SEBG News Archive

A New Generation Enjoys Scotland’s Estates

29rd December 2005

A new generation of visitors is flocking to Scotland’s rural estates following a surge of interest in outdoor leisure activities and adventure sports.

While hunting, shooting and fishing remain core attractions for estate visitors, there has been an unprecedented rise in the number of people using estates for mountain biking, pony trekking, canoeing, walking and even golf.

The tweed clad visitor is still returning regularly to enjoy traditional country sports, and now they are increasingly likely to be joined mountain bikers wearing lycra shorts and fluorescent safety helmets.

The Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG), which launched an internet based initiative called “Enjoy Estates” six months ago to showcase estate attractions, has carried out research into the leisure trends on estates.

Its research shows visitors’ needs are becoming more diverse.

Some key findings are:

An increase in mountain biking and other adventure sports, e.g. Buccleuch Estates’ Drumlanrig Mountain Bike Tracks hosted two UK competitions and saw over 3500 riders use its routes in 2005.
Strong demand for walking, particularly from groups from the cities on day trips
An increased demand for fishing, with estates including Strathspey and Seafield, Atholl and Dunecht showing lets up by up between 10% and 14%.
Sustained interest in natural and built heritage attractions, e.g. Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven in Kincardineshire up 5.5% to 30,000 visitors per year.
The Estates’ findings echo VisitScotland’s most recent official figures available on rural tourism that show an increase of 100,000 visitors and £39m more spent in rural Scotland on adventure sports.

Julie Cartner, 31, a Scottish Mountain Biking Champion from Dumfries, uses the tracks at Drumlanrig, on the Duke of Buccleuch’s Queensberry Estate in Dumfriesshire.

She said: “Scottish estates have several world class bike trails, and Drumlanrig is one of them. Indeed, thanks to tracks like Drumlanrig, Scotland is one of the top five countries in the world for mountain biking. I use the tracks there regularly to hone and practice my technical skills. Although it has some technically demanding routes, it has routes for beginners and intermediates. It’s in pristine condition, which is mainly down to the Estate’s management.

“ The Estate is also helping to raise the profile of the sport and attract new riders by hosting competitions such as the recent National Points Series and Scottish Cross Country Mountain Bike Championships. The number of mountain bikers in the UK has mushroomed – there are now far more bikers than skiers – and its great to see people responding to this and providing the facilities for people to enjoy their sport.”

The Duke of Roxburghe, Chairman of SEBG, said: “Scotland’s Estates are key players in rural Scotland’s tourism industry, and as such the activities and attractions they offer reflect the diverse nature of tourism in Scotland. A glance at the Enjoy Estates website confirms this and the survey of our members shows that rural Scotland is capitalising on the growth of outdoor activities. Part of this growth is in no small part down to the way Scotland is marketing itself. Creative thinking, widespread provision of information on the internet and TV and newspaper advertising all play their parts. We seem to be getting the blend right.

“ The managed, planned and holistic approach of Scotland’s Estates allows activities such as mountain biking and heritage attractions such as castles to co-exist and prosper together.”

Heidi Cordner, active sports spokesman for VisitScotland, said: "Scotland is unique in that it can offer a huge array of adventure sports on a year round basis. Many of these sports don't have a sell by date and are sometimes even better in the winter months. Mountain bikers are lucky enough to have a full calendar year in which to hone their skills.

“ The target market for an activity holiday is the 20-40 year olds who are looking for different experiences, not just the typical beach holiday and Scotland’s rural activity providers are doing an excellent job of providing this for them. Many providers are now working hand in hand with the activity industry realising the potential of this lucrative market.”

Despite the change in land usage and doom-laden predictions of a disastrous grouse season, country sports are still very much a major factor in rural tourism.

Frank Law, Sporting Manager of Strathspey and Seafield Estates, said: “We have people coming back year after year to enjoy traditional country sports such as fishing and shooting. We offer a high quality service and Scotland offers world class sport. People know there are going to be years that are not so good but they keep returning because of the overall quality.

“There is also clear evidence of other types of visitors, people who seeking leisure activities. They can find out so much more about estates now in their areas and everywhere is much easier to get to.”

Notes to editors

Pictures of Julie Cartner, champion mountain biker, on the tracks on Queensberry Estate are being distributed by Centre Press Agency / 2dayUK Images, tel: 0141 774 6969. They will also be available from noon on 29 December from: www.mediahouse.co.uk where they can be downloaded free of charge from the Picture Gallery.

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. It 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, leisure facilities, areas of natural beauty, areas of historical interest and where to find local arts and crafts and 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.

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.

For further information contact:
Ramsay Smith at Media House on 0141 226 3700/07788414856 or Polly McPherson at SEBG on 07810891831

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