VisitScotland are sponsors of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. thanks to them for their support.
We asked Anne Roels of VisitScotland the following questions.
What is your principle company activity?
VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. We work to maximise the economic benefits of tourism to Scotland by making sure that our visitors experience the very best that Scotland has to offer and promoting Scotland has a ‘must visit’ destination. Our events directorate EventScotland works closely with Scotland’s events industry to raise the country’s profile as a world leading destination for events, and promoting traditional music is an important component for this.
When and where did the company first start trading?
VisitScotland was initially established as the Scottish Tourist Board in 1969. With the Tourist Boards (Scotland) Act 2006, our name was changed formally to VisitScotland.
What made you want to work in Scottish culture?
In 2007, I coordinated Scotland’s guest of honour attendance at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany during ‘The Year of Scotland’. The festival welcomed over 700,000 visitors from France and around the world, showcasing the cream of Celtic music. Experiencing the sounds of Scottish traditional musicians in this unique atmosphere was an experience I’ll never forget and really showed me what a great export Scottish culture can be.
Can you tell us of any particular company highlights?
Scotland has excelled itself in welcoming the world in 2014, with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and over 1,000 events in every corner of the country as part of the Year of Homecoming Scotland 2014. All these events have further cemented Scotland’s position on the international stage as a dynamic and creative nation, not only in terms of its sporting events but also its unique culture and world-class traditional music.
What are your company’s plans for the future?
Following a spectacular year, 2015 will be Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, putting our country’s fantastic natural produce in the spotlight. We will continue to promote Scotland as the perfect stage for traditional music events, supporting events such as Celtic Connections and the World Pipe Band Championships once again.
Contact VisitScotland
Ocean Point One
94 Ocean Drive
Edinburgh EH6 6JH
http://www.visitscotland.com
Buy a ticket for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 13th December in Inverness Leisure, start time 7pm.
