WE’VE all seen them – glossy TV documentaries gushing about the “remote” and “wild” corners of Scotland, their presenters parachuting in and away with minimal contact with the local community. SCOTO could not be more different, a new and ambitious community tourism network that aims to help visitors transition from being simply tourists to “temporary locals”.
SCOTO was only set up in April 2022; its aim to get Scotland’s wealth of tourism-facing community groups to forge links not only with each other, but also with the private sector and on to welcoming “temporary locals” into their mix. These visitors then enjoy a richer, more engaged experience, interacting with the local community safe in the knowledge that the money they spend is going straight back into that community.
Carron Tobin is a tireless fulcrum at the heart of SCOTO. Her enthusiasm is infectious: “From a standing start SCOTO is going from strength to strength. As part of a 27-venue roadshow across Scotland starting in January, we staged the first Scottish community tourism conference in Kingussie in March, which attracted over 85 groups travelling from all corners of Scotland. The best piece of feedback we have had is that this two-day event was by far the friendliest conference one of our delegates had ever attended.”
I’ve written a series of blogs on the SCOTO members up and down Scotland, talking to each of the community groups directly. The consistent strains running through them are a passion for their local communities, a determination to improve these communities and bring opportunities – particularly for young people – whilst also welcoming in ‘temporary locals”.
The community groups emerging through SCOTO could scarcely be more eclectic, nor more geographically spread out, ranging from the Trimontium Museum in the Borders, which, as museum director Dr John Reid explained to me, helps show how “Scotland became Rome’s Afghanistan”, and the Hike & Bike Hub in Galashiels, all the way up to Scotland’s most northerly isle of Unst and Wild Skies Shetland. The latter showcases the spectacular, ever-changing island skies.
In the Highlands, a highlight is the brilliant community-owned ice rink bringing generations together in the heart of Aviemore; further east, the Cullen Voluntary Tourist Initiative are the people behind Discover Cullen.
Then back south, there is the Linlithgow Union Canal Society, who treat “temporary locals” to boat trips on the deeply historic Union Canal.
Back on the isles, the woodlands of Bute are being preserved by pioneering community group Bute Community Forest, then on Barra, the Bùth Bharraigh Community and Visitor Hub in Castlebay are doing sterling work. Across the Pentland Strait, the Orkney Natural History Society is behind the superb Stromness Museum.
Tobin herself is involved in one of the projects that surges to the heart of what SCOTO is about.
For two decades, the Callander Youth Project and Hostel (CYP) has worked to make a lasting difference to the lives of local children, young people and young adults.
“This is a project where you can see a tangible benefit,” says Tobin. “The money ‘temporary locals’ spend goes straight to help the lives of local young people. Without layers of bureaucracy and other obstructions, you can sleep soundly knowing you are making a real difference to the lives of the people of Callander.”
Russell Fraser is another SCOTO driving force and a pioneer through the landmark Loch Ness Hub. “When people walk into the Loch Ness Hub we want them to get a proper local welcome and savvy local advice,” Fraser says. “We want them to feel like ‘temporary locals’, be their first point of contact and for them to go away having had a good experience.
“This is a year-round community hub in the truest sense, bringing people together, providing employment and making everyone feel welcome.”
SCOTO is not content to sit on the hard-won laurels. It is soon launching a visitor-facing belocal.scot website and social channels, with inspiration on community-minded experiences across the country.
“These channels will be used to encourage all visitors – day trippers and holidaymakers – to unleash their inner local,” explains Tobin. “Everyone has a strong emotive attachment to their own local area – so SCOTO’s invite to everyone is to take time to be a temporary local when travelling. By spending time with the locals and understanding what makes them and their community tick, travellers will get inspiration by the bucket load – and also a real sense of how their visit can help that community be an even better place.”
I’ve now spoken to over 20 community groups through SCOTO and found a Scotland bursting with community-led energy and passion, a Scotland a world away from the invisible community “wild” and “remote” country depicted in those glossy TV documentaries.
So next time you’re looking for a holiday at home, why not become a “temporary local”?
More information on SCOTO at www.scoto.co.uk
