NCDC Tourism Action
Plan
Year One of this project drew to a close on Thursday 29th March
2007 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, NCDC Tourism Support Worker; Steven
Simpson, Visit Shetland; Margaret Roberts, NCDC
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, NCDC Tourism Support Worker; Alistair
Williamson, Tourism sub-group; Margaret Roberts, NCDC 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 Community 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 Community 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 NCDC gained funding from Communities Scotland to employ a
Tourism Support Worker to take the project forward. Ingrid Laurenson
was employed in 2007 to work on the project and, in her time with
the NCDC, worked towards the completion of the Action Plan. Ingrid
has now moved on and many thanks to her for her work on the Tourism
Plan.
Maree Hay is now Project Worker and included in
her work will be the support of 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.
Maree and the Tourism Group would be delighted to hear from anyone
with an idea for tourism in the area or who can help with information.
Email: ncdoffice@northmavine.com
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