Scotland is Calling for 2022

Misty green landscapes and towering peaks, ancient city streets and tales of the past, freshly opened casks and the scent of seasonal dishes… they are all calling. Calling explorers, thrill-seekers, beach-goers, city-breakers, solo travellers, families, and everyone in between – no matter the season Scotland is the place to enjoy world-class food and drink, events, films, history and culture. 

Inspired by the sense of ‘fernweh’, that ache to see far flung places beyond the doorstep, visitors from all over the world are invited to experience the magic of Scotland. Whether meeting new people, sharing new experiences, reconnecting with nature, or just breathing in the fresh air, memories to last a lifetime are waiting to be made in Scotland. 

Having worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to adapt to and embrace the new normal, Scottish businesses are open once more and are ready to welcome visitors. Health and safety protocols and guidelines remain in place, and while travel continues to look a little different, visitors can enjoy a safe return to Scotland. Visitors should look out for the Good to Go logo which indicates the businesses that are adhering to government and public health guidance in order to operate safely. Find the latest advice and information at COVID-19 Guidance & Advice for Holidays in Scotland | VisitScotland 

The pandemic has also been a force for positive change, as tourism continues to develop in a responsible way. Visitors are encouraged to respect communities and the environment when exploring Scotland, and to slow down and take time to savour moments along the way – the journey, the destination and the people.   

For more information on international travel guidelines visit Coronavirus (COVID-19): international travel and managed isolation (quarantine) 

Read on to discover the latest impressive accommodation openings, food and drink news, sustainability progress, full events calendar and lots more taking place in the coming year. 

2022 will be a year to celebrate stories inspired by, created, or written in Scotland. Every culture has its stories to tell, and Scotland has a particularly rich heritage of stories and storytelling to spotlight and celebrate. These include our local tales, oral traditions, iconic books, and tales told on the big screen – all inspired by Scotland and its culture and reflected back by many diverse voices and across the widest range of forms. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of Sir Walter Scott, explore the lands that inspired Outlander and find a great read in Wigtown Booktown. 

Scotland’s Year of Stories will begin on 1 January 2022 and run until 31 December 2022. Join the conversation using the hashtags #YS22 and #TalesOfScotland. Look out for Year of Story ideas on the VisitScotland media centre coming soon. Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 | VisitScotland  

After a busy day of exploring the wild landscape, roaming city streets, or sampling local whisky, visitors can find plenty of great places to get a good night’s rest. From budget B&Bs to boutique hotels, pet-friendly cottages to luxury castles, glamping to camping, to farm stays and more, Scotland really does have it all! For those looking for something  a little more quirky, visitors to Scotland can enjoy a slice of forest life in a Nordic Kata, gather the congregation and stay in an 18th century church, or stopover in the oldest lighthouse on Shetland – all offering a truly memorable stay. 

Here are just some of the newest accommodation options coming to Scotland in 2022. 

For more information and to start planning a trip, visit Accommodation in Scotland - Plan Your Stay | VisitScotland 

Thanks to the rich mix of clear coastal waters, rolling hills and lush, fertile lands, Scotland produces some of the best natural produce the world has to offer. From world-class Aberdeen Angus beef and indigenous wild game, to locally caught seafood such as crab, langoustines, mussels and scallops, diners can expect great taste and high quality all year round.   

Scotland leads the way in eco-friendly sites, with a number of distilleries across the country running on renewable energy. 2022 is set to be another big year for the whisky industry. 

Eden Mill will become one of Scotland’s first ever carbon neutral single malt whisky distilleries, which will welcome visitors to their new home in Guardbridge, St. Andrews in 2022. Power and heat for the stills will be generated locally by biomass plant and field electricity, and by solar panels installed by the University of St Andrews on the roof of the distillery and nearby buildings. 

The Cairn, a name that pays homage to the distillery’s stunning location overlooking the Cairngorm mountains, stands near Grantown-on-Spey. Promising to be an immersive and memorable visitor experience for whisky lovers and adventure seekers, The Cairn is expected to attract a global audience for their spring opening. 

Building on Edinburgh’s rich whisky heritage, Port of Leith Distillery will be Scotland’s first vertical distillery when it opens in summer 2022. With panoramic views from the top floor double height whisky bar, visitors will be able to spot Fife and the Forth Bridges, as well as Edinburgh’s iconic landmarks over a dram or two of single malt whisky. And, thanks to locally sourced barley, food miles and carbon impact are cut significantly. 

Find out more information about Scotland’s newest distilleries at Scotland’s newest whisky distilleries 

Diverse landscapes, rich culture and unique experiences are what sets Scotland apart as a destination, and what makes a visit here so special. As a world-leading responsible tourism destination, Scotland is committed to building a better, more sustainable future, with the aim of keeping Scotland as beautiful as ever, for now and for future generations to enjoy.  

2022 is the year to slow down, stay longer and savour the local charm.  

Dandelion, the Scottish arm of UNBOXED, is a country-wide grow your own programme that celebrates the power of collective action. With sustainability at its heart, the project follows the arc of the growing season and will culminate in hundreds of Harvest Festivals across Scotland. Bringing together musicians, makers, scientists, performers, and technologists, the creative programme features a six-month long series of events and installations, combining food growing, music, cooking and public art in partnership with arts and community organisations across the country. Further details can be found at Home - Dandelion 

Scotland will also host five other projects across the country. These are: About Us (Paisley); StoryTrails (Dundee and Dumfries); Dreamachine (Edinburgh); Green Space, Dark Skies (across Scotland’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty); and PoliNations (Edinburgh). Full details can be found on UNBOXED | Creativity in the UK 

Radical Travel Group, a collective of Scottish travel companies, will be offsetting the carbon footprint of all tours by purchasing carbon credits from January. Providing unique tours and giving guests an authentic experience of Scotland, Radical Gravel Group illustrates how Scottish businesses are transitioning towards a low-carbon economy. 

Live events are set to return to the big stage to delight audiences in person once again, and Scotland is the perfect stage for events big and small. 2022 is the year to make a date for an event experience like no other, only in Scotland. 

Home to 11 world-class festivals, Edinburgh is renowned as the world’s leading festival city, attracting an audience of over 4.5 million every year. In 2022, the capital will once more come alive with vibrant colours, shows and events for all ages, and with next year marking the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Film Festival, it promises to be a very special year. Here’s a taste of what’s on offer.<strong> </strong> 

But that’s just a snapshot of what’s to come. Take a look at all of Edinburgh’s festivals which are back and taking centre stage throughout the year. 

 Take a look at all the events and festivals taking place in Scotland throughout the year at Events & Festivals - What’s On in Scotland | VisitScotland 

Scotland’s events programme spreads far and wide to all corners of the country with festivals celebrating folk music, dark skies, wool, food, boats, sturdy northern sheep and more… There’s even an event, or two, in honour of Scotland’s national drink, whisky!  

Find out more about the Highland Games at Highland Games in Scotland | VisitScotland  

In Glasgow, Scotland’s UNESCO City of Music, Celtic Connections returns with an extensive programme of events to celebrate traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz and soul music. As well as showcasing musical talent from around the world, hundreds of performances including ceilidhs, exhibitions, film screenings, talks, theatre productions, workshops and more will take place across Glasgow. 

To get a real sense of Scottish music, HebCelt Outer Hebrides, Skye Live Festival, Tiree Music Festival, and more local festivals are set to return in person in 2022.  

Find out more about Scotland’s music festivals at Scottish Music Festivals | VisitScotland 

Whether preferring to get stuck in or cheer from the sidelines, Scotland is a playground for sports enthusiasts, and Scotland’s sporting calendar for 2022 is certain to get the adrenaline pumping. 

To see Scotland’s latest sporting events, visit Sporting events in Scotland | VisitScotland 

ENDS 

Scotland is gradually reopening as restrictions ease and new measures are put in place to ensure everyone’s safety.However,we continue to live in uncertain times and so, while we are delighted to be providing our media with a regular update once more, we ask that responsible travel is considered paramount for anyone planning a trip to Scotland. 

• Certain measures and restrictions remain in places across Scotland, for more details visit  [https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/](https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/)  
• All visitors to Scotland must consult the Scottish Government website at [www.gov.scot](http://www.gov.scot/), VisitScotland’s website [www.visitscotland.com](http://www.visitscotland.com/), the local destination website and contact their accommodation providers, transport providers and any attractions they plan to visit to ensure they are aware of all rules, restrictions and safety procedures relating to Covid-19.  
• We recommend that visitors look for the [Good to Go logo.](https://www.visitscotland.com/about/practical-information/good-to-go-scheme/) This is a new industry-wide standard and consumer mark developed to demonstrate that the business has completed a Covid-19 risk assessment to ensure they have everything in place to open safely.  
• International visitors should check current quarantine and [government-imposed travel restrictions.](https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/exemptions/) 
• It is advised that those planning on travelling to a Scottish island take a coronavirus test in advance of their trip. Further details can be found [here](https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/pages/no-covid-symptoms/).   
• When visiting Scotland we urge visitors to enjoy our fabulous country responsibly. VisitScotland encourages visitors to respect local communities and plan ahead with the help of [www.visitscotland.com](http://www.visitscotland.com/). Helpful guidance can be found in VisitScotland’s new [Visitor Charter](https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/advice/coronavirus-recovery/visitor-charter) and the [Scottish Outdoor Access Code](http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/), which offers practical advice for all to #RespectProtectEnjoyScotland’s beautiful countryside.  
• Find out more about responsible tourism [here](https://www.visitscotland.com/about/responsible-tourism/).   
• Step forward and tread lightly, find a link to the Scotland is calling ‘tread lightly’ film: [https://www.visitscotland.com/campaign/tread-lightly/](https://www.visitscotland.com/campaign/tread-lightly/)  

• Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 will spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.  
• Led by VisitScotland, the Year of Stories 2022 will sustain and build upon the momentum of preceding Themed Years, showcasing a nationwide programme of major events and community celebrations.   
• From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.   
• Scotland’s Year of Stories will encourage responsible engagement and inclusive participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors.  
• Join the conversation using #YS2022 and #TalesOfScotland.   
• Following an industry consultation, Themed Years will take place every second year to enable more time for planning and collaboration. The next Themed Year will take place in 2024. 

This copy was correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment,negligenceor other damage caused by the reliance on the information contained herewith, or in the event of any company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded.