Tourism and events partner updates

Applications open for 2026 Legacy Scholarship for Scottish chefs

Are you an ambitious chef looking for professional development, or perhaps your business has a standout chef as part of your team? Then the 2026 Legacy Scholarship from Scotland Food & Drink in partnership with HIT Scotland, represents a fantastic opportunity.

Launched in 2025 to celebrate the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland taking place in Scotland for the first time, the scholarship saw inaugural winner Fraser Cameron, Head Chef at The Globe Inn, undertake a unique five-day stage at The Ritz London, led by Executive Chef John Williams MBE. 

This year, the scholarship gives the winning chef the opportunity to learn from one of the world's leading hospitality settings, The Dorchester, in London, working under Culinary Director, Martyn Nail.

Applications are now open to chefs working in Scotland with at least five years’ full-time experience in a professional kitchen, with entries closing at midnight on Sunday 17 May 2026. 

Find out more and apply on the HIT Scotland website.

Are you ready for employment and tax regulation changes in 2026?

As a result of major UK-wide reforms to employment law and the tax reporting system there will be a number of regulatory changes affecting Scottish businesses between 2026 and 2027.

Two key developments that will bring new requirements are:

• Employment Rights Bill (now the Employment Rights Act 2025)
• Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA)

Changes will impact staffing, payroll, record-keeping, and compliance practices.

Business Gateway have published an overview of the key changes, timelines of when they come into effect and recommended actions for businesses to take.

Find out more about the changes and how they may impact your business on the Business Gateway website.

Take part in HIE’s Gaelic research

Are you a business, social enterprise, community group, or Gaelic organisation in Scotland currently using Gaelic in your day-to-day activities? If so, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are calling on your help to take their Gaelic research survey.

The survey explores the importance of Gaelic language and culture to your business and the economic, social and community benefits of using Gaelic in business.

Your participation and insights will play a vital role in shaping policies and guiding investment decisions that support the language and the communities it relies on. They will also help inform decision‑making at national and local levels, ensuring that the future of Gaelic is informed by those who use it every day.

The survey is part of the recently launched ‘Ar Cànan Ar Cultar Ar Beartas (Our language Our Culture Our Prosperity) – new research designed to deepen understanding of the economic, social and cultural contribution of Gaelic across Scotland. The research has been commissioned by HIE in partnership with Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, VisitScotland and Skills Development Scotland.

This survey project is expected to end in September 2026.

Find out more and take the survey on HIE’s website.

Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2026 – entries close soon!

Entries for The Excellence Awards 2026 must be submitted by Wednesday 6 May 2026.

These awards give businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and celebrate the fantastic achievements of their teams.

For 2026, The Excellence Awards have a refreshed category offering, enhancing the opportunity for more Scottish food and drink businesses than ever to take part.

Award categories include the Food Tourism Business of the Year – recognising businesses that demonstrate excellence in delivering food or drink experiences.

Entries are £50 (+VAT) per entry for Scotland Food & Drink members (applicable tiers) and £80 (+VAT) per entry for non-members.

The awards will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow on Thursday, 24 September 2026.

Find out more and enter on the Scotland Food & Drink website.

Check out the Business Gateway Support Tool

Business Gateway have refreshed their website and created one simple Business Support tool making it easier to find the general support and resources you need.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to take the next steps, the Business Support Tool helps you build a personalised dashboard, tailored to your business needs.

Get started with Business Gateway's Business Support Tool.

Have your say – Edinburgh Tourism Business Survey

The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting Edinburgh’s tourism businesses to take part in its latest survey.

This survey will provide the Council with vital feedback on business performance over the past year and expectations for 2026. Crucially, it’s also your chance to share your views on how the Council can continue to support Edinburgh’s tourism sector.

The survey is being carried out on behalf of the Council by the JRS Research Consortium, in full compliance with Market Research Society guidelines. Your responses will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be attributed directly to you or your business.

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and will be open until Sunday 15 March 2026.

Take the survey

The Enchanted Forest Community Fund opens for 2026

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the charitable organisation behind The Enchanted Forest sound and light show, has opened applications for its 2026 Community Fund, inviting charities and community organisations (CICs) across Highland Perthshire to apply for vital funding. 

Since launching in 2015, the Fund has reinvested more than £522,000 into the Highland Perthshire area, supporting over 185 local charities, community groups, projects and transforming the success of one of Scotland’s best-known cultural events into a lasting community legacy. 

Applications are now open to registered charities and community interest companies (CICs) based or operating in Highland Perthshire with organisations able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects that make a tangible difference to people’s lives.

Completed applications must be submitted by 27 March 2026, with successful applicants announced on 30 April 2026.  

Application forms are available to download at Enchanted Forest website.

Global Agritourism Conference – book now

Scottish Agritourism is looking forward to welcoming an anticipated 1000 delegates, from all over the world, for the inaugural Global Agritourism Conference three-day conference in Aberdeen.

A packed schedule will provide an opportunity for:

•    inspiration from keynote speakers
•    sharing learnings and experiences
•    networking and business development 
•    new knowledge and insights about the sector from across the globe

The conference will be held on 23-25 June 2026 at P&J Live, Aberdeen.

Find out more and book your tickets on the Global Agritourism Conference website.

Be part of Edinburgh’s Resident Days initiative in 2026

Following on from the success of Residents Days in 2025, Forever Edinburgh are again calling on venues, attractions and experience providers to get involved in Resident Days, an opportunity for residents with an EH postcode to enjoy free or discounted access to local leisure and hospitality experiences on specific days.

Proposed Resident Days for 2026 are:

• World Heritage Day (Saturday 18 April 2026)
• World Tourism Day (Saturday 27 September 2026)
• Silver Sunday (Sunday 4 October 2026)
• World Children’s Day (Friday 20 November 2026)

You can choose to take part in one, some, or all; and as a participating partner, you will benefit from Forever Edinburgh’s supporting marketing campaign.

Find out more and get involved on the Forever Edinburgh website.

VisitAberdeenshire snap business survey

With spring just around the corner VisitAberdeenshire is gathering insights from local tourism businesses to help inform their plans and actions during the year ahead.

The survey is anonymous and should take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Businesses are asked to take the survey by Monday 16 February.

Take the survey

Get involved in #SpringCleanScotland

With a recent Keep Scotland Beautiful survey showing that 73% of people agree that litter damages the reputation of their local area among tourists, this is your  annual opportunity for you and your business to join thousands of volunteers in a country-wide effort to clean up our environment.

Keep Scotland Beautiful’s #SpringCleanScotland 2026 runs from 13 March – 24 April 2026.

You can find information about events happening near you, contact details for hubs that can lend you equipment, and information on how to register your picks by visiting the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.

ETAG Business Briefing: Edinburgh’s Potential Among Scots in 2026

Join Edinburgh Tourism Action Group to hear from 56 Degree Insight, a leading travel and tourism research agency, on the latest travel habits of the Scottish market.

Gain valuable insights into the Scottish travel market’s preferences, behaviours, and needs, to make informed decisions on your marketing and offering.

This online event will take place on Wednesday 25 February, 11:30am-12:30pm.

Find out more and book your place on the ETAG website.

Tay Country Tourism Conference

Join tourism and hospitality professionals from across Tayside and Fife for this key event, designed to inspire collaboration, share insights, and drive sustainable growth across the region’s tourism industry.

The conference is jointly delivered between VisitScotland and four local authority areas – Angus, Dundee, Fife, and Perth and Kinross.

A packed agenda will include:

• insights from industry leaders, including Vicki Miller, CEO of VisitScotland
• expert speakers on topics such as artificial intelligence and inclusive tourism
• presentations from innovative local businesses
• networking opportunities

Whether you're new to the tourism sector or an established operator, this is your chance to connect, learn, and shape the future of Tay Country tourism. 

The conference will take place on Tuesday, 3 March, 9:30-15:00, at the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee. Tickets cost £30 (plus £3 booking fee).

Find out more and register at the Dundee City Region Convention Bureau website.

Showcasing Scotland Regional

Formally known as Sourcing Scotland, Showcasing Scotland Regional, is a national event designed by Scotland Food & Drink. 

The aim of the event is to grow sales of Scottish produce by bringing together buyers and suppliers from across Scotland to do business across the retail, wholesale, hospitality, and independent sectors.

The day will offer

• 1-2-1 meetings
• an open marketplace
• a networking lunch

This event will take place at Perth Concert Hall  30 April.

Supplier applications must be received by 5pm on 18 February.

Find more details on the Showcasing Scotland Regional website.

Calling on the Scottish food and drink sector

The Scotland Food & Drink Partnership is enhancing the support available to businesses within the sector that are seeking funding.

As part of this, they are keen to hear from those who are currently exploring, or intend to pursue, funding opportunities within the next 12 months.

To help understand the sector’s unique funding requirements they ask that you complete a short survey. Responses will allow the development of relevant support, the sharing of suitable funding opportunities, and facilitate connections with appropriate programmes, partners or resources.

Complete the survey

December updates

Climate Springboard – kick-start your net zero journey with HIE

Highland and Islands Enterprise are inviting small and medium sized businesses from across the region to apply for their Climate Springboard programme.

This is a free six-week support programme being run on behalf of HIE by Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, to help you understand, plan, and act on climate change.

You’ll finish the programme with: 

• a compliant carbon footprint
• a clear, achievable net zero action plan
• a tailored to-do list of quick wins to lower emissions and costs
• a resource pack containing step-by-step guides
• access to a growing network of over 275 organisations on similar journeys

Find out more and apply for the programme on the HIE website.

November updates

Scottish Thistle Awards – the winners are crowned!

The excellence and innovation of Scotland’s tourism industry was celebrated at the Scottish Thistle Awards final on Thursday 20 November.

An amazing evening saw outstanding businesses, events and individuals from across the country recognised and the award winners announced.

Find out about the winners from across all the award categories.

Tay Country Toolkit for group operators 

If you are a coach operator or group organiser planning a visit to Tay Country, then check out Scotland’s Tay Country Group Operator Toolkit. 

This free resource offers insights and practical guidance for planning group experiences in Angus, Fife, Perthshire, and the city of Dundee. 

The toolkit includes: 

• coach friendly destinations
• parking and driver facility locations 
• group friendly attractions and accommodation 
• seasonality and event information 
• key contacts and resources 

Find out more and download the toolkit from the Scotland’s Tay County website. 

AI Adoption support for SMEs

As part of the National AI Adoption Programme, funded by The Scottish Government, The Data Lab is delivering fully funded support to help Scottish SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and social enterprises explore how AI can improve productivity, drive innovation, and support sustainable growth.

Support opportunities include:

• courses, practical workshops and events
• hands-on AI project support
• grant support for using AI in your business

The programme will run until 31 March 2026.

Find out more about the AI support available to you on The Data Lab website.

Back Burn restoration project at Coul Den

A major restoration project led by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) has returned a 700-metre section of the Back Burn at Coul Den reservoir, Glenrothes, to its natural course, improving biodiversity and enhancing access for local communities.

Working with Fife Council and SEPA, the project has removed old man-made structures and created a more natural channel with rock ramps, step pools and new planting to support fish and habitat recovery. Footpaths have been improved, with a new bridge and boardwalk allowing the burn to flow naturally while maintaining access.

This work forms part of a wider programme that will ultimately restore 5.8km of watercourses, with further restoration on the Back Burn through Balbirnie Estate scheduled for 2026.

This project is a strong example of responsible tourism in action. It shows how restoring natural habitats and improving access can benefit visitors, communities and the environment. It’s a useful model for:

• enhancing biodiversity
• improving visitor experiences
• supporting community wellbeing
• delivering sustainability through partnership

Find out more about the Back Burn River Restoration Project on the FCCT website.

October updates

Help empower Scotland’s young talent with Career Ready

Join over 300 organisations across Scotland already working with Career Ready to connect with and inspire young people – while gaining real business value.

By providing a mentor and a paid summer 2026 internship, your organisation can:

• open doors for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds
• invest in Scotland’s future workforce by building skills and confidence
• grow your own team through meaningful mentoring experiences
• showcase your organisation and the variety of careers it offers

A small commitment can make a big difference with 98.6% of Career Ready students go on to positive post-school destinations. There is a particular demand for mentors in Dundee this year.

Find out more including information on how to apply on the Career Ready website.

Scotland Loves Local Gift Card

The Scotland Loves Local campaign has launched a dedicated consumer page and gift card site. It encourages people to spend locally and support businesses within their communities. Each prepaid Mastercard-based card is tied to a specific local authority area and can be spent only in participating local businesses – keeping money circulating in the local economy. In short, it's great way to give your business and local High Street a much-needed boost.

Businesses can sign up free of charge to accept the card, provided they have a Mastercard-compatible payment terminal. The newly updated Business FAQs explain how the scheme works and how to get involved.

Learn more at the Scotland Loves Gift Card FAQ page.

Find about more about the campaign on our Scotland Loves Local page.

September updates

Scottish Food & Drink September is back!

This September sees the return of Scotland Food & Drink’s month-long celebration of the sector’s people, products and produce.

The theme this year is innovation – showcasing all that is new and dynamic across Scotland’s food and drink businesses, whether that be exciting new products or cutting-edge sustainable processes.

Businesses can get involved by downloading the Scotland Food & Drink campaign toolkit containing ideas to inspire, as well as logos and assets you can use on your channels.

Find out more and download the toolkit from the Scotland Food & Drink website.

Digital support for Highland tourism operators

Highland and Islands Enterprise are offering tourism businesses in the Highland council area the opportunity to receive up to three days of free, personalised, one-to-one digital advice from industry experts.

Delivered through the Northern Innovation Hub, eligible businesses can receive guidance with selecting and implementing digital solutions designed to support their organisation’s growth. 

Find more details including how to apply on the HIE website.

August updates

Edinburgh Visitor Levy – accommodation guidance

Understand your responsibilities as an accommodation provider under Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy scheme, with newly published guidance from the City of Edinburgh Council’s visitor levy team.

Find out more and read the information on the City of Edinburgh Council's website.

Get the latest news from VisitAberdeenshire

VisitAberdeenshire’s industry newsletters are packed full of great information for tourism businesses across Aberdeenshire and the city of Aberdeen.

The August edition features their 2024/25 Impact Report, details of how to list your business on their new website, information on marketing campaigns, upcoming events and more.

You can read the August newsletter and sign up for future editions on the VisitAberdeenshire website.

July updates

Caravan park security awareness

In light of increased caravan thefts in recent weeks, Police Scotland are reminding camping and caravan parks to be vigilant this summer and consider the security measures they have in place.

Find information and top tips on caravan security on the Secured by Design website.

Scotland’s berries

Scotland Food & Drink have launched a new Berries of Scotland campaign to raise awareness of the heritage and importance of our berry sector. The campaign runs for four months and there is a toolkit available with assets including logos, leaflets, banners and social media imagery.

Find out more about the Berries of Scotland campaign and download the toolkit.

June updates

Water safety - raising awareness amongst your customers

Water Safety Scotland are calling upon tourism businesses and events to raise awareness of the risks around water.

Scotland is renowned for its beaches, shorelines, lochs and rivers, and while they are beautiful places to enjoy, they can present very real dangers.

Download a Water Safety Code poster from Water Safety Scotland to display in public customer areas, eg in bedrooms as part of guest information packs, or on notice boards or display counters.

The poster is free and available in English, Chinese, French, German, Gaelic, Polish, Punjabi and Ukrainian.

Print or download a copy from the Water Safety Scotland website and help make sure our visitors enjoy Scotland’s waters safely.

Regional Food Fund – successful applicants announced

Covering a range of food and drink initiatives across Scotland, successful applicants to the Regional Food Fund are set to benefit from grants of up to £5,000 in 2025/26.

Delivered by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership and supported by the Scottish Government, the Regional Food Fund aims to provide support for small-scale regional and collaborative projects across the country. 

The latest funding recipients include a food and drink festival in the Outer Hebrides, a virtual farmers’ market for Argyll & The Isles and the promotion of Scotland’s artisanal cheeses.

Find out more about the Regional Food Fund 2025/26 projects.

Be aware – VisitScotland scam email

Some businesses have been in touch with us to flag scam emails claiming to be selling a VisitScotland distribution / member list.

We are not working with any other organisation to contact you on our behalf and our distribution / member list has not been made available to purchase.

Should you be contacted by a third party - or if you are unsure whether the person who has contacted you works for VisitScotland - please get in touch by emailing business.support@visitscotland.com and we'll confirm whether the communication is from us.

Tips from Police Scotland

Police Scotland has a host of advice and information related to scams and fraud which may assist you in identifying false approaches:

• be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly
• don’t assume it’s real – professional-looking websites, adverts or social media posts don’t always mean that an opportunity is genuine
• criminals can use the names of well-known brands or individuals to make their scams appear legitimate
• don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision – a genuine organisation won’t force you to part with your money
• avoid uninvited investment offers, especially those over cold calls

Find more advice for businesses at the Police Scotland website.

May updates

New visitor marketing campaign for Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council’s destination marketing team Forever Edinburgh have launched their new visitor marketing campaign for the city.

Stay Different will promote longer stays, off-peak and winter visits, as well as the lesser known attractions of Edinburgh.

This is a three year campaign aiming to support a more balanced and sustainable visitor economy by focusing on getting visitors to experience Edinburgh in a mindful and sustainable way.

A Stay Different microsite went live on Wednesday, 28th June 2025: www.edinburgh.org/staydifferent

USA tariffs guidance

With the recent introduction of trade tariffs, Find Business Support have put together a variety of resources to help Scottish businesses prepare and respond to the challenges created by these changes. They have also collated official news and updates on the subject.

Find useful resources and updates on USA trade tariffs on Find Business Support.

Drive on the Left – road safety campaign

With the peak tourist season approaching the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have once again launched their ‘Drive on the Left’ campaign to remind visitors of the need to drive on the left on Scotland’s roads.

Businesses can help deliver the message to visitors by distributing a range of ‘Drive on the Left’ campaign materials, including:

• wristbands
• leaflets / posters with QR codes
• videos

Drive on the Left campaign assets are available from Road Safety Scotland.

Get ready for the European Accessibility Act

From 28 June 2025 the Euopean Accessibility Act (EAA) will apply for any business that trades in the EU, including UK based organisations providing products and services to consumers in the EU.

It applies to any business with at least 10 staff and a turnover above €2 million.

It’s aim is to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to products and services, including those sold online. It could for example, apply to a tourism business selling accommodation on their website, or the online sale of tickets for a visitor experience.

Find information on preparing for the EAA on the Business Disability Forum, or take a look at AbilityNet's free five-step EAA-Readiness Guide.

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Resources are available to help you spread the word to your customers throughout May, which is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Materials highlight the preventative measures that can be taken to avoid tick bites and provide advice on what to do if bitten.

Find a range of stakeholder assets on lyme disease for your marketing channels from the Scottish Government.

Scottish Enterprise launch a new export assessment tool

The Scottish Enterprise export assessment tool is aimed at Scottish businesses that are completely new to exporting, or those already exporting that want to target new markets, export new products, or make changes to their approach. The tool is available online and it’s completely free to use.

It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and provides a detailed export progress report of where the business is in their export journey, what the next steps should be, and what support is available to them.

Find out more about Scottish Enterprise’s digital export assessment tool.

April updates

New quality scheme

ASVA’s new quality scheme is now open to all attractions, activities and experience providers with prices starting from £250. The scheme is not-for-profit and owned and overseen by the businesses themselves, so its tailored specifically to your needs. There is also specific training and services to support the scheme. Any business can sign up but there are additional benefits for ASVA members.

Find out more on ASVA's quality scheme.

Edinburgh launches new accessibility guide for the city

Forever Edinburgh has launched the Edinburgh: Accessible Highlights Guide in partnership with award-winning Edinburgh-based disabled access charity, Euan’s Guide.

The guide highlights leading attractions, experiences and events across the city that are providing facilities, products and services for those with accessibility requirements.

If your business or event is interested in featuring in future editions of the guide, then please email Forever Edinburgh to find out more.

Wildfire advice

Everyone is advised to be aware of a wildfire risk this spring in Scotland. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have created a toolkit to help you share this key message with your customers in-person and through your marketing materials.

Wildfire Campaign Toolkit 2025

Martyn’s Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law) received Royal Assent on Thursday 3 April. It will introduce new regulations to ensure venues and events are better prepared, protected and ready to respond in the event of a future terrorist attack. There will be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the act comes into force.

UK Government website factsheet