Press release -
Where will the spirit take you?
From Motherwell to Mull, Edinburgh to Eigg, or Stranraer to Stornoway, visitors can now embark on a round-trip of Scotland with just one ticket.
The Spirit of Scotland Travelpass, launched today (Monday 14 March) by VisitScotland in partnership with ScotRail and CalMac will allow people to travel the length and breadth of the country by land, sea and track for one fixed price.
As well as ensuring passengers do not have to book individual tickets for every journey they want to make, the pass is also designed to save money with a round-trip of Scotland costing as much as a quarter (27%) less than booking the tickets separately.*
VisitScotland hopes the Spirit of Scotland Travelpass will encourage both visitors and residents alike to take the opportunity to discover new regions, towns, villages, landscapes, communities and islands across the country – literally going wherever the spirit takes them.
Two types of passes are available – 4 days unlimited travel over 8 consecutive days or 8 days unlimited travel over 15 consecutive days – and travellers can design their trip as they go.
The Spirit of Scotland Travelpass includes:
RAIL
-Unlimited train travel in Scotland with ScotRail, Virgin, Cross Country, East Coast and First TransPennine Express (some peak time restrictions apply)
-10% discount on standard fares with the Strathspey Steam Railway
-10% off Keith and Dufftown Railway standard fares
-£1 off Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway
FERRY
-Free travel on all Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries in Scotland
-Free travel on Gourock – Dunoon ferry operated by Argyll Ferries
-20% off Northlink Ferries journeys on selected routes
-20% off Sweeney’s Loch Lomond cruises
-15% off Cruise Loch Lomond
-10% off Jacobite Loch Ness cruises
COACH
-Unlimited travel on selected routes with Scottish Citylink and WestCoast Motors
-Unlimited travel on selected routes with Stagecoach East Scotland and Stagecoach North Scotland
-Unlimited travel on selected routes with First Scotland East
The launch of the pass will be backed by a £150K marketing campaign supported by VisitScotland, ScotRail and CalMac with radio, digital and print activity planned across the UK. There will also be the opportunity for consumers to win a Travelpass in a special prize draw.
The launch of the travelpass is part of the VisitScotland’s new Spirit of Scotland campaign. Launched in February 2016, the global campaign is built on extensive research which shows that people think Scotland has a unique spirit – whether it’s the magic of the landscapes or the warmth of the people. Everyone who has shared their #ScotSpirit will become part of a special social movement.
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said:
“The Spirit of Scotland pass acts like a special key, unlocking amazing and breathtaking parts of the country to those who visit and live here. Rather than having to think in advance where you might want to go or what you might want to see, you can decide on a whim and end up wherever the wind, or indeed spirit takes you!
“Tourism is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy – supporting communities and creating jobs in every corner of the country. We hope people will be encouraged to make the most of the travelpass, using public transport – ferry, train, coach and even steam - to journey across our rural and urban landscapes, experiencing excellent accommodation, attractions and restaurants along the way.
Cathy Craig, Commercial Director at ScotRail said:
‘The Spirit of Scotland Travelpass is the easiest way to travel across Scotland with combined rail, ferry and coach travel as well as a host of other fantastic travel discounts. With travel options covering the whole country, customers have the flexibility to decide where and when they want to travel, enabling them to simply sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning views Scotland has to offer'.
Jocelyn McConnachie, Commercial Director of CalMac, said:
"There is no doubt that spirited adventures across the whole of Scotland are made simpler and more convenient by this pass. As a provider of lifeline services, CalMac is acutely aware of well-connected travel being a major benefit and the Spirit of Scotland Travelpass brings welcome flexibility and offers great value to those planning to journey throughout Scotland - this is a good example of the transport industry working together and we are proud to be part of it.
“With breathtaking scenery, bustling communities, vibrant cultural activities, delicious food and drink, and exceptional attractions across CalMac's network and generally across the whole of our beautiful country, there's a staggering amount to choose from."
The Spirit of Scotland Travelpass is available online at www.scotrail.co.uk/spirit by phone on 0344 811 0141 or in person at any manned rail ticket office Two passes are available:
-Four days unlimited travel over eight consecutive days: £134.00
-Eight days unlimited travel over 15 consecutive days: £179.70
For terms and conditions, visit www.scotrail.co.uk/spirit
To find our more about the Spirit of Scotland campaign and how you can get involved visit: www.visitscotland.com/scotspirit Join the conversation with #ScotSpirit
*Based on UK consumers planning their holiday around 3 months in advance. Round trip around Scotland by train, ferry, bus – would cost approx. £186.20: (Anytime Single rail tickets, except where indicated)
- Edinburgh – Glasgow: Train - £12.90
- Glasgow – Fort William: Train - £29.20
- Fort William – Mallaig: Train - £12.20
- Mallaig – Skye: Ferry - £5.60
- Skye – Inverness: bus - £25.00
- Inverness – Thurso: train - £20.00
- Thurso – Aberdeen: train - £48.80
- Aberdeen – Edinburgh: train - £33.00
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
- spirit of scotland
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
- This will be supported by seven overarching strategies:
- Marketing: we will market Scotland and its outstanding assets to visitors from all parts of the world, including the promotion of Scotland to people living in Scotland to visit different parts of the country
- Events: we will support the national events strategy and its delivery, and sustain, develop and promote Scotland’s international profile as one of the world’s foremost events destinations
- Internationalisation and International Engagement: we will utilise all our platforms to enable Scottish-based tourism businesses to better understand international opportunities and market to a global audience and we will work within One Scotland Partnerships to optimise the potential of Scotland’s Diaspora and our strategic partners at regional, European and global levels
- Customer Experience: we will provide information and inspiration to visitors both locally and globally via their preferred medium of choice
- Quality and Sustainability: we will provide support and advice to businesses, with the goal of improving the quality and sustainability of the tourism sector in Scotland. We will provide quality assurance to visitors through our Quality Schemes
- Inclusive Tourism: we will strive to make tourism in Scotland inclusive and available to all
- Working in Partnership: we will listen to and work with the industry, partners and communities to shape our offering and support
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP.
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business events in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016 - 2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design begins on 1 January 2016 and ends on 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the current 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
- Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed creative industries sector.
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
- Join the conversation at #IAD2016
- Events can join the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design Partner Programme throughout the year by visiting http://www.eventscotland.org/YIAD_partner_programme
