Press release -
Life's a picnic!
From plotting the perfect picnic spot to mouth-watering summer recipes, VisitScotland is hoping to offer some food for thought this summer by encouraging visitors to dine in Scotland’s great outdoors.
In celebration of the Year of Food and Drink 2015 and ahead of International Picnic Day (18 June), the national tourism organisation has created a new section on the VisitScotland website packed with tasty tips about picnicking in Scotland.
With its lush landscapes, breathtaking beaches and wonderful wildlife, Scotland is the ideal place to enjoy a spot of al fresco dining and VisitScotland hopes to equip virtual visitors with all the necessary ingredients to enjoy their own picnic when exploring the country.
Information includes:
- 9 reasons to picnic in Scotland this summer - whether you want to watch your pennies, improve your health or reconnect to nature, this section outlines exactly why a picnic in Scotland should be on the top of your must-do list this season.
- 14 secrets of the perfect Scottish picnic – Need some help throwing the ultimate picnic party? This handy list of tips and tricks covers everything from selecting the best accompanying soundtrack to connecting with your creative side and designing your own invitations and decorations.
- Great picnic spots in Scotland – Scotland is home to a wealth of perfect picnic options but for those looking for a bit of inspiration to find their ideal location, this section offers some inspiring ideas to suit your personal taste, with information on summer walks, cycling routes, scenic drives or even a hot air balloon ride.
- Tasty delights for your hamper –Scottish Chefs such as Justin Maule and Fred Berkmiller share their picnic pleasures with a range of delicious recipes you can add to your hamper.
- Perfect picnic pastimes - Get some ideas on how to plan engaging activities into your picnic that will delight both children and grown-ups alike, from wildlife spotting to food foraging
- Meet Scotland’s picnic butler – Jack Black is Scotland’s first picnic butler. Launched by VisitScotland and Forest Holidays, find out more about this exciting initiative which serves up a unique culinary experience for holidaymakers at two Scottish locations.
- 7 ways to perk up your picnic – fancy adding a touch of glamour to your next picnic date or shaking things up next time your spread your picnic blanket? This sectionoffers a range of thrifty ideas on how to make sure your picnic party is the most anticipated party of this season.
- Know your code – details on theScottish Outdoor Access Code to ensure you know your rights and responsibilities when exploring the countryside for suitable picnic options.
The section listed on www.visitscotland.com is part of the national tourism organisation’s activity to promote the Year of Food and Drink 2015, a 12-month celebration of Scotland’s natural larder and unique dining experiences.
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “We are now almost in the heart of the Year of Food and Drink, and with the warmer weather and lighter nights, there is no better time to embark on a personal culinary journey with a picnic in Scotland. We are incredibly lucky in Scotland to boast a bumper crop of outdoor eating options and these new webpages will inspire Scots and visitors to Scotland to enjoy their own personal picnic experience wherever they are in the country.
“Food is an integral part of the tourism experience. This year is the opportunity to showcase our natural larder and unique dining options.”
For more information visit www.visitscotland.com/picnic or use #picnic in #Scotland to share your experience on social media
ENDS
For further information contact:
| Louise PurvesCorporate Press OfficerTel: 0131 472 2052 Louise.purves@visitscotland.com Out of hours media enquiries: 07699 766986 |
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- year of food and drink
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 has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- 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.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, the tourism economy supports 270,000 jobs in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the tourism economy contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- 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 tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
Year of Food and Drink 2015
- 2015 is the Year of Food and Drink, a celebration of Scotland’s natural larder and the role that food and drink plays in shaping our economic success.
- Scotland generates over £2.5m per day through food and drink tourism.
- A series of themed months will create an appetite for key areas of Scotland’s food and drink industries – from seafood and whisky to berries and high-quality meat
- For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com/tastescotland
