Scottish Community Tourism Gathering March 2025

SCOTO - Scottish Community Tourism National Gathering & Learning Exchange

27 & 28 February 2025 - Montrose, Angus

PRESS PAUSE // P L A Y >

What next for Community Led Tourism in Scotland?

Join us in Montrose, Angus for our third annual gathering with a packed two days of inspirational learning exchanges, enlightening case studies, a feast of Angus supper and a strong focus on doing things differently. We’ll be sharing what’s emerging from over 40 Press Pause community led tourism workshops across Scotland and what clearly needs to change - Mindsets!

Now more than ever we need to change mindsets in Scottish tourism but what does that look like for the industry, for visitors, for our communities and ourselves?

Full details of the Gathering and booking information can be found further down the page, and the complete programme, including keynote speakers, will be announced in the New Year.

MONTROSE

Where?

Meet us in the east coast town of Montrose, Angus at The Park Hotel, where you can explore and celebrate the power of community tourism in a new and inspiring location. Angus is home to the Angus Tourism Cooperative, a destination group with community led tourism at its heart.

Find Out More >

PROGRAMME

When?

Thursday 27 February

• WAKE - UP WORKSHOPS

• THE SCOTO COMMUNITY TOURISM LEARNING EXCHANGES

• FEAST OF ANGUS GATHERING SUPPER

-------------------

Friday 28 February

• THE SCOTO SCOTTISH COMMUNITY TOURISM GATHERING

Find Out More >

THEME

What?

For SCOTO’s third annual Gathering we'll explore the next steps, following a year of Press Pause workshops across Scotland and showcase how communities and others in the tourism sector have shifted their mindset and put communities at the centre of tourism.

What makes a conference? You do. Your participation is more than simply attending an event - we want you to actively contribute to strengthen and empower the SCOTO Network.

WHY ATTEND?

Who?

Whether you're a community tourism activist, worker or volunteer or simply interested in knowing more about community led tourism in Scotland, this gathering is perfect for you. Connect with like-minded individuals from across Scotland, share ideas, and discover new ways to develop and promote responsible tourism, which brings real benefits back into the host community.

We also welcome others from across the tourism sector and other parts of the UK who are keen to learn from our Network.

The SCOTO Gathering 2025 and Learning Exchanges have been made possible with generous support from Invest In Angus and Scottish Community Alliance.

SCOTO is self-funded and so sponsorship for the annual SCOTO Gathering is vital. A huge thank you to Invest In Angus for being our prime sponsor for the conference day at the Park Hotel and to the Scottish Community Alliance for their grant support which allows SCOTO Networkers to attend the first day of learning exchanges.

BOOK YOUR PLACE BELOW

Community Discount Tickets

Please add each activity one at a time to your shopping basket, which is on the top right of your screen. At the checkout you can increase the number of tickets if you are booking for more than one person. (We will ask for additional names as part of checking out.)

These tickets are for community led tourism practitioners and community activists who work or volunteer in community tourism related initiatives. We will ask for your community organisation name at checkout.

For general admission tickets, skip to the next section.

Learning Exchange

Community Discount Ticket for Learning Exchange Day - Thursday 27 Feb. £3 (excl. VAT)

£3.60 (incl.VAT)

Gathering Supper

Community Discount ticket for Thursday 27 Feb - £12.50 (excl.VAT)

£15.00 (incl. VAT)

SCOTO Gathering

Community discount for the SCOTO Gathering - Friday 28 Feb. £37.50 (excl.VAT)

£45.00 (incl.VAT)

General Tickets

Please add each activity one at a time to your shopping basket, which is on the top right of your screen. At the checkout you can increase the number of tickets if you are booking for more than one person. We will ask for additional names as part of checking out.

Learning Exchange

SCOTO Learning Exchange - Thursday 27 Feb. £24 (excl.VAT)

£30.00 (incl.VAT)

Gathering Supper

Supper ticket for Thursday 27 Feb. £27.08 (excl.VAT)

£32.50 (inc VAT)

SCOTO Gathering

Day ticket for the SCOTO Gathering - Friday 28 Feb. £140 (excl. VAT)

£168.00 (inc VAT)

BOOK NOW

How?

New to 2025 we now have our own booking system! Click below to book your place for the two day Gathering.

For community led tourism practitioners and those active within their community, we provide subsidised tickets to help individuals afford the cost of attending. We recognise that so much of community led tourism is enabled by volunteers and we particularly welcome your attendance.

There is also support for accommodation and travel if you are taking part in the community learning exchanges. Look out for these subsidised tickets and make sure you choose the bursary button when you go through the check-out.

If you aren’t sure if you are eligible just get in touch.

Book Now >

2023 Conference

“Thoroughly enjoyed the two days in many, many ways. Friendly, professional, and informative. A real sense of understanding out on the site visits of how communities overcome and work together to solve problems"

2024 Conference

"We were delighted to have the opportunity to co-host with our local partners and to work in partnership with SCOTO to showcase Upper Nithsdale - also great to meet and network with such an interesting group of people coming from far and wide."

Location

WHERE?

We've chosen Montrose for our base this year and The Park Hotel as our venue. It offers everything we need for the 2-day event on one site and it's only a 10 min walk from Montrose Train Station To ensure the event is as public transport friendly as possible we have timed the programme around the train timetables with the regular City Link bus being an additional option. There's also plenty of onsite parking for those not readily able to use public transport but able to car share.

A train leaves Perth at 0950 and arrives in Montrose at 1050 on the Thursday and for those coming from the north a train leaves Aberdeen at 0952 and arriving at 1032

VENUE: PARK HOTEL, 61 John Street, Montrose, Angus, DD10 8RJ

The Park Hotel > Directions >

Day 1 - Thursday 27 February 2025, 11.30-5.30 PM

Wake-Up Workshops

For those travelling the day before or local early risers, there will be an interactive workshop to whet your appetite for the day. Click on the programme below to find out more.

SCOTO Community Tourism Gathering Learning Exchanges

Funded by the Scottish Community Alliance last year, 65 participants took part in our learning exchange day.

We have six Learning Exchanges across Angus and into Aberdeenshire, visiting inspiring locations such as Arbroath, Arbuthnott, Aberlemno, Benholm, Brechin, Glenesk, Kirriemuir, Murton, New Haven, and Montrose. With your local hosts, you'll explore each destination, enjoy lunch and have time to discuss, share common problems and solutions, and exchange ideas.

A meet-and-greet will run from 10:30 to 11:30 at the Park Hotel for everyone to arrive and join their learning exchange groups. The Learning Exchanges will then run from 11:30 to 17:30, including travel time. (Your baggage can be left at the hotel.)

Themes covered in the Learning Exchanges will include:
GLENESK - Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Crafts
BENHOLM & ARBUTHNOTT - Built heritage, conservation and churches
ARBROATH & EAST HAVEN - Animating your community throughout the Year
KIRRIEMUIR & MURTON - Community run Attractions (including Nature Reserve)
BRECHIN & ABERLEMNO - Community Assets and Community Led Tourism
MONTROSE - Bringing the Past to Life

Once back at the hotel join us for the ‘Feast of Angus’ Gathering Supper at 19:00 for 19:30 with welcome drinks, and the three course dinner featuring a variety of local produce.

Options to book your Exchange will be made available after your booking has been made.

Click below for the schedule for Thursday, 27 February. More details about the Learning Exchanges will be shared closer to the date.

PROGRAMME

Day 2 - Friday 28 February, 09:30- 15:30 Programme

Scottish Community Tourism Gathering

PRESS PAUSE// P L A Y >

What next for Community Led Tourism in Scotland?

Throughout the day there will be inspirational speakers providing vital insights and valuable perspectives as well as important time for SCOTO Gathering networking sessions.

For the Gathering we will have an early start as hopefully everyone will already be in Montrose and breakfast and registration start between 08:30 - 09:15.

The main conference programme will begin at 09:15, and we're delighted that Marc Crothall MBE, CEO of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, will be our host for the third year running. Marc has been a strong supporter of SCOTO from the outset and welcomes the opportunity to be at the heart of our annual gathering and hearing first hand all about the amazing work the SCOTO network is doing and the ambitionous goals we have set for the future.

This year the programme will be exploring our findings from working on Press Pause workshops with over 40 communities across Scotland - and having Pressed Pause - what changes are needed as we hit play again. The programme will explore why we are seeking a radical change in mindset at all levels in Scottish tourism and what this looks like for different players - communities and residents, visitors, tour operators, businesses and our public agencies and government.

Our Coffee & Cake Breakout Sessions create the perfect relaxed space for conversations, idea-sharing, and collaboration. This year the these Sessions are covering several topics which have emerged from our Press Pause workshops held across Scotland.
We’re running 3 x 30mins sessions where you can stay at one table or move between them - there’ll be tea, coffee, fruit and cake to keep you going.

We are offering nine breakout sessions this year: 
1. Top Tips for Operating Community Run Visitor Information Centres
2. Setting up an Online Gift Shop and Revenue Generation for your
Community
3. Community Transport & Helping Visitors Move Around your Destination
4. Community Led Nature Conservation and Tourism
5. Angus Tourism Co-operative: Working Collaboratively across a Destination
6. Communities Benefitting from Cruise Ship Passengers
7. Destination Net Zero: Talking and Acting on Climate Change in
your Community
8. Museums Without Walls: Engaging Visitors in your Heritage in the Outdoors
9. Does your Community need to Press Pause?

The programme will conclude at 15:30 allowing all train travellers to get the train back to Perth/Aberdeen leaving just after 16:00.

PROGRAMME

Booking and Bursaries

Gathering Tickets:

THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY

Learning Exchanges General Admission - £30.00 (incl. VAT)
Learning Exchanges Community Admission - £3.60 (incl.VAT)

The Gathering Supper 27 Feb General Admission - £32.40 (incl.VAT)
The Gathering Supper 27 Feb Community Admission - £15:00 (incl. VAT)

FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY

The Gathering 28 Feb General Admission - £168.00 (incl.VAT)
The Gathering 28 Feb Community Admission - £45.00. (incl, VAT)

Accommodation:

The Park Hotel has a number of rooms available on the 26^th and the 27^th and these can be reserved on our booking form, (when booking). Bursaries are available for community representatives to cover the cost of a room on the 27^th and help with travel costs for those attending the Learning Exchanges. This is being generously supported by Scottish Community Alliance.

If you aren’t eligible for a bursary but would like to book a room at the venue on 26/27 Feb please state on the form when booking and we will put you in touch with the hotel. We have block booked all rooms and the number of rooms is limited on both nights so early booking is recommended.

Rooms are priced £70 -single / £80 - twin / £90 - double all for bed and breakfast.

In the event these are fully allocated there are various options in close proximity to the hotel - and if we still have bursaries available this can be used against any local accommodation in the local area on the 27^th up to £100 and we will simply require a receipt.

Travel:

You can also apply for the travel bursary, which comes under three area categories:

Central Belt, Perthshire, Fife and Aberdeenshire = £25

South of Scotland, Highlands incl Argyll- £50

Islands - £100

If you need more support, please email admin@scoto.co.uk

If you are driving, please offer car sharing - we can help link you with others from your area. If you are eligible for a bursary, we will pay the driver. Car sharing will limit the number of bursaries claimed so we can support more people attending.

BOOK YOUR PLACE BELOW

Community Discount Tickets

For general admission tickets, skip to the next section.

Learning Exchange

Community Discount Ticket for Learning Exchange Day - Thursday 27 Feb. £3 (excl. VAT)

£3.60 (incl.VAT)

Gathering Supper

Community Discount ticket for Thursday 27 Feb - £12.50 (excl.VAT)

£15.00 (incl. VAT)

SCOTO Gathering

Community discount for the SCOTO Gathering - Friday 28 Feb. £37.50 (excl.VAT)

£45.00 (incl.VAT)

General Tickets

Please add each activity one at a time to your shopping basket, which is on the top right of your screen. At the checkout you can increase the number of tickets if you are booking for more than one person. We will ask for additional names as part of checking out.

Learning Exchange

SCOTO Learning Exchange - Thursday 27 Feb. £24 (excl.VAT)

£30.00 (incl.VAT)

Gathering Supper

Supper ticket for Thursday 27 Feb. £27.08 (excl.VAT)

£32.50 (inc VAT)

SCOTO Gathering

Day ticket for the SCOTO Gathering - Friday 28 Feb. £140 (excl. VAT)

£168.00 (inc VAT)

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