Unique stories and people from Aberdeen and Cairngorms National Park take centre stage in VisitScotland’s first-ever podcast, 100,000 Welcomes, launched this week.
Taking the English translation of the Scottish Gaelic phrase, Ceud Mìle Fàilte, the podcast offers listeners the chance to experience an authentic Scotland as told by its people.
From Alison O'Donnell (aka DS Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh in TV series, Shetland) and wild swimmers in Cairngorms National Park, to foraging in Dumfries and Galloway and street art in Aberdeenshire, the podcast was launched on International Podcast Day, September 30 and aims to inform educate and entertain listeners, targeting visitors in the US and UK.
A total of five 25-minute episodes, hosted by Scottish travel writer and blogger, Neil Robertson (Travels with a Kilt), focus on five different themes: adventure and wellness; food and drink; nature, scenery and landscape; culture; and Scotland on screen.
The culture episode focuses on businesses and individuals in Aberdeen, including Angela Joss of Aberdeen Inspired who accompanies Neil to explore the colourful art that covers Aberdeen's walls thanks to the NuArt Street Art festival.
The nature, scenery and landscape episode focuses on Cairngorms National Park, including wild swimmers making a splash in Loch Morlich and wildlife spotting with conservation officer, Lucy Ford.
It comes as more than 7 million people in the UK listen to podcasts every week and an estimated 62 million listen to podcasts weekly in the US.
100,000 Welcomes, created in partnership with Bauer Media, is hosted on online platforms, iTunes and SoundCloud.
Other podcast highlights include:
- Mark Williams, passionate forager, talks about the “best larder in the world”, Dumfries & Galloway.
- Jak O’Donnell of The Sisters restaurant in Glasgow tells listeners how she reinvented one of her granny’s favourite recipes.
- Outlaw King film producer, Gillian Berrie, and Shetland TV series actor, Alison O'Donnell, talk about their filming experiences in Scotland.
The podcast forms part of the activity to celebrate the national tourism organisation’s 50th anniversary and major tourism milestones over the past five decades.
In July 1969, the Development of Tourism Act was enacted by the UK Government, allowing for the establishment of an official Scottish Tourist Board.
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland said: “Scotland has a wealth of stories and it’s the people and their warmth of welcome that sees visitors return time and again to explore our wonderful shores.
“100,000 Welcomes paints an immersive picture for listeners, taking them on an audio journey across Scotland, revealing our dynamic history, culture and character. Having heard the sounds of Scotland, we hope the podcast will inspire listeners to take the next step and give the rest of their senses a memorable experience by exploring the country for themselves.
“Everything we do is about showcasing a destination and visitor experience worth talking about through innovative marketing, partnerships and events to inspire visitors to spend more time and money across the country.”
Neil Robertson, travel blogger and host of 100,000 Welcomes, said: “Podcasts allow you to delve deeper and really capture the personal side of local stories.
“Scotland has such a huge range of sights, sounds and personalities which we sought to capture in these episodes, darting between some of our most beautiful rural spots to what makes our cities really tick.
“It’s the absolute silence of Galloway Forest Park in the dead of night and the renewed cultural vibrancy on display in the Granite City. The constantly inspiring role the outdoors has on our lives and the countless passion-fuelled conversations with locals who share my love of Scotland. They are just some aspects of the project I loved, and I hope make this a truly rewarding experience for the listener.”
Vicky Foster, commercial director, digital, Bauer Media Advertising said: “Over 7M of us in the UK listen to podcasts every week and they offer commercial partners an opportunity to reach highly engaged audiences.
“As experts in the power of sound, our in-house digital audio experts have brought VisitScotland’s first-ever podcast to life – enchanting audiences in the UK & US on the beauty of Scotland through world-class audio content.”
For more on the VisitScotland podcast 100,000 Welcomes go to www.visitscotland.com/podcast