Tourism director hails ‘great’ year for Dumfries & Galloway tourism attractions
Historic Scotland’s Threave Castle saw an incredible rise of 33% in visitors last year according to the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions 2014 Annual Visitor Trend Report.
The figures show that as well as attending major events like the Commonwealth Games, The Ryder Cup and the Year of Homecoming, visitors were also discovering and exploring some of the great attractions to be found in Dumfries & Galloway.
Historic Scotland’s Director of Commercial and Tourism, Stephen Duncan, said;
“It’s wonderful to see that Scotland’s rich cultural and historical heritage continues to be a real draw for visitors, both locally and from further afield. We hope to continue to build on a successful 2014 and look forward to welcoming more visitors to our historical attractions in the year to come.”
Other attractions across Dumfries & Galloway enjoyed a significant rise in visitors to their sites including; Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura, Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop, Sweetheart Abbey, Threave Estate, Dundrennan Abbey, Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, Glenluce Abbey, Broughton House and Garden and Logan Botanic Gardens.
Listed in Scotland’s top 20 attractions Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop also saw a 7% increase year on year from visits made in 2014.
Regional Director, Paula McDonald, said;
“2014 was an exceptional year for Scottish tourism, it was the year we welcomed the world. In 2015, we will build on the energy and excitement of last year, using strengths, such as our region’s food and drink and quality visitor experiences, to take Scotland to the world and enhance our reputation as a must visit, must return destination.”
More information on the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions can be found on www.asva.co.uk
Photos copyright R.B Photography