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Festival of the Sea comes to Scotland
02/10/2002
Almost 200,000 visitors from across the globe are
expected to descend on Leith next May when Scotland plays
host to the Fourth International Festival of the Sea.
The celebration of Scotland's maritime heritage will
draw a wide range of international participants. Leith
Harbour will be lined with vintage and contemporary ships,
many open to the public to provide an opportunity for
visitors to gain a first hand impression of life at sea.
The four-day event is anticipated to generate an estimated
£10 million in tourist spend.
Speaking on the Dutch Clipper Stad Amsterdam, which will
take part in the event, The Minister for Tourism, Culture
and Sport Mike Watson said:
"Scotland has a long and cherished maritime heritage.
Over the centuries we have been a nation of explorers, of
fishermen, of ship builders, of oilmen. Our history and
culture is closely connected to the sea that surrounds
us.
"I am excited by the range and diversity of attractions
that are proposed as part of the Festival - there will be
wonderful Tall Ships like this one, opportunities to taste
some of our excellent Scottish sea food and experience our
unique cultural life.
"The International Festival of the Sea will be a great
event for Scotland. It will attract many visitors from
across the globe to come and see what our country has to
offer. This is precisely the kind of event the Scottish
Executive wants to attract to Scotland - our Major Events
strategy will help to ensure that this is one of many
significant events to come to Scotland in coming
years."
The Fourth International Festival of the Sea will be
held at the Port of Leith from 23 - 26 May 2003. The first
Festival of the Sea took place in Bristol in 1996 and has
been held twice in Portsmouth since then.
The festival in Leith will extend 1.2km along the port
and is being supported by Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and
Lothians, The City of Edinburgh Council, VisitScotland, The
Royal Navy and title sponsors Forth Ports PLC.
The International Festival of the Sea Edinburgh 2003
has, as patron, Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal,
Princess Anne, who will hold a reception later today in
honour of the event.