World first UNESCO trail launched in Dundee
The trail connects all 13 of Scotland's UNESCO sites digitally for the first time ever
Last updated 15th Oct 2021
The world’s first ever UNESCO trail, bringing together some of Scotland’s most iconic, diverse and culturally significant sites, has been launched today.
The trail digitally connects the country's 13 place-based UNESCO designations, including World Heritage Sites, Biospheres, Global Geoparks and Creative Cities.
The project aims to showcase Scotland's finest cultural sights, giving visitors a taste of history, science, music, design, literature, nature and cityscapes.
The trail has been specifically designed to support the ambitions to make Scotland a world-leading responsible tourism destination. It encourages visitors to stay longer at sites, visit all year long, make sustainable travel choices and contribute to to the sustainable quality of life and local business' in the communities surrounding the designated sites.
Promoting sustainable travel options and communities committed to responsible tourism practices are central to the trail. Scotland is the first nation in the world to create such a pioneering initiative. The project has been developed by a partnership between VisitScotland, the Scottish Government, the UK National Commission for UNESCO, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot, The National Trust for Scotland and Scotland's 13 UNESCO designations.
The Scottish Government has supported the project with £360,000 in funding to support the strategy for the sustainable recovery of Scottish tourism.
Tourism Minister Ivan McKee officially launched the trail in Dundee, the UNESCO City of Design, by unveiling a specially commissioned design by illustrator and printmaker, Jagoda Sadowska, a graduate of the city’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. The design has been printed onto a door, which will be incorporated into the city’s Open Close tour as a permanent legacy of the trail.
Tourism Minister Ivan Mckee said: "We're the first country in the world to pull all of the UNESCO sites together like this in the stretch from Galloway in the south to Shetland, out to St Kilda, cities, islands, rural parts of Scotland all covered by the UNESCO heritage sites.
"We're hugely excited about it. We think it gives a really good platform for tourists to understand what Scotland has to offer, to come and visit and enjoy what Scotland has to offer and to do so in a sustainable way."
He added: "People that are interested in some of the work UNESCO does and they're aware of maybe one of the sights, can in one place learn all about the rest of it and all the other 12 sites we've got. They can come and visit and really contribute to Scotland's tourist economy but do so in a sustainable way."
Francesca Osowska, CEO of NatureScot and Chair of Scotland's UNESCO Trail Steering Group said: "The trail shows how forward thinking Scotland is in terms of tourism. As a world first bringing all of these different types of sites together is really unique. Whether you're interested in culture, whether you're interested in Scotland's history or its outstanding natural beauty, the there's something in the trail for you. "
She added: "Sustainability is at the heart of this trail so alongside information about the different designations and about the journeys you can make there is also information about local businesses who are green accredited. Having that green accreditation is really fundamental, as well as information about active and green travel to make this as sustainable a trail as possible."
VisitScotland Director of Industry and Destination Development, Rob Dickson said: "It's a great way of promoting some different places in Scotland, but unique places in Scotland for visitors to go and see."
He added: "We believe that Scotland is a world class destination and this demonstrates that world class status that we have.
"They will attract a different audience, they are promoted in a different way, we hope to different people and people will come and see this in Scotland and have a look at this in a way that wasn't previously possible and that's bound to lead to Scotland attracting a different audience we think."
Professor Anne Anderson, Non-Executive Director at the UK National Commission for UNESCO said: "It will really give people a flavour of the wonderful things in Scotland. Not just world heritage, but biosphere and geo parks, and creative cities like Dundee. It will really encourage them to come and visit whether that be from five miles away or 500 miles away.
"Doing it in sustainable ways, we're giving them sustainable opportunities. travel that's sustainable, supporting communities, all the businesses that are linked with the trail are green accredited. We're really trying to do responsible tourism and make that a real world first."