Crannog Celebrates Record-breaking Year

The meeting brought considerable economic benefit to the wider Highland Perthshire area, and fostered pan-European project plans, ideas and friendships.

Dr Nicholas Dixon, Research Director of the Scottish Crannog Centre, said “We are very proud to be recognised for our work in this way. We look forward to learning from our partners and to helping position Scotland at the forefront of public archaeology and heritage interpretation on the international stage.”

The Iron Age team went on to offer some 50 events this year, inspired by archaeological discoveries, ancient traditions relating to festivals, agricultural cycles and the environment, and the craft skills of Tayside’s loch-dwellers. In tribute to these ancestors, the Crannog Crew organised a Go Native! Festival to mark the official date of the Centre’s 10th anniversary. Opened by MSP John Swinney on the 19 July, the 4 day celebrations featured prehistoric cooking, wood and metal-working, hunting and fishing equipment, textiles and other craft skills. Supported by Perth & Kinross Council, the event attracted many new visitors to the Centre and marks the first of what will be an annual gathering of craftsmen to the Crannog.

Survey results
The team works hard to evaluate these events and the whole visitor experience, encouraging visitors to provide feedback. Preliminary analysis of Crannog survey data indicates an increase in UK visitors from outside Scotland, an increase in repeat business, and the importance of recommendation and the local tourist information centre in directing people to the Crannog Centre.

On green issues, the majority of respondents indicated they would travel by public transport if it were more widely available, and 95% would prefer to visit an environmentally responsible attraction over one that is not. The full data will be used to compare with regional and national trends, and provide useful marketing and economic information.

In recognition of the team’s efforts to minimise impact on the environment and to provide visitors with a top quality experience, the Scottish Crannog Centre has been awarded a highly scored Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, and has again been awarded the prestigious 5 Star rating from VisitScotland in its recent inspection for the grading scheme.

These tributes round off an incredibly rewarding year, reflected also in the significant increase in visitors throughout the season. Numbers peaked in July and August with a 20% increase in both months, before settling down to a 12 % increase overall for the year. This means a new record for the Scottish Crannog Centre with a footfall of nearly 30,000 visitors to the little thatched roundhouse in Loch Tay.

Ms Barrie Andrian, Managing Director of the Scottish Crannog Centre said, “This is wonderful recognition for our entire team who have worked so hard throughout the year. The rise in visitors has far exceeded our greatest expectations and we are already benefitting from our collaboration with liveARCH and the learning journeys to other museums.”

The team now faces a busy winter of maintenance on the Crannog and the development of new resources and programmes for 2008. Volunteers are always welcome. Further information from 01887 830583 or visit the website www.crannog.co.uk