Scotland’s Heritage, the partnership of 27 key Scottish tourism partners representing over 800 of Scotland’s finest visitor attractions, launched the Tour Operator of the year award at VisitScotland Expo 2013 and is delighted to announce two winners this year.

Shearings Holidays is awarded with Scotland’s Heritage UK Tour Operator of the Year and CIE Tours International is awarded for the 2^nd year in a row, as Scotland’s Heritage International Tour Operator of the Year.

Voted by the partners, the awards are made in recognition of the considerable importance the travel trade plays in the Scotland’s Heritage partner businesses including worldwide promotion and providing the vital bookings that are key to this sector.

Group spokesman and Historic Scotland’s Sales Manager, Graeme Bowie commented:

We are delighted to make these awards to Shearings and CIE Tours who over the years have delivered consistently to Visitor attractions across our extensive partnership, delivering enhanced and new programmes regularly with considerable dedication, and it is this we wish to acknowledge.

The UK is a vitally important market and we do appreciate Shearings Holidays’ diverse and varied tours to keep strong product out there for UK Visitors on a year round basis.

 Caroline Narloch, UK Product manager, Shearings Holidays said:

Scotland remains an important destination for Shearings Holidays due to its rich heritage and culture. Whether you are visiting the vibrant cities, the spectacular Highlands, the tranquil lochs or the breathtaking islands, there really is something for everyone. I am delighted to say with 5 new Scottish itineraries, 2014 is looking to be an exciting year for Shearings and 2015 even more so. On behalf of everyone at Shearings I would like to thank the Scotland’s Heritage Group for this fantastic award and we look forward to continuing our association with the group for many years to come.

Exhibiting for a 7^th consecutive year at VisitScotland Expo, this exciting partnership stretches from Orkney to Gretna Green. We are working together to showcase the very best of Scotland’s Heritage attractions to the travel trade.

Notes to Editors:

In Photos

 UKDene Brebner, Johnstons of Elgin; Liz Young The National Trust for Scotland ; Caroline Narloch, Shearings Holidays; Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland; Linda Mellis, Discovering Distilleries; Pete Chambers, Royal Yacht Britannia. Costumed characters from Battle of Bannockburn, Mary King’s Close, Mercat Tours and National Museums Scotland

Awards presented with engraved decanters from Glencairn Crystal, embroidered cashmere from Johnstons of Elgin & Talisker Storm whisky from Diageo

More information and other photos from lizyoung.dunbar@gmail.com