CASE and the Council must invest in New Tourist Attractions

[CHESTER]

We hear a lot about the Tourist Dollar and how they are by passing Caithness for Orkney .Well what i want to know is? what Tourist Attractions you would promote and what ones do you think should be built to keep that precious Dollar in Caithness and the Jobs it supports .Here's a few idea's .

A new sports centre (covered) with a gym ,hot tub,etc.

A lock gate ot the Thurso river mouth with a salmon run ,this would keep the river basin flooded for water sports.

A new road bridge ,inplace for the Ellan to help with traffic .

Well let's hear some idea's

[Naefearjustbeer]

You have all heard of the West Highland way and the Great Glen Way. Caithness must be one of the best spots in the country for a coastal walks, After all we hear that we have some of the best coastline for interesting things to see, All those stacks and arches all the castles and all the birdlife.

"Caithness Coastal Way" Starts at The Ord and all the way round to Melvich as the finishing point (yes I know it is in sutherland but it has a pub so you can enjoy a pint on the completion of your marathon walk) Just need to bypass dounreay as you cannot walk along the coast past it. lots of small harbours and villages to stop at on the way allowing access to village shops, pubs & cafes etc.

[CHESTER]

That's what we want good idea's that can be built into what is here .

What about a Caithness Golf Weekend .all the courses to be played over a 3 day weekend, one round in each .

What about a sailing long weekend at Wick Gala ,starts at wick -inverness then inverness-fraserburgh,then back to Wick . Wick would need a pontoon type marina .

[Naefearjustbeer]

On the topic of waterbased sports Thurso has held surfing and kayaking championships over the years, Where are the changing facillities, hot showers, beach front, cafe/bar, hire shops to hire boards kayaks wetsuits jet skis etc etc . The tourist board should positivley encouraging all these outdoor activities and doing the best they can to get the people involved. Or maybe they are not allowed because the highlands stop at Inverness :confused

[2little2late]

Perhaps, if the Tourist Information Centres promoted Wick Heritage Centre this would keep a few more people in the town. I know a lot of coach tours visit the Heritage Centre but, how many people who go to a TIC and ask about places to visit in Caithness are not told about the Heritage Centre?. The reason the TIC don't promote it is because, one has to pay a subscription to the TIC then they will promote your visitor attraction whatever it may be.

Wick Heritage Centre is the best museum I have ever visited and credit to everyone who gives up their spare time to make it what it is today.

My point being, if the Heritage Centre was promoted by the TIC and tourists went to visit chances are they would stay and visit more of Caithness.

[2little2late]

Better still. If there is any willing volunteers in Caithness how about setting up a tourist information centre in Wick. Nothing biased about Wick and Thurso but do the tourists not have to pass through Wick to go to the Orkneys via J.O.G? Don't know how one would go about starting a tourist information centre. I was going to suggest getting a grant from CASE but then it would never get off the ground.

[Moira]

I support Singapore's sentiment entirely - apart from the fact we should be looking for volunteers for a Tourist Information Office - surely what we have to offer at this end of the County warrants paid members of staff to do the job. There are still a lot of confused tourists stopping off at Caithness Glass in Wick :roll:

Not so sure about involving CASE - but you never know - it could be successful with the right leadership ?? :eek:

Coastal walks are great in this part of the County & Wick Heritage Centre is fantastic (I have seen a lot of other "less fantastic" efforts during my travels)

If someone could guarantee some decent weather over the tourist season we could turn Wick Harbour into a wonderful Marina, Reiss Beach would be overcrowded, the Golf Course inundated, Trinkie & North Baths could sustain a few enterprising businesses charging for sun loungers & selling ice-cream & burgers :D

OK maybe this is fantasy - but if we are determined to discourage visitors coming over the Ord to visit Wick - then we should really replace the Caithness Glass Welcome sign with something like "Wick is now closed due to lack of interest - Please follow roadsigns for A9 to Thurso" With the roads being decidely quieter, we could always contact Eddie Jordan and enquire about the possibility of holding a Scottish Grand Prix here - Berriedale would challenge the best of them - including Michael Schuamacher & brother Ralph & the scenery would challenge even Monaco - just a thought.

[bluenose]

This may be ignorance on my part but how can a Tourist Information Centre require a subscription?
Does that mean they cannot mention the presence of whales offshore yet can promote a boat-owner who will provide whale-watching tours?
Are they not allowed to mention local hospitality but would be committed to promoting a ‘massage parlour’ or strip joint, providing the cheque clears?
Does it mean, that if one of the multiple owners of the West Highland Way refuses to pay they can only promote 60 miles and issue a proviso that some parts may exist in the future but, at the moment, the T.I.C. is not aware of their presence?
Who owns T.I.C.’s? I was under the impression they were under the auspices of the Scottish Tourist Board but that was an assumption and we all know what assumption did!
Who owns the STB? I assumed, again, it was now under the Scottish Parliament. If that is the case, how much would it cost to build a T.I.C.? £40,000 is my first estimate. The actual cost may be nearer £2.5 millions!
I do agree with Moira and Singapore, it should be possible to set a T.I.C. up although, in the weird but seldom wonderful ways of Government bureaucracy it may have to be called something else. Perhaps make it web-based and try to attract local advertisements. This would be similar to asking for contributions but possibly fairer. I do not know how CASE works and do not have the time or patience to find out but perhaps it is possible to receive a grant or soft loan without incurring endless management consultants, accountants and risk-assessers.
You could do it the other way. Send a message to everyone in your address book, professing Caithness’s virtues and promising them eternal life and a share of Roman Abramovich's billions if they a) send this on to a further ten people and b) swim in Wick harbour. A small percentage of a lot of people is a great deal of tourists.

[brokencross]

It is all very well having a Tourist Information Bureau in Wick and Thurso, but surely these are only of full use, if you have already attracted the tourists to the North in the first place.

As an ex-pat I know that Gala Weeks are always a good time to be up there, because a lot is going on, it is busy and many other ex-pats are "home" at the same time.

I agree with other "posters" that annual specialised events need to be established, golfing, loch fishing, sea fishing, yachting, sand yachting, historical interest, surfing, walking, diving, archeaology....loads and loads of potential. The weather is always going to be a risk, but that is the case all over the UK.

Not pointing the finger at anyone, but if you put "Caithness Events" or suchlike in Google you do not get the latest, up to date information, but stuff from years ago!! (YES even the Glass Factory) So if someone can find some good search engine keywords and set up a small website, highlighting up and coming events to attract the punters NORTH, then word of mouth, local knowledge and the TIB's can then direct them to the other wonderous views, sites and attractions you have up there.

There is enough info about accommodation. The TIB does not have to be an expensive structure but as i have seen in the Lake District, a small kiosk, where leaflets can be issued and a friendly face to pass on information verbally in a friendly manner. Has each and every pub and restaurant up there got a big rack of tourist type leaflets.

Have a good busy year, lots of tourists, lots of good weather. Promote yourselfs or you will fade away.