Ancestral Tourism - Latest News July 2008
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The Ancestral Tourism Newsletter is sent out on a quarterly basis to businesses and individuals interested in keeping up to date with developments in the ancestral market. It contains news from the ancestral tourism community, updates on the work of the Ancestral Tourism Initiative, plus details of events which may be of interest to ancestral tourists.
Homecoming Scotland Launched First Minister Alex Salmond officially launched the country's first ever Homecoming year, at Edinburgh Castle on 16th June. Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, the international cultural icon, Robert Burns, Homecoming Scotland 2009 will encourage people of Scottish descent, Scots, and those who love Scotland to come home in 2009 and take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given the world. From Burns Night (Jan 25) to St Andrew's Day (Nov 30) 2009, a country wide programme of Homecoming events and activities has been designed to celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Burns himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations and Scotland's culture and heritage which lives on at home and through Scotland's global family. Organisations all over the country ranging from community groups, to public and private bodies are planning new and enhanced Homecoming activity and invite both Scots and those with a passion for Scotland to join the celebrations. From the Shetland Isles in the north to Selkirk in the south; Barra in the west to Aberdeen in the east, a packed calendar of over 100 events is already in place with many more activities being developed in the run up to 2009. Launching the Homecoming event programme, Marie Christie, Homecoming Scotland 2009 Project Director said: "In developing the programme so far we've had a fantastic response from organisations, large and small from every area in Scotland, who have really taken the concept of Homecoming to their hearts and have developed diverse and inspiring activity for 2009”. "The programme detail announced today is just the beginning of the Homecoming story, over the coming months we will be releasing more information and bringing more and more partners on board. We think there is something in the programme for everyone and we hope Scots, and those who love Scotland, at home and abroad will join the celebrations in 2009. It's an exciting year for Scotland, it's a great year to come home." Homecoming Scotland: What’s On?
March 6-14: Aye Write! The annual literary festival in Glasgow takes on a Homecoming theme, celebrating literary connections of the Scottish Diaspora. April – June: Homecoming – The John Muir Odyssey, is a new festival in east Lothian featuring tours by boat, foot and bus, as well as talks and exhibitions, highlighting the scenery and wildlife which inspired John Muir, the so-called father of modern conservation. May: Whisky Month. Starting with the biggest-ever Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, this month-long celebration of the national drink also includes tasting sessions and whisky courses in Edinburgh and Fife. July 25-26: The Gathering, the largest-ever Highland Games in Scotland is also set to be one of the biggest clan gatherings, attracting people from hundreds of clan associations around the world to Edinburgh. August 10-16: Piping Live! Music of the Clans, will see a series of Homecoming events in Glasgow featuring the best pipers from around the world. September 24-27: Clan Scott Society Gathering 2009, the first international gathering of the Scott clan at its ancestral Borders home in Bowhill. October 15-31: The Highland Homecoming. Academics and historians explore Scotland’s impact on countries and communities around the world at an international conference in Inverness as part of a fortnight of events across the Highlands. November 28-30: Homecoming Scotland’s Finale Weekend sees a major celebration of Scottish music, from traditional folk to the latest contemporary bands. To download the full 2009 programme go to www.homecomingscotland.com Homecoming Scotland: How Can You Get Involved? A key part of the announcement on 16th June was the call for Scots to get involved in Homecoming. Here's how: Extend the invite: Spread the word by telling your customers, friends and relatives wherever they live, about the special year of Homecoming and encourage them to join the 2009 celebrations. Log on to the official Homecoming website: www.homecomingscotland2009.com and send an e-invite inviting customers, friends and family home. Sign up for the Homecoming Scotland newsletter at www.homecomingscotland2009.com and be the first to get updates on events as well as general information about Homecoming. For event organisers looking to develop Homecoming activities, contact the Homecoming Team who can assist with advice and in-kind marketing support. Further information can be obtained by contacting Rebecca McPherson, Homecoming Scotland 2009 T: 0131 472 2408 / email: info@homecomingscotland.com For businesses and organisations wishing to promote Homecoming Scotland 2009, a logo can be downloaded from the website www.homecomingscotland2009.com for inclusion within marketing communications. Homecoming Scotland: How Can Your Business Benefit? Significant dedicated marketing spend is being made available in the run up to 2009, with VisitScotland co-ordinating a major ancestral campaign in key overseas markets. The website www.ancestralscotland.com will be the key tool for promoting Scotland to potential ancestral tourists across the world. The site has just been re-launched with a range of new trade marketing opportunities. Contact VisitScotland’s Ancestral Tourism Marketing Manager Natalie Moffat to discuss promoting your business on the site (natalie.moffat@visitscotland.com, Tel. 0131 472 2012), or speak to your local Business Relationship Manager about how you can get involved in the campaign. To maximise the business benefits from ancestral marketing activity in the run up to 2009, you will need to be a member of the Ancestral Tourists Welcome Scheme. The way into the scheme is via the Ancestral Tourism Training Course. If you’re looking to target the high-value ancestral market coming ‘home’ in 2009, sign up for an ancestral training course now! The online Ancestral Tourism course is available anytime and is ideal for tourism operators who have an interest in meeting the specific needs of Ancestral tourists, for example accommodation providers, libraries, museums, tourist information centres and visitor centres. It has been developed to recognise the growing ancestral tourism market and to ensure that all tourism operators are maximising the potential benefits to their business. The cost to participate in the online course is only £25.00 per person. Visit the Events and Training Section at www.visitscotland.org where further information on courses can be found. Make enquiries about events being planned for your area in 2009 and speak to the organisers now about developing possible linkages, packages and promotional opportunities. If you’re planning to hold an event, make sure the Homecoming team has details so that it can be promoted on the Homecoming website (contact Torquil MacLeod at torquil.macleod@homecomingscotland.com Homecoming Scotland: Focus on the Regions Over the coming months we’ll be profiling a number of events in the 2009 programme which will be of particular interest to ancestral tourists. In this edition we focus on the Scottish Borders and Outer Hebrides. Scottish Borders
A special programme of themed walks, story-telling, music and feasting will appeal to those fascinated by the colourful history of the Border Reivers and the ancestral history of the Scottish Borders. This event is not to be missed and will be of particular interest to all those with Border Reiving names. Armstrongs, Batesons, Bell, Crosiers, Elliots, Glendinnings, Grahams, Hendersons, Humes, Irvines, Johnstones, Kers, Maxwells, Nixons, Pringles, Routledges, Scotts and Thomsons are just some of those who will have an interest in ‘Following in the Footsteps’ of their Reivers’ ancestry. The Clan Scott Gathering (25- 28 Sept) is the very first gathering of the Clan Scott at its ancestral home, Bowhill. The Duke of Buccleuch will be in attendance as the Clan Chief for a four-day programme of events and activities. Traditional music and food will open proceedings with the best of Border hospitality. Guests will experience an historical re-enactment of the Carterhaugh Ba’ Game, displays of archery & horsemanship and will be dazzled by ceremonial parades. They’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy a performance of ‘The Minstrel and the Shirra’, a play about Sir Walter Scott performed by the renowned Rowan Tree Theatre Company. The weekend will end as it began, with music and feasting, as an ox roast BBQ is served. For more information on Homecoming events in the Scottish Borders contact Kate Pearson, Homecoming Co-ordinator, Scottish Borders Council, E: kpearson@scotborders.gov.uk Outer Hebrides
more formal programme, a major exhibition on emigration by the internationally-known genealogist Bill Lawson, a ceilidh, and visits to places in Harris from which emigrants left. Speakers who have already agreed to contribute include Professor Tom Devine, Margaret Bennett, Marjory Harper, Greta Mackenzie, and Bill and Chris Lawson. The full programme will be available in Autumn 2008. A publication drawing on a unique database owned by the Northton Heritage Trust will be launched to coincide with the conference. Like all Book Trust events, the aim is to bring people together from widely different backgrounds in a community setting to ensure an enjoyable and instructive occasion. Meals and accommodation will be arranged for those who require this. More details are available on www.theislandsbooktrust.com or by phoning 01851 820946. Homecoming Pass to be introduced for 2009
Edinburgh Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Culzean Castle, Glamis Castle, Scone Palace, Stirling Castle, Blair Castle and Urquhart Castle. Kenny Crawford, Historic Scotland Head of Sales, said: “We are delighted to be working with our heritage partners and excited about this new and innovative product. This type of pass is something the trade have been requesting for a while, and combining it with the Homecoming 2009 celebrations should make it a very attractive proposition”. “The Homecoming Pass will make it easier for visitors to experience some of the best of Scotland’s built heritage, to encourage visitors to visit more parts of the country and at different times of year, and to encourage repeat visits to historic properties and sites.” Henk Berits, Director of Commercial Services and Marketing at the National Trust for Scotland said: “This is a great example of different organisations working in partnership to benefit visitors coming to Scotland. Scotland’s rich heritage is a huge attraction for thousands of overseas visitors each year – hopefully the convenience of this new ticket will enhance their experience of Scotland and encourage them, along with their families and friends, to return in the future.” The Homecoming Pass will offer substantial savings on admission prices, and in many cases will provide fast-track admission to the more popular sites. The Pass will be available from April to September for both groups and individuals. Valid for seven days, it will be sold exclusively through the trade. Prices are: adult £35, concession £26, child £17.50, and family pass (two adults and two children) £85. Passes will be provided on a sale or return basis and are commissionable at 20% New Ancestral Scotland website launched Visitscotland’s ancestral tourism website, www.ancestralscotland.com, has been re-launched. The site, which is unique as an ancestral travel portal, is the prime call to action in VisitScotland’s ancestral marketing campaigns and regularly generates over 50,000 unique views per month. The site contains lots of new features, including a Clan Search and Clan Touring Itineraries, information on tartans and Highland Games and Clan Gathering listings. A section on ‘Planning Your Trip’ is packed full of travel tips and information on planning a visit, plus details of special travel packages from the USA. For those researching their roots, there are features on surnames, research resources, Scots language and places where your ancestor worked. There’s also comprehensive regional information to help those researching ancestors in specific areas of Scotland, along with links to local research facilities. The Ancestral Tourist Welcome Scheme is also given greater prominence on the new site, with a free directory listing and web link for all businesses signed up to the scheme. Users are also being encouraged to register for updates with the offer of 10 free search credits on the Scotland’s People website. Natalie Moffat, Ancestral Marketing Manager, is keen to receive news items for the site. These may be featured free of charge at the discretion of VisitScotland. Please send releases to Natalie at genealogy@visitscotland.com Lottery Backs NTS Project for Burns
class Burns museum in Alloway, the Ayrshire town where Burns was born. NTS now needs to raise an additional £5m itself towards the project, to add to the £5.8m HLF funding, a £5.5m contribution from the Scottish Government, £500,000 anticipated from Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, and land in Alloway worth £2.8m from South Ayrshire Council. The programme is the largest, most ambitious project the charity has ever sought to undertake. Commenting on the news, Shonaig Macpherson, Chairman of the NTS said: “This is wonderful news for the Trust. We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for granting such a substantial amount of money for what is unquestionably a prestigious and hugely significant Burns project”. “The HLF decision shows great faith in The Trust’s ability to deliver such an important museum for the people of Scotland and Burns enthusiasts around the world. We must now play our part and raise several million pounds before construction of the museum and other Burns initiatives can begin. This will include a major public appeal to be launched in September”. “The Trust is uniquely placed to take on a project of this size and nature. The HLF support, together with our other major funders, means we are an important step closer to delivering a world class museum in Alloway and an exciting re-interpretation of the cottage where Burns was born. As a charity we feel honoured to be responsible for this project and we appreciate that, for the large part, it is only possible thanks to our major funders.” NTS was first approached to take the lead in delivering the multi-million pound project in 2004. The initiative involves creating the new world class Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, carrying out a major re-interpretation of the cottage where Burns was born, delivering exciting new education facilities and enhancing the Burns Monument, Brig o’Doon and Auld Kirk. None of this would be possible without the consent and cooperation of the Burns Monument Trust, who own most of the Burns landmarks and collections in Alloway. Their trustees will soon hand over ownership to NTS. Lochaber Archives Centre opens
very significant step forward in the provision of good local access to resources both for Highland history and for family history. With the existing North Highland ‘spoke’ at Wick and work now well advanced on building a brand new archive facility in Inverness, Highland Council deserves congratulations for its commitment to preserving and opening up the rich archival heritage of the region. Currently the archive holds local authority records for the Lochaber area, including school and police records; valuation rolls and poor relief records for Inverness-shire and Argyll; the family archives of the Camerons of Lochiel and Cameron and of the Cameron-Head family of Inverailort; maps and plans, including large scale OS sheets, c.1900; sasine abridgements for Argyll and Inverness-shire from 1781; census returns for Lochaber 1841-1901, and burial records for Lochaber. The records of the kirk sessions in the Lochaber Presbytery of the Church of Scotland have just been transferred from the National Archives of Scotland (NAS) in Edinburgh, although NAS has kept digital copies of all the records up to 1901. The service is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10-1, 2-5. Tel: 01397 701942; Email: lochaber.archives@highland.gov.uk. Scottish Borders Archive & Local History Centre More than 5000 people have visited Heritage Hub in Hawick, the Scottish Borders Archive and Local History Centre, since it opened to the public a year ago. Part of the Heart of Hawick, Heritage Hub is one of the most high-tech archive buildings in Scotland and has served as a model for at least two other developments. Users have enjoyed comfortable facilities, increased opening hours, new resources and a greater number of staff to help them. The centre was built using BS5454 recommendations for the storage and exhibition of archive materials. The historical collections housed in Heritage Hub cover the whole of the Scottish Borders. Examples of new collections include D Ballantyne & Sons from The University of Edinburgh; Council records held in local offices dating back to 1600s; and papers of George Henry Douglas Scott of Springwood Park, Kelso (author, traveler and landowner). The service is creating greater access to the exciting diverse stories found in the historical documents in its care. Talks, visits and advice on subjects such as storing your own records, research and guidance for depositing records is always available. Two qualified archivists and a team of experienced and knowledgeable professional staff are available to help users and visitors. An enormous amount of work is being done with schools, community groups and local societies through the education and outreach programme for community connections. The team is also creating links and partnerships with colleagues in other Council departments, and with national bodies, to enhance and improve the service. George Mackenzie, Keeper of the Records of Scotland, said: “The Borders Archive Centre at the Heritage Hub in Hawick is an outstanding example of what can be done to promote understanding and use of a community’s records. It has breathed life into an old building; it has state of the art facilities for looking after valuable archive material; and it has welcoming public spaces with helpful and knowledgeable staff. It’s no surprise that visitor numbers have been climbing steadily since the centre opened”. “I am delighted that the archive is working closely with the registrar’s office to offer a joint service for people finding out about their family history. That’s a big growth area that will bring visitors to the Borders, especially as we approach the Year of Homecoming in 2009.“ Material Histories A new website exploring the importance of the fur trade to families in Scotland and Canada has been launched by Aberdeen University. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, 'Material Histories: Scots and Aboriginal Peoples in the Canadian Fur Trade', brings the history of the fur trade to life through stories and artefacts. For some four hundred years, men have left their homes and families in Scotland to work for fur trading businesses operating in North America, such as the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. They spent their daily lives with Aboriginal people and became absorbed in complex social relationships mediated by the exchange of animal pelts for trade goods. The artefacts they collected that have survived in museums and family homes can be used today to shed light on the experiences of the many people who were connected to the fur trade. Check out the site at www.abdn.ac.uk/materialhistories Angus & Dundee to launch new Ancestral Visitors Pass
In the first phase of the project, offers will be listed on the initiative’s website www.tayroots.com, along with a voucher that can be downloaded from the site for presentation at individual businesses and attractions. Phase Two of the project will see a directory and itinerary planner facility being introduced onto Tayroots.com, allowing people to download the offers most applicable to their visit. Running alongside the itinerary planner will be an incentivised ‘passport’. Stewart Wilkie, Chair of the Angus & Dundee Ancestral Tourism Initiative says, “ The aim of the pass is to enhance the visitor experience by making ancestral tourists feel ‘special’ by giving them something not normally available to other visitors, and to create a ‘feel good’ factor, thereby encouraging repeat visits”. Exhibition honours village history
Their oral history interviews form the basis of the exhibition which also contains many fascinating photographs and objects as well as artworks and memories by Newtongrange Primary School pupils which all bring the exhibition to life. Entry to the exhibition is free and it will run from 26th June -3rd November 2008. Royal Palace returned to its Renaissance splendour
Historic Scotland has announced it is to go ahead with a £12 million project to return the royal lodgings at Stirling Castle to their Renaissance magnificence. The result will be a major new attraction that is predicted to raise castle visitor numbers to around 480,000 a year – compared to around 398,000 in 2007-08. Visitors will not only be able to see how the king’s and queen’s halls and chambers may have looked in the mid-16th century, they will be welcomed and shown round by costumed interpreters richly dressed in authentic costumes of the era. And the Stirling Heads – regarded by some as Scotland’s other crown jewels – will go on permanent public display. These intriguing hand-carved oak medallions, up to a metre in diameter, once adorned the ceilings of the palace, depicting kings, queens, courtiers, imps and other mythological creatures. Chris Watkins head of Historic Scotland’s major projects team, said: “The conservation and presentation of James V’s magnificent Renaissance palace is the most ambitious phase of Historic Scotland’s project at Stirling Castle. It will mark the culmination of many years of research and skilled conservation and craft work that have helped reinstate the splendour that the Stewart monarchs gave to Stirling”. |
