Stunning bird’s-eye video guides to Scottish marinas and sailing grounds

Sail Scotland has launched a new series of aerial video guides showcasing Scottish marinas, anchorages, and adventures, encouraging people to explore by boat and stay in unique new destinations.

The video guides offer a bird’s-eye view of the approach to each destination, with drone footage showcasing sweeping backdrops of Scotland’s sailing grounds, dramatic coastal landscapes, and extraordinary islands.

The aerial footage provides visuals of the facilities available at each destination, from fuel berths, toilets and slipways to laundries and chandleries. In addition, each video includes onward links to trip-planning features on Sail Scotland’s website including extensive listings, from sail or cruise trips and boating experiences to yacht charters, boatyards, and marinas.

Viewers are encouraged to share their own photographs and celebrate their own unforgettable moments and unique experiences of sailing and cruising in Scotland, by answering the key campaign phrase: “I sail Scotland because –”.

The activity will also link with Scotland’s themed year for 2022, Scotland’s Year of Stories. The aim is to encourage an exchange of stories and opportunities for connection, while providing inspiration for future visits.

The campaign target was created with assistance from the Scottish Government’s Tourism Destination & Sector Marketing Fund. The fund is delivered by VisitScotland as part of a national covid recovery plan.

Alan Rankin, chief executive of Sail Scotland, says: “Collaboration with destinations along Scotland’s coasts, islands and canals is a key focus for Sail Scotland, and we want to connect the sailing experience with shoreside experiences.

“Our new bird’s-eye view video guides transport visitors right into the heart of places and communities, and by highlighting nearby attractions and eateries we encourage them to step ashore to discover local culture and to enjoy local food and drink. We hope the footage will inspire viewers to make plans to sail to new destinations, book cruises and spend more time on our wonderful sailing waters.”

The video library of guides is the first of its kind for the marine tourism sector in Scotland, with ten guides launched online at the end of 2021. In the first three weeks of the campaign, the videos were seen almost 700,000 times. A total of 33 locations around Scotland complete the library.