'Staycation' boost for historic attractions as visitor numbers soar

Published on Tuesday 8 September 2009 22:26

HISTORIC attractions across Scotland have seen visitor numbers soar over the summer – despite the economic downturn and poor weather.

Scots taking a "staycation" rather than heading overseas in July and August are thought to be a major factor in flagship attractions luring in extra visitors.

Historic Scotland (HS) has revealed major increases in visitors at a host of attractions across the country in the past months.

Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Melrose Abbey, Fort George and Linlithgow Palace were among the big winners.

The number of people visiting Linlithgow Palace was up 56 per cent for July and August compared to the same period in 2008, while Melrose Abbey was up 17 per cent.

The National Trust of Scotland said it had also seen huge hikes in visitor numbers. The Glenfinnan Monument (11 per cent up), Falkland Palace, in Fife, (9 per cent) and the Glencoe Visitor Centre (9 per cent) are among those to have seen big rises.

The boom in visitor numbers has emerged in the wake of the two bodies reporting a surge in new members signing up during the Year of Homecoming.

Kari Coghill, head of visitor services and business development at HS, said: "We have been absolutely delighted by the popularity of our properties this summer.

"Despite the economic uncertainties, lots of families seem to have taken the chance to enjoy days out at some of Scotland's finest attractions. We have certainly benefited from the tremendous focus that the Year of Homecoming 2009 has put on everything that Scotland has to offer."

A spokeswoman for NTS said: "Our visitor numbers are up at many sites on last year, and this has been mirrored by the continuing growth in our membership.

"It's difficult to attribute the rise to any single factor; however we're delighted an increasing number of people are enjoying the treasures that the trust cares for on behalf of the nation."

National Museums officials said they had seen visitor numbers rise 23 and 14.5 per cent respectively at the National Museum of Flight, in East Lothian, and the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

A spokeswoman said: "We are delighted with such a significant rise in our visitors, which may be affected by external factors like weather and staycations, but are also largely due to our exciting programme of events and exhibitions, and in particular, two hugely popular new attractions at the museum of flight."