Date :
29/10/2013
For two weeks in September, they’re going to party like it’s 1964. They’ve been planning this one for a while. It is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Forth Road Bridge, after all. This is one of Homecoming Scotland’s “Signature Events” – the highest profile happenings around Scotland in 2014.
Like every event that’s recognised by Homecoming, there’s a part for everyone to play. The Festival is organised between the road bridge company – the Forth Estuary Transport Authority – and the local business association, Queensferry Ambition, and local authorities on either side of the crossing.
“The Festival really does have something for everyone – business, the wider community, and of course for the thousands of visitors who will help make this a really special time,” says Malcolm Brown, Chair of Queensferry Ambition, whose members are all contributing to the celebrations, and all stand to benefit from the 100,000 or so expected visitors.
“The programme of events makes full use of our surroundings both on land and water and will help ensure a real feel-good factor for the area. I am particularly excited about ‘Scotland Welcomes the World to Lunch’, when we will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest sit-down outdoor lunch. Scottish hospitality at its very best!”
The lasting legacy of course, is significantly-raised awareness for attractions and businesses around the Festival. Places like Hopetoun House, the Hawes Inn, Deep Sea World, and North Queensferry Heritage Trust all stand to gain immediately and in years to come.
Scotland’s Tourism Minister, Fergus Ewing believes the Festival is at the heart of Homecoming Scotland 2014 and will help in “extending the benefits and opportunities offered by the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup by celebrating some of Scotland’s greatest assets”.
There are events like this planned all over Scotland. In April, from East Lothian to Dumbartonshire, John Muir, popularly known as the father of natural conservation, will be commemorated in a Festival and long distance pathway that bears his name - details here.
You can get involved, help yourself and help events be a success, by collaborating with organisers to make sure visitors have the benefit of your business too.