VisitScotland showcases Scot spirit

    Angel Place in Sydney rang with the sound of bagpipes on Tuesday 30 May in honour of the VisitScotland media event. A piper greeted guests as they climbed the stairs of the Angel Hotel to J&M Whisky Bar, setting the scene for an evening of fine food, excellent whisky and plenty of inspiring Scotland. Glenda Rochead, PR Manager – Emerging Markets, encouraged all guests to find their whisky with the help of Alex behind the bar, who presented the national drink in every form imaginable, including in two cocktails. With five whisky regions – Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside – the spirit makes up 80% of Scotland’s food and beverage exports. Thanks to direct flights via three airlines – Emirates, Etihad and Qatar – it’s easier than ever to fly into Scotland. Around 142,000 Australians visit ever year, preferring to travel around and explore the dramatic landscape. Edinburgh is celebrating 70 years as a festival city in 2017, hailed for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as well as its three-day Hogmanay celebrations over New Year’s (culminating in the ‘Loony Dook’, an event that sees participants diving into freezing water to brace themselves for the year ahead) and the Beltane Fire Festival. Aussie comedian Brett Blake regaled the crowd with his hilarious tales; he names the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as one of his favourite events. As part of the evening, Glenda shared her top tips for exploring Scotland:

1. Visit Edinburgh during one of its festivals.
2. Go in search of the Scotland you’ve seen on screen. The latest ‘Transformers’ movie was filmed in the country, as was the forthcoming seasons of ‘The Crown’ and ‘Outlander’ and next year’s ‘Avengers’ instalment.
3. Visit Dundee. The seaside town has been transformed in the last two decades and will be welcoming a V&A museum next springtime.
4. Celebrate the 150th anniversary of architect, designer and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s birth in Glasgow.
5. Think beyond the Malt Whisky Trail, because Scotland is also home to a Gin Trail. Seventy per cent of the UK’s gin is produced in Scotland, and there will be 12 new distilleries opening in the next year.
6. Take a road trip. There are a host of suggested itineraries and many places to lose yourself amid some fantastic scenery, including great beaches.

  ©VisitBritain/VisitScotland
The Jacobite steam train passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct at the head of Loch Shiel, Lochaber, Highlands of Scotland