This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Arbroath Abbey wins gold for Green tourism
14/08/2003
Arbroath Abbey visitor centre today presented with a
'gold' Green Tourism Business Award by Deputy First
Minister Jim Wallace.
The award recognises the positive steps that Historic
Scotland has taken to reduce the centre's environmental
impact.
Examples of this good practice include a 'green' roof,
which is planted with a sedum (an evergreen plant) on a
mineral wool blanket to support the plant and store
moisture, which enhances the insulation of the
building.
Mr Wallace was given a tour of the centre as part of a
series of visits he undertook today in Angus. It opened in
2001 and has seen visitor numbers to the Abbey rise from
6,634 in 2000 to 14,026 last year.
The MInister said:
"Tourism contributes £4 billion to the Scottish economy
each year and it is important to ensure that this industry
can grow sustainably.
"This award recognises the success of Arbroath Abbey
visitor centre in combining a successful attraction with
green practises. Indeed, it is a national leader with the
roof being the first of its kind in Scotland.
"The new visitor centre is already proving to be a good
attraction, with visitor numbers more than doubling between
2000 and 2002. It is helping bring Scottish history to
life."
Mr Wallace later visited the Cliffburn estate in
Arbroath, where he met representatives from Cliffburn Area
Residents (CAR) group, and went on a walking tour of the
area.
The Minister went on to visit a number of projects in
Forfar which are designed to tackle the problem of
anti-social behaviour, including Web Project Angus, which
deals with tackling substance misuse, the Angus Restorative
Justice Service, and the Safer Angus For Everyone (SAFE)
project.
Mr Wallace said:
"The work being undertaken in Forfar is a good example
of positive community steps to tackle anti-social
behaviour.
"This strategy, like the Executive, recognises that most
young people play a positive role in society. These
projects help deal with the minority of people, of all
ages, who do not."
Mr Wallace also visited Montrose company Merpro too.
Merpro employs 175 people in Montrose in designing,
manufacturing and supplying equipment to the oil and gas
industry.