Scotland's special themed years unveiled

The Themed Years’ tourism programme will continue beyond 2018, it was confirmed today.

The Year of Scotland’s Coast and Waters will be celebrated in 2020 while the focus in 2022 will be the Year of Scotland’s Stories, both led by VisitScotland.

The 2020 theme will support Scotland’s marine and coastal tourism sector, as well as the marine tourism strategy ‘Awakening the Giant’.

Scotland’s Stories will be a showcase of the country’s rich literature, film, oral traditions and myths and legends.

Speaking at the Scottish Tourism Week Signature Conference organised by the Scottish Tourism Alliance, Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:

“The Themed Years programme has succeeded in giving Scottish tourism an edge, galvanising partners to work together to promote Scotland and its people.

“Organisations and individuals who participated in the recent consultation were in favour of continuing with themed years. More importantly, a significant majority found the programme to be beneficial to their business or organisation. We also listened to the views expressed that the programme would benefit from longer time scales and the Years will now be delivered in a two year cycle.

“I am pleased that the programme will continue up to 2022, providing an ideal way to continue to celebrate the best of Scotland.”

Background

In 2017, Scotland is celebrating the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. 2018 will be the Year of Young People, a year aimed to inspire Scotland through its young people and  celebrate their achievements.