Visit Scotland in 2012 for a creative bonanza

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Year-round festivals and events, prize-winning art, architecture and design, world-renowned literature, contemporary music and unique arts and crafts are just some of the creative experiences that visitors can expect when they visit Scotland in 2012, the Year of Creative Scotland.

Scotland’s cities offer vibrant, festival experiences against beautiful, UNESCO World Heritage backdrops; Edinburgh for literature and Glasgow for music. Add to that a rich variety of museums, galleries, artisan shopping experiences and a thriving culinary scene and any visitor seeking the buzz of a city vacation will be spoilt for choice.

This year alone, we’ve opened the doors to five spectacular cultural attractions – the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, The Royal Palace at Stirling Castle, the Riverside Museum in Glasgow and Edinburgh’s newly transformed National Museum of Scotland and the National Portrait Gallery which reopens this week.

For those looking to explore further afield, Scotland offers creative activities and events all around the country. Indulge creative instincts in Dumfries & Galloway, where the stunning light of the Solway Coast has inspired generations of painters, or perhaps head for the beautiful Isle of Harris, where the local textile, Harris Tweed has been woven for centuries, in colours inspired by the land.

Launching the Year of Creative Scotland 2012 to a US audience in celebrations of St Andrew’s Day, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said:

“Scotland is a dynamic and creative nation, rich in heritage with a wealth of world-class cultural events that draw visitors from across the globe, year round. The Year of Creative Scotland is a chance to spotlight and celebrate Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on the world stage.

“There will be an exciting and imaginative programme of special events taking place throughout 2012, covering everything from music, drama and dance, to art, textiles and literature, all designed to appeal to young and old alike. This, coupled with our already vibrant cultural calendar filled with world renowned festivals and top visitor attractions – like Edinburgh Castle or the newly transformed Royal Palace at Stirling Palace and the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh – will offer something for all visitors to enjoy, year round.”

Look out for Year of Creative Scotland events programme at www.cometoscotland.com/year-of-creative.