Invest in Angus

VisitScotland bitesize webinars: Optimise your website with UX fundamentals
2025-10-16 14:00 - 14:30 UTC
Want to make your tourism website easier and more enjoyable for your visitors?
In this introductory UX (User Experience) webinar, you’ll learn simple, practical tips to understand what your users really need, so your site feels welcoming and easy to navigate.
Ideal for tourism businesses looking for an easy introduction to website optimisation.

Using Food Tourism to Power Scotland’s Culinary Identity
2025-10-22 10:00 - 11:00
Scotland’s food and drink are among its greatest assets. And when thoughtfully developed, they can become powerful drivers of economic growth, community pride, and environmental sustainability.
This webinar, based on Crafting Your Taste of Place by Erik Wolf, Executive Director, World Food Travel Association, will explore how food tourism can help your region stand out and thrive.
Tailored to Scotland’s producers, suppliers, and tourism stakeholders, the session offers practical guidance for turning local food culture into unforgettable visitor experiences that benefit businesses and communities alike.
Whether your area is already on the map or emerging, discover how to harness your culinary identity to its full potential.

Employing staff, introducing a manager and building your team
2025-10-23 10:00 - 16:00 | Bowmuir Farm Holidays, Bowmuir Farm, Biggar, ML11 8LX
Join Scotland’s Agritourism Monitor Farms Programme for a talk from Core Community Group members Tom and Sarah Parker as they share their real-world experience of successfully introducing a new manager into their business. Discover what worked, what they learned, and how they made the transition seamless for their staff and customers.
Whether you’re considering hiring your first manager or looking to strengthen your leadership structure, this session offers practical tips on how to employ the right people and build a strong, capable team.

Tay Country Travel Trade Ready: Insights & Action
2025-10-29 13:30 - 18:30
Welcome to Tay Country Travel Trade Ready: Insights & Action event!
Come join us at Malmaison on October 29, 2025 at 13:30pm for an opportunity to gain valuable insights and take actionable steps to enhance your travel trade readiness.
Thank you to everyone who recently completed our survey on how your business is currently engaging with the travel trade, the opportunities you’re looking to explore, and the challenges we can support you with. Your feedback is shaping how we move forward together.
This free-to-attend event is designed to provide practical insights, inspiration, and networking opportunities to help your business strengthen its trade relationships and grow international reach. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Outline Agenda
13:30 – 14:00 | Arrival & Networking
Refreshments and informal networking
14:00 – 14:10 | Welcome from Tay Country – Jemma
Introduction & key insights from our recent business survey
14:10 – 14:25 | International Markets – VisitScotland – Lynette McLennan
Opportunities, demand shifts, and how to engage with markets
14:25 – 14:35 | What Happens at Trade Shows – Yvonne Wagoun
Maximising opportunities and preparing effectively
14:35 – 14:45 | Responsible & Sustainable Tourism – VisitScotland – Lynette McLennan
What businesses should be considering now – Quick wins for businesses
14:45 – 14:55 | How an Operator Works – Guest Operator
Insights into what makes businesses “bookable”
14:55 – 15:00 | Package Travel Regulations – VisitScotland / Travlaw – Lynette McLennan
Essentials, do’s & don’ts, and upcoming changes
15:00 – 15:05 | Group Travel Toolkit Launch – Tay Country – Jemma
Overview of the new toolkit
15:05 – 15:20 | Pricing & Commission – Yvonne Wagoun
Commission-ready pricing and operator expectations
15:20 – 15:55 | Practical Takeaway Workshop
Guided exercise: businesses choose one priority action (e.g., adjust pricing with commission, add a sustainability element, or prepare for a trade show)

Speakers circulate to provide tips and answer questions
Each business leaves with a short action to implement straight away

15:55 – 16:00 | Wrap-up & Next Steps
16:00 – 18.30 | Drinks Reception & Dundee Experience Preview

VisitScotland bitesize webinars: creating added value experiences
2025-10-30 14:00 - 14:30
Explore how thoughtful enhancements can generate greater returns through travel distribution.
Unpack what added value really means, highlight ways to elevate your existing product, and show how to present experiences that appeal to partners and high-yield visitors.

ASSC Regional Gathering: “Green is the New Gold”
2025-11-03 13:00 - 17:00 | Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2QL
Are you a self-catering operator, industry professional, or associated business in Scotland’s tourism sector? Don’t miss this essential afternoon of networking, knowledge-sharing, and sector-focused exhibitors – tailored specifically for Scotland’s self-catering community.
Hosted by Fiona Campbell MBE, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), the Gathering will bring together operators, partners, and policy experts to explore practical, actionable ways to build resilience, embrace responsibility, and shape the future of Scottish tourism.
Expect thought-provoking panels, interactive discussion, and meaningful connections with peers across the sector – all designed to leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take your business forward.
Why Attend?

Understand the policies and regulations shaping Scottish tourism.
Discover actionable steps to become a more responsible and competitive self-catering operator.
Build stronger networks with peers, sector leaders, and suppliers.
Leave with clear, practical takeaways to strengthen your business and prepare for the future.

Reaching the Right People: Understanding your Target Market
2025-11-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Westerton Farmers, Laurencekirk, AB30 1RT
The meeting will take place at Westerton Farm with Monitor Farmers, Fiona Smith and Ross Adamson.
The focus will be on understanding markets and how to reach them along with hearing about progress on the development of a cookery school/demonstration concept at Westerton.

ASVA Annual Conference 2025
2025-11-19 09:00 - 17:00 | Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
We’re thrilled to announce that the ASVA Annual Conference 2025 will be returning to Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday 19th November!
Last year’s conference in 2024 was our biggest event yet, welcoming just under 400 delegates from across Scotland’s attractions sector. Attendees came together for an unforgettable day of learning, networking, and inspiration, making it the must-attend event for everyone in the industry.
From dynamic speakers to thought-provoking sessions, the 2024 conference was packed with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable insights. We’re already working hard to ensure the 2025 conference is even better – with an exciting programme designed to support and inspire Scotland’s world class visitor attractions.

Regional Event Industry Engagement Workshop: Perthshire
2025-11-26 09:30 - 13:30 | Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
This in-person workshop will offer you the chance to:

receive key event industry updates
share best practice
network and exchange experiences

Please note there is no charge to attend, but you do need to register in advance.

Scottish Agritourism Conference 2025
2025-11-27 09:00 - 17:00 | Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
The Scottish Agritourism conference is an annual celebration of our sector, open to anyone with an interest in growing agritourism in Scotland including our members, farmers considering agritourism, economic development agencies, destination marketing organisations, local and national government representatives, suppliers to the sector and sector supporters.
The 2025 Scottish Agritourism Conference will take place on Thursday 27 November at Perth Concert Hall.

VisitScotland Business Essentials Bitesize Webinars: leisure visitor trends
2025-11-27 14:00 - 14:30
Stay ahead of the curve.
This session explores current and emerging trends in leisure travel – from changing visitor motivations to new booking behaviours – and how your business can adapt to meet evolving customer expectations.

Events Industry Development Webinar - Emergency Services & Events
2025-11-27 14:00 - 15:00
Learn about the role the emergency services play in events with representatives from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
They will review services provided at recent summer events, and update you on future plans.
There will also be an opportunity for questions and feedback.

Scotland’s Cruise Conference 2025 - What Works For Tourism
2025-12-02 08:00 - 17:00
Cruise call numbers remain at a high level across Scottish ports, with new cruise lines coming to the market, and existing operators continually seeking new opportunities to explore and experience all that we have to offer. The consultation on the potential of a cruise levy has closed, and all stakeholders remain alert to how this may progress.
Scotland’s Cruise Conference 2025 – What Works for Tourism – will take place in Dundee on 2nd December 2025, bringing together insights from all sectors of the industry and tourism partners. It is the opportunity for you to participate in the discussion, learn of the trends, hear from those who make the connections happen, and learn about what can be expected in the coming years.
Our programme will include input from cruise lines, international cruise networks, and international industry experts. It is also hoped to find space for some ‘speed dating’. As always, the sessions will be interactive. At these events delegates are always participants. Speakers will include Monica Berstad, Managing Director of Cruise Norway – speaking about Community Engagement, Josh Ryan-Saha, Director Travel-Tech at the Scottish Futures Institute – speaking about the evolving position of Artificial Intelligence in the world of Cruise Tourism.
To reserve your place, please contact Peter Wilson at info@cruiseforth.com.

VisitScotland Business Essentials Bitesize Webinars: How to take those first steps in climate action
2025-12-04 14:00 - 14:30
Discover the steps you should consider when developing your first climate action plans, with practical guidance on where to go when considering developing sustainability goals and targeting your emissions.
This VisitScotland Business Essentials webinar is suitable for businesses starting out in their climate plan journey.

Connecting International Agritourism
2025-12-09 09:00 - 10:00
This online meeting is another opportunity for Agritourism businesses in Scotland and Tasmania to connect to share valuable experiences and learning.
We will hear from Satellite Monitor Farmer, Lindsay Robertson, Long Islands Retreats. Lindsay and DJ Cameron who are custodians of their croft on South Uist with their young family. The agritourism business offers tours where visitors see Highland cattle, Shetland ponies, Saddleback pigs and Wild Red Deer in the beautiful island environment and specifically one of the largest machair areas in Europe. Authentic island meat boxes are sold through their Larder shop. Lindsay has worked with Travel Trade partners to build up the business through that route.
We have guest speakers, Dan and Kim Crocker from Tasmania joining us.
Dan and Kim Crocker are the founders of Fork It Farm, a boutique, pasture-based pork and regenerative farm enterprise in Lebrina, north-east Tasmania. After leaving careers in teaching and academia in Brisbane, they relocated to Tasmania to build a values-driven farm business grounded in ethical animal welfare, environmental care and true paddock-to-plate transparency.
Fork It Farm has become known for its premium Berkshire pork, raised entirely on pasture and processed on-farm through their own curing, smoking and value-added facility, ensuring provenance, quality and full control from paddock to product to plate. Alongside their award-winning farm produce, Dan and Kim now offer immersive farm picnic experiences, inviting visitors to slow down, explore the landscape and enjoy handcrafted charcuterie overlooking their pastures.

VisitScotland Business Essentials Bitesize Webinars: Taking those first steps towards inclusive
2025-12-11 14:00 - 14:30
Learn about how taking small steps toward accessibility and inclusivity can open your business to a wider audience, boost customer satisfaction, and help you stand out in a competitive market.
This VisitScotland Business Essentials webinar offers an introduction to the value of inclusive tourism.

Christmas 2025 - How did it go for sales?
2026-01-15 09:30 - 16:00 | Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop, Stirling, FK9 4UY
Three key note speakers will share how Christmas 2025 went and how they are already planning for 2026.
Christmas is one of the key opportunities for farm retailers and agritourism enterprises. Many of us are not well enough organised to benefit from this key event.
This meeting will focus on how Christmas went in 2025, when is the right time to plan for Christmas 2026 and what planning should entail.
The day will start with a business talk and tour of the Smiddy Farm Shop, Blair Drummond, by Stirling, with owner Will Muir.
Afterwards travel the short distance to Gargunnock Community Centre to hear from Monitor Farm Programme Expert in Farm Retail, Fiona Pollock, Ardoss Farm Shop and her daughter Nikki Storrar, and Will Docker, Balgove Larder, Fife.
They will provide an evaluation of how Christmas 2025 has gone including some sales analysis and discussions on footfall, sale per basket and marketing. And they will discuss how they have already started planning for Christmas 2026.
Come along and ask these larger established businesses your questions. All are welcome.

VisitScotland climate tools on the Business Support Hub
2026-01-15 14:00 - 14:30
Discover VisitScotland’s Business Support Hub Sustainability pages – showing you how to navigate resources, access climate tools, and use self-service options to develop or enhance your climate action plan.
We’ll walk you through the VisitScotland Climate Action Plan and create a more sustainable business together.

Visit Angus and Tripadvisor
2026-01-22 14:00 - 15:00
Join Visit Angus to find out more about our current and upcoming campaign with Tripadvisor to promote Angus to a UK, US and Canada audience.
You will hear from our marketing team about our current Naturally Angus activity and Johnny O’Halloran from Tripadvisor will take us through a few practical steps to show you how your business can claim a listing on Tripadvisor, update your current listing and answer any questions you may have about listing your business.
It’s a great opportunity to hear about how you can maintain, update or create a Tripadvisor presence for your business during our campaign period to promote Angus as the perfect destination for a day trip or short break.
Should you wish to attend, please complete the short registration form at https://forms.office.com/e/5VtH5rdLSZ, and a Microsoft Teams link will be provided for you to join the session. Please note that this session will not be recorded.
This session is suitable for tourism businesses (attractions, experiences, accommodation providers and food & drink) operating in Angus.

Higher yield at quieter times: grow your tourism business
2026-01-29 10:00 - 12:30
Are you a Scottish tourism business interested in exploring different routes to market, how to create bookable experiences, boost off-season yield, and connect with the travel trade? This introductory Teams webinar is for you.
Suitable for tourism business of all sizes.

Inclusive tools on the VisitScotland Business Support Hub
2026-01-29 14:00 - 14:30
Discover our four-step process to help you develop an inclusive business by reviewing where you are currently, identifying areas for improvements and setting a plan for the future.
Our new tools will help you improve your accessibility, engage diverse audiences, and foster an inclusive culture within your business.

Adaptation & Climate Resilience in the Tourism Sector
2026-02-05 10:00 - 11:30
This webinar will examine the Heritage Tourism Sector as a case study to explore the innovations and resources emerging from this sector, what skills, resources, and learnings can be adapted for the broader tourism and events audience.
You will hear about what free tools and resources there are to support you on this journey.

Shaping Tourism Responsibly
2026-02-12 14:00 - 14:30
This webinar will explore how responsible tourism development can meet the demand for meaningful and authentic experiences, while benefitting local communities.
You will also discover how trade-ready Scottish tourism businesses that are creating positive impact for visitors can gain visibility on the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map.

Business Structures: What is best suitable to your Agritourism Business?
2026-02-20 12:00 - 13:00
Business structures. What is the best way to structure your agritourism, farm retail and farming businesses? One business or two or more?
Learn about advantages and disadvantages for tax planning, business rates, family succession and other factors with this one hour webinar hosted by Ian Craig and Alan Glen, Azets. There will be the chance to ask questions.

Make the Most of the Scottish Thistle Awards
2026-02-26 14:00 - 14:30
Join us just before entries open for the 2026 Scottish Thistle Awards and discover what makes these awards different from any other in the industry.
Learn how to showcase your excellence, what judges are really looking for, and how winning can bring real benefits to your business.

Tay Country Tourism Conference
2026-03-03 09:30 - 15:00 | Apex City Quay Hotel, 1 West Victoria Dock Road, Dundee, DD1 3JP
Join tourism and hospitality professionals from across Tayside and Fife for the Tay Country Tourism Conference 2026 taking place on Tuesday 3 March at the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee.
This is a key event designed to inspire collaboration, share insights, and drive sustainable growth across our regional tourism industry.
Programme:
08:30 Registration & Refreshments
09:30 Welcome: Caroline Warburton, Destination Development Director, VisitScotland and Alistair Heather, host for the day
09:45 ‘Capitalising on the Transformation Economy – Scotland’s Competitive Advantage’ Vicki Miller, CEO, VisitScotland
10:00 ‘The Visitor Economy – the Icelandic Way’. Jóhannes Þór Skúlason, Managing Director, Icelandic Travel Industry Association
10:25 In Conversation with Vicki Miller and Jóhannes Þór Skúlason – Alistair Heather
10:45 Short presentations from businesses across the region
11:10 Networking & Refreshments
11:30 Short presentations from businesses across the region – continued
12:30 Lunch
13:30 ‘Scotland’s Theatre in the Hills’. Dougie Cameron, Interim CEO, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
13:45 ‘Preparing your tourism business for the age of AI’. Sam Weston, Head of AI & Marketing, 80 Days
14:15 ‘Inclusive Tourism: A Lived Experience Perspective’. Carrie-Ann Lightley, Writer, Speaker and Content Creator
14:40 Final Speaker to be announced
14:50 Closing Remarks
15:00 Conference Close
You’ll also hear from innovative local businesses making a meaningful impact and enjoy valuable networking opportunities to connect with peers from across the region.
Whether you’re new to the tourism sector or an established operator, this is your chance to connect, learn, and shape the future of Tay Country tourism.

SCOTO Gathering 2026
2026-03-05 09:00 - 2026-03-06 17:00
For SCOTO’s fourth annual Gathering, we’re excited to be heading to a city location for the very first time! This year, the SCOTO Gathering will take place at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, just a short walk from Queen Street Station.
An inspiring programme is coming together, and we can’t wait to welcome both familiar faces and new networkers to join us in Glasgow. With support from Scottish Community Alliance, Glasgow Life and the Glasgow Convention Bureau, the event will showcase an inspiring range of community-led tourism initiatives from across Glasgow.
While previous Gatherings encouraged the sector to pause, reflect and reimagine, 2026 is about taking confident, coordinated steps forward.
Communities across Scotland are already leading the way in Europe – revitalising local places, building regenerative visitor experiences and demonstrating how tourism can be a force for good in local communities. What is needed now is a shared direction: a framework rooted in your experience but aligned with national ambitions.
The 2026 Gathering will bring together community organisations, social enterprises, policy leaders and partners across the tourism sector to explore how we move from ideas to developing a blue print for wider change.

Scotland's National Events Conference 2026
2026-03-09 | Technology & Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow, D1 1RD
The 2026 National Events Conference will take place on Monday 9 March at the Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow’s city centre.
Scotland’s National Events Conference is the flagship industry conference for the events sector in Scotland. It is produced for all those working to create, deliver, and support Scotland’s cultural and sporting events, and is aligned to Scotland’s National Events Strategy, Scotland The Perfect Stage (2024 – 2035).
The events and festivals sector is a significant contributor to the Scottish economy. Events enhance Scotland’s international profile and bring wide-ranging social, wellbeing, and cultural benefits. They also unite and engage our diverse communities.
The conference seeks to highlight the sector’s importance and the valuable contribution that it makes. It also provides a forum for learning (or ideas) around the opportunities and challenges that the sector faces.

Scottish Tourism Month: The Signature Conference
2026-03-10 09:00 - 16:00 | Edinburgh International Conference Centre, 150 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EE
The flagship event of Scottish Tourism Month returns for 2026.
As always, the event will bring together leading voices and experts from a broad range of sectors for a day packed with speaker presentations, panel sessions and plenty of opportunities to network with all those connected to the industry.
Whether you’re a business owner or manager, supplier, or aspiring leader, this is an unmissable event, with attendees given access to the latest insights, trends and forecasts for travel and hospitality, the economy, and policy.
As always, this event will feature our popular exhibitor hall, with the chance to meet and make connections with trusted suppliers and supporters of the industry.

Agritourism: Human Resource Masterclass
2026-03-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Cairns Farm Estate, Kirknewton, EH27 8DH
A human resources masterclass, come along and have all your HR questions answered.
We will also be focusing on how you best match your staff team to daily demand and stand down staff if demand is low.
Sophie Henderson from Greenburn HR will be joining us.
Thank you to Satellite Monitor Farmers, Caroline and Graham Hamilton for being our host.
