The first tourism campaign developed jointly by museums and heritage attractions across the Forth Valley was officially launched today, 4th September 2008. Called Forth’s Timeline, the initiative aims to encourage tourism by collectively promoting the area’s rich history and heritage. The project is funded by a Scottish Government grant through Museums Galleries Scotland.
This new partnership across the Forth Valley was emphasized by the meeting of three Provosts from Falkirk, Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire Councils to launch Forth’s Timeline together at Alloa Tower in Clackmannanshire. Forth’s Timeline was initiated and developed by 16 of the region’s museums, galleries and sites of historic interest, linking their exhibits and buildings together to create more impact.
During the 2008/2009 financial year, the project was awarded £134,000 from the Regional Development Challenge Fund. This £3.5 million fund is managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by Museum Galleries Scotland to develop Scotland's museum sector through local partnerships.
The participating Forth Valley visitor attractions represent many of the smaller less well known cultural attractions in the region. Together they host over 350,000 visitors a year. The project aims to raise the profile of the area’s heritage and bring additional economic benefit to the region.
The team behind the campaign believes it will attract local visitors unaware of the rich variety of culture and history found in the Forth Valley. Over the next few years, it will also target overseas and short break holidaymakers interested in exploring over 2000 years of history and tap into the Scottish Government’s Homecoming Scotland 2009 campaign.
The first phase of the campaign is already underway. A new visitor guide, website and mobile exhibition have been launched to connect the buildings and exhibits using three themes; ‘Crucible of Industry’; Power Struggles’ and ‘Landscape of Inspiration’. Each theme provides a different way to explore the Forth Valley through real lives and real stories.
Later in the year the campaign will bring new technology to the project, including video podcasts and by trialling interactive audio information for exhibits.
Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Falkirk Council's Convener of the Environment and Heritage Committee, said: "The Forth Valley area has some great museums and historic buildings - telling fantastic stories going back thousands of years. I'm delighted this new campaign has been launched. Hopefully the Forth's Timeline project will make people more aware of the amazing heritage we have in this area and encourage lots more people to pay us a visit."
Joanne Orr, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland, said: “Attractions throughout the Forth Valley have links to some of the most important events and periods in Scottish history. By supporting this project through the Regional Development Challenge Fund we are able to raise the profile of smaller exhibitions as well as promote a richer experience for visitors.”
Sinead Guerin, VisitScotland’s Regional Director, said: “The Forth Valley is an area of historical significance for Scotland with a variety of attractions. It also hosts a wealth of accommodation to suit all budgets and strong transport links to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Forth’s Timeline will provide another great reason for visitors to explore the Forth Valley and beyond. It is great to see the area’s museums, galleries and ancient monuments working together in this way. This kind of collaboration is crucial as we work towards our shared tourism industry ambition of increasing revenues from tourism by 50 per cent by 2015.”
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Web links
www.forthstimeline.net
www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/
www.falkirk.gov.uk
www.stirling.gov.uk
www.clacksweb.org.uk/
www.visitscotland.org
Photography of exhibits, museum, galleries, places of historical interest and Forth’s Timeline project shots and logos are available.
For more information about Forth's Timeline and today's launch please call Joe Walton at Matthews Marketing, 0141 419 9000, 07968022684, joe@mmarketing.org.uk.
For more information on Museums Galleries Scotland and the Regional Development Challenge Fund please contact Museums Galleries Scotland P: 0131 550 4100.
For more information on tourism in the Forth Valley please contact James Lakie, Regional Corporate Press Officer, VisitScotland. P: 0131 472 2410 E:James.lakie@visitscotland.com.
Notes to editors
The Regional Development Challenge Fund is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Museums Galleries Scotland. The Fund aims to encourage the development of partnerships at regional level across local authorities and between museums of all types and other related agencies.
The full list of visitor attractions are The Regimental Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Kilmadock Information & Heritage Centre, Clackmannanshire Tower Trail, Clackmannan Tower, Menstrie Castle, Sauchie Tower, Alloa Tower, Castle Campbell and Gardens, Dollar Museum, Tullibody Heritage Centre, Callendar House, Kinneil Museum, Grangemouth Museum, The Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, Birkhill Fireclay Mine and the University of Stirling Art Collection.
