We launched a new feature last year so that you can get to know our team a little better! We’re asking members of staff from across VisitScotland to tell us a bit about themselves and their roles, as well as some of their favourite places to visit in our beautiful country. In the next of the series hear from Victoria Harvey, our new Development Manager for the Outer Hebrides.
Tell us a bit about yourself...
"Hello everyone, my name is Victoria and I'm the Development Manager for the Outer Hebrides, a role which I started in August of this year. Previous to this role I could be found at the Calanais Visitor Centre which served the iconic Calanais Standing Stones in the Isle of Lewis, initially developing their expansion project and latterly I led the team in the visitor centre providing a warm welcome to visitors from all over the world.
"I got my start in tourism working at the VisitScotland iCentre in Falkirk whilst I was studying for my history degree and so to be back in the organisation around a decade later is very exciting! Since then I have done a bit of everything from selling holidays across Scotland to developing the food and drink trail for the Outer Hebrides to working in heritage tourism. I really love the industry I am in and feel lucky to have had so many varied roles.
"Whilst I originally hail from Cumbernauld, I've lived in Lewis for around six years now and big walks, big road trips and big views tend to be my favourite thing. I love living by the sea and am an amateur sea swimmer – I believe you would call what I do bobbing about in the Atlantic – and I’m also part of my local coastal rowing club. Outside of that, give me a good wander around a heritage or archaeological site and it will keep me entertained for a while, there’s just so much to explore!"
What is your role at VisitScotland and what are your main responsibilities?
"My role involves working with stakeholders and partners across the island chain to find better ways to build the visitor economy. My role brings the breadth of VisitScotland expertise to the islands to provide on-the-ground support to partners and build on the amazing work already happening here.
"Influencing and promoting collaboration across the Outer Hebrides is essential whilst we prioritise responsible tourism, capacity building and making tourism work for both visitors and the people who live here. As we recover from the pandemic exploring ways to extend the season, work with communities and make our island economy more resilient."
We’re so glad that we can travel around Scotland again. Do you have a favourite place that you can’t wait to go back to or where have you explored in Scotland this summer?
"As with so many in seasonal dependent roles, much of my summer has been working flat out and unfortunately not getting out and about to see much (I also moved house!). Thank goodness I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world with endless daylight in the summer months. Well placed to enjoy everything that Lewis and Harris have to offer, especially late evening beach meet ups, a quick dip in the sea and lots of hot chocolate and biscuits for later!
"Living in a fairly flat and tree-less landscape, I crave forests and big hills after a while so I'm definitely looking forward to getting back home to the central belt, enjoying the buzz of Glasgow and exploring old scenic haunts in Perthshire and the Trossachs."
What’s on your Scotland bucket list?
"It has to be Shetland and Orkney! Stacks of history, wildlife and geology with lots of wee ferry journeys to keep exploring. To avoid it sounding like a busman’s holiday, I am so intrigued between the contrasts between Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides and need to see them for myself. I’ll hopefully be heading your way in 2022!"
