A NEW campaign to promote visitor attractions in Bo’ness – and other parts of Forth Valley – was launched this week.
Forth’s Timeline aims to target overseas and short break holidaymakers, interested in exploring more than 2000 years of history.
The new campaign features Kinneil Museum, the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway and the Birkhill Clay Mine – as well as other museums, galleries and historic buildings. Backers of the scheme hope it will significantly boost visitor numbers to local attractions in the year ahead.
The campaign is using a new website www.forthstimeline.net , a new brochure and a promotional bus tour to spread its message.
Falkirk Council is leading the Forth’s Timeline campaign in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council and the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Museums Galleries Scotland is supporting the project through the Regional Development Challenge Fund, funded by the Scottish Government. VisitScotland is also backing the campaign.
Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Falkirk Council’s Convener of the Environment and Heritage Committee, said: “The Bo’ness 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 fantastic heritage we have in this area and encourage lots more people to pay a visit.”
Joanne Orr, the chief executive 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.”
Forth’s Timeline focuses on the following attractions: 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 Garden, 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.
Kinneil 