Scottish Islands Passport launched in South Ronaldsay
Hoxa Tapestry Gallery in South Ronaldsay played host this morning to the public launch of the Scottish Islands Passport.
The passport project, which has created a free app and series of travelogues to help you explore 72 of Scotland’s inhabited islands, has worked with islanders from Unst to Arran to build up a database of over 700 experiences for island visitors to discover. From Dutch bakeries in Lismore and giant’s graves in Fetlar, to golfing in South Uist and seal spotting in Wyre – the passport aims to showcase the richness and diversity of Scotland’s islands.
Working from their office on the Isle of Jura, the project’s job-share Project Managers, Sarah Compton-Bishop and Kirsten Gow, created the app which includes an ‘island matchmaker’ that uses your interests to suggest islands you might like to visit, including those you may never have considered before. The app also allows you to collect passport ‘stamps’, designed by islanders and telling the story of each island, for the places you visit and to add your own photos to a travel journal. The latest version of the app includes recordings of islanders sharing stories of their island homes, as well as highlighting island charities visitors may like to support.
Hoxa Tapestry Gallery was chosen to host the public launch of the national project to celebrate the ‘Meet the Maker’ theme of the first in the project’s travelogue series, which will be available in the summer. These paper journals take visitors beyond the geographical grouping of islands to allow them to explore based on a variety of themes, with future versions focussing on built heritage, wildlife, and food and drink. Travelogue owners can also collect stamps along the way using the brass rubbing plates hosted by communities, while recording their own thoughts and experiences on the island in the dedicated journal section.
Tourism Minister, Ivan McKee, was on hand to launch the Passport saying, “I am pleased to have been able to officially launch the Islands Passport today in South Ronaldsay, in what is a Programme for Government commitment, postponed due to the pandemic. Scotland is home to some of the most scenic, thriving island communities in the world and we want everyone to be able to experience them. The Islands Passport is a great way to gain general knowledge and key insights from those with experience of the islands and will help to plan your trip and experience the hidden gems of the Scottish islands, as well as the well-known spots. The passport will also support island economies through increased, and sustainably managed, tourism.”
(L-R) Cheryl Chapman, Visit Scotland; Sarah Compton-Bishop, Scottish Islands Passport Project; Ivan McKee MSP.
The project, which spans over 400 miles and covers six local authority areas, was designed to promote sustainable tourism growth that benefits island communities. Initial funding for the project resulted from a collaboration between LEADER, The Scottish Government, HITRANS and ZetTrans which allowed the project to develop pilots of both the digital and a paper version of the passport. Feedback from these was used to create the app and travelogue ready for launch in 2022. The team work to an ‘island-centred ethos’, not only ensuring that the products they create work on the islands, but also actively seeking ways to work with communities and businesses to promote their islands in ways which are meaningful to them, and ensuring islanders were paid for the work they do.
Sarah Compton-Bishop explains: “As islanders ourselves, we know that there is an amazing range of knowledge and talent on our islands. The Scottish Islands Passport champions this by celebrating our islands as living, breathing communities, but also by working hard to engage with islanders so the project is something they feel a sense of ownership of. This has allowed us to work with a diverse range of exceptional islanders to get this project to the stage we are at today – from metal fabricators in Shetland to printers in the Western Isles to soap makers on Islay, and community groups across the board. They are all part of what makes this project what it is, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.”
The Scottish Islands passport app is available in Google Play and Apple App Store and more information can be found at www.islands.scot. The Meet the Makers travelogue will be available in island shops and from Isle20.com from this summer. The team plans to continue to work with local charities and businesses and not-for profit organisations such as Isle20 to encourage island lovers to sustain their connection with island communities both when travelling and at home.
For more information head to www.islands.scot or follow the project on Twitter, Facebook and Instragram.
Further information
For more information or interview requests please email both kirsten.gow@hitrans.org.uk and sarah.cb@hitrans.org.uk.