Dundas Castle’s resident dogs welcomed VisitScotland’s Ambassadog George to help with his tourism training

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, 2016-Jul-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The golden retrievers, Burn, Beech, and Bark, who have featured on ABC News in the US, were pleased to show the tourism ropes to George as he sets off on his new role as the official canine ambassador representing the spirit of Scotland.

As a five star venue which welcomes guests from across the globe for weddings and corporate events, Dundas Castle puts the warmth of its welcome at the top of the agenda. The Castle is the family home of Sir Jack and Lady Stewart-Clark and their three dogs, who enjoy welcoming guests to the Castle in their enthusiastic way and is all part of the charm of the venue.

Following the recent launch of a Downton inspired experience which received interest from around the world, the dogs took a starring role in an ABC News live stream broadcast to the US, showing how to live the castle lifestyle.

This was one of the Ambassadog’s first official engagements since being appointed, as he encourages visitors to get out and explore Scotland’s castles this summer. There is great choice with over 3,000 castles in Scotland, nearly one for every square mile, and many of which are dog friendly. Visitors can check the VisitScotland website for more information.

Sir Jack Stewart-Clark said:

“Many people come to Scotland for the warmth of our welcome and when guests come to stay in my home, they enjoy the enthusiasm of our golden retrievers, Burn, Beech and Bark. We pretend that they are stalwart guard dogs but the truth is they are as soft as any retrievers can be and love everybody especially children! We were delighted to welcome George to Dundas and have the opportunity to give him a few pointers on taking on this essential tourism role.”

Dundas Castle is an 18th century home featuring turrets, impressive staircases, sumptuous bedrooms and roaring fires.  Popular for weddings and corporate getaways, as well as family parties and group events, the Castle features its own 600 year old Keep, a private squash court and the spreading lawns and woods of the Estate.

George is a one year old Golden Retriever from Glasgow and was nominated for the role by his owners, twin sisters Emma and Victoria Rae. Chosen from two hundred applicants for the role of Ambassadog, George currently has 14.8k followers on his Instagram page @golden_george

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For more information contact

Svetlana Hirth / Angela Casey
Pagoda Porter Novelli
0131 556 0770Svetlana.hirth@pagodapr.com / angela.casey@pagodapr.com

Notes to Editors

  • VisitScotland launched its global Spirit of Scotland campaign in February 2016. For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
  • In Spring 2016 VisitScotland launched a search for a canine ambassador to represent the spirit of Scotland around the world. All previous press releases on the campaign can be found on http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx Tourism statistics and frequently asked questions can be found at http://www.visitscotland.org/
  • The Spirit of Scotland and Ambassadog campaign PR activity is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.
  • Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
  • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
  • The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
  • This will be supported by seven overarching strategies:
    1. Marketing: we will market Scotland and its outstanding assets to visitors from all parts of the world, including the promotion of Scotland to people living in Scotland       to visit different parts of the country
    2. Events: we will support the national events strategy and its delivery, and sustain, develop and promote Scotland’s international profile as one of the world’s foremost events destinations
    3. Internationalisation and International Engagement: we will utilise all our platforms to enable Scottish-based tourism businesses to better understand international       opportunities and market to a global audience and we will work within One       Scotland Partnerships to optimise the potential of Scotland’s Diaspora and our strategic partners at regional, European and global levels
    4. Customer Experience: we will provide information and inspiration to visitors both locally and globally via their preferred medium of choice
    5. Quality and Sustainability: we will provide support and advice to businesses, with the goal of improving the quality and sustainability of the tourism sector in Scotland. We will provide quality assurance to visitors through our Quality Schemes
    6. Inclusive Tourism: we will strive to make tourism in Scotland inclusive and available to all
    7. Working in Partnership: we will listen to and work with the industry, partners and communities to shape our offering and support
  • VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
  • The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
  • Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP.
  • The Scottish Government is the Managing Authority for the European Structural Funds 2014-20 Programme. For further information visit www.gov.scot or follow @scotgovESIF
  • For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
  • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
  • For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
  • For information about business events in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
    Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016
  • 2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design begins on 1 January 2016 and ends on 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
  • Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed creative industries sector.
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
  • Join the conversation at #IAD2016
  • Events can join the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design Partner Programme throughout the year by visiting http://www.eventscotland.org/YIAD_partner_programme

SOURCE: VisitScotland

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Dundas Castle’s resident dogs welcomed VisitScotland’s Ambassadog George to help with his tourism training

Ambassadog George at Dundas Castle