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Visit Scotland | Alba
Article published 28/07/2021

We hosted the webinar ‘UNESCO National Trail of Scotland Industry Webinar’ in partnership with Green Tourism.

Paula Ward, our Regional Leadership Director shared The UNESCO National Trail of Scotland, which is a new digital trail connecting all 13 UNESCO place-based designations in Scotland.

webinar image

The designations that form part of the trail include:

 

Biospheres:

  • Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere 
  • Wester Ross Biosphere 

Creative Cities:

  • Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature
  • Glasgow UNESCO City of Music
  • Dundee UNESCO City of Design

Global Geoparks:

  • North West Highlands Geopark
  • Geopark Shetland

World Heritage:

  • St Kilda 
  • The Antonine Wall 
  • Old & New Towns of Edinburgh 
  • Heart of Neolithic Orkney 
  • New Lanark 
  • The Forth Bridge  
     

St Kilda

Due to launch in November 2021, it is the first national UNESCO trail anywhere in the world that brings together our countries full range of UNESCO place-based designations (World Heritage, Global Geoparks, Biospheres & Creative Cities) whilst promoting responsible tourism. The trail is designed to increase the value of visitors to the sites, increase geographic spread amongst visitors to Scottish UNESCO designations, engage and involve local communities and local tourism businesses.

Green Tourism also jointly hosted the webinar – they promote greener ways for businesses and organisations to operate. Their internationally respected accreditation programme of bronze, silver and gold awards recognise the commitment of tourism businesses that are actively working to become more sustainable, and they want to tell you how you can get involved in this project. Find out more about Green Tourism at their website.

Watch the webinar

The toolkit

We also have launched a toolkit, which will give you all the information you need about the trail and details on how to get involved. Discover our UNESCO trail digital toolkit at our dedicated page. 

In this digital toolkit you will find information on:

We’ve been working with businesses to pull together case studies, which showcase businesses and organisations that are working sustainably - the Scottish Poetry Library, Nithbank Country Estate and JP Orkney. Read our case studies.

Register your interest

The businesses included in the campaign content are Green Tourism accredited. By taking part in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), these businesses are showing the world that they take environmental considerations seriously and are taking practical steps to tackle issues such as energy efficiency, water saving and mindful waste reduction, all of which are in line with the 17 UN Sustainable Development goals and UNESCO values.

UNESCO Glasgow

Read on for more information on how you can become green accredited.

Want to find out more about funding support for Green Tourism accreditation and be involved with the UNESCO National Trail of Scotland? Register your interest by emailing [email protected]

Funding opportunities

We are working on a funding opportunity to support you in achieving green accreditation. We will have further information on this late summer and will be in touch nearer the time.

For now, if you are interested please register a note of interest at [email protected]

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