A range of Welcome schemes have been developed by VisitScotland whose aim is to guide consumers with a range of specialised interests to those establishments that pay particular attention to their varied needs.
The schemes, based on the provision of facilities and services, recognise the special efforts made by operators to provide for visitors.
They have been developed in consultation with experts in the field they represent - organisations such as the Mountaineering Club for Scotland, Scottish Cyclists Union, Scotland by Bike and St Andrews Links Trust - for an inside knowledge of the visitors' particular needs.
Jointly developed by Tourist Board Training and VisitScotland, the Ancestral Tourism course ensures that only those who are passionate and committed to meeting, or preferably exceeding, the needs of the ancestral tourists are eligible to display and use the promotional material.
Establishments displaying this award will provide additional facilities for visitors with an interest in angling, such as storage boxes for rods; a daily weather forecast; a freezer facility for bait or catch; facilities for gutting or preparing catches, or facilities for washing fishing tackle.
Establishments displaying this award will offer specific provision for guests attending cultural events or venues. This scheme is currently only open to accommodation providers in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Establishments displaying this award will provide additional facilities for visitors touring Scotland by motorbike, such as safe, secure parking and facilities for maintaining their machines in top condition both mechanically and visually.
Establishments displaying this award will display a positive attitude towards children and a genuine desire to meet and anticipate their needs.
Establishments displaying this award will provide additional facilities for visitors touring Scotland in classic or sports cars, such as safe, secure parking and facilities for maintaining their vehicles in top condition both mechanically and visually.
Establishments displaying this award will provide additional facilities for visitors touring Scotland by bicycle, such as clothes-drying facilities and flexible eating arrangements to accommodate unpredicatable journeys.
Establishments displaying this award will provide additional facilities for visitors with an interest in shooting, such as secure, legal storage boxes for guns; a daily weather forecast; a hanging or storage facility for game; kennelling facilities for gundogs, and local information on shooting opportunities.
Establishments displaying this award will display the considerable flexibity required to work with this industry. Additional parking facilities will be provided as required for trucks and lorries, as well as storage facilities for equipment.
Establishments displaying this award will provide additional facilities for visitors with an interest in golf, such as lockable storage for golf clubs; a daily weather forecast; or details of local transport, golf shops, or tee-off times.
Establishments displaying this award will provide additional facilities to meet the needs of larger organised groups staying in hostels. This will include the availability of bulk catering equipment and sufficient space and crockery for the entire group to cook and eat together as well as appropriately ‘group sized’ drying and equipment storage facilities.
Horses Welcome is the first quality-assured accommodation scheme for horses in the UK. The scheme consists of a comprehensive set of recommendations for grazing, stabling and facilities while the dedicated Horses Welcome website will help you plan your route and book your riding holiday.
Golf clubs displaying this award will display a positive attitude towards visiting golfers and a genuine desire to meet and anticipate their needs by providing additional facilities such as lockable storage for their equipment and flexible tee-off times.
Establishments displaying this award will provide additional facilities for hallwalking visitors, such as clothes-drying facilities and flexible eating arrangements.