Arbroath listed among Scotland's top sailing destinations for tourists

Sail Scotland has launched the spectacular new series of aerial video guides showcasing Scottish marinas, anchorages and adventures, encouraging people to visit new, unique, destinations.

The video guides offer an impressive bird’s-eye view of the approach to each destination, with drone footage showcasing sweeping backdrops of Scotland’s world-class sailing grounds, dramatic coastal landscapes and extraordinary islands.

Pop-up text introduces the destination and local standout features, before identifying key boating facilities and showing the proximity of local amenities. The viewer is then invited to step ashore for provisions, local food and drink and visits to nearby attractions.

The guides offer suggestions, encouraging day trips or onward adventures, and provide links to explore current offers, trip-planning information and booking links on the Sail Scotland website.

Viewers are also encouraged to share their own photographs on social media and celebrate their own unforgettable moments and unique experiences of sailing and cruising in Scotland, by answering the key campaign phrase: “I sail Scotland because –”. The activity will also link with Scotland’s themed year for 2022, Scotland’s Year of Stories.

The guides’ launch reflects the post-Covid desire for holidays and escapes ‘away from it all’ and has been created with assistance from the Scottish Government’s Tourism Destination and Sector Marketing Fund as part of a national Covid recovery plan.

Alan Rankin, Sail Scotland chief executive, said: “We want to connect the sailing experience with shoreside experiences. Our new bird’s-eye view video guides transport visitors right into the heart of places and communities, and by highlighting nearby attractions and eateries we encourage them to step ashore to discover local culture and to enjoy local food and drink.

"We hope the footage will inspire viewers to make plans to sail to new destinations, book cruises and spend more time on our wonderful sailing waters.”

The guides can be viewed at https://sailscotland.co.uk/plan/aerial-guides.

The aerial footage provides fantastic visuals of the facilities available at each destination, from fuel berths, toilets and slipways to laundries and chandleries.

In addition, each video includes onward links to trip-planning features on Sail Scotland’s website including extensive listings, from sail or cruise trips and boating experiences to yacht charters, boatyards and marinas. Combined with inspirational blogs and highlighted shoreside experiences, these resources make it simple to plan and book a Scottish sailing adventure in a new destination.

It is also hoped that using the video guides to showcase the quality of these destinations, set amongst some of Scotland’s most iconic locations, will attract yachts currently based outside Scotland, inspiring cruising in Scottish waters and encouraging extended stays by relocating to one of the unique destinations.

Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: “The Destination and Sector Marketing Fund was created to boost the sustainable recovery of Scottish tourism, helping to reach new audiences within the domestic market.

“We know word of mouth recommendations are a huge factor for visitors choosing to travel. By combining this call on visitors to share their stories, with footage of Scotland’s breath- taking shoreline, Sail Scotland’s campaign will help inspire new and repeat visitors.

“VisitScotland is focused on the recovery of the industry, building a destination and visitor experience which allows tourism and events to flourish, now and in the future.”