"Being part of the conversation on community tourism is really important at the moment and so I was delighted to have the opportunity to join the SCOTO Board.

As an alumni of the first co-hort for the Communities Leading in Tourism Programme, I’ve been inspired by the amazing initiatives, projects and stories unearthed by this journey.

There is something quite special when you bring people together to look at the ‘art of the possible’ with a mutual benefit in mind – putting people and our environment as equals to profit is one of the most empowering approaches to local enterprise – mix that in with visitors and the magic starts to happen.

Originally from Derbyshire, I moved to Scotland in 2016 and established Nithbank Country Estate, a 5* luxury tourism business with a sustainable, responsible and local focus.  My guiding light was the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, a UNESCO designated world class environment in SW Scotland, with a remit to promote living in a way that supports people and nature  - If you live, work, learn or play in the Biosphere then it belongs to you!

I was elected Chair of the Biosphere in 2021 and since that time have steered the organisation through its 10-year periodic review with UNESCO, extended the boundary area & marine environment to abut the Isle of Man Biosphere, and steered the development of a new 10-year strategy and operational plan.

My background spans several specialisms through working in the big corporate world to running a micro business, including: agriculture, renewable energy, property development, communications, digital marketing and of course tourism and hospitality – so completely adept on conversing on a wide range of topics, including the challenges & opportunities of public loos!

I also enjoy travel and being on the other side of the job – a busman’s holiday – the best adventures are ones where you chat with the locals, discover something unexpected, or experience that wee local gem that lingers in your mind for a wee while!"

"I have always loved selling Scotland from a young age.  So much so my mum said to me when I was waxing lyrical about Scotland to my French exchange student aged 14 that I should join the Tourist Board.  A few years later that is what I did working for the National, Edinburgh and Scottish Borders Tourist Boards before setting up a marketing consultancy with colleagues in 2007.

Working for the Scottish Borders Tourist Board changed my life as a city girl (born in Glasgow then lived in Edinburgh) I’d always wanted to live in the countryside.  Since moving and working here in the Scottish Borders for the past 23 years I realise how valuable the strong sense of community is but equally how fragile.  I am passionate about playing my part in making communities great places to live, work and visit with the community at the centre of that.  As well as working with rural tourism businesses I more recently have worked with community groups and see how transformative these projects can be and how inspiring.  As soon as I found out about SCOTO I was immediately excited and wanted to be part of the journey and I am delighted to being more formally part of this.  I have been so struck by the friendly sharing of information, the innovation of some of the community projects and the friendliness.

Finally, I am also a Trustee of Gunsgreen House in Eyemouth and a founding member of the Scotlandhour team on twitter which takes place last Wednesday of each month 9pm to 10pm and shares via a monthly theme what a great country Scotland is.  So, a bit older than 14 now but my love for promoting Scotland has only grown."

"I’m Luke and I’m very lucky to have grown up in Orkney, a place that has shaped both my personal life and my career. I first got involved in tourism as a teenager, working as a tour guide at a busy local attraction, which gave me an early appreciation of how powerful great visitor experiences can be, both for visitors and for the communities that host them.

After a career spanning the public, private and community sectors, I now have a few different roles, including running my own business L & L Fraser Ltd, supporting island and rural communities across Scotland to develop and deliver community-led projects. My work focuses on housing and other community-led capital projects, demographics and housing needs analysis, community resilience and place-based development, and I am passionate about helping communities secure long-term sustainability on their own terms.

I’ve recently found my way back into tourism through my role with the North Ronaldsay Trust, where I’ve led on the development of a community-led cruise tourism offering that puts local people, stories and benefits at its heart. We are also developing further projects around community and visitor transport, digital signage and heritage interpretation, ensuring tourism works better for both residents and visitors and can also provide real lasting benefits for the community.

Alongside this, I chair the Scottish Islands Federation, working with island communities across Scotland to strengthen their collective voice on issues such as housing, transport, energy and population sustainability.

I’m delighted to join the SCOTO board and am particularly excited about the role community tourism can play in supporting resilient island economies, celebrating local identity and creating meaningful, memorable experiences rooted in place."

"I’m Russell and I live in Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness, which lies within Glen Urquhart. You may have heard of our famous pile of old stones, Urquhart Castle and oh, yeah, our wee Loch is allegedly secreting a monster! 

I’m fortunate to be able to call Glen Urquhart my home and it’s vitally important to me that everyone visiting my home has the best and most immersive experience possible, creating memories to last a lifetime. 

I was lucky to have been on the HIE funded, ‘communities leading in tourism course’ where I got to meet inspirational colleagues from across Scotland, that I now call friends. 

It was their enthusiasm that sparked my initial idea of retaining and harnessing a network of community tourism organisations and knowledge sharing across Scotland.

It is also their skills, drive, knowledge and passion that has taken SCOTO to where it is today and I’m immensely proud to be a part of what everyone has worked so hard to build. 

As manager of Loch Ness Hub & Travel, (a community benefit society), I love being at the coal face of community tourism as it provides a platform to deliver that temporary local experience that SCOTO proudly promotes.

I’m past chair of Glen Urquhart Shinty Club and honoured to currently be Chair of Glen Urquhart Highland Gathering & Games, I also sit on the board of directors of Visit Inverness Loch Ness and an ambassador for Highland Tourism. 

If you’re ever passing through Drumnadrochit, feel free to pop into Loch Ness Hub visitor information centre and say hello, you can even use our community owned toilets next door and make a wee donation!"

"Hi! I’m Em, and I live in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, after moving from Edinburgh. I am very excited to be involved with SCOTO, after attending many SCOTO events and coming away feeling very inspired and motivated. The work taking place at a community level is inspiring, and being part of the story is a vital part to play. I am honoured to become a director for 2026, and I hope my passion for supporting rural communities, community development projects, and celebrating the active outdoors ignites some new ideas for the fantastic organisation that SCOTO is.

My full-time job is working as a Destination Development Manager for Visit Inverness Loch Ness, therefore I have a plethora of knowledge and interest within the tourism sector. Funding, project management, and event management have been major components of my role, and a fundamental part of our organisation make-up. My aim is to support SCOTO in all of those areas moving forwards, with the fantastic team already in existence. Community tourism is at the heart of destination development, and seeing people work together to make brighter futures is what this is all about.

Usually found in the hills somewhere, I aim high, and look forward to being part of SCOTO as a director."

"I live in the northwest Highlands, near Ullapool. I admired the vision and mission of SCOTO as it developed, and was pleased to join the board in 2023. 

I’m the General Manager of the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere, with a vision to create a sustainable and positive future on a landscape scale. Tourism is a big part of life in the Highlands, and much of our work has focused on identifying the balance between development and conservation to ensure the wellbeing of our people and place for generations to come. I also operate a small B&B, where I enjoy welcoming folk from all over the world, who are always interested in learning about our special place."

"Hello! I live and work in Cullen on the Moray Firth coast, having relocated here in 2015 from Somerset. I have been delighted to be involved in SCOTO since not long after its launch attending the monthly gatherings and taking part in different SCOTO projects and initiatives. It is a wonderful organisation that was much needed to support the amazing work that happens at a community level and without which, tourism would be much poorer. I was honored to become a Director in April 2023. I am the Chair and an active volunteer of Discover Cullen (Cullen Voluntary Tourist Initiative) and currently work for tsiMORAY on a Facilitating Collaboration for a Just Transition project.

My background is in tourism having worked in both public and private sector roles and most recently, community tourism. I have held roles in a theme park, steam railway, aquarium and a sea school, and as a DMO Coordinator in Somerset and DMO Business Engagement Executive in Aberdeenshire. Since 2016 I have been the Chair of Discover Cullen. Discover Cullen operates a seasonal Tourist Office in Cullen town centre, supports the local tourism industry and organises the annual Cullen Skink World Championships."

“Hello! I’m based between Callander near Stirling and Tarbert, Loch Fyne. I’ve been involved with SCOTO from the outset, having been the Social Enterprise Academy’s tourism adviser on the HIE funded Communities Leading in Tourism programme 2019-2022. I enabled the scoping work exploring the idea of SCOTO and am now Exec Director. I run my own business, ruralDimensions Ltd, here in Callander and am a trustee with the Callander Youth Project.

My background is in planning and landscape design, and I devoted a significant part of my career to the establishment and early development of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park from 1994 through to 2009. My focus was on the well-being of the businesses and communities within the Park and destination development and management. I have always been fascinated with people and place and believe community tourism, although not new, is of this moment. If anything, the pandemic has demonstrated that localness is a very powerful concept - and whether living somewhere or visiting, embracing that sense of localness will pay dividends.”

"Hi, Catriona here. I live in Unst, the northernmost inhabited island in Shetland. I'm proud to say that I have been involved with SCOTO since it was mooted for the very first time by our Chair Russell during a session on the Communities Leading in Tourism course. I'm now a Board member and the company secretary.

I'm the Chair of a charity called Wild Skies Shetland which encourages locals and visitors to appreciate the wondrous, ever-changing skies in Shetland – everything from the midnight sun to the northern lights, plus wild storms, dark skies and an amazing frequency of rainbows! We have a Sky Trail and a planetary trail on the island of Unst and organise various sky-related events. My professional background is in international health, and I currently work on a project that supports surveillance of antibiotic resistance in 24 low- and middle-income countries – that just shows that you can get involved in community tourism, whatever your background!

We always describe Wild Skies Shetland as a "lightsome" organisation. We do fun things that keep our volunteers, neighbours and visitors happy. After all, tourism is about enjoying yourself."