Video guides highlight spectacular sailing around Lochaber and Western Isles

Ten destinations around Lochaber and the Western Isles feature in a set of spectacular new bird’s-eye view video guides launched to inspire visits to Scotland’s unique sailing spots.

 

Launched by Sail Scotland the short films showcase Scottish marinas, anchorages and adventures, encouraging people to explore by boat and stay in new and unique, locations.

 

Arisaig, Mallaig, Plockton, Portree, Stornaway, Harris, St Kilda, Canna, Scavaig and Mingulay are all included under the heading Skye and North West.

 

Using drone footage the guides capture the backdrops of the areas world-class sailing

 

grounds, dramatic coastal landscapes, and extraordinary islands while pop-up text introduces the destination and standout features in the surrounding landscapes,

 

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. Suggestions encouraging day trips or onward adventures are also offered and links are provided to explore current offers, trip-planning information and booking links on the Sail Scotland website.

 

Viewers – via adverts on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube – are encouraged to share

 

their own photographs 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 video library of guides is the first of its kind for the marine tourism sector in Scotland with a total of 33 locations around Scotland featured.

 

Alan Rankin, Chief Executive of Sail Scotland, said: 'Collaboration with destinations along Scotland’s coasts, islands and canals is a key focus and 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 campaign targets carefully selected customer groups in Scotland, England, and

 

Northern Ireland, and was created with assistance from the Scottish Government’s Tourism Destination and Sector Marketing Fund delivered by VisitScotland as part of a

 

national Covid recovery plan.

 

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.'

 

The new video guide library can be viewed online on Sail Scotland’s Aerial Guides page

 

sailscotland.co.uk/plan/aerial-guides/

 

Photograph: Aerial view of Arisaig Marina. Photograph: Sail Scotland/Airborne Lens. NO_T03_SailScotland_Aerial view of Arisaig Marina - credit Sail Scotland and Airborne Lens