Castle still under siege as it tops Scottish attractions list

Latest statistics show a 6 per cent increase in tourists to the Castle this year, making it Scotland's most popular paid attraction with just under 1.2 million visitors.

Castle bosses say the rise in visitors is due to the city's "resilient" tourism industry despite the recession, with the strength of the euro and increased number of flights to the Capital from European destinations tempting tourists from overseas. A rise in "staycations" has also benefited the city.

The statistics have been produced for the annual survey by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva). Other Edinburgh tourist attractions which made the Alva list after securing a rise in visitor numbers are the National Gallery Complex and the National War Museum.

However, the National Museum of Scotland saw a drop of just over 4 per cent last year, which bosses put down to the partial closure of the building.

Stephen Duncan, head of commercial and visitor operations at Historic Scotland, which runs Edinburgh Castle, said: "The tourism industry has proven to be resilient despite the current challenges facing the global economy and Scotland remains an attractive destination.

"Factors such as the strength of the euro and the increased number of flight routes from European destinations have certainly been key factors in generating overseas visitors."

He added that local promotions offering value for money have also boosted numbers.

He said: "In the past year, our visitor service has been highly praised as we have continued to run price promotions, free weekends and various ticketing options across our sites.

"We were also a key partner in Homecoming, and offered visitors 18 months' membership for the price of 12.

"Moving forward, we are aware of the continued challenges but feel optimistic about the year ahead."

A spokeswoman for National Museums Scotland said the increase in visitors to the National War Museum was the result of an "enhanced events programme" as well as a photographic exhibition looking at the current conflict in Afghanistan.

While the National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street did not fare so well in the Alva survey, the spokeswoman said: "Our visitor numbers at the National Museum of Scotland were 27 per cent greater than our projections for 2009.

"While down on 2008 figures due to partial closure of the building for the 46 million redevelopment, this is an excellent result."

Europe is 1m target

VISITSCOTLAND today launched its biggest ever European marketing drive with photographs of 14 Scots from various walks of life as the face of the campaign.

The 14 fronting the 1.25 million European Touring Campaign include a charismatic barman, a friendly B&B owner, a Duke and Duchess, a chef, a Loch Ness expert, a wildlife guide – and a concierge at Edinburgh's Prestonfield hotel, where the campaign was launched.

The online drive, which runs until June, is targeting millions of potential visitors in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands.

VisitScotland's head of international marketing, Denise Hill, said: "Using our Scots to front the campaign allows us to provide consumers with information and insider tips – the kinds of things you don't find in the guide books."

WHAT'S TEMPTING THE TOURISTS?

Top Edinburgh attractions, according to the Alva survey:

Edinburgh Castle: 1,196,481 visitors, up 6 per cent

National Gallery Complex: 894,161 visitors, up 9 per cent

National Museum of Scotland: 589,621 visitors, down 4.1 per cent

National War Museum: 494,213 visitors, up 4.2 per cent