What's New

• 08 March 2010

  A taste of things to come - guidance on sourcing Scottish produce launched

  

  Next step in building Scotland’s food revolution announced in Inverness

  A new guide to help more visitor attractions and events planners showcase the very best of Scotland’s mouth-watering larder was unveiled today.

  ‘A Taste for Events’ offers simple and expert advice to anyone organising an event in Scotland.  It’s essentially a one-stop shop with contacts for local food groups, farmers’ markets, professional caterers, certification schemes - a comprehensive database of local producers and suppliers.

  The guide aims to build on the momentum created by the Scottish Government’s national food and drink policy, ‘Recipe for Success’, and the Homecoming celebrations, which have both helped increase awareness of Scottish produce. Last week Ministers announced that 2010 will be the ‘Year of Food and Drink’, delivering a major boost to the tourism and food sectors.

  The publication has been prepared by the industry’s Tourism Innovation Group with support from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Scotland Food & Drink, VisitScotland and EventScotland. It’s part of ongoing work with visitor attractions, pubs, hotels and restaurants to capitalise on the £700m  spent on food and drink by visitors to Scotland each year.

  Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Each year over 15 million visitors come to Scotland, spending over £4 billion, and almost a fifth of that is spent on food and drink. We know that visitors are willing to pay a premium for food and drink with a local provenance. This presents a major opportunity for Scottish tourism and food businesses.

  “This new on-line guide will help events organisers make the most of our wonderful produce. Whether you are planning a major event or something smaller in scale, there is now an abundance of expert advice and list of contacts in the one place to ensure you can source the finest fresh, seasonal and local produce. By working together we can build on Scotland’s fantastic food revolution."

  Category: Industry News
• 04 March 2010

  Toni Bou Talks about his Impending Trip to Scotland

  

  Following his devastating win at the SPEA FIM Indoor Trial World Championship event in Barcelona, World Champion Trials Rider Toni Bou talked about his excitement at finally having the chance to visit Scotland and especially Fort William later this year.

  “I have never been in Scotland before in my whole life, so I am really looking forward to this competition. Ever since I was young I have known about Fort William because of the Scottish Six Days Trial. It is a special place for all trials riders including me.”

  “I have some idea of what to expect as I have watched some DVD’s about the Scottish and each year I follow the trial on the internet or in the Spanish magazines.”

  “ I think it will be a different type of trial, but one I am looking forward to. Maybe it will be difficult for the Spanish riders, as the conditions will be difficult for us as we are not used to slippery sections. Anyway I have time to train and prepare for this event, as I really want to win in Scotland for many reasons.”

  “The British public are always fantastic, as they really know our sport well. I know that perhaps they will want a British winner, maybe Dabill or Lampkin, but also I know that they always give me good support.”

  “There are many competitions before Fort William, but already I am thinking about this special trial.”

  The only UK leg of the 2010 SPEA FIM trial World Championship will take place at Nevis range, Fort William - Scotland over 25/26/27th June, and is just one of three two-day competitions in the series.

  For further event information and to take advantage of the great advance discounted ticket offers please visit www.ukworldtrial.com or call 0845 643 6756.

  Category: Motorsport
• 02 March 2010

  Athletes race for GB slots at Clumber Park

  

  British athletes have their first opportunity to secure Age Group slots for the GB Age Group Team this weekend, 6th March 2010. Athletes at the Clumber Classic Duathlon in North Nottinghamshire will have the opportunity to win places for the team at the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships in September.

  The Clumber Park event, which takes place in a beautiful National Trust park, sold out well in advance of the closing date, and will feature 700 athletes in the standard distance event. They’ll cover a 10km run, 40km cycle and 5km run, the same distances that will feature in Edinburgh. The top four finishers in each Age Group will be considered for selection as long as they have finished within a certain percentage of the winners time in their Age Group.

  Competitors wishing to be considered for the GB Age Group Team for the World Championships should join their home nation and register their interest on the British Triathlon website before taking part.  The deadline for registration is 5pm on Friday 5 March 2010.  For more information on the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships and Age Group selection see edinburghduathlon2010.com.

  Further opportunities for British athletes to qualify are available at the Stirling Duathlon, Big Cow Duathlon, and the Cambridge Duathlon.

  Category: International Events