Issued: 27 November 2002
Plans And Programmes For Pictavia
Plans for the 2003 tourist season are already underway at the Pictavia Visitor Centre at Brechin.
Work to enhance the exhibition is planned which will offer new interpretations of the dark ages picts in Scotland to complement the Christian pictish era already covered at Pictavia.
To enable evening events and exhibitions to take place a new separate entrance and toilet provision is being made. An expansion of the evening events and exhibition programmes is therefore also being planned in conjunction with the Pictish Arts Society.
Since opening in August 1999 Pictavia has attracted over 40,000 paying visitors, with the bulk of visitors coming from outwith Tayside/UK and overseas; producing an estimated £1/2million visitor spend each year in the local economy.
Three years on from opening a review of the centre's management arrangements and exhibition enhancements are currently underway.
Angus Council works closely with the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and Pictavia on the ongoing development of the centre. The partners have been planning the operation of the TIC throughout the winter months (currently summer season only) and from 23 November Pictavia and TIC will be open weekends through to end March, after which full-time opening re-commences.
As with most visitor attractions in Scotland, where there is a short tourism season, Pictavia winter visitor numbers are lower than the summer months. The decision was taken to open weekends only from October-March although Pictavia remains open for pre-booked weekday visits by school and coach parties.
Notes
- Visitors: a sample survey (exit poll) in May 2002 showed
- 92% of visitors came specifically to see Pictavia
- 97% enjoyed their visit
- 68% said they would visit again
- Origin of visitors
- 36% came from England or overseas
- 29% from Tayside area
- 32% from the rest of Scotland
- Visitor numbers - Pictavia has had over 40,000 paying visitors since August 1999.
- The net cost to Angus Council on the basis of 10,000 visitors p.a. is £15K, which compares favourably with other attractions in Scotland
- The visitor spend on the local economy from day visits and overnight stays has been assessed at £0.5 million per annum.
- Tourist Information Centre - the TIC handled 18,000 enquiries between April and September. The council is keen to continue the partnership with Angus & Dundee Tourist Board via the TIC for the management of Pictavia and the enhancement of TIC opening during the winter months. The TIC will now be open weekends between October and March.
- Pictavia Arts Society(PAS) - an Edinburgh based organisation with a membership of some 1,5000, including overseas members, has agreed to use Pictavia as its postal address and base and to locate its library to Pictavia. PAS are now actively developing a volunteer programme that will enable Pictavia to host a wider range of events/exhibitions and workshops during the evenings.
media contact:
Moira Naulty, PR Manager, Angus Council T:01307 473021 naultym@angus.gov.uk