." Brora Development Trust

SCOTO was delighted to collaborate with the Brora community through the Brora Development Trust, with support from the North Highland Initiative, on our initiative.

Press Pause provides an appraisal of a location’s potential as a visitor destination, creating a shared understanding and greater community collaboration. The initiative generates an 'easy to read' destination development, management, and promotion report, addressing key priorities unique to each community. Most importantly, it identifies the measures that truly matter to each area’s success.

If you'd like to know more, contact [email protected]

Brora Development Trust was formed in 2013 by a group of passionate local people in order to establish a grass-roots approach to making our community a better place to live, work and play.

07/11/2024

Find your perfect escape in this introduction to Eildon and Leaderdale in the Scottish Borders. All you need to plan your next holiday.

05/11/2024

With only a few weeks until the ScottishThistle Awards in Glasgow, we’d like to proudly congratulate all SCOTO Networkers and Community Enterprises for their remarkable achievements in the recent regional Thistle Awards!

Your success spotlights the significant impact of community tourism within Scotland’s tourism landscape — a contribution that deserves to be celebrated, valued, and continually supported.

Good luck!



Richard Lochhead MSP The Trimontium Trust & Museum All Roads Lead to Whithorn Loch Ness Hub & Travel Wigtown Book Festival Wick River Campsite The Enchanted Forest Dundonald Castle & Visitor Centre Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards South of Scotland Destination Alliance VisitScotland South of Scotland Enterprise Scottish Tourism Alliance Carron Tobin David McCubbin Fiona Drane Marketing