Press release -

Forth Ferry officially launches following successful trial

Seafari Adventures and the Scottish Seabird Centre officially launch the Forth Ferry for the 2016 season, following a very successful trial of the service in 2015 and in conjunction with VisitScotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.

The Forth Ferry offers a unique passenger service between the popular seaside towns of North Berwick, East Lothian and Anstruther, Fife. Each crossing takes approximately 45 minutes on board the 55-seat Catamaran, and allows visitors to enjoy days out in either location. The aim of the Forth Ferry is to forge closer tourism links between East Lothian and Fife, offering locals and visitors alike opportunities for great days out on both sides of the Forth.

Colin Aston, Managing Director of Seafari Adventures, said:

“The trial of the Forth Ferry in 2015 was a great success, with lots of demand for the service and really positive feedback. There were also some really insightful comments from passengers and we have used these to make the Forth Ferry the best that we can.”

Tom Brock OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said:

“With a long and rich history, this crossing was previously the ‘Pilgrim’s Ferry’ dating back over 1,000 years and used by pilgrims on their way to St Andrews. It has been wonderful, not only to reinstate this historic route, but to experience a demand for it to continue.

“This innovative service will benefit locals, visitors and communities on both sides of the Forth.In the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design it is great to be able to officially launch the Forth Ferry for 2016 with the first sailing on Saturday 14 May.

“We have been working in partnership with Fife Council, East Lothian Council, the Scottish Fisheries Museum, East Neuk Tourist Association and North Berwick Business Association on visitor itineraries and will be looking for locals to give their top tips for days out with #FFRecommends.”

Manuela Calchini, Regional Director at VisitScotland, said:

“We are delighted that the Forth Ferry is to return and the opportunities it will bring for tourism in the area. From the majestic Tantallon Castle in East Lothian to the beautiful seaside village of Anstruther in Fife, this innovative service will make it even easier for visitors to explore the many attractions on both sides of the water. We hope more visitors will take advantage of this unique travel experience and journey between Fife and East Lothian this season.”

The facts:

Suitable for all ages.

This trip lasts approx. 45 minutes each way and is a passenger only service. Bikes and buggies may be transported by prior arrangement. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Day return tickets: adult £25, child £15 (age 4 to 16), concession £20 (age 60+).

Single tickets: adult £14, child £8, concession £11.

Children age 3 and under go free.

10% discount for members of the Seabird Centre.

All trips run subject to weather and sea conditions.

The Forth Ferry Excursion is the latest addition to a wide variety of popular boat trips offered by Seafari Adventures and the Seabird Centre. Full details and bookings for all boat trips: www.seabird.org.

- ENDS -

For further press information:

Laura Adamson

Marketing Manager

01620 890202

marketing@seabird.org

Topics

  • Tourism

Categories

  • corporate communications
  • forth ferry
  • year of innovation architecture and design
  • anstruther

Regions

  • Scotland

Notes to Editors

Scottish Seabird Centre

  • The Scottish Seabird Centre is an independent visitor attraction, conservation and education charity, dedicated to inspiring people to enjoy, learn about and look after our wildlife and natural environment.
    In addition to its role as a visitor attraction and environmental education charity, the Scottish Seabird Centre is a campaigning conservation charity which focuses on the conservation of Scotland’s amazing marine wildlife and environment.
    Follow the Scottish Seabird Centre on Facebook/ScottishSeabirdCentre. Twitter @SeabirdCentre and Instagram @seabirdcentre
    For more information on the Scottish Seabird Centre visit www.seabird.org
  • Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
  • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
  • The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
  • This will be supported by seven overarching strategies:
    1. Marketing: we will market Scotland and its outstanding assets to visitors from all parts of the world, including the promotion of Scotland to people living in Scotland       to visit different parts of the country
    2. Events: we will support the national events strategy and its delivery, and sustain, develop and promote Scotland’s international profile as one of the world’s foremost events destinations
    3. Internationalisation and International Engagement: we will utilise all our platforms to enable Scottish-based tourism businesses to better understand international       opportunities and market to a global audience and we will work within One       Scotland Partnerships to optimise the potential of Scotland’s Diaspora and our strategic partners at regional, European and global levels
    4. Customer Experience: we will provide information and inspiration to visitors both locally and globally via their preferred medium of choice
    5. Quality and Sustainability: we will provide support and advice to businesses, with the goal of improving the quality and sustainability of the tourism sector in Scotland. We will provide quality assurance to visitors through our Quality Schemes
    6. Inclusive Tourism: we will strive to make tourism in Scotland inclusive and available to all
    7. Working in Partnership: we will listen to and work with the industry, partners and communities to shape our offering and support
  • VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
  • The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
  • Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP.
  • The Scottish Government is the Managing Authority for the European Structural Funds 2014-20 Programme. For further information visit www.gov.scot or follow @scotgovESIF
  • For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
  • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
  • For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
  • For information about business events in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com


    Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016

  • 2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design begins on 1 January 2016 and ends on 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
  • Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed creative industries sector.
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
  • The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
  • Join the conversation at #IAD2016
  • Events can join the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design Partner Programme throughout the year by visiting http://www.eventscotland.org/YIAD_partner_programme

ERDF.

Contacts

Hamish Hutchinson

Corporate Press Officer - National Contact for media enquiries on: Business Events/Tourism; Film Tourism; Outer Hebrides 0131 472 2283