SEBG News Archive
Bellamy Invites All to Enjoy Estates
25th May 2005Leading environmentalist Dr David Bellamy today (Wednesday May 25) joined forces with the Duke of Buccleuch to launch Enjoy Estates (www.enjoyestates.org), a new internet initiative which showcases Scottish rural Estates and promotes their public facilities and attractions.
The Enjoy Estates initiative has been created by the Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG) and is the first website of its kind dedicated wholly to promoting Estates.
Dr Bellamy and the Duke launched the event at Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire with schoolchildren from Thornhill Primary School.
Dr Bellamy said: “This is a tremendous scheme, and one which I wholeheartedly endorse. The Estates involved are custodians of large parts of Scotland’s visual, cultural and environmental heritage and do a vitally important job in ensuring this wonderful rural backdrop is kept in pristine condition
“With so many pressures on our rural communities and wild landscapes, it is important that we have organisations that take a holistic view of the land and balance the priorities of residents and visitors. This approach is vital in maintaining and protecting Scotland’s environment for the long term. I encourage everyone with an interest in Scotland to access the website and visit the attractions Estates offer.”
The Enjoy Estates website allows users to browse Scotland by Estate or by the attractions and activities they offer, giving help on planning journeys and offering ideas for visitors. As well as featuring established attractions such as Blair Castle, Scone Palace and Drumlanrig, the Enjoy Estates website suggests walks, areas of natural beauty, areas of historical interest and where to find local arts and crafts.
The Duke of Buccleuch said: “In the past Estates were perceived as places with which the public did not connect easily. The reality is that they offer a wealth of attractions, activities and services to a wide range of visitors and they are here to be enjoyed by us all.
“The Estates have changed with their environments and are constantly seeking ways to enhance the areas they inhabit through diversification across all of their activities.
“Scottish Estates play a significant role in Scotland’s tourism industry. This initiative seeks to harness the individual efforts of each Estate and the Enjoy Estates website is very useful aid for visitors or local people planning a day out.”
The Enjoy Estates website can be accessed at www.enjoyestates.org . Users can plan their visits to Estates across Scotland, using the interactive map with which they can browse by area, Estate or activity.
Pictures from the event are being distributed by Centre Press Agency, 0141 332 8888. They will also be available this afternoon on our website, www.mediahouse.co.uk, where they can be downloaded free of charge from our Picture Gallery. Pictures can also be downloaded for publication from the Free Section of www.2dayukimages.com.
For further information contact:
Ramsay Smith at Media House on 0141 226 3700/07788 414856
Notes to editors
The Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG) represents a group of progressive
land-based estates with significant agricultural and rural business
interests. It aims to promote a modern business approach in the management
of Scotland's land resource in ways which deliver social, economic
and environmental benefits. The Group seeks to secure a sustainable
and prosperous future for rural areas and its members work hard across
Scotland to stimulate enterprise and economic development.
