Scottish Government tourist cash boost for Portknockie and Cullen hailed
PORTKNOCKIE and Cullen are set to share in a six-figure tourism funding windfall.
Moray has been awarded £363,298 from the Scottish Government's Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund delivered by VisitScotland.
Facilities near Portknockie's world-famous Bow Fiddle Rock will be upgraded, overnight motorhome parking being created in Cullen to help with the surge of staycationers coming to the village.
News of the funding was welcomed by local councillor Theresa Coull (SNP, Keith-Cullen).
She said: "I really welcome the funding received from the Scottish Government’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund delivered by VisitScotland to all the various areas of Moray but especially to Portknockie and Cullen.
"This funding will be used in Portknockie at the Bow Fiddle Rock to establish a new car park with electric vehicle charging points and upgrade the footpath. The Bow Fiddle Rock is a huge visitor attraction and with having the parking facilities and a better footpath it will hopefully encourage more tourists and locals to visit this beautiful area which will make walking and parking easier and even more pleasurable for all.
"There is to be a new overnight motorhome parking facility in Cullen, by not having this facility in the town it has been problematic due to the pressure of staycations. Cullen is a busy tourist town where visitors are made most welcome and encouraged to stay, eat and shop in the town.
"Overnight parking will be a great benefit to Cullen visitors as there will be a specific area to park with their motorhomes and have waste disposal and water facilities."
Facilities across Moray will be upgraded to relieve pressure on local beauty spots as the region gears up for another busy year of staycationers.
The chairman of Moray Council's Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Councillor Graham Leadbitter, said: "This input from VisitScotland is very much welcome as we transform our tourism offering in Moray to ensure sustainability in our burgeoning visitor market.
"The creation of new facilities and upgrading existing ones will be hugely beneficial to the local economy and provides the support communities in Moray have asked for in recent years. I look forward to seeing the enhancements take shape as we welcome visitors to magnificent Moray."
The project in Moray is delivered in partnership between Moray Council; Visit Moray Speyside Tourism Business Improvement District; Highlands and Islands Enterprise; the Findhorn Village Conservation Company; the Three Kings Cullen Association; and Friends of Ben Rinnes supported by Seafield and Glenrinnes Organic Estates.
The project will provide upgrades to facilities at several sites across Moray.
