Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

SPONSORED: Scotland Loves Local – your community’s businesses need you this Christmas

Post Thumbnail

There has never been a Christmas where it has been more critical for the people of Tayside and Fife to support their local businesses.

That’s the message from the Scotland Loves Local campaign as it urges everyone across Courier Country to think local first for the festive shopping season, whether in person or online.

It is a rallying cry being championed by both Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) and VisitScotland to help the region’s businesses in a time of real need as they battle to overcome challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Whether it be vouchers for a local shop, a meal out or a getaway at a hotel or attraction close to home, they say the gift choices on offer have also never been stronger as people appreciate more of what’s on their doorstep.

STP chief officer Phil Prentice

STP chief officer Phil Prentice said: “Christmas is always an incredibly important time of year for local businesses of all kinds as they look to make the most of festive spending. But, given the challenges we have all faced during 2020, the need for us to show them our support has never been greater.

“By pledging to shop local and less global this Christmas, we can help them through a challenging winter while staying safe and following the Scottish Government’s FACTS advice.”

VisitScotland is using its popular website and social channels to showcase the vast range of gifts, products and experiences that people can enjoy on their doorsteps, including across Tayside and Fife.

Vicki Miller, director of marketing and digital at VisitScotland, said: “Tourism is a force for good, playing a part not just in providing jobs and economic benefits to every corner of Scotland, but also bringing benefits to wellbeing and society.

“Without accommodation providers, attractions, events, restaurants, bars or shops, many communities would cease to exist. They are the heartbeat of our villages, towns and cities and the reason visitors from around the world visit Scotland year after year.

“Buying gift vouchers, shopping online or on our high streets, dining out or booking a break on your doorstep; by loving local you are supporting communities during tough times and helping protect the places and businesses you, and many others, love to visit.”

Businesses which have shown great innovation across the region include the Bowhouse Market in Fife. It now allows people to pre-order and collect produce from its suppliers, from St Andrews fish merchants to Auchtertool butchers and Pittenweem chocolatiers, using the Bowhouse Link, which was formed during lockdown as an online ‘alternative market.’

Meanwhile, the Gin Bothy at Glamis has been running some virtual gin tasting events including Kim Cameron’s bothy songs. They have been attending some virtual markets to promote their gins. They do a gingerbread gin that takes its inspiration from nearby Kirriemuir’s Gingerbread, they’re doing some Covid-friendly in-person tastings at Glamis in December.

The will of people to support their local businesses, wherever they can, is clear with a poll commissioned by the Scotland Loves Local campaign finding that 60% of Scots agree it is important to them to do as much Christmas shopping as they can from their local high street, either in store or online, rather than going further afield

Mr Prentice added: “Money that’s spent locally stays local for longer. Thinking local first is something we can all do in order to help protect jobs and ensure these businesses continue to be there for us as part of building a stronger, more sustainable future for our communities.

“The greatest gift you can give your local businesses this Christmas is to support them.”

Find out more at www.lovelocal.scot, www.VisitScotland.com/LoveLocal or by following #ScotlandLovesLocal on social media.