Edinburgh (TAN): A yearlong promotional programme began on Wednesday to promote Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 to inspire visitors and locals to experience Scotland’s water-inspired myths and legends to historic harbours, sweeping coastlines, seafood, whisky, wildlife and wellness, unspoiled beaches, rich natural and cultural heritage and thrill-seeking adventure activities.
Six initial events as part of the yearlong programmes were announced today. These are:
1. Ferry Tales from the National Theatre of Scotland: An performance and community project, with the support of Caledonian MacBrayne and their ferries, celebrating the waters surrounding Scotland.
2. Edinburgh International Film Festival presents Scotland’s Shores: This celebrates the country’s coasts and waterways through unique events, classic film screenings and a special outdoor coastal experience.
3. Clydebuilt Festival – 2020: In its fourth year, the event will significantly expand its existing offering across the festival bringing art, music, crafts, boats, dancing, sea shanties and more to the Riverside Plaza.
4. The Fife Regatta 2020: The regatta will start and finish in Largs, taking in various locations around the Clyde including Holy Loch Marina, Dunoon, Rothesay, Isle of Bute and Tighnabruaich, Argyll for locals and visitors to enjoy.
5. River of Light: Scotland’s Boat Show and Kip Marina will make a splash in 2020 with a brand-new event that will see Scotland’s biggest boat show’s programme extended into the evening on October 10.
6. RSPB Scotland’s DolphinFest 2020: This event will help Aberdeen become recognised as a must-visit destination for dolphin watching and will provide pop-up activities across the city that will celebrate Aberdeen’s dolphins – from interactive games to conservation talks and citizen science projects.
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Several Scottish travel and tourism exhibitors at VisitScotland Expo 2019 are also making the most of the new longer-lead Themed Years opportunity to showcase their products in advance of the year.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Delivered by our skilled and passionate industry these six initial events, taking place right across Scotland, will help to promote the upcoming year-long celebration and encourage participation not only from Scotland’s communities but also our visitors from near and far.”
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Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Our coasts and waters are host to an amazing array of riches and are greatly valued and cherished by visitors and locals alike, so it’s fitting that we have a full-year placing them in the spotlight.”
Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 will begin on 1 January 2020 and run until 31 December 2020.
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