On 15 July, we released our new national film Only in Scotland: Why Scotland Needs You, to welcome back Scottish tourism and remind us what a beautiful country we have right on our doorsteps. It encourages Scots, and people who consider Scotland home, to travel close to home in a responsible way and appreciate all Scotland has to offer. As a follow-up to the national film, we’ve created a regional Argyll & the Isles film which showcases the incredible sights, sounds, tastes and special moments that can be found in the region. In addition to being shared across our own digital channels, the videos are being used as part of a paid YouTube campaign targeting Scots living outside Argyll & The Isles, to inspire them to visit the region. Locations in the film include; Loch Etive, Kilchurn Castle Lochawe, Lagavulin Distillery, Westport Beach, the Isle of Staffa plus more. Oban Distillery
GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR OUR VISITORS We are wild about Argyll, but we’re also wild about our visitors. Creating a welcoming experience is always what’s important to us, but even more so post-lockdown.
Q&A WITH RHODA, ISLE20.COM AND TIREE TEA ON SERVING UP VISITORS A NEW SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Rhoda explains how she has given visitors access to amazing products from her area via online shopping, since they couldn’t visit as usual. Keeping customers and visitors at the heart of our industry is so important to her and local businesses. How have you gone the extra mile during lockdown? Just before lockdown I set up my an online free directory for businesses in the area, this then grew into a digital marketplace for businesses who perhaps had not set up online due to the high barrier fees. So far, we have 450 businesses listed on the website with 100 using for online marketing and over 1,000 products, it’s crazy how much it’s grown and the timing of it all was perfect. What have you missed most about not being open over the past months?
Loch Etive
Hear from a local business who made virtual-visitors her priority during lockdown, and also from VisitScotland who share how you can make the most of your staycations in a responsible way. #OnlyInScotland
Well working on Isle20 has kept me very busy throughout lockdown but I also have another company called Tiree Tea, which is a mix of tea blends and herbal infusions, so I’ve missed the customers from that aspect and selling them tea. It was very much the driving catalyst for me getting set up online and I managed to get it set up within a few hours ...we have people from across the world buying their friends and family personal gifts to show they are thinking of them. What have you learned about your community during this time? We have the most incredible range of talents and businesses here. I think there was a lack of support for the minor businesses, so by setting up Isle20 we’re really able to support each other across the islands. Going the extra mile for visitors beyond lockdown.. Like the online shopping, here we have a similar problem with
food shops and suppliers, so I’m piloting a programme in Tiree called ‘Isle Eats’ similar to UberEats, where you can order online, pay and collect. Here you can find the local fisherman, bakery, butchers, hotels etc. It’s all being done for community interest and is a not for profit scheme. I’m hoping it will eventually be rolled out across all the isles. Your favourite hidden secret spot or activity in Argyll and the Isles? Oh, I love exploring the coast of Tiree on a boat or kayak. There’s a special spot called the ‘Ringing Stone’ it’s a really erratic boulder along the coast that you can only get to by walking. It’s a real mystery, as it’s hollow so if you hit it, it will make a ringing sound. There’s an urban myth if the stone splits in two, Tiree will disappear under the sea!
Before you travel that extra mile check where is open and when at go.wildaboutargyll.co.uk
Check out all you need to know before you travel at visitscotland.com 6
Be inspired and stay connected | #wildaboutargyll
Rhoda Meek on Tiree
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