Farewell Lord Thurso

VisitScotland is one of the organisations I've been most proud to be part of. I’ve had the honour of being in this position for eight years, one of our longest serving Chairs.

I started during a period of buoyant optimism. We’d had the winning years and a host of major events – Scotland was firmly competing on the global stage and our reputation was unimpeachable.

In my first few years, I had the pleasure of discovering huge swathes of Scotland that I had never seen before. Meeting the people at the heart of this valuable and vibrant industry. I was able to learn, understand and sometimes even experience, at every corner of the country, the things that draw visitors from across the globe.

Of course, as is well documented, the events of 2020 would lead to one the most challenging periods of tourism in living memory. But in this time of great adversity, I have often been reminded of the grit, determination, and resilience of Scottish tourism. In the wider industry, I was touched by examples of innovation, dedication, and camaraderie to rebuild and grow, attitudes that continue to this day despite new economic and regulatory challenges.

The road to recovery has not been easy but the end destination remains the same; Scotland is a leader in 21st Century tourism with a thriving, responsible visitor economy.