Last week, we learned that the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy and its 23,000 visitors injected £4.5 million into the struggling economy.

And, just weeks before, the area welcomed crowds from far and wide to the Coast Festival of the Visual Arts.

This weekend the focus will once again return to Banffshire, when hundreds of people descend for a major sporting event.

Thanks to the success of the Cornhill pullers on the international stage, the UK Tug O War Championships have been hauled north to the grounds of Duff House.

With over 200 athletes, not to mention many more officials and spectators, arriving en masse, there are precious few beds left in the area's hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments.

Banffshire steals the hearts of those who venture here to discover its coastline, countryside and attractions, and every year we welcome visitors who are returning on vacation.

The Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership is naturally disappointed when, at busy times such as these, visitors may struggle to find the accommodation they want.

So, if we are serious about putting Banffshire on the map and offering top-class events, perhaps it's time to start considering how we can meet this demand, or when we next go to roll out the welcome mat, we could find the rug pulled out from under us by another corner of the world.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---