Heritage and culture is an ever-changing picture in Scotland with old and established attractions embracing new ways of working all the time. This summer, these businesses have all enhanced their offering with features that are sure to delight your clients.
John O’Groats Mill
Location: John O’Groats, Caithness
Contact: info@johnogroatsmill.com
John O’Groats is a not-for-profit heritage visitor attraction and community venue housed in one of Scotland’s last working watermills.
What’s new?
In 2001, milling ceased production in John O’Groats for the first time in hundreds of years. After years of fundraising, design and construction, the mill finally opened this summer as a visitor attraction.
Just a stone’s throw from the iconic John O’Groats signpost, this new attraction offers a combination of self-led and guided tours, and the occasional machinery demonstration. The Mill is open to the public from May to October, but larger group tours can be arranged in advance for off-season and out of hours visits.
All the useful details:
- Now open
- Fully accessible for wheelchair users
- Off-season visits can be arranged
Mercat Tours
Location: Edinburgh
Contact: Mercat Tours
Providing award-winning storytelling since 1985, Mercat tours will captivate your guests with passion, humour and flair.
What’s new?
Summer 2025 marks 40 years since Mercat’s first ever Edinburgh tour. Today this family-run B Corp is transforming how visitors experience and explore both above and below ground in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, adding a fresh and even more immersive dimension across its tour offerings.
Traditionally, the historic Blair Street Underground Vaults, exclusive to Mercat Tours, were accessible only by two flights of stairs, making them beyond reach for some visitors, which has now changed. Through a carefully considered approach, Mercat Tours has crafted a way for everyone to see, hear and touch this site. Guests can now transport themselves back through the vaults’ rich history through an interactive, audio-visual film, guided by Mercat’s Master Storytellers, and enjoyed from the comfort of a seat, with no stairs required. Perfect for older visitors or people with accessibility requirements.
All the useful details:
- 40-year anniversary of Mercat Tours
- Audio-visual tours now available
- VIP after hours tour available
- Whisky tastings
Paisley Tours
Location: Glasgow & The Clyde Valley
Contact: Paisley Tours
New to working with travel trade, Paisley Tours is a registered social enterprise offering immersive walking tours and indoor AV storytelling sessions exploring the town’s rich history.
What’s new?
Uncover the Paisley Pattern, William Wallace’s roots, the Coats mill empire, and the 1697 witch trials. Paisley is home to an amazing 100+ listed buildings. Your clients will explore the town on foot with expert local guides and a wireless audio headset system. Fully accessible, with group and FIT options available.
All the useful details:
- Walking tours of historic Paisley
- Dozens of listed buildings
- Interesting historical moments
- Direct trains from Glasgow Central Station in just 9 minutes
Royal Yacht Britannia
Location: Leith, Edinburgh
Contact: Royal Yacht Britannia
One of Scotland’s top attractions, your clients will love exploring the late Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating palace.
What’s new?
Britannia has a new visitor centre, featuring a fascinating new exhibition telling the story of the yacht’s construction to its reimagining as a five-star visitor attraction. Also onsite, a new shop features exciting new gifts and souvenirs for visitors to take home a memento of their time aboard.
The Royal Yacht Britannia was home to the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family for over 40 years, sailing over a million nautical miles around the world, calling at more than 600 ports in 128 countries. Situated in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith, Britannia is now a five-star visitor attraction, as well as an exclusive-use evening events venue. Visitors will enjoy a fascinating insight into the late Queen Elizabeth II, as well as the lives of those who lived and worked on board her floating palace.
All the useful details:
- New visitor centre, exhibition and shop now open
- Five-star visitor attraction
- Reachable by tram from Edinburgh city centre
We regularly update our Supplier Directory with listings of trade-ready businesses on our Travel Trade website, so do check back for the latest entries.