VisitScotland: new film launches to inspire families and young people to explore Midlothian and the Scottish Borders

EDINBURGH, Scotland, 2018-Jul-25 — /Travel PR News/ — A new film with a retro video-game twist will inspire families and young people to explore Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, according to VisitScotland.

Game On! Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, a collaborative content project between the two regions, takes visitors on a journey through some of the top attractions and activities in both areas while playing on the familiar conventions of many classic games. The project was delivered by the national tourism organisation as part of their marketing activity with Midlothian and Scottish Borders Councils.

Developed by Whitespace and filmed by HeeHaw productions, the video features the likes of Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Rosslyn Chapel, 7stanes Glentress and Born in the Borders. These attractions are accompanied by point-of-view shots, collectable trinkets and the iconic 8-bit music synonymous with games like Super Mario Bros and Zelda.

VisitScotland have also produced a supporting blog which features the film and details 25 activities for families and young people across the two regions. The national tourism organisation believes this innovative and engaging content will encourage visitors to choose Midlothian and the Scottish Borders for their next Scottish break or day out.

The project is particularly apt as Scotland celebrates the Year of Young People 2018. The latest of the Scottish Government’s series of themed years, it looks to inspire Scotland through its young people aged 8 to 26, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally.

Neil Christison, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “With beautiful scenery, remarkable history and world class attractions, both Midlothian and the Borders have so much to offer. This wonderful new content showcases some of each region’s best attributes, while also giving us a nostalgic reminder of the video games we’ve always loved.

“It’s been great to work with both Midlothian and the Scottish Borders Council on this exciting project. VisitScotland champions collaboration and spearheads digital innovation to promote local areas and ensure they experience the benefits tourism brings.”

Councillor Russell Imrie, Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Tourism, said: “This new film demonstrates an innovative approach to tourism promotion, showcasing a range of exciting family attractions across the region. By working in partnership with VisitScotland and Scottish Borders, we expect to attract many more first time and return visitors to Midlothian, with its stunning locations, fascinating heritage and so much for all the family to see and do.”

Councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Business and Economic Development, said: “This innovative marketing campaign will particularly appeal to young families, especially those where the parents grew up playing classic video games.

“The Scottish Borders has so much to offer visitors, especially those looking for fun and adventure and to explore. This campaign highlights many of the Borders great attractions, activities and experiences that can be enjoyed in our castles, towns, countryside and coast.”

To view the video go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN2FWVXnnW8

To read VisitScotland’s blog go to www.visitscotland.com/gameon

The full list of attractions and activities featured in the video and blog are:

Born in the Borders

Midlothian Snowsports Centre

Ryze Trampoline Park

Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World

Abbotsford

Rosslyn Chapel

Traquair

Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum

7stanes Glentress

Edinburgh Combat Challenge

Go Ape! Peebles

Roslin Glen

Vogrie

Dalkeith Country Park

Lasswade Stables

St Vedas Surf School

Eyemouth RIB Trips

Gunsgreen House

Dalhousie Castle Falconry

National Mining Museum Scotland

Crichton Castle

Ryze Adventure Park

Thirlestane Castle

Floors Castle

Dawyck Botanic Garden

Kailzie Gardens

Rock UK Whithaugh Park

Rolling Haggis

Beirhope Farm

Notes to Editors

• 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 five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.

• 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
• 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 tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com

2018 Year of Young People

• The Year of Young People (YoYP 2018) will inspire Scotland through its young people aged 8 to 26, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally
• Central to YoYP 2018 will be a celebratory events programme that puts young people at the heart of its development and delivery, creating new and valuable experiences for young Scots and the wider public, with links to the inaugural 2018 European Championships.
• Over 200 young people throughout Scotland are currently being recruited to become YoYP 2018 Ambassadors. Ambassadors will ensure that people and organisations in their communities know about what’s happening and will lead on projects and activities to create events and opportunities to celebrate young people.
• The Year of Young People will have six themes which were developed in co-production with young people themselves:
• Participation – looking at how young people can influence public services and decisions which affect their lives
• Education – creating a stronger role for young people in shaping their learning
• Health and Wellbeing – supporting young people to lead healthier, active lives and have opportunities to learn about and improve their mental health and resilience
• Equality and Discrimination – broadcasting the value of young Scots, challenging negative perceptions of young people, and supporting young people to take leading roles in challenging discrimination in all its forms.
• Enterprise and regeneration – celebrating young people’s role in innovation, entrepreneurship and the Scottish economy as well as making Scotland a greener and more pleasant place to live
• Culture – celebrating young people’s talent and contribution to Scottish culture and arts.
• Further information on what’s happening and how people can get involved can be found on the new website www.yoyp2018.scot or @YOYP2018 on Twitter.

Contact:
Grant Anderson
Corporate Press Officer – Regional
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Argyll and the Isles, Falkirk, Stirlingshire
grant.anderson@visitscotland.com
0131 472 2416
Out of hours – 0131 472 2324

Source: VisitScotland

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