Cash boost as Disney lines up Inverness
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WELL-HEELED American tourists will soon be heading to Inverness after it emerged the city has been included in film giant Disney’s first tailor-made Scottish tour.
The holiday, which goes on sale in the United States next month, is themed around Disney’s new animated film "Brave" set in a mythical Highlands.
Costing $5000 per adult and $4749 for children, not including flights, the nine-day break takes families around Scotland with their own personal guide.
During the Inverness stage of the tour, called Scotland: A Brave Adventure, visitors will stay at the Kingsmills Hotel in Culcabock Road and visit Loch Ness where they will be able to undertake a canoe expedition in search of Nessie and take a look at the historic Urquhart Castle.
They will also have the chance to go horseback riding through the Caledonian Forest.
Craig Ewan, general manager at the Kingsmills, confirmed its involvement but said he was contractually barred from discussing the details.
"We are delighted this is going to bring visitors to the area and Scotland as a whole," he stated.
The package also takes in Edinburgh, where there will be privately-guided visits to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, plus Skye and Lewis. It is being marketed by Disney’s own dedicated tour operator, Adventures by Disney, which runs holidays to more than 20 international destinations.
"Our trip-planning specialists worked directly with the expert storytellers on Pixar’s ‘Brave’ production team to incorporate the castles, landscapes and legends that inspired the lush settings and memorable characters in the film — creating a Scotland experience that could only come from Disney," a spokesman for the tour company said.
"Beyond the drawing board, the culture of the Scottish Highlands will come to life through authentic, hands-on activities — a hallmark of Adventures by Disney itineraries."
The Scottish Government and VisitScotland have invested £7 million to capitalise on the film and the deal with Disney is one of the first practical results.
A VisitScotland spokesman said the first trips would start next March and was confident the film would be an "absolutely fantastic" draw for the area.
"We have history in abundance here," he said. "That is something not available to such an extent in the States.
"We are also exploring the Brave options in Europe — particularly as there is now a direct air link between Inverness and Schipol."
Willie Cameron, director of Loch Ness Marketing, issued a rallying call to everyone in the area to make the most of the spin-off opportunities likely to arise from the film.
"We cannot just leave it to Disney," he said. "This is an opportunity for local people to embrace as well.
"As far as any films to do with Scotland — no matter how good, or how bad they are — people always want to come to the area.
"This is a film about myth and legend. It is what Scotland is all about so it is bound to be good. It is up to people to make the most of it."
