NDC Tourism Action Plan
Year One of this project drew to a close on Thursday 29th March
with the launch of the Northmavine Tourism Action Plan. One of
the many guests attending the event at the Sullom and Gunnister
Hall was Shetland’s MSP and Scottish Minister for Transport,
Tavish Scott.
Compere for the evening was Pat Christie, Local Development
Worker, and the guest speakers included Tavish Scott,
MSP; Ingrid Laurenson, NDC Tourism Support Worker; Steven
Simpson, Visit Shetland; Margaret Roberts, NDC Chair;
and Kate Blazeby, Shetland Amenity Trust.
Photo © Lorna Sandison. Please click on photo
for a larger version.
From left to right: Steven Simpson, Visit Shetland; Tavish
Scott, MSP; Ingrid Laurenson, NDC Tourism Support Worker; Alistair
Williamson, Tourism sub-group; Margaret Roberts, NDC Chair and
Kate Blazeby, Shetland Amenity Trust
What is the main aim and broad objectives of this action
plan?
Aim: to provide a detailed plan and timescale for developing
tourist facilities in Northmavine.
Objectives:
• Identify current local facilities.
• Analyse visitor need for facilities.
• Evaluate potential projects.
• Organise a timescale.
• Identify funding.
What were the methods used to complete this plan?
• Brainstorming: both community consultation and through
regular tourism group meetings.
• Local audit of tourist facilities.
• Discussions with local groups.
• Discussions with local accommodation providers.
• Northmavine Needs survey analysis.
• Shetland Visitor Survey 2006 analysis.
• Examinations of like minded group websites.
How many visitors come into Shetland?
• A recent survey stated there were 104,241 visitors to
Shetland from October 2005 to September 2006.
• It was estimated the visitors brought £16.43 million
into the Shetland economy.
• It is estimated 36,554 people visited the North Mainland;
however this total does not include internal visitors, people
arriving on yachts or cruise liners.
What ideas are discussed in this plan?
There are a large range of ideas presented in this action plan
which can be broken down into four main categories:
• Promotion (e.g. website development).
• Facilities (e.g. interpretive centre).
• Things to do and see (e.g. footpaths and geoparks).
• Pastimes and Sports (e.g. angling and cycling).
How will the plan be used?
• To provide the Northmavine Development Company tourism
sub-group with a guide and timescale in which to complete projects.
• By the general public to gain inspiration in starting
their own private enterprises.
• By other local groups and individuals to further understand
what progress has already been made and is expected to be made
in the future.
• To provide a basis against which to test the potential
future projects.
What are the recommendations resulting from this plan?
• Increase the promotion of Northmavine.
• Undertake a survey on visitors staying the Northmavine
area with help from local accommodation providers.
• Create an interpretive centre group.
• Create an interpretive plan.
• Pursue accommodation development opportunities.
• Pursue the possibility of bringing the St Magnus Bay Hotel
into community ownership and re-opening it.
Project Background
At the end of 2005 the Northmavine Development Company held a
well attended meeting at the new Braewick Café in Eshaness.
Out of this meeting a Tourism sub-group was formed. The group
consisted of local residents with an interest in tourism and those
who own and work in small tourist related businesses in Northmavine.
The members of the Group cover a wide geographical spread and
have many different interests and roles with regard to tourism
in the area.
Early on the Group realised that in order to see the whole picture
they needed to collate all the different tourist data in the area
and form this into an Action Plan. This was a major piece of work
requiring a person with time to dedicate rather than relying on
the efforts and perhaps exhausting a small number of volunteers.
To this end the NDC gained funding from Communities Scotland to
employ a Tourism Support Worker to take the project forward.
Ingrid Laurenson took up the post earlier this year and has worked
towards the completion of the Action Plan since then.
Year Two of the project has begun and Ingrid is currently working
on a questionnaire which will be placed in local tourist accommodation
over the summer to gather information and gauge tourists’
opinions on what they feel about Northmavine. Ingrid will be working
closely with Pat Christie, the Local Development Worker to support
projects such as the redevelopment of Mavis Grind and establishing
a core path network and walks in the area. Other projects that
will be supported through the Tourism sub-group include helping
the new Interpretive Centre Group to get up and running and the
provision of nature hides.
Ingrid would be delighted to hear from anyone with an idea for
tourism in the area or who can help with information.
Email: ndctourism@northmavine.com
Northmavine Community Website Project
Saturday 26th August 2006 saw the completion of the Northmavine
Development Company's Northmavine Community Website Project. This
project was funded by Shetland Enterprise's Community Economic
Development (CED) Fund, the Northmavine Community Council, Shetland
Enterprise's 3 Year Development Plan Implementation Fund, Communities
Scotland ROA Fund and by donations from Northmavine businesses.
The website was designed by volunteers and the information included
on it has come voluntarily from local contributors. They were
ably assisted by Fiona Cope, a local person who is trained in
how to create websites and who was contracted to carry out the
work.
Fiona Cope & Charlotte Stevens working on the website
at Charlotte's computer.
Photo © Lorna Sandison
This has been quite a learning experience for all those involved.
This experience ranged from how to put together such a site, editing
text for the public domain, organising and gathering materials
to arranging and putting on a launch event.
The site belongs to the Northmavine community and welcomes contributions
from local people. Information, photographs and small articles
are all welcomed. Contact the NDC office on: ndcoffice@northmavine.com
Website launch - North Roe Hall, August 26, 2006. Photo ©
Lorna Sandison. Please click on photo to see a larger version.
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