Members of a Perthshire family are among the stars of a tourism advert that aims to help generate £65 million for the Scottish economy.
VisitScotland’s Surprise Yourself campaign features parents Steve and Kay Dow and children Tommy (8) and Harry (5) from Luncarty, who were filmed visiting last year’s Enchanted Forest event in Pitlochry. The advert will be televised for the first time during today’s episode of Emmerdale on ITV1 at 7.15pm.
Kay, a teacher at Perth Academy, had seen a notice on the Enchanted Forest website asking if people would like to take part.
“It was a great experience and the boys really enjoyed it,” she said. “It was interesting to see how television is made and we’re really looking forward to seeing the finished product.”
Husband Steve, a tiler with Sidey, joked, “Next stop Hollywood!”
The £3.5 million campaign from the national tourist organisation focuses on presenting some surprising twists to familiar Scottish backdrops.
The advert has been directed by Glasgow-born David Eustace. Having worked at Barlinnie Prison from 1981 to 1989, the 49-year-old is now a photographer and was only too happy to get behind a slightly different camera for VisitScotland.
Regional director Richard Pinn said, “The importance of tourism to economic growth in Perthshire is underpinned by the extra £1.5 million of investment in the Surprise Yourself campaign, which allows VisitScotland to increase its pre-Easter marketing activity.
“We all know that people want to visit Scotland but this is all about persuading them to book now. We are absolutely thrilled with the new adverts, which David has done a magnificent job of directing.
“Perthshire is an amazing holiday destination and chock full of surprising things to see and do. Our Surprise Yourself campaign will be used throughout the year, moving away from the seasonal campaigns of the past.
“As well as the stunning landscapes, I think that the new adverts for Surprise Yourself portray the warmth and friendliness of the Scottish people. I hope in some way we have created a commercial that will attract others to come and experience the beauty, mystery and spectacle that is Scotland.”